North America, United States, Alaska, Interesting Statistics

Publication Year: 1988.

Interesting Statistics. In 1987, new all-time records were set for the number of people attempting Mount McKinley: 1978 = 539; 1979 = 533; 1980 = 659; 1981=612; 1982 = 696; 1983 = 709; 1984 = 695; 1985 = 645; 1986 = 755; 1987 = 817. Success Rate: 251 (31%) of these attempting Mount McKinley were successful. This was the lowest success rate since 1971 when 29% of the 163 climbers reached the summit. None attempting either Mount Foraker or Mount Hunter was successful. Acute Mountain Sickness; 128 (16%) had symptoms. 91 (11%) were mild; 32 (4%) were moderate; 5(1%) were severe. Frostbite: 55 (7%) reported some degree of frostbite, two of which required hospitalization. West Buttress Route: 687 (84%) of the climbers were on the popular West Buttress route. Mountain Guiding: 244 (30%) of the climbers traveled with one of the authorized guiding companies. The overall success of these groups was 23%. Most were on the West Buttress, but other guided parties were attempted on the Muldrow, West Rib and South Buttress. No guided party reached the summit of Mount McKinley by any route other than the West Buttress. Foreign Climbers: 232 (28%) of the climbers were from foreign countries. 16 nationalities were represented: Australia 23, Austria 18, Canada 27, France 21, Great Britain 40, Israel 2, Italy 4, Japan 33, Netherlands 6, New Zealand 2, Romania 1, Mexico 4, Poland 6, Switzerland 29, West Germany 14, Yugoslavia 2. Number of Climbers on McKinley during a Given Week: A new all-time high of 314 climbers were on the slopes of Mount McKinley for the week ending May 19.