North America, United States, Alaska, Denali National Park and Preserve, Kahiltna Peaks, Traverse

Publication Year: 2009.

Kahiltna Peaks, traverse. Japanese climbers Tatsuro Yamada and Yuto Inoue traversed the Kahiltna Peaks from west to east, then continued high on the Cassin Ridge in attempting a massive enchainment. Although specifics will never be known, clues from extensive aerial searches indicate that they reached 19,000' or higher on the Cassin before disappearing. The pair was part of an ambitious crew of Japanese climbers called the “Giri-Giri Boys,” who have climbed many impressive new routes in the Alaska Range and elsewhere in the past several years, as covered in recent AAJs, including AAJ 2008’s feature article by Yamada on the Ruth Gorge.