Ascend Denali

Rating:
Summary: Blends informative commentary with breathtaking scenery
Review: Ascend Denali from Weekend Climber Productions is an superbly presented interactive DVD guide to Denali, the highest peak in North America and a precipice well known for its extreme and hazardous cold. Ranked among the most dangerous mountains in the world, Ascend Denali presents challenges and hazards which are knowledgeably discussed in depth, along with advice and recommended preparations for experienced climbers seeking to tackle this great summit. Combining an extensive commentary with a spectacular visual tour, and offering a unique and in-depth video gear guide, Ascend Denali is a truly superb resource for both amateur and professional climbers. Also very highly recommended is Ascend Mount Rainier ($24.95), another Weekend Climber Productions interactive DVD guide to several of the most popular routes taken to scale the slopes of Mount Rainier, the fifth highest peak in North America. Following the progress of a guided party tackling the 14,410 foot summit, Ascend Mount Rainier blends informative commentary with breathtaking scenery in a superb resource for dedicated climbers as well as armchair travelers. Special features include 3D and 2D interactive route maps, guide service information, video panoramas, and more.

Rating:
Summary: High on Denali
Review: The flick starts slowly, but eventually gives a good overall view of the West Buttress Route on Denali. A fair look at the climbing skills needed, good details on the campsites used, and hard facts about the weather challenges every team faces on that mountain. I loved the views from high on the mountain.

Rating:
Summary: Not a guide to Denali, but some nice footage nonetheless...
Review: This DVD is not a comprehensive guide to how to climb this mountain - if that's what you're looking for, you will not find it. The main feature of this DVD is essentially a home movie (of good quality, mind you) taken by some guy named Kevin Flynn on his two separate attempts to reach Denali's summit. Spliced into the home movie are some interesting interview segments with Bradford Washburn, and it includes some beautiful views of the Alaska range from different vantage points along the West Buttress route. The "gear guide" included as an extra feature on this DVD is excellent - very nicely done.

On the down side, videographer Kevin Flynn's comentary is irritatingly asinine at times, making segments of the DVD hard to sit through. Some of his comments, such as claiming to have "never been on a big mountain", and hence figuring that "Denali would be a good place to start", seem almost irresponsible. Too many have died thinking that paying your guide fees and being fit are sufficient to keep you safe on a big mountain. Without Flynn's commentary, I would be inclined to give this DVD 4.5-5 stars (seeing as how I had never expected it to be a climbing guide).

Route-wise, prospective West Buttress climbers should read Colby Coombs' book "Denali's West Buttress: A Climber's Guide to Mount McKinley's Classic Route".