Ascend Denali

According to the Denali National Park website, Alaska's Mt. Denali (McKinley) is one of the seven most difficult mountains to climb in the world, with possible 100 mph winds and -50° degree wind chill factors (roughly one out of every 200 mountaineers attempting Denali dies). Needless to say, preparation is the key (that and a little luck!). Ascend Denali combines somewhat amateurish video of two trips (1992 and 1993) up the West Buttress route, offering viewers a close-up sense of what it's like to ascend the mountain, but, frankly, the better part of the DVD is found in the “extras” section, which provides information on gear, guides, and travel. Each subject is explored in detail (sometimes tedious)--type of pack, shoe, overboot, ice axe, etc.--but that's exactly what prospective climbers would need to make good decisions before attempting these slopes. Recommended. [Note: also available at the same price is Ascend Mount Rainier.] Aud: P. (S. Fisher)