Backpacking Denali: Mileage and Elevation Summary

One of the more disappointing aspects of our week long backpacking trip was the lower mileage days.  For the months leading up to this adventure, we focused on hiking with heavy backs on long distance hikes.  I had first found the trip through Denali National Park on The Clymb, but it was a 10 day trip and we didn't think we were capable since we had never backpacked before and the requirements seemed too stout.  At the end of our 7 day trip though, we knew we would have been more than capable to have continued on with the harder trip.

Traveling in a large group and over natural terrain were probably our most limiting factors, but the slower pace did allow us to soak up the beauty of our surroundings.  We were literally hiking in one of the most beautiful parts of the country and had plenty of time to sit in awe and realize exactly how special it was.  Every lunch break had someone commenting about how amazingly unreal our views were.  One such lunch took place sitting and staring at Denali at the top of a mountain.  On this trip, we were more process hikers versus product oriented and it was a unique change.  The months leading up to this trip, you can tell from our blog that we clearly went into the experience as product hikers.  We had to change our expectations as we went along, but got to savor the moment more.

Here is a short summary of our miles and elevation and hopefully we will get a change to write more about each day: