Chasing Denali: The Sourdoughs, Cheechakos, and Frauds behind the Most Unbelievable Feat in Mountaineering

The history of mountaineering began on Denali with the legendary story of four gold miners (called “Sourdoughs” because they carried sourdough starter with them at all times) who claimed to have summited after climbing more than 8,000 feet of steep snow and ice, then back down again—all in a single and incredibly dangerous day in 1910. Lugging a 25-pound, 14-foot flagpole to mark their success, they took on North America’s highest peak using sheet metal crampons, coal shovels, hatchets, and alpenstocks to balance their way up the mountain. Was the expedition a success or a hoax? Denali climber Jon Waterman brings this colorful mountaineering mystery to life.

About the Author :
Jonathan Waterman is mostly known for his time exploring the North, detailed in seven of his twelve books and in journals such as the Washington Post, The New York Times, Adventure, Hooked On the Outdoors, Outside, Backpacker, Climbing, and Rock and Ice. He is the author of A Most Hostile Mountain, Arctic Crossing, Cloud Dancers, In the Shadow of Denali, Surviving Denali, and Where the Mountains Are Nameless, among others. He lives in Carbondale, Colorado.

Review :
"Chasing Denali is a superb blend of history and personal narrative...fascinating." —Lou Dawson, Wildsnow.com “Waterman juxtaposes the outlandish feats of the Sourdoughs with his own coming-of-age story: watching over corpses that litter the hill and sharing a reverent philosophy about conquest. Through its pursuit of mythical heroes, Chasing Denali is a parable of the truths underlying alpinism. An unforgettable tale.” —Ed Viesturs, author of No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World’s 14 Highest Peaks “This is a finely crafted, literary page-turner that weaves personal narrative and history into a seamless, resonating whole. Chasing Denali transcends and elevates the climbing story genre to an art form while offering a grounded examination of one of mountaineering’s great, controversial feats.” —Nick Jans, author of A Wolf Called Romeo “Jon Waterman understands as few do the rhythm and spirit of Alaska. In this compelling new book, he brings all of his knowledge, insight, and compassion to bear on a long forgotten mystery of mountaineering.” —Wade Davis, author of Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest “A fascinating and skillfully crafted book, linking Waterman’s own experience and perspective on Denali with that of those amazing tough pioneers with their colorful tales, exaggerations, and at times downright lies. I was riveted by the quality of his detective work.” —Chris Bonington, author of Ascent: A Life Spent Climbing on the Edge