Humans and Helicopters, Denali State Park, AK
N 62° 44.747 W 150° 07.820
5V E 646582 N 6960529
This sign lists the history of several helicopter rescues on Mt McKinley (aka Denali).
Waymark Code: WM9AWE
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 07/24/2010
Views: 8
The interpretive sign reads:
"Humans & Helicopters, Straining to Climb Higher.
Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet attracts climbers from around the world. Anxious to test their skills, many underestimate the mountain. Some receive a deadly dose of reality. Since their first rescue use in 1954, helicopters have revountionized rescue on Mount McKinley.
Straining the Limits Both civilian and military helicopters are used to rescue Denali climbers, but the Army's High Altitude Rescue Team (HART) has the record for the greatest number of rescues. Over the years, elevation records fell as pilots strained engines, transmissions and rotors to save lives.
Metro to Mountain Access to Denali used to require weeks, now you can leave Anchorage in the morning and be on the West Buttress Route by mid-afternoon. Over one thousand climbers attempt this route every year.
5,500' 05/31/54 SiKorski The first helicopter rescue (injuries from fall).
15,000' 05/18/76 UH-1H-HUEY Pulmonary edema
15,000' 06/28/70 ALLOUETTE III Cerebral edema
18,200' 06/11/78 CH-47-CHINOOK Acute mountain Sickness HART
18,200' 05/27/83 CH-47-CHINOOK Altitude sickness and frostbite HART
17,200' 04/07/76 CH-47-CHINOOK Broken ankle
17,200' 07/27/83 BELL 212 Pulmonary edema
17,200' 06/28/60 HILLER-12E 1 fall, 1 frostbite
17.200' 06/04/72 ALLOURETTE III Broken leg
14,200' 05/24/91 HH-60-G-PAVEHAWK Frostbite and pulmonary edema
20,310' 06/03/76 HILLER-12-J-3 First summit landing, injuries from fall
19,600' 06/09/95 CH-47-CHINOOK Altitude sickness and frostbite HART
16,900' 06/06/82 HILLER-TURBINE 1100 Pulmondary edema
In 1991, the National Park Service leased an Aerospatiale Lama helicopter capable of operating safely to the summit."
Group that erected the marker: State Parks Department of Alaska
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Parks Highway, Denali State Park
Curry, AK USA
|
Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.