Denali National Park officials are examining the possibility of raising mountaineering fees for those climbers wishing to climb Denali.  While the majority of Americans are probably not paying too much attention, the mountaineering community across the U.S. is weighing in and putting their boots down on the issue that concerns North America’s highest peak.  Sue Deyoe has more.

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Valley Jam DJ Todd Basilone interviewed Tom Surprenant on the progress of climber Lonnie Dupre who is trying to make history by summiting Mt. McKinley in January. Surprenant is Dupre’s expedition support team member currently based in Talkeetna. Audio runs about 12 min.

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More than half of the climbers who scaled Mt. McKinley last year reached the summit. Denali National Park officials say 1,222 climbers took on McKinley in 2010 and 55 percent, or 670 climbers, reached the summit. (more…)

KTNA’s news, weather, announcements and Denali Echoes, hosted by Will Peterson. Local news headlines: Denali climbing statistics released; Governor Parnell pushes Susitna Hydro project; Su Valley ladies win Tri-Valley Basketball Championship. (16 min.)

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Every winter there is an attempt by at least one person, if not several people,  to summit Denali.  This year will be no exception.  A man from Grand Marais, Minn. will be in Talkeetna the last week of December bringing a film crew with him. (more…)

Denali National Park officials are asking the public for comments on the costs of the climbing program on Mt McKinley and Mt. Foraker.  As budgets are examined nationwide and parks struggle to pay for services, Denali National Park is looking at their mountaineering program, which costs $1.4 million each year to operate.  They are collecting input from climbers across the U.S. on the current system.

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KTNA’s morning news, weather, announcements and Denali Echoes, for Wednesday, Dec.8, with Diana Haecker. Local news headlines: Borough mayoral elections to be held in January; Eight proposals for state revenue share before Talkeetna Community Council; NPS extends public comment period for allocation of climbing permits. (16 min.)

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The National Park Service has extended the public comment period for the environmental assessment considering the allocation of mountain climbing permits for commercial guiding operations. (more…)

The National Park Service has opened a public comment period to examine the possibility of raising fees that mountaineers pay to climb Mt McKinley and Mt. Foraker.  Despite an increase in the special use fee in 2005, the current revenue only covers 17% of the cost of the program overall.  Park officials are asking climbers and others nationwide to weigh in hopes of coming up with a solution.

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