Ultimate Experiences > Skydiving Denali Adventure

Skydiving Denali Adventure above Mt. McKinley in Alaska

Join us in June 2009 as we attempt to conquer yet another legendary peak from the sky

In October of 2008, a group of daring adventurers gathered in Nepal and became the first to Skydive Mt Everest. Now, the stage is being set for yet another incredible skydiving first.

Join us in June as we attempt to conquer yet another legendary peak from the sky. Be among the first to jump Mt McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Located deep within Alaska's Denali National Park and rising 20,320 feet high, Denali, as it's known to locals and mountain climbers, has a larger bulk and rise than Mt Everest.

NO SKYDIVING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

For safety reasons, all jumps above Mt McKinley will be high-altitude tandem skydives. Participants will be tightly harnessed to experienced military-trained freefall instructors. The guys in charge of delivering your Skydive Denali jump are the same guys called upon to train Nato forces in the art of military freefall. You'll jump with oxygen and using current issue military-grade equipment. There is no better qualified skydive team to lead your adventure in the air. Our guys are the only jump professionals officially certified by the FAA to perform high-altitude tandems from an altitude of 28,000 or higher.

THE DENALI SKYDIVE TEAM

You’ll skydive over Mt McKinley with a group of men who began their skydiving careers in the US military. In their civilian lives, they have gone on to achieve some of the highest ratings issued by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). Kevin Holbrook and his team have completed more high-altitude tandem jumps than anyone else in the country.

Kevin’s group is called upon to train NATO forces from around the world in military freefall and his company is the only organisation approved by the FAA to conduct tandem skydives at altitudes higher than 28,000 feet.

The team’s Tandem Master Instructor Examiner Ratings attest to their ability to teach and certify other tandem instructors. Their Safety & Training Advisor credentials confirm their focus and training in areas of safety. Their prestigious PRO ratings attest to their ability to land with extreme accuracy, in small spaces, while facing challenging conditions. Ben Crowell is an FAA-certified Senior Master Rigger and Jim Horak is a Flight Surgeon. Neagle Ledet is a former Ranger and is the team’s Safety Officer and videographer.

Joining the team for the Denali Skydive will be Canadian skydiving instructor Neil Jones, one of the first to Skydive Everest.

WHERE WILL YOU LAND?

We honestly can't tell you. Event day wind and weather conditions (and Denali Park officials) will dictate where you'll touch down. The military-style mission calls for jumpers to exit the aircraft at an altitude of 22,000ft to 24,000ft, and land on a glacier as close to Denali Base Camp as safely possible. (Ruth's Glacier is our first choice.) In our tandem HALO jumps, we "jump high and open low". Denali Skydives will be different. Tandem masters will deploy chutes shortly after exiting our jump aircraft, allowing you the maximum time possible in the sky to enjoy and capture the mountain view.

SAMPLE SKYDIVE INTINERARY - *Subject to change like Alaska weather

The Denali Skydive Adventure
Talkeetna, Alaska

Make History June 20-25, 2009
The Denali Skydive Team

Saturday, June 20 - Arrive Anchorage, Alaska. Fly, drive or take a train or bus to Talkeetna. Check in to your mountain view room at the Talkeetna Lodge. Stop by the Denali Skydive Hospitality Suite to receive the latest schedule of training and activities and preview jump equipment. Evening free to relax or mingle with staff and other skydiving participants.

Sunday, June 21 - We’re arranging something fun and touristy for you to do in the early part of the day. (Participation is optional, but we’d like you to see a bit of Alaska while getting to know other skydive participants.) Report to the Denali Skydive Hospitality Suite around 4 pm to begin your high-altitude Denali jump training. Estimated training time is three to four hours. After you’re fully-briefed and ready to skydive, we’ll feed you dinner and send you to bed, so you’re well-rested for the adventure ahead.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, June 22-24 - Three days have been set aside for skydives to allow for possible weather delays. The order you jump is determined by the date your deposit is received in IA’s Florida Office, but the day you skydive will be determined by Mother Nature. Please remember to pack your patience. You could find yourself hanging out at the airport awhile, waiting for weather to clear. We want the conditions for your incredible skydive over Mt McKinley to be as perfect as they can be.

THE SOONER YOU SIGN UP, THE SOONER YOU JUMP.

Accommodation: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

We're still fine-tuning the details, but here is what we do know. This is a six day, five night adventure based in Talkeetna, Alaska. The price includes all pre-jump training, one high-altitude tandem skydive, park fees, post-jump transfer back to Talkeetna, lodging at the Talkeetna Lodge, local entertainment, hospitality and select meals. What's not included: Travel to Talkeetna, most meals and incidentals. Note: Weather back-up days have been built into the Denali Skydive Adventure itinerary but you should be flexible and willing and able to extend your stay if necessary to complete your jump.