USARAK Denali Climber profile: Karl Slingerland

Photo By John Pennell | Army civilian Karl Slingerland poses with the peak of Mount McKinley looming in the background. (Army photo/John Pennell)  

FORT WAINWRIGHT, AK, UNITED STATES

06.06.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Patricia McMurphy 

United States Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - The Northern Warfare Training Center, the Army’s premiere cold weather and mountain training schools has set out to conquer not only the biggest mountain in Alaska but the highest peak in North America.

The team’s technical expert and guide for the climb is veteran Karl Slingerland, a former NWTC instructor now serving as a Department of Defense civilian.

“I’ve been with the NWTC seven years, two of those years as an active-duty Infantryman and five years as a [NWTC] training specialist,” said Slingerland.

Slingerland, one of nine members comprised of NWTC instructors and soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, is the only civilian on the team and the only one who ever attempted and made a successful summit on Mount McKinley.

Mount McKinley is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit elevation of 20,320 feet above sea level.

With his past success, he had first-hand knowledge of what to expect and experience to guide the team to the top.
“You won’t see much green up there unless it’s on somebody’s coat,” Slingerland said.

Climbing season only lasts from May until July on the snow-covered mountain, with around 1,200 per year signing up for the challenge.

“On the last push to the top from 1,700ft to the summit averages about 12 hours.”Slingerland said.

“[There can be] 200-300 people at the lower camp and camp size dwindles as you go up,” Slingerland said.
Slingerland said the weather should be the team’s biggest obstacle
“The weather is what stops people from reaching the top,” Slingerland said. “As long as we get a good weather window, we shouldn’t have any problem.”
The team planned for 21 days on the mountain, from landing at the base camp to completing the summit, allowing for rests and extra down time that may occur due to bad weather.

Slingerland said with “perfect weather” it should take roughly 12 days to reach the top.
Although climbing such a large mountain is an accomplishment hundreds of mountain climbers strive for on a yearly basis, the command team at the NWTC say they have already succeeded by going above and beyond the basics, gaining more advanced skills and passing these skills down through the Soldiers they have taught to their parent units back at Fort Wainwright.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usarak/8776430478/in/set-72157633582823338/

• Date Taken: 06.06.2013
• Date Posted: 06.13.2013 18:33
• Story ID: 108633
• Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, AK, US