Denali National Park is holding two public "open houses" to discuss their desire to increase the mountaineering fee for Denali and Foraker. Currently at $200, rumors abound as to how high they'd like it to be. The first number thrown out by the Park was $500, although Congressional voices have probably made that 150% increase improbable at this point. They call the fee a "Cost Recovery Fee" and feel that they spend more on climbers than they currently recover.
Though we are fundamentally opposed to any fees for using our public lands, we recognize that Denali poses certain specific challenges and accept that some form of fee will forever remain in place. How much that fee needs be is what is up for discussion.
The meetings are to be held as follows:
Seattle, Washington – Monday, January 17, REI Flagship Store, 222 Yale Ave. N, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Golden, Colorado – Tuesday, January 18, American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Comments can also be emailed to: DENA_mountainfeecomments@nps.gov
Climbing Denali is already an expensive endeavor. We encourage you to contribute your thoughts and personal commentary. Would a $500 fee prevent you from attempting the mountain? What services do you feel are necessary? How much are you willing to pay for those services?
Mountain Trip will be in Golden and we look forward to seeing you, if you can make it on the 18th. I'll buy a round at the Golden Brewing Company post-meeting! (Golden's 2nd largest brewer...)
Thanks for your time and consideration,
Todd Rutledge
Guide/Director
Mountain Trip
www.mountaintrip.com
info@mountaintrip.com
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