Delta Regional Group: "Mount McKinley Adventure"

Tuesday, June 9, 7:15 pm, (note day/month change), Antioch Library, 501 West 18th Street, Antioch.

Imagine a 32-day uphill expedition in Alaska, through snow and wind, and along treacherous trails, carrying all the food, shelter, and equipment needed. That's the challenge that Rich McDrew and his friend Dennis Swanson met in May 2004 to reach the summit of the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley (aka Denali, 20,230 feet). The unique part of the climb was that it was self-supplied and unguided; even more unusual was the climbers' advancing years - Rich was 63, and Dennis 58. The climb required excellent physical condition, training, and selection of lightweight gear, equipment, and menu items. On Day 24 they made it to the summit, and when the weather had cleared, they were alone at the top of North America with a 360° view! From the summit, they made a difficult trip back to their high camp, and then on to the base camp, where they had to wait four days for clear weather so that their return aircraft could pick them up.

Rich will describe their methodical planning process, demonstrate expedition equipment, and show slides of the climb up and over the treacherous, unforgiving terrain, through swirling snow and howling winds. Rich's final comments are, "As someone once said, `the difference between an Ordeal and an Adventure is attitude.' We had an Adventure." Join us June 9 for an exciting but safe armchair journey to the top of North America with Rich McDrew.

A Bay Area native, Rich worked with the Secret Service and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Now retired, Rich is active in many environmental organizations, and is in his fifth year as president of the Mount Diablo Interpretive Asociation, which supports Mount Diablo State Park with a variety of projects, including preparing trail signage, operation of the Mitchell Canyon visitor center, preparing park publications, and assisting in habitat restoration.

Group program meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday or Wednesday in January, March, May, September, and November, unless otherwise noted. A newsletter listing Delta Group programs, outings, and activities is available by subscription. To receive it send a check for $5, payable to "Sierra Club, Delta Group", to:

Tish Brown
51 Danridge Court
Antioch, CA 94509.

For information about Delta Group activities, call Janess Hanson at (925) 458-0860. For information about Delta area environmental concerns, call Tim Donahue at (925) 754-8801.

Upcoming hikes and activities

Sun., May 3 - Martinez to Port Costa, 2A walk.
Sat., May 9 - 10 am. Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, wildflower walk in 55-acre wildlife preserve along the San Joaquin River, normally closed to the public. (This event is not sponsored by the Sierra Club.)A docent will lead a one-hour walk to see wildflowers in bloom and habitat restoration for the three endangered species here: Antioch Dunes evening primrose, Contra Costa wallflower, and Lange's metalmark butterfly. From I-80 or 680/24/242, take Highway 4 east to Antioch, A Street/Lone Tree Way exit. Turn left on A Street, right on Wilbur Avenue, and left on Fulton Shipyard Road. Meet at the main Dunes Refuge gate and parking area on right, just before a sharp left turn to the Shipyard. For information call the refuge at (707)769-4200 or Janess Hanson at (925)458-0860
Sat., May 30 - Walnut Creek Regional Trails, 1A walk
Sun., June 28 - Carquinez Regional Shoreline, 1A walk.