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Chasing Denali: The Sourdoughs, Cheechakos, and Frauds Behind the Most Unbelievable Feat in Mountaineering

Jonathan Waterman

3.55 · Rating details · 53 ratings · 8 reviews

The history of mountaineering began on Denali with the legendary story of four gold miners (called "Sourdoughs" because they carried sourdough starter with them at all times) who claimed to have summited after climbing more than 8,000 feet of steep snow and ice, then back down again--all in a single and incredibly dangerous day in 1910. Lugging a 25-pound, 14-foot flagpole ...more

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Hardcover, 140 pages

Published November 1st 2018 by Lyons Press

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Start your review of Chasing Denali: The Sourdoughs, Cheechakos, and Frauds Behind the Most Unbelievable Feat in Mountaineering

May 02, 2019 Roxie rated it it was amazing

It is not simply that I enjoyed meeting Jon Waterman at a reading at the Tattered Cover Aspen Grove, hearing him discuss what urged him to begin his trek up Denali in the footsteps of the four men (called Sourdoughs for reasons you will read in the book) who said they completed the climb in 1910 wearing home sewn, mattress ticking coats, fur moccasins, carrying hand axes, and no ropes, but it is also that the book's cover with its luminous picture of the mountain grabs you by the eyes, the sub t It is not simply that I enjoyed meeting Jon Waterman at a reading at the Tattered Cover Aspen Grove, hearing him discuss what urged him to begin his trek up Denali in the footsteps of the four men (called Sourdoughs for reasons you will read in the book) who said they completed the climb in 1910 wearing home sewn, mattress ticking coats, fur moccasins, carrying hand axes, and no ropes, but it is also that the book's cover with its luminous picture of the mountain grabs you by the eyes, the sub title twangs your curiosity, and the smooth, well laid out, almost casual writing style, which reads more like a private conversation about family legends, true and untrue, rather than a highly detailed, deeply researched, sterile reportage of personal and historic events, weave a completely satisfying read, with two unsolved mysteries for the price of one!

Jon's broad knowledge of the history of Alaska, his personal experience in mountaineering, and his intimate knowledge of treading the snow and breathing the air of Denali itself, combined with his wondering whether he himself could make yet another climb to the peak as he neared his sixtieth birthday, color and parallel the puzzling tale of the four Sourdough climbers. The skepticism about both achievements is ripe and full throughout the read, both in Jon's writing, and in the reader's mind. The almost hilarious details about the rivelries among other early climbers wanting to debunk any claim the Sourdoughs had for reaching the peak are a riot to read. Egos abounded, as did ridiculous plans on mastering the mountain by age old, time wasting, cumbersome methods. The Sourdoughs offered advice, and even some sourdough starter to some who doubted them. Fools, all...ignoring the advice, spilling the sourdough, failing to find their way. Who knew so many would want a piece of the glory? The Alaskans always came out ahead, it would seem.

READ THIS! It will resolve any questions you might have about a one hundred eight year old mystery, and it will clarify how far one man was able to go to prove himself to himself. You will not regret you picked up this book! You may even find yourself, as I did, pulling on your boots, and hiking down the street, imagining yourself atop your biggest challenge - fist up, heart pumping, one with the air you breathe!

*** ***

P.S. I still call it Mt. McKinley...climbing it was once the goal of those of us who worked at McKinley Mortgage Co (named for the mountain, and now long defunct) back in the 80s, well before my own 60th birthday. Now, I'll simply enjoy Jon Waterman's viewpoint. ...more

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Jan 14, 2019 Robin rated it it was ok · review of another edition

For those of us interested in adventure, but not very knowledgeable about climbers or the mountains they climb, this book seems a bit hard to follow. Maps of the climbing routes would have been very helpful. I tried to find online maps of Denali to help me follow the stories, but they were impossible for me to find - in enough detail to be able to understand the climbs. The lack of maps ruined this reading experience for me.

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Apr 20, 2020 Jean Dupenloup rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mountain-climbing

A solid, well-researched account of one of mountaineering’s most stunning feats.
The book tells the story of the Sourdoughs, four gold miners who, with no prior climbing experience, managed to haul a 14-foot flagpole to Denali’s unclimbed second summit (and lesser of the two.)
The reason? To win a bet with the locals.
This tale of daring-do and optimism verging on the naïve is a fine addition to the written history of North America’s highest peak.

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Jan 08, 2020 Matt rated it liked it · review of another edition

Another good book by Waterman, but not quite the page turner that I experienced with “In the Shadow of Denali”. This book was a bit confusing with peoples names, dates, different expeditions, and mountain route references I had no knowledge of. I found myself wanting a map and an org chart to decipher. From a historical perspective I did learn some new things!

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Dec 30, 2018 Jeff Smith rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a great quick read, and it really delved into some of the myths surrounding the first ascents of Denali. There was a good balance of looking at everything that could have been possible, and still not simply accepting the stories as fact.

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