This book took two years to write. It also took thirty-four years, from when I first arrived in Denali National Park until now. Many people have fallen under the same mountain spell, and in some way contributed to my journey. Thank you Bill Truesdale, Sandy Kogl, George Wagner, Doug Cuillard, Bob Butterfield, Will Morris, Jane Anderson, Jeff Bohman, Brad Ebel, Bruce Talbot, Jill Johnson, Donna Gates, Ken Kertell, Rick McIntyre, Chuck Lennox, Karen Laing, Steve Carwile, Cathy Rezabeck, Jim Shives, Maggie Yurick, Rollie and Mary Ostermick, Joe Van Horn, Jon Waterman, Pamela A. Miller, Tom and Kim Chisdock, Brad and Barbara Washburn, Claire Curtis, Kris Fister, Paul Anderson, Ray Bane, Bob Gerhard, Ed Zahniser, Sue Deyoe, Jane Bryant, Craig Brandt, Rob Hammel, Tim and Denise Taylor, Phil and Barbara Brease, Tom and Donna Habecker, Dave Tilford, William E. (Bill) Brown, Nancy Bale, Chuck and Mona Bale, Marissa James, Alan Seegert, Charlie Loeb, Dave Schirokauer, Keith Kehoe, Carol McIntyre, Carol Harding, David Tomeo, NJ Gates, Andy Keller, Kara Lewandowski, Celia Hunter, Ginny Wood, Wally and Jerry Cole, Simon and Jenna Hamm, Land and Laura Cole, Pete and Claudia Martin, Annie Lowery, Anne Beaulaurier, Laurie Schlueb, Liz Berry, Hannah Berry, Bill and Ree Nancarrow, Tim Rains, Jay Elhard, Kim Arthur, Davyd Betchkal, Jennifer Raffaeli, Rob and Kimber Burrows, Isabel Browne Driscoll and Peter Driscoll, Jim Okonek, Brian and Diane Okonek, Dave Hahn, Arthur Mannix, Eberhard Jurgalski, Chris (Krigi) Leibundgut, Richard Nelson, Jim Stratton, Susan Ruddy, Nan Elliot, Bill Sherwonit, Kris Capps, Sherry Simpson, Linda Franklin, Jeff and Lori Yanuchi, Jesse Laner, Dan Henry, Lynn Schooler, Jane Freeburg, Janet Neilson, Andrew Gertge, Ford Cochran, Scott Kish, Em Jackson, David Estrada, Joey Abate, Bailey Edelstein, Joellen Mauch, Erica Taylor, Cameron Crow, Max Zagor, Dan Stuke, Emma Phippen, Hilary Yu, Zack Meredith, Emily Billin, Justin Baker, Jodi Rodwell, Eric Brown, Matt Unterberger, Joseph Whelan, Kelly Bogan, Joe Jovanovich, Blanche Jovanovich (LeBrock), Tom Bean and Susan Lamb, Jeff Gnass, Laurie Craig, Roy Corral, Tony Dawson, Kathy Bushue, Daniel Cox, Rich Kirchner, Mike Giannechini, Alissa Crandall, Ed Bovy, Robin Brandt, Lewis Kemper, Doug Pfeiffer, Terry Boyd, Fred Hirschmann, Michio and Naoko Hoshino, Ken and Jacky Graham, Keith and Barbara Walters, Ford and Karen Reeves, and Terry and Ann Miller. For their wonderful friendship, encouragement, and hospitality: Stan and Gretchen Carrick, Larry and Karla Bright, Richard Steele and Luann McVey, Brian and Arlie Swett, Harry and Phyllis Hassinger, Tom Walker, Josala and Eddie Fetherolf, Susan Kay Weber, Greg LaHaie and Elise Lockton, and Bob Shelton. I am blessed to have as my literary agent, Elizabeth Kaplan, and for editors, Jon Sternfeld and Holly Rubino, beacons of intelligence and professionalism. Thanks also to Staci Zacharski, my production editor, to Cheryl Brubaker, my copyeditor, and to Jessica Plaskett, my publicist. A special thanks to friends and/or Denali residents/scholars who proofread the manuscript and offered valuable comments and corrections: Hank Lentfer, Andrea Blakesley, Nan Eagleson, Ingrid Nixon, Carolyn Elder, and the incomparable Melanie Heacox, out there on the tundra with tears of gratitude.