In June of 2009, an incredible group of adventurers gathered in Alaska to become the first to Skydive Over Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. The trip proved to be more of an adventure than any could have imagined.

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Locals are quick to point out that "Denali makes its own weather" and they weren't wrong. Jumpers spent days waiting and watching the skies while jump staff stayed logged on to wind and satellite reports. On the day jumps were originally slated to begin, a 5.4 earthquake livened up a morning briefing.

The next day, hours were spent at the airport, waiting for a break in the weather that never came. On day three, partly out of boredom, staff decided to arrange "practice jumps" over Talkeetna Airport. Finally, on Thursday, June 25th, the day most jumpers were scheduled to head home, Denali Skydive staff awoke to sunny skies and an incredible view of Mt McKinley. Wake-up calls went out to jumpers, flight and hotel reservations were changed and everyone headed for the airport.

After a pre-flight briefing that included how to handle a bear encounter, a small plane carrying the jump team's photographer was sent ahead to mark the landing zone. Soon, the first jumpers were exiting a perfectly incredible DHC-6 Super Otter from roughly 23,000 feet, popping chutes and heading out over Upper Coffee Glacier. The temperature at altitude ranged from 50 to 60 below. Their 20 to 30 minute canopy rides took them along the mountain ridge, over the Spinks River and toward the sandbar designated by the Cub pilot as "Landing Zone One". Two jumpers missed the target and had to be retrieved by helicopter, but everyone landed safely after a truly incredible adventure!