Since the days when Alfred Brooks, a surveyor with the U.S. Geological Survey, became the first white man to venture onto its slopes, Denali has become one of the world's greatest climbing destinations. For the early mountaineers who first conquered the north summit in 1910 and the higher south peak three years later, just getting to the mountain posed real challenges.

Today planes fly climbers to base camp, 7,200 feet up the mountain at Kahiltna Glacier. But there is still another 13,000 feet to go.

Here's a first-hand look at climbers on and around Denali, courtesy of the folks at Talkeetna Air Taxi.

Mike Rheume & Pete Gautrau on the Summit of Denali Group of Mountaineers Camped at 17,000' on Denali The Throne or Toilet at 14,000' on Denali Climbing the Headwall from 14-16,000' on Denali Camped at 16,000' on Denali looking NW The North Ridge of Denali / Sunset (Aerial shot) Pioneer Ridge Denali (Aerial shot) South Face Denali Park Service 14,000' Camp -- Group of Rangers & Climbers Putting together Denali Base Camp at 7,200' on the Kahiltna Glacier. Denali Base Camp operator Annie Duquette talks with climbers on the mountain and gives weather reports. Climbers at Denali Base Camp -- Kahiltna Glacier - 7,200' Plane at Denali Base Camp. Flying by Denali checking on climbers high on the mountain. At Base Camp -- 7,200' Kahiltna Glacier -- climbers and camps in background. Climbers unloading at Base Camp 7,200' Kahiltna Glacier.

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