This January Grand Marais adventurer and polar explorer Lonnie Dupre will start the new year by attempting a solo climb of Mount Hunter, one of three great peaks in Denali Park, Alaska. If Dupre succeeds, he will become the first person to achieve the climbing feat.
As the northland turns into a giant icebox, Lonnie Dupre is doing what he seemingly always does. He’s headed for some place colder.
Last month Dupre received a nice write up in National Geographic for his more than 25 years of polar exploration. If he succeeds in his latest adventure, he may well get another feature in the famed magazine.
This winter Lonnie is attempting to add to his impressive list of accomplishments as he tries to become the first solo ascent of Mount Hunter (14,573 feet). Hunter is the steepest and most technical of the three great peaks in Denali National Park. It is also known as the most difficult 14,000- foot peak in North America. No one has yet to succeed at a solo ascent of this mountain during winter. Dupre’s recent 2015 success at being the first to reach Denali’s (20,340 feet) summit in January has propelled him to attempt this frigid first.
Dupre is launching Cold Hunter One. The climb will be an alpine style ascent. Everything Dupre needs to keep him alive for 15 days will be strapped to his back, his pack weighing approximately 55 pounds. Dupre hopes to fly into the Alaska Range the first week of January, weather permitting.
“This project is the culmination of all my years of experience wrapped into one challenge, where every ounce of food, fuel, gear and clothing matters,” said Dupre. “All calculations are based on the absolute minimum my body needs to survive. I’ve allowed four days for storms; weather will be a leading factor to the success of the climb.”
Cold Hunter One brings a message of living simply. Based on past experience and northern cultures, Dupre innovates and tweaks the unique gear, outerwear and food required for the cold and windy conditions he will face during his winter ascent. He exemplifies simplicity by ensuring all he packs along is of solid quality and multipurpose.
Dupre is sponsored by a variety of businesses. He said he is thrilled to continue his partnership with lead sponsor, PrimaLoft – Performance Insulation. This product is used in his clothing and footwear. PrimaLoft has been used in all of Dupre’s expeditions since 1995.
Dupre’s major sponsors include: Minnesota-based Granite Gear, which produces serious backpacks and accessories that he has used on his expeditions for over 25 years. Voyageur Brewing, his Grand Marais hometown brewery and next door neighbor, is providing him with strong motivation to come off the mountain alive.
His support sponsors include: SPOT personal locator beacon to follow along during the climb, Globalstar providing satellite phone service as Dupre’s lifeline to the rest of the world, BlueWater Ropes for his descent off the mountain, Mountain Hardwear for his sleep system, tent, one-piece suit and various other garments that will keep him warm, and Midwest Mountaineering, a longtime supporter of his projects.
Dupre’s accomplishments include the first and only circumnavigation of Greenland and the first to reach the North Pole in summer. The expedition brought attention to global warming’s effects on melting sea ice.
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