Bagging Alaska Peaks: The Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Journey of Mountaineering

Episode 6: Denali (20,310 ft) w/Mikayla DeMers

2025-02-16

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Bagging Alaska Peaks Podcast, the Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Journey of Mountaineering. Today I sit down with a fellow service member and discuss her experience in climbing the highest peak in North America. Mikayla, and Active Duty maintenance officer in the United States Air Force, shares her journey in preparing for a Denali expedition and how dog food (out of all things) was her best friend when it came to weighted sled pulls during her training process. Additionally, Mikayla and I discuss some spiritual and mental roadblocks during the climb and how journaling became a very powerful tool her and the success of the expedition. In fact, Mikayala reflects on one of her entries that described the environment she lived in for 19 days and I quote “This place is so cold, I wonder if hell exists”. // Host: Sean Kortus Instagram @wkndview (https://www.instagram.com/wkndview/) /Music: Emberloom

No. of episodes

9

Latest episode

2025-07-01

Where can you listen?

Widely known as the Last Frontier, Alaska presents itself as one of the most epic and beautiful places on earth. For many, it means they get the opportunity to not only immerse themselves in solitude, but challenge themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually on some of the most scenic, highest, and technical peaks in North America. Hey, my name is Sean Kortus and a resident of Alaska living just outside of the Anchorage area. My family and I relocated here in early 2024 and immediately fell in love with the landscape and opportunity to hike, in my opinion, some of the best trails, routes, and mountains in the country. I started climbing on the east coast in 2005 right before I went into the military, however, never had the opportunity to do any high peak mountaineering until I arrived in Alaska….and I have been non-stop ever since. When not at my 9-5 job, spending time with my wife and son, or out bagging peaks myself….I am an active member and Vice President of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska and also support a local conservation agent program augmenting Alaska Fish and Wildlife officers. Feel free to follow my 2025 Denali Team training updates and family summits on Instagram @wkndview (short for Weekend View).
Mountaineering as a sport has evolved over the years, and with today’s access to trails, and advanced gear to climb them has only boosted the interest among aspiring climbers. No matter the skill level or peak elevation, Alaska has something for everybody. My intent and goal of this podcast is to simply TALK and connect with people who share similar interest and passion for standing on some the most beautiful peaks in North America, no matter the elevation. A casual conversation (accompanied maybe by some whiskey, beer, wine, or coffee) with detailed trail and peak routes, while also touching on the physical, mental, and spiritual journey of mountaineering. With the goal of 2 episodes released each month, We explore peaks within the Chugach, Brooks, Wrangell, Alaska (and many more) ranges and talk to the people that challenged themselves to stand on top of them.
Join me (and my guests) in listening to some incredible mountaineering journeys from some of the smallest peaks (like the Bodenburge Butte in Palmer AK) to the more epic expedition style climbs such as Denali…and everything in between. This is the “Bagging Alaska Peaks” podcast, Thanks for listening and let’s bag some peaks!