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Total group size is 12, inclusive of CUA holder and employees (guides) except in backcountry units (BCUs) 65-69, 80, and 82-85 which have a maximum group size is 6, including guides.
The CUA holder must only have 1 group per Backcountry Unit at the same time. With advance written permission, two groups may be in BCU 78 at the same time. See details under Additional Regulations and Considerations.
Guides and clients must hike on established trails or snow whenever possible.
Guides and clients must remove all of their trash from the Park. Guides are encouraged to remove any additional litter they encounter.
All solid human waste must be managed in accordance with the most current Denali National Park and Preserve human waste policy.
Within one-half mile of glacial landing sites used by aircraft, solid human waste must be collected in a Clean Mountain Can (CMC) or personal receptacle and removed from the Park.
On technical climbing routes, solid human waste must be tossed or shoveled away from the route.
Staffing
Maximum 3 clients per guide.
For mountaineering courses, maximum 5 clients per guide.
Each group will have a Lead Guide who will oversee the climb check-in to check-out.
Clients shall never be left without a guide.
Communication Devices
Each guide must carry a Family Radio Service (FRS) radio and/or satellite device, with sufficient extra batteries.
Guides must be proficient in the use of the communication device and be able to make emergency calls.
At a minimum, FRS radios must be able to transmit and receive on FRS channel 1 (462.5625).
Solo Travel
Guides and clients must travel as an organized group.
Solo travel is prohibited for guides and clients.
Helmet Use
Helmets are required in areas with overhead hazards.
Roped travel requirement
When traveling on glaciers or in other hazardous terrain, guides and clients must travel roped up to a partner.
Guides and clients may un-rope at camps or rest areas on glaciers once the guide has designated a safe area.
Un-roped travel exceptions
Mountaineering courses and ski mountaineering expeditions
Guides and clients may travel downhill un-roped in glaciated terrain where a fall is unlikely to result in serious injury or death. When travelling un-roped the Lead Guide must perform the following:
Prior to un-roped travel, the Lead Guide must conduct a visual and physical inspection of the terrain.
Hazardous conditions must be assessed (crevasse hazard, snow condition, avalanche hazard, seracs, rock fall, and weather/visibility).
Assess snowpack instability. A hazard avoidance strategy must be implemented to avoid exposure to larger than D1 avalanches and should be based on avalanche problems and terrain use.
Guides must manage the terrain to avoid crevasses and/or use a rope for belay when crevasse falls are likely.
Guides must hold a safety briefing before un-roped travel to discuss hazards and boundaries.
Guides must consider other skiers/climbers and avoid creating hazardous conditions for others.
Additional Regulations and Considerations
Client Screening and Training
The CUA holder must ensure clients are prepared to safely participate in scheduled activities.
The CUA holder must provide education and/or training, before and/or during the trip as appropriate to ensure client safety and education of relevant topics.
CUA trip leaders must check-in, in person, at the Talkeetna Ranger Station within 24 hours of scheduled fly-in date with a copy of their CUA permit.
During check-in, CMCs with biodegradable bags are available for checkout.
CUA trip leaders must check out, in person, at the Talkeetna Ranger Station within 24 hours of the expedition’s return to Talkeetna.
The CUA holder cannot check-in more than 1 group per day.
Caching
Caches must be buried at least 1 meter deep.
Caches must be marked with a cache tag that includes CUA holder name, expedition permit number, Lead Guide’s name, air taxi provider and retrieval date. At least 1-two-meter wand must be used.
All caches must be removed from the Park during the same operating season in which they were placed.
Unmarked and improperly buried caches may be removed by the NPS.
BCU 78 Group Exception
Unit 78 has a high concentration of technical climbing routes that are geographically separated by distance, terrain and fixed-wing access points. CUA operators may operate two groups in this area during the same time period with advanced approval.
Requests must be made through the concession office (dena_cua@nps.gov) with proposed dates, number of guides and clients in each group, and proposed climbing routes and landing strips.
NPS approval must be received prior to operating two groups in BCU 78.
The operator must maintain guide to client ratios.
The operator must adhere to a combined total group size of 12, inclusive of guides, combined between the two groups.
Unauthorized Activities
Activities within the Old Park boundary, including the Upper Kahiltna area (BCU 46), are prohibited.
Download or print these stipulations. CUA holders and their employees are responsible for knowing and following all rules.
907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.
