Minn. Man Becomes First To Reach Mt. McKinley's Summit In January

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Grand Marais man has reportedly become the first person to ever summit Alaska's Mount McKinley alone during January, when wind speeds regularly reach 100 mph and temperatures plunge to negative 60.

Arctic explorer and climber Lonnie Dupre reached the summit on Sunday, according to a press release from One World Endeavors.

Dupre started the journey on Dec. 18, 2014, when he flew to base camp. He then climbed Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, which stands over 20,000 feet tall. It's North America's tallest mountain.

Dupre undertook the journey to raise awareness about climate change and the planet's need for snow and ice.

"Snow and ice are important in our polar regions because they help reflect the sun's energy back into space," he said. "Basically, the planet's polar regions act as a thermostat to keep our planet cool."

According to the press release, only 16 people have ever reached the summit in winter. And six people died during those expeditions.

Dupre has made a film about Arctic adventure and Denali called "Cold Love."

His other accomplishments in his 25-year career as an arctic explorer include circumnavigating Greenland without using a motor vehicle and reaching the North Pole twice.