Zachary Zaitzeff, owner of Zaitzeff Burgers in New York City, climbed to the summit of Mount McKinley in 2009. Mount McKinley, located in Alaska, is the highest mountain peak in North America. Zachary Zaitzeff is a restaurant owner as well as a painter who recently showed his artwork at the Broome Street Gallery in New York City. Zachary Zaitzeff combines his passions for art and mountain climbing by drawing inspiration for his paintings from his outdoor adventures. “The climb was difficult, but the feeling when I reached the summit was worth it,” stated Zachary Zaitzeff+ about his climb to the top of Mount McKinley.

With a summit elevation of 20,320 feet above sea level, Mount McKinley is the tallest mountain in North America and the third most prominent peak after Mount Everest and Aconcagua. It is located in the Alaska Range and is also called Denali, meaning “The High One.” The climbing history of Mount McKinley begins in 1903 with the first recorded attempt to reach the summit. In 1906, Dr. Frederick Cook claimed that he had made the first ascent of the mountain; however, this was proven false. After three more attempts, the first ascent of the mountain occurred in 1913. The climbers were in a party led by Hudson Stuck and Harry Karstens. Today, Mount McKinley is climbed regularly, with the majority of climbers reaching the summit. Climbing typically takes two to four weeks.

Zachary Zaitzeff, who used to work in finance on Wall Street, was a proud climber of Mount McKinley in 2009. Zachary Zaitzeff strongly believes in the importance of physical fitness, and he works hard to create a balance in his life between his restaurant, his passion for painting, and his zeal for outdoor adventure. Zachary Zaitzeff’s interests in painting and mountain climbing complement one another by providing him with inspiration and motivation to continue with both. Zachary Zaitzeff is a successful small business owner with a strong work ethic, evidenced by his commitment to multiple goals that require much dedication. Zachary Zaitzeff has also donated funds to sponsor other mountain climbers, illustrating his generosity and desire to introduce others to the joys of mountain climbing.