Interview: Balin Miller’s Bold Solo of 9,000-foot ‘Slovak Direct,’ Denali

Balin Miller spent 53 days on Alaskan glaciers this spring. And though he jokingly called the barren terrain a “hellscape” in hindsight, it also enabled an alpine-climbing season few could even dream of. The 23-year-old from Anchorage wrapped up his tenure just a few days ago, after making a historic solo ascent of the Slovak Direct (M6 WI 6 A2; 9,000ft) on Denali (20,310ft/ 6,190m) over three days.

Miller has known about the Slovak for most of his life. When the route was climbed in a single 60-hour push—no tent...