In 1981, McKinney took part in the Everest Grand Circle Expedition, the first expedition to navigate a circle around Mount Everest. This also included the first winter ascent of Pumori by an American team. In 1984, McKinney and Jim Bridwell undertook a successful ski descent of Denali. In 1986, McKinney returned to Everest as an expedition leader. He became the first person to fly a hang-glider at Mount Everest, making a flight from the West Ridge at about 22,000 feet. He also made an earlier, test flight at Base Camp, in which he survived a spectacular crash into a glacial moraine.