One of the most challenging peaks in the world is the tallest mountain in the US. Mount Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the tallest mountain in North America.
About Mount Denali
Denali is 6,190 meters high, equivalent to 20,310 feet above sea level. It’s the official height, as measured by the United States Geological Survey. This is after the previous inaccurate records. First, the height stood at 6,194 meters (20,320 feet) in the early 1950s. A 2010 survey nullified the last record, measuring a 6,168-meter (20,237-foot) tall mountain. These former records were considered inaccurate in September 2015.
Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) formed approximately 60 million years ago due to tectonic activity. The activity lifted a giant block of granite above the Earth’s crust. The main entrance is along the George Parks Highway, about 170 miles southwest of Fairbanks and 130 miles north-northwest of Anchorage.
What Is Denali Weather Like?
The weather on the tallest mountain in North America is highly unpredictable. One certainty is that it remains cold throughout the year. Winter brings the most extreme weather, with temperatures ranging from as low as -40°F (-40°C) to as high as 20°F (-6°C) on warmer days. Snow falls every month, while precipitation is highest in the summer months.
There are two climatic zones in Mount Denali: the south side and the north side. The climate is wetter, cloudier, and cooler on the south side. This side receives moist air from the Gulf of Alaska. The north side is drier and clearer.
What Is The Geography Of Denali?
Glaciers cover about one-sixth of the entire Denali Reserve. There are numerous glaciers, up to 40 named and hundreds of unnamed. Some of the named glaciers include the Kahiltna glacier, Peters Glacier, Ruth Glacier, and Muldrow Glacier. Of these glacial systems, Ruth, Kahiltna, and Muldrow are the longest glaciers in the park. The Kahiltna Glacier measures 44miles, making it the longest in the entire Alaska Range.
Wildlife is a significant part of Denali’s geography. Black bears find their home in the thick forests of the south side. The north side is more open with dall sheep, caribou, and grizzly bears. Birds are in abundance, especially in summer. You will find the owls, falcons, and the rough-legged hawks beautifying the skies.
The National Park is home to large rivers and small streams of water. Glaciers from Mount McKinley feed many of these rivers. The Teklanika River, East Fork Toklat, and Toklat River are the large glacier rivers. Also, groundwater springs and melting snow keep other water bodies running all year round. Streams are cooler than glacier rivers. As such, they are suitable habitats for fish populations and a diverse array of macroinvertebrates. Examples include the sanctuary river and Hogan Creek.
What Does Denali Mean In English?
Denali is a Native Alaskan name, which means “the tall one” or “the Great one.” This was the name known to many generations and the early researchers. The name change began in 1896. A certain prospector, William Dickey, changed Denali into Mt McKinley. He did this to honour then-presidential candidate William McKinley. The Congress adopted the name in 1917, following the assassination of McKinley. Native Alaskans rose in protest against the new name in 1975. Politicians from McKinley’s home state prevented this movement, and the name remained Mount McKinley until 2015. In 2015, President Barack Obama visited Alaska and renamed it Denali.
Is the Mount McKinley Name Change from Mount Denali Official?
Why the change of name? Upon resumption of office in January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an order to change Mount Denali to the original name, Mount McKinley. While the people await the decision of Alaska lawmakers, the name Denali remains popularly in use. The decision is essential as Mount Denali is in the state of Alaska.
What are Some Interesting Facts about Denali?
1. Denali's First Name Was Tenada
Before Denali or McKinley, the tallest mountain in the US was first called Tenada. Ferdinand von Wrangel placed the mountain on a map in 1839, naming it Tenada, meaning “the great mountain“. At the time, Wrangel was the chief administrator of the Russian settlements in North America. He later named it Bolshaya Gora, which also means “big mountain” in Russian. Later in 1889, the American anthropologist Frank Densmore gave it its first English name, Densmore’s Peak.
2. Mount Denali Was First Summited Successfully In 1913
The first summit attempt was by Judge James Wickersham and four team members in 1903. It was unsuccessful as they only reached 10,000 feet. The next attempt was by Fredrick Cook and six team members. They reached a height of 11,300 feet in 1903. Later in 1906, Fredrick Cook claimed to have reached the peak. However, his claim was unverified. Then, in 1913, Hudson Stuck, Robert Tatum, Walter Harper, and Harry Karstens reached the peak. They made the 20,310-foot ascent via the southern summit.
3. Denali Is Always Covered In Clouds
The weather around Mt McKinley is always cold. Weather experts have recorded a remarkably low temperature of -54°F (-48 °C). At every time of the year, its upper half is covered with snowfields. The lower mountain parts are covered in hundreds of glaciers, each spanning long lengths.
4. Mount Denali Is A Part Of The Alaska Range
Denali National Park and Preserve is home to a range of mountains in the Alaska Range. McKinley is the tallest peak and is surrounded by subsidiary summits. The other peaks are below 4,300m (14,000 feet). There are so many that it’s boring to list them all. The central mountains include Mount Foraker, the Kichatna Mountains, the Denali Massif, and the Eastern Alaska Range / Hayes Range subranges.
5. It Is The Third Peak Among The Seven Summits
There are seven world summits, that is, seven peaks in the seven continents of the world. Mount Denali is the tallest in North America. Additionally, it is the third-highest peak among the world’s summits, ranking behind Mount Aconcagua in South America.
What Is It Like To Climb Mount Denali?
It’s no news that the tallest mountain in the US is freezing all year. The best time to make a climbing attempt is in summer, between May and July. About 400,000 climbers visit this peak during this period. Of all attempts, the current climbing success rate is 68%. This places McKinley climbers among the most challenging climbing expeditions.
How Many Days Does It Take to Climb Denali (Mount McKinley)?
The climb takes anywhere between 17 and 20 days. This includes reaching the base camp, acclimatisation, ascent to higher altitudes, and unforeseen incidents. Other climbing groups allow more extended periods to accommodate rest periods and a flexible climb.
What Are The Best Climbing Routes?
There are three major routes to climb the tallest mountain in North America. You could go through the West Buttress, the West Rib, or the Cassin Ridge. A fourth standard route is the Muldrow Glacier.
West Buttress
This route, first taken by Bradford Washburn in 1951, has now become the most common route. It begins when climbers fly via the south side to the Kahiltna Glacier, landing at Denali Base Camp (2,194 meters). They then progress through the various camp levels. They navigate through long glaciers, crevasses, and steep snow slopes.
Climbers must have undergone mountaineering and fitness training. It is physically and mentally demanding. However, it is relatively the least technical route. Thorough investigation using aerial photography established the west buttress as the easiest route. It takes about two to three weeks to reach the peak.
West Rib
The West Rib route is more technical than the West Buttress, but it is considered a more direct approach to the summit. They have the same starting point. Climbers will come across challenging ice, mixed climbing sections, and exposed ridgelines. At an altitude of 4,800 meters above the starting point, West Rib climbers proceed to ascend rocks up to the two prominent snow couloirs. They then choose one of the two snow domes, leading to the final stretch.
Cassin Ridge
One of the recently discovered routes is Cassin Ridge, which is more demanding than the west rib route. It is a journey through steep rock, snow, and ice terrains. Climbers cross through the famous valley of Death and the Knife Edge Ridge, on the blue ice. This route has the fewest resting places from base to peak. Due to a lack of exposure and technicality, this route receives few skilled climbers each year and can be accessed from the south side.
Muldrow Glacier
The Muldrow Glacier offers a path through the north side of McKinley. This path was the first path taken to the peak. It is more taxing as there is no option for a plan drop-off. Climbers start with a long trek to the west buttress route. This route is less travelled today due to logistical problems. It is left for the traditional trekkers interested in a party walk during summer or group skiing in winter.
How Many Climbers Have Died On Denali?
A 2008 study recorded a total of 96 deaths between 1903 and 2006. Between the first attempt and 2006, approximately 100 climbers have died while attempting to climb Mount McKinley.
What Are Other Activities Around Mount Denali?
Not everyone has to climb the tallest mountain in the US. You can go flightseeing! In winter, you could go skiing, snowshoeing, or biking.
If you would love to see the summit without climbing, you can catch a glimpse of Denali from the air. Different charter flight companies near Anchorage and Fairbanks offer tours. The tours involve flying in small planes or helicopters, and may include landing on one of its glaciers.
Tourists who visit in winter enjoy activities such as skiing, biking, and snowshoeing. While there are no formal ski resorts inside Denali Park, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing across snow-covered valleys and frozen rivers. Snowshoes enable tourists to venture into areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. You get to experience the wildlife within the snowy forests of North America’s tallest peak. The national park also features a sledge dog kennel in winter, catering to tourists who opt for dog sledging.
Other tourists camp nearby between mid-August and mid-April to gaze at the Northern Lights. They are commonly called the aurora borealis as the lights dance across the sky in green and purple waves. A combination of dark, clear skies in the fall or winter brings out the beautiful lights.
Mount Denali vs Mount Everest
While Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world (8,848 meters), Mount Denali is the third highest (6,190 meters). The best season to climb both mountains is summer, specifically from May to August. Mount Everest presents different physical, natural, and mental challenges. This is similar to climbing Mount Denali. You would come across extreme weather, deep crevasses, icefalls, and rolling glacial valleys. Both mountains require extensive physical fitness or technical training before embarking on climbing expeditions.
Climbers can get to the Mount Everest summit via 17 different routes. The most commonly used routes are the Southeast Ridge from Nepal and the North Ridge from Tibet. Similarly, Mount McKinley has four major routes among several routes to the summit. West Buttress is the most popular and easiest route to the summit. Climbing Mt. McKinley takes between 17 days and 22 days from arrival at the base camp. Climbing Mount Everest takes between 42 days and 70 days from Nepal to the summit and back.
Mount Denali vs Kilimanjaro
Denali is taller than Kilimanjaro by 608 meters (1,969 feet). Climbing Kilimanjaro and Denali are equally challenging. However, Kilimanjaro brings a far less technical ascent. Denali climbers use specialised climbing equipment, such as ice axes and crampons, which are not necessary for Kilimanjaro. The highest peak in Africa offers travellers various climbing routes, including the Marangu Route and the Machame Route. While Denali takes up to 20 days to reach the summit, climbing Kilimanjaro typically takes about five to ten days.
Other Frequently Asked Questions about Mount Denali.
1. What Is The Difference Between Denali And McKinley?
There’s no difference as they are the same mountain. Denali is the initial Indigenous Athabascan name, which means the great one, while McKinley was the name given in 1896 to honour President William McKinley.
2. Is Mount Denali Taller Than Everest?
Mount Denali is not taller. Mount Everest is higher at about 8,848m (29,032 ft), while Denali is 6,190m (20,310 ft) above sea level.
3. How Difficult Is It To Climb Denali?
Climbing Denali is extremely difficult. Climbers face high altitudes, extreme weather, and the burden of carrying heavy gear.
