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  Destinations: Mountaineering on the Highest Point in North America
Here''s where you find out what it takes to make it to the top of North America and climb in the Alaska Range. Denali (The High One) is the Native American word for North America''s highest peak, Mount McKinley, rising 20,320 feet (6,194m) in the mountain chain called the Alaska Range.Mountaineering History
Though Mt. McKinley can be seen from Anchorage on a clear day, its base is deep in the Alaska Range. Early 1900 explorers used river boats, mules and dog sleds to gain access to the mountain''s glaciers in order to establish base camps. Beginning in 1932 plane access to climb Mt. McKinley began saving the mountaineers a few months travel time. That same year, bush pilot Joe Crosson set the "Cosmic Ray" Party down at the 5,700-foot level of the Muldrow Glacier. Coincidentally, two members of this party became the mountain''s first fatalities during the descent. 22 years later, in 1954, pilot Don Sheldon flew the first commercial flight from Talkeetna to Kahiltna Glacier which has become the norm for most McKinley climbers beginning their expeditions.Mountaineering Today
The National Park Service wishes to notify climbers and mountaineers that they should expect that these regulations are strictly enforced. Climbers who are not pre-registered a minimum of 60 days in advance will be denied permission to climb Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker. Our goal is that you have a safe journey while climbing in the Alaska Range. In addition, information packets containing information about these regulations and registration forms are available by contacting the Talkeetna Ranger Station at (907) 733-2231. Related Articles
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Site designed and developed by Barbara Foley.
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