Denali Collage

"Denali Collage"

"Over tens of millions of years, millimeter-by-millimeter, the Alaska Range was formed as the northward movement of both the Pacific Plate and Yakutat Micro-plate collided into the North American Plate.  This created the massive 600 mile long arc of enormous mountain peaks we know today as the "Alaska Range".  Alaska boasts 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the US, 3 of which exist in the Alaska Range, Mt. Foraker (17,400 ft.), Mt. Hunter (14,573 ft.) and Denali (20,310 ft.).  Denali's first original height estimate was made in 1901 by geologist Alfred Brooks at 20,464 feet.  Later, in 1953, Bradford Washburn using photogrammetry, established a standard estimate of 20,320 feet was generally accepted.  By 2013 the USGS using radar established a measurement of 20,237 feet.  And finally, in 2015, the USGS using more accurate GPS technology established a measurement of 20,210 feet, a figure accepted as of present day. Regardless, ongoing plate tectonics and quakes will adjust that height measurement up and down forever!

In more recent times though, over many thousands of years ago, the Koyukon Athabaskan People were the first to name Denali...the "High One" or the "Great One".  Denali has cultural and spiritual significance dating back millennia for the indigenous peoples.  The fact that insignificant politicians chose to rename it in the last century does not carry any weight and will never relinquish its original name.  "DENALI - Always Was...Always Will Be!"

The Alaska Collection ™