The tallest mountain in North America
The first vision that one has of Denali is arriving at talkeetna . With the luck of a clear day, not too common in Alaska, the tallest mountain in north america seen from the road ; from there, the successive viewpoints to stop, take photos and be amazed.
Talkeetna, a small town founded at the end of the 19th century by gold prospectors and developed during the construction of the railway in the early 20th century, lives today from the tourism that the great mountain attracts. In spring, it is mountaineering tourism before the great thaws that make it unpredictable . In summer, Sunday tourism that observes it from a distance.
The charming town of Talkeetna
Both mountain climbers and weekenders, for the most part, They approach the Denali by plane . One of the most amazing experiences lived in Alaska . A flight of an hour and a half (round trip) that brings you closer to the mountain, turns over it, and those that surround it and descends and lands, if you want, to one of the glaciers. The climbers, of course, are left at the base camp to prepare for the ascent, one of the most difficult in the world.
With their 6,190.5 meters, Denali is more than two thousand meters below Everest , and many of the 100 highest peaks in the world. Nevertheless, It is one of the most uneven , since from its base to the peak there are 5,500 meters. In addition, the weather and the low temperatures due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle have always made it one of the most mythological ascents for mountaineers. In 1913, Walter Harper summited for the first time and, since then, in these 102 years, the success of reaching it rarely exceeds 50% per year, while Everest is greater than 70%.
The best way to see it, by plane.
Being the highest mountain in North America and one of the most complicated peaks in the world is what makes it a magnet for the curious. Right now he recent name change by Obama will only increase the number of visitors. In the area they already knew her as Denali , the original name given by the natives, the Athabascans, and which means “The High One” (The Great). They began to call it Mount McKinley in 1896 and it was officially named in 1917, in honor of the US president, Willaim McKinley, originally from Ohio, and from which the only criticism of the new name comes.
DENALI AS WALLPAPER
This is how you will see it if you stay in Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge , the only hotel in the area with a view of Denali. Also one of the largest, but cozy at the same time, because it is isolated in the middle of the forest and because of its two-story fireplace where you can relax while looking at the snowy peaks. It sounds corny. But that's how you'll feel sitting there. And if at night you are lucky to see the northern lights. Imagine.
The mighty Denali
In the town of Talkeetna, with just three half-paved streets, there are also more backpacker options, such as the ** Roadhouse **, a mandatory stop for breakfast or lunch. Or both at the same time. If you order the entire portion of their Standard breakfast or their pancakes and finish it, you'll think you can climb the Denali by yourself. And then roll down. But it's worth it. To wash down breakfast there are walks around the river or the option to book the plane flight over Denali, with K2 Aviation, one of the most experienced companies in the area. Flying over the snowy mountains in the middle of summer is an experience well worth the ticket to Alaska.
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