Alaska never fails to surprise. Life-filled and beautiful, its fjords are treasure chests of nature, sometimes with summer ice floes. Alaskan communities and villages are like Snoopy doghouses—deceptively tiny yet full of life. Denali is Alaska's most impressive feature. Denali Mountain isn't just notable for being the tallest mountain in North America—a fact many know. It's also a part of one of the world's highest mountain ranges. People in North America often compare the Rockies to their version of the Alps, not realizing that their continent boasts a range comparable to the Himalayas. The wonder of the Denali mountains extends further.

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain since its top is the highest above sea level. Your point is valid. The 4,200m–5,200m Tibetan Plateau is Everest's base. Climbers climb 3,700m–4,700m (12,139–15,420 ft) from base to peak. Denali's foundation begins 300m (984 feet) above sea level. Denali rises 5,000–6,000m (16,404–19,685 ft) from base to summit. That's like hiking three Burj Khalifas or four CN Towers greater than Everest.

While reading about something is startling, seeing it in reality is amazing. Denali National Park's base offers a view of a sky that dwarfs Montana's vast vistas. First-time viewers may be disappointed by Everest's mix with nearby peaks, but Denali stands out. Like Mount Kilimanjaro and Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, Denali's massive scale and presence are unmistakable and fully visible.

Story Behind Denali's Name

Denali presents yet another surprise that goes beyond its natural majesty. Keeping Indigenous names for geographical sites has been rare in North America, particularly in the US. The local Koyukon people have called this massive peak Denali, meaning "tall" or "big mountain" in their language, for millennia. However, in a typical era fashion, the mountain was renamed Mt. McKinley in 1897 after then-President-Elect William McKinley.

The name was changed to Denali, which became official nationwide in 2015, honoring indigenous history and culture. Charles Sheldon, a Yale graduate and indigenous name preservationist, was instrumental in this move. Sheldon, known for his conservation efforts and for his pivotal role in establishing the national park around the mountain, strongly favored Denali Mountains. In his posthumous memoir, published in 1930, he argued passionately for restoring original indigenous names to the mountains.

He believed these names were not only melodious and fitting but also deeply symbolic of both the majestic landscapes and the indigenous communities that had coexisted with these natural wonders for countless generations. Sheldon's perspective raised an essential question: isn't it time to honor the original names given by the native inhabitants, which vividly capture the essence of these places and symbolize the cultures that named them?

Alaska’s Indigenous Recognition

The drive to honor indigenous heritage in Alaska didn't end with Charles Sheldon. The state took a significant step in 1975 by restoring the mountain's original name, Denali, a decision made during intense and often strained Indigenous-settler relations in the United States. This move came just five years after Espera Oscar de Corti's portrayal of the "crying Indian" in a well-known public service announcement advocating against littering, and only two years following the contentious Wounded Knee incident in South Dakota, a 71-day standoff involving U.S. marshals and 200 Lakota people. These were turbulent times, and the notion of constructive dialogue between Indigenous peoples and settlers seemed far off – except, notably, in Alaska.

Denali Mountain Alaska’s commitment to acknowledging and integrating indigenous cultures and histories didn't just momentarily surface; it has been a sustained effort. The state is home to 13 Native Regional corporations, with Sealaska being the largest, employing over a thousand individuals. This structure has fostered an environment where indigenous people are present and play a pivotal and influential role in the state's affairs.

The impact of this indigenous presence is palpable in various aspects of Alaskan life. In Anchorage, the Native Heritage Center stands as a testament to this, and in Juneau, the Sealaska Heritage Institute, inaugurated in 2015, occupies one of the state capital's most remarkable buildings. These institutions and others reflect the influence of the Athabaskan, Tlingit, Haida, Aleut, Tsimshian, Yup'ik, and Inupiat nations. They offer visitors and residents alike a glimpse into the possibilities of a more harmonious cohabitation that respects and celebrates the first steps towards a truly inclusive society that honors its indigenous roots.

Beyond the Image

Alaska is generally seen as a vast, unspoiled wilderness with bears, whales, and caribou. Alaska has a rich history and human connection, inhabited for thousands of years. In a world where history beyond a century seems distant, encountering the deep-rooted cultures in Alaska is a refreshing reminder that 'millennial' can signify something far beyond contemporary trends and fashions.

With its presence, Denali is just one facet of the wondrous Denali National Park. Spanning nearly 2 million hectares (20,000 sq km), it stands larger than any national park in the contiguous United States, although, in Alaskan terms, it ranks third in size. This park is not your typical nature retreat, with convenient trails and souvenir shops. Instead, it offers a single, 150km (93 mi) long dirt road that traverses its vastness, much of which is restricted for unescorted driving. This is where nature reigns supreme, untouched and raw, reminiscent of the scenes from "Into the Wild."

You may trek endlessly across tough terrain here in Denali Mountain Alaska. Imagine sitting in cottongrass at the foot of a black spruce, staring at the sky and marveling at the enormous, clean expanse surrounding you. Close and reopen your eyes to take in the vastness and purity of this wilderness. And then remain there longer, soaking up the experience, since simply being in this gorgeous expanse, remote from contemporary life, is worth the trip.