Denali North Face

Denali is the third most prominent and isolated mountain in the world, with a summit of 20,310 feet and measured from base to peak is at 18,000 feet entirely above sea level.

Denali’s steep Northface, called Wickersham Wall, rises 14,000 feet to the north summit, with the Peters Glacier dropping from its northwest side and the Muldrow Glacier falling from its northeast slopes.

The Koyukon people referred to the mountain as “Denali” for centuries, long before a gold prospector in 1896 decided it should be named “Mt. McKinley,” after then-presidential candidate, William McKinley. That is, until August 2015, after 40 years of push by the State of Alaska, the Department of the Interior reverted the official name back to Denali.

It is a most breathtaking sight to behold and one is humbled by the sheer majesty on the horizon.

Top: Alpenglow sunset in the fall with the first snows on the ground.

Center Left:  The classic Wonder Lake view lit in twilight before dawn.

Center Right:  North and South Summits at sunrise looking up Muldrow Glacier with Carpe Ridge at left and Pioneer Ridge at right.

Bottom: Expansive view to the west by southwest across the McKinley River Delta, with a bull caribou and moonset to the right.

All images © Dave Parkhurst www.TheAlaskaCollection.com