DOCSLIB.ORG

Mount Mckinley WILDLIFE

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mount Mckinley WILDLIFE msm NATIONAL PARK Alaska Contents Season—June 1 to September 15 Page Page GLACIERS . 3 PARK ROAD 14 MOUNTAIN CLIMBING . 5 TRAILS 15 CLIMATE . 5 How To REACH THE PARK . 15 PLANTLIFE .... 5 ACCOMMODATIONS .... 15 Mount McKinley WILDLIFE . 6 CAMPGROUNDS 15 MAMMALS . 7 MISSION 66 15 . 12 ADMINISTRATION .... 15 FISHING . 13 HELP US PROTECT THIS PARK 16 NATIONAL PARK Historic Events MOUNT MCKINLEY NATIONAL PARK in Alaska Range. Jagged spires, knife- south-central Alaska covers more than sharp ridges, and broad U-shaped valleys 1896 W. A. Dickey, impressed by the mountain while on a prospecting 3,000 square miles of wilderness. are all results of glaciation. During the trip, estimated its height at 20,000 feet. Through a magazine Ice Age, called the Pleistocene Epoch, article he later kindled the imagination of the world, and gave the Sheathed in ice and snow, winter and mountain its name—Mount McKinley. summer, mighty Mount McKinley is the glaciers advanced and retreated, met and 1902 Alfred H. Brooks and D. L. Raeburn of the U. S. Geological Survey principal scenic feature of the park. remet in the lowlands filling and over­ studied the geology of the Alaska Range and were the first white Denali, "The High One," was the name flowing many of the valleys with large men to set foot upon the slopes of Mount McKinley. given by the Indian to this impressive rivers of ice. Often these ice masses 1903 Judge James Wickersham of Fairbanks led the first, but unsuccess­ mountain, North America's highest peak. were hundreds of feet thick. Huge pol­ ful, attempt to reach the summit. The sheer north face, the route Majestically the mountain thrusts its ished boulders, carried many miles by he chose, has never been conquered. snow-covered head high into the clouds, ice, are now found high on ridges and 1905 Discovery of placer gold along the Kantishma River brought sev­ reaching a height of 20,320 feet. Mc­ mark the level of these early glaciers. eral thousand hopeful prospectors and miners to the area north of Wonder Lake. Kinley is crowned by two peaks. The Glaciers are still plentiful in Mount 1906 Charles Sheldon, noted hunter-naturalist, visited the McKinley area South Peak, the true summit, is 2 miles McKinley National Park. They are not to study Dall sheep. He believed that the outstanding wilderness distant from the neighboring North Peak remnants of the Ice Age, but valley wonders of the area should be protected. Working unrelentingly which rises to an elevation of 19,470 glaciers resulting from today's climate. toward that goal, he was the prime mover in having Mount feet. The greatest glaciers in the park are on McKinley established as a National Park. Although there are but few really the southern slope of the Alaska Range, 1910 Alaskan sourdoughs William Taylor and Pete Anderson pioneered which is exposed to the moisture-laden the "Muldrow Glacier Route" and made the first successful ascent high mountains in the Alaska Range, winds of the Pacific. These glaciers lie of Mount McKinley's north peak. many peaks near Mount McKinley are in the basin of the Yentna and Chulitna 1913 First party under Archdeacon Hudson Stuck and Harry Karstens impressive. Mount Foraker, with an reached summit of south peak of the mountain. elevation of 17,395 feet; Mount Silver- Rivers. With sources high in the moun­ 1917 Mount McKinley established as a National Park by act of Congress. thorne, 13,170 feet; and Mount Russell, tains, they extend to the lowland valleys far beyond the southern boundaries of 1932 The Lindley-Liek party was the first to climb both the north and rising to 11,500 feet, add their mass and the park. south peaks. beauty to the wild mountain scene. 1934 First ascent made of both peaks of Mount Foraker by C. S. Houston, Many small valley glaciers may be Dr. T. G. Brown, and G. C. Waterston. Glaciers viewed from the park road, but as the 1942 Both peaks of Mount McKinley reached by seven members of the northern slope of the range receives rel­ Army Test Expedition, who lived on the glaciers and on the moun­ For tens of thousands of years glaciers atively little moisture, only the highest tain while testing winter equipment and supplies. have sculptured the mountains of the mountains can support large north- 1947 Mrs. Washburn, wife of group leader Bradford Washburn, was first woman to reach the top of Mount McKinley. This ascent was part of "Operation White Tower," organized for scientific observa­ The National Park System, of which this park is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the tions and for motion-picture recording of a climbing group. scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoy­ Denali Highway completed, linking park road to Alaskan road 1957 ment of its people. system, and permitting automobile access to the park. Mountain Climbing large areas of the park are underlain with beds of permafrost—ground that Mount McKinley, North America's has been frozen for thousands of years. highest peak, with its abruptly rising icy Only the few inches of topsoil that thaw slopes, is a bold challenge to mountain during the summer supports plantlife. climbers. Because of the hazards, you Trees, unable to sink taproots into the must obtain the superintendent's permis­ frozen earth, are restricted to permafrost- sion to attempt an ascent. Skill in the free areas, or must rely on spreading, techniques of ice climbing must be dem­ lateral roots for support. onstrated, because treacherous, crevass- White spruce with somber green fo­ scarred glaciers must be crossed, and liage and tawny cones is well adapted to avalanches of snow, rock, and ice are the cold environment, and is the com­ constant dangers. monest tree in the park. Scattered Only by careful planning and organi­ spruce forests are found along the major zation can the rigorous conditions of rivers, and extend up the more sheltered high altitude and subzero cold be con­ slopes to timberline at about 3,000 feet. quered. Even the best prepared parties At lower elevations, a few cottonwoods may be defeated by prolonged blizzards. grow on old river bars, or where perma­ frost is not present. Here, too, are Climate thickets of aspen, willow, and graceful The climate in Mount McKinley Na­ white birch. In low, boggy meadows the tional Park is typical of subarctic Alaska. stunted, twisted black spruce grows. Daylight lasts for more than 18 hours a Tundra. Above the river valleys the day in summer. Most of the annual pre­ spruce forests give way abruptly to vast cipitation of about 15 inches falls as rain stretches of tundra—treeless permafrost during the summer and as snow on the terrain of the arctic. Mount McKinley higher mountains. As cool, cloudy National Park contains two types of weather predominates in summer, warm alpine tundra—the "wet tundra" of clothing is a "must." shrubby plants at lower elevations, and Chill nights of late August bring out "dry tundra" of mat-like plants covering the flaming yellows and reds of the alder, the windswept ridges. Caribou bull. Photo by Charles f. Oil. dwarf birch, Cottonwood, willow, and The tundra is truly the home of the aspen. By mid-September the first willow. More than 30 types are found flowing glaciers. Among these are the dropped as the glacier melts. Lakes may snows of winter may block the low passes growing in the park. In sheltered loca­ Herron Glacier, having its source in the be found on these moraines resting only of the park road. Soon the park is stilled tions, some of them may reach the heights snowfields of Mount Foraker; Peters a few feet above solid ice. The fronts under a soft blanket of snow, broken of small trees, but most are hardy shrubs Glacier, which encircles the northwest of the larger glaciers may be completely only by dark-green patches of spruce. of the open tundra. Several species of end of Mount McKinley; and the larg­ covered by vegetation, and many animals Winter nights are long and cold, but willows, in order to escape the rigors of est, Muldrow Glacier, fed by snows in find their homes there. This was true are enlivened by the ever-changing climate, hide their tortuous woody stems the unsurveyed heart of the range, and of the Muldrow Glacier, but during the moods of playful northern lights. underground, thrusting only the catkins extending nearly 35 miles from between winter of 1956 large waves of ice de­ of their flowers and a few leathery leaves the twin peaks of McKinley to within scended on the inactive front and thrust Plantlife to the surface. several miles of the park road. up towering spires of ice right to its toe. Only plants that are adapted to the Another prominent shrub of the tun­ The fronts of most of these glaciers Impressive views of the Muldrow Gla­ harsh climate of the subarctic can survive dra is dwarf birch, a dull green in sum­ are deeply buried by morainal debris— cier and this recent spectacular activity in Mount McKinley National Park. In mer but flaming scarlet and orange at rocks that have been carried by ice and await you at the Eielson Visitor Center. addition to long, bitter cold winters, the touch of frost. 4 vivid blues of larkspur and monkshood able to endure the climate of Mount Lambing grounds, used year after enrich the tundra scene, while Alaska McKinley. year, are in sheltered nooks protected by cotton waves gaily in the summer breeze- Mammals overhanging cliffs.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Alaska Range
    Alaska Range Introduction The heavily glacierized Alaska Range consists of a number of adjacent and discrete mountain ranges that extend in an arc more than 750 km long (figs. 1, 381). From east to west, named ranges include the Nutzotin, Mentas- ta, Amphitheater, Clearwater, Tokosha, Kichatna, Teocalli, Tordrillo, Terra Cotta, and Revelation Mountains. This arcuate mountain massif spans the area from the White River, just east of the Canadian Border, to Merrill Pass on the western side of Cook Inlet southwest of Anchorage. Many of the indi- Figure 381.—Index map of vidual ranges support glaciers. The total glacier area of the Alaska Range is the Alaska Range showing 2 approximately 13,900 km (Post and Meier, 1980, p. 45). Its several thousand the glacierized areas. Index glaciers range in size from tiny unnamed cirque glaciers with areas of less map modified from Field than 1 km2 to very large valley glaciers with lengths up to 76 km (Denton (1975a). Figure 382.—Enlargement of NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) image mosaic of the Alaska Range in summer 1995. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration image mosaic from Mike Fleming, Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, Alaska. The numbers 1–5 indicate the seg- ments of the Alaska Range discussed in the text. K406 SATELLITE IMAGE ATLAS OF GLACIERS OF THE WORLD and Field, 1975a, p. 575) and areas of greater than 500 km2. Alaska Range glaciers extend in elevation from above 6,000 m, near the summit of Mount McKinley, to slightly more than 100 m above sea level at Capps and Triumvi- rate Glaciers in the southwestern part of the range.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Four
    Chapter Four South Denali Visitor Center Complex: Interpretive Master Plan Site Resources Tangible Natural Site Features 1. Granite outcroppings and erratic Resources are at the core of an boulders (glacial striations) interpretive experience. Tangible resources, those things that can be seen 2. Panoramic views of surrounding or touched, are important for connecting landscape visitors physically to a unique site. • Peaks of the Alaska Range Intangible resources, such as concepts, (include Denali/Mt. McKinley, values, and events, facilitate emotional Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, Mt. and meaningful experiences for visitors. Huntington, Mt. Dickey, Moose’s Effective interpretation occurs when Erratic boulders on Curry Ridge. September, 2007 Tooth, Broken Tooth, Tokosha tangible resources are connected with Mountains) intangible meanings. • Peters Hills • Talkeetna Mountains The visitor center site on Curry Ridge maximizes access to resources that serve • Braided Chulitna River and valley as tangible connections to the natural and • Ruth Glacier cultural history of the region. • Curry Ridge The stunning views from the visitor center site reveal a plethora of tangible Mt. McKinley/Denali features that can be interpreted. This Mt. Foraker Mt. Hunter Moose’s Tooth shot from Google Earth shows some of the major ones. Tokosha Ruth Glacier Mountains Chulitna River Parks Highway Page 22 3. Diversity of habitats and uniquely 5. Unfettered views of the open sky adapted vegetation • Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights • Lake 1787 (alpine lake) • Storms, clouds, and other weather • Alpine Tundra (specially adapted patterns plants, stunted trees) • Sun halos and sun dogs • High Brush (scrub/shrub) • Spruce Forests • Numerous beaver ponds and streams Tangible Cultural Site Features • Sedge meadows and muskegs 1.
    [Show full text]
  • BOREAS Line Altitude Variations of the Mckinley River Region, Central Alaska Range
    Late Quaternary glaciation and equilibrium line altitude variations of the McKinley River region, central Alaska Range JASON M. DORTCH, LEWIS A. OWEN, MARC W. CAFFEE AND PHIL BREASE Dortch, J. M., Owen, L. A., Caffee, M. W. & Brease, P. 2010 (April): Late Quaternary glaciation and equilibrium BOREAS line altitude variations of the McKinley River region, central Alaska Range. Boreas, Vol. 39, pp. 233–246. 10.1111/ j.1502-3885.2009.00121.x. ISSN 0300-9483 Glacial deposits and landforms produced by the Muldrow and Peters glaciers in the McKinley River region of Alaska were examined using geomorphic and 10Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) surface exposure dating (SED) methods to assess the timing and nature of late Quaternary glaciation and moraine stabilization. In addition to the oldest glacial deposits (McLeod Creek Drift), a group of four late Pleistocene moraines (MP-I, II, III and IV) and three late Holocene till deposits (‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ drifts) are present in the region, representing at least eight glacial advances. The 10Be TCN ages for the MP-I moraine ranged from 2.5 kyr to 146 kyr, which highlights the problems of defining the ages of late Quaternary moraines using SED methods in central Alaska. The Muldrow ‘X’ drift has a 10Be TCN age of 0.54 kyr, which is 1.3 kyr younger than the independent minimum lichen age of 1.8 kyr. This age difference probably represents the minimum time between formation and early stabilization of the moraine. Contemporary and former equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) were determined. The ELA depressions for the Muldrow glacial system were 560, 400, 350 and 190 m and for the Peters glacial system 560, 360, 150 and 10 m, based on MP-I through MP-IV moraines, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Tangle Lakes Archaeological District
    DNR BLM A Window to the Past Wide Open Spaces Riding Responsibly Stay on designated trails Tangle Lakes Archaeological Secrets of lives lived long ago are hidden Not only is this a place to imagine and No pioneering of new trails amidst the jagged up-thrusts of mountains and appreciate the past, it is also a wonderland District the sweeping grandeur of glaciers in south- for outdoor activites. The Tangle Lakes Respect other trail users central Alaska. Located along the Denali Archaeological District has many uses Highway between mileposts 17 and 37 is an including: Use improved trails when available area rich in historic and prehistoric remains Information Guide called the Tangle Lakes Archaeological • hiking • horseback riding Cross streams at designated District (TLAD). • camping • photography crossings only and Trails Map • berry picking • fi shing This area has more than 600 archaeological • snow machining • boating Pack out your garbage sites with artifacts from pit-houses to hand- • hunting • wildlife watching fashioned stone tools. Carbon dating tests • mining • off-highway vehicle Plan ahead and be prepared have helped identify four different cultural • biking riding traditions displayed in the timeline below. Know your limits To protect environmentally sensitive areas Do not collect or disturb artifacts Cultural Traditions of the Past and our historic heritage, the Bureau of Land Historical Management (BLM) and the State of Alaska Denali Northern Archaic Athapaskan Presen Additional information can be found at Complex Tradition Tradition Period Department of Natural Resources (DNR) www.treadlightly.org t have designated 8 trails open for off-highway 10,000* 7,000* 1,000* 200* vehicle (OHV) use within the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District.
    [Show full text]
  • Breasts on the West Buttress Climbing the Great One for a Great Cause
    Breasts on the West Buttress Climbing the Great One for a great cause Nancy Calhoun, Sheldon Kerr, Libby Bushell A Ritt Kellogg Memorial Fund Proposal Calhoun, Kerr, Bushell; BOTWB 24 Table of Contents Mission Statement and Goals 3 Libby’s Application, med. form, agreement 4-8 Libby’s Resume 9-10 Nancy’s Application, med. form, agreement 11-15 Nancy’s Resume 16-17 Sheldon’s Application, med. form, agreement 18-23 Sheldon’s Resume 24-25 Ritt Kellogg Fund Agreement 26 WFR Card copies 27 Travel Itinerary 28 Climbing Itinerary 29-34 Risk Management 35-36 Minimum Impact techniques 37 Gear List 38-40 First Aid Contents 41 Food List 42-43 Maps 44 Final Budget 45 Appendix 46-47 Calhoun, Kerr, Bushell; BOTWB 24 Breasts on the West Buttress: Mission Statement It may have started with the simple desire to climb North America’s tallest peak, but with a craving to save the world a more pressing concern on the minds of three Colorado College women (a Vermonter, an NC southern gal, and a life-long Alaskan), we realized that climbing Denali could and should be only a mere stepping stone to the much greater task at hand. Thus, we’ve teamed up with the American Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that is doing their part to save our world, one breast at a time, in order to do our part, in hopes of becoming role models and encouraging the rest of the world to do their part too. So here’s our plan: We are going to climb Denali (Mount McKinley) via the West Buttress route in June of 2006.
    [Show full text]
  • Ordinance 11-19
    DENALI BOROUGH, ALASKA ORDINANCE NO.__11-19_____ VERSION A INTRODUCED BY: _Mayor Dave Talerico___ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DENALI BOROUGH CHARTER BY ADDING APPENDIX A AND AMENDING ARTICLE II, SECTION 2.02 OF THE DENALI BOROUGH CHARTER TITLED ASSEMBLY COMPOSITION. Section 1. Classification. This ordinance is of a general and permanent nature. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend the Denali Borough Charter by adding Appendix A containing the map of the five Denali Borough Assembly Districts (attached) and the listings of the 2010 U.S. Census Blocks making up each Assembly District (attached) and deleting the current language of Section 2.02 of Article II and replacing it with the language as follows: Section 2.02 Composition 1. The Assembly elected by the qualified voters of the Denali Borough shall consist of nine (9) Assembly members. The districts are composed of the following: A. District - 1 Seat – A Generally described as: Parks Highway (MP 215.3) from just south of the first Nenana River Bridge (located north of Cantwell) to the southern Denali Borough boundary (MP 202) and the portion of the Denali Highway contained within the Denali Borough including the community of Cantwell. (See Assembly District – 1 on the Denali Borough Assembly Districts Map in Appendix A) Specifically described as: The 2010 U.S. Census Blocks listed under Assembly District – 1 in Appendix A. B. District – 2 Seat – B Generally described as: Parks Highway south of Riley Creek (MP 237.2) to just south of the first Nenana River Bridge (MP 215.3) including the community of McKinley Village.
    [Show full text]
  • Geographic Names
    GEOGRAPHIC NAMES CORRECT ORTHOGRAPHY OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES ? REVISED TO JANUARY, 1911 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1911 PREPARED FOR USE IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE BY THE UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD WASHINGTON, D. C, JANUARY, 1911 ) CORRECT ORTHOGRAPHY OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES. The following list of geographic names includes all decisions on spelling rendered by the United States Geographic Board to and including December 7, 1910. Adopted forms are shown by bold-face type, rejected forms by italic, and revisions of previous decisions by an asterisk (*). Aalplaus ; see Alplaus. Acoma; township, McLeod County, Minn. Abagadasset; point, Kennebec River, Saga- (Not Aconia.) dahoc County, Me. (Not Abagadusset. AQores ; see Azores. Abatan; river, southwest part of Bohol, Acquasco; see Aquaseo. discharging into Maribojoc Bay. (Not Acquia; see Aquia. Abalan nor Abalon.) Acworth; railroad station and town, Cobb Aberjona; river, IVIiddlesex County, Mass. County, Ga. (Not Ackworth.) (Not Abbajona.) Adam; island, Chesapeake Bay, Dorchester Abino; point, in Canada, near east end of County, Md. (Not Adam's nor Adams.) Lake Erie. (Not Abineau nor Albino.) Adams; creek, Chatham County, Ga. (Not Aboite; railroad station, Allen County, Adams's.) Ind. (Not Aboit.) Adams; township. Warren County, Ind. AJjoo-shehr ; see Bushire. (Not J. Q. Adams.) Abookeer; AhouJcir; see Abukir. Adam's Creek; see Cunningham. Ahou Hamad; see Abu Hamed. Adams Fall; ledge in New Haven Harbor, Fall.) Abram ; creek in Grant and Mineral Coun- Conn. (Not Adam's ties, W. Va. (Not Abraham.) Adel; see Somali. Abram; see Shimmo. Adelina; town, Calvert County, Md. (Not Abruad ; see Riad. Adalina.) Absaroka; range of mountains in and near Aderhold; ferry over Chattahoochee River, Yellowstone National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • T H E D a V I E R E C O
    The D avie Record DAVIE COUNTY’S OLDEST NEWSPAPER-THE PAPER THE PEOPDE READ mHERE SHALL THE PEv-SS. THE PEOPLE’S RIGHTS MAINTAIN: UNAWED BY INFLUENCE AND UNBRIBED BY GAIN.” I VOLUMN XLVIII. MOCKSVILLE. NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY, IULY 2 . 194 7 . NUM BER 5 0 NEW SOF LONG AGO. Let Us Do Good John Public Is Fair OPA Fades Out Congress Represents Seen Along Main Street Rev. Walter E. Isenhour. Hiddenite. N. C. Worried a bit by all the charges The much “cussed and discuss, The People By The Street Rambler. V bat Va* Happening In Dayie It should be the sincere desire of being bruited about anentthe “ex­ ed” Office of Price Aoministration 000000 Recently tbe governors of most Before The New Deal Used Up all mankind to do good. This is orbitant” profits of retailers et a I in finally passed out of the picture on One-horse covered wagon slow­ of tbe Far Western States met and God’s will tor us, and when we do this hevday of high prices a Ten Saturday, May 31, So -ended quiet­ ly wending its wav across the The Alphabet, Drowned The jointly denounced the ac ion of the His will He alwavs blesses ns in a nessee grocer has hit upon a novel ly a government bureau which has square—Seven young ladies and House in heavily reducing appro Hogs and Plowed Up The wonderful way, Ottr blessed Lord, scheme. cansed more controversy than anv one young man sitting in parked priations for the Reclamation Bu Cotton and Corn.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Tour (10 Days)
    www.travelalaskaoutdoors.com 800-320-2494 or 907-357-4020 PO Box 875649 Wasilla, Alaska 99687 Serving Alaska travelers since 2001 Multi-Sport Camping Adventures Small Groups (10 max) • Great Guides • Top of the line Equipment • Excellent Meals • Active Experiences Wildlife Tour (10 Days) For those with wildlife viewing as a primary objective this trip is a great one. Highlights Include 8 nights camping 1-night hotel in Seward Visit 5 National Parks and protected areas Wildlife viewing trip in Denali National Park Canoeing near Denali National Park Scenic ferry across Prince William Sound past the Columbia Glacier Excellent hiking opportunities throughout Additional optional day trip adventures World class ocean and river fishing, river rafting, sea kayaking, horseback riding, glacier/wildlife cruise, flight seeing, dog sledding, mountain biking, river kayaking and more! 1 www.travelalaskaoutdoors.com 800-320-2494 or 907-357-4020 PO Box 875649 Wasilla, Alaska 99687 2019 Wildlife Tour Itinerary and Dates Please Note: This itinerary may operate in a slightly different order depending on local conditions. All features of the itinerary will be the same, only the destination order will be altered. Days 1-2: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Departs Wednesdays from Anchorage: Day 3: Kenai Fjords National Park June: 12-21 Day 4: Prince William Sound July: 03-12, 17-26, 31- Aug. 9 Day 5: Valdez August: 14-23 Day 6: Tangle Lakes Day 7-9: Denali National Park $1945 per person Day 10: Denali National Park / Anchorage Single Supplement $75 may apply to single travelers Wildlife Tour Highlights: This trip includes canoeing near Denali National Park, scenic ferry tour across Prince William Sound, and wildlife viewing tour in Denali National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining and Sizing-Up Mountains
    Defining and Sizing-up Mountains By Steven Fry What are the ten highest mountains in the world? ridge-level, before it is considered an individual Is Mount Everest larger than Mount McKinley? Does mountain. Mount Rainier rise higher above its base than In 1981, following 12 years of academic, profes- Everest? Unbelievably, these questions have never sional and recreational mountain study, I decided to been answered with any certainty, for the simple rea- make a serious attempt to establish a workable defi- son that mountains have remained essentially nition for mountains. I studied thousands of moun- undefined. tains and hills before I arrived at the conclusion There are some who may say defining mountains presented in this article. My research mainly focused is irnposstbte. However, the word "impossible" on Washington's Cascade Range, but I also studied should be used with great caution, especially within other sections of the Cascade Range, the Rockies, the climbing community. Furthermore, classifica- Sierra Nevada, Appalachians, Himalayas, Andes, tion systems are ubiquitous for such things as trees, Alps, British Isles, Alaska Range and numerous animals, rocks and clouds-and although not other geographic localities. perfect - these systems do help people better de- Mountain Definitions scribe and eventually understand the world around A mountain can be defined based upon the follow- us. ing three geographic parameters: A. Local Relief; B. Various geographers and geologists have stated Elevation; and C. Prominence. These three that a mountain must have: 1. 1,000 or 2,000 feet parameters are utilized in the mountain definitions of local relief; 2. Relatively steep slopes; and 3.
    [Show full text]
  • The American Alpine Club Guidebook to Membership Alpinist Magazine
    THE AMERICAN ALPINE CLUB GUIDEBOOK TO MEMBERSHIP ALPINIST MAGAZINE ith each print edition of Alpinist, we aim to create a work of art, paying attention to every detail— from our extended photo captions to our carefully Wselected images and well-crafted stories. Inside our pages, we strive to offer our readers an experience like that of exploratory climbing, a realm of words and images where they can wander, discover surprising new viewpoints, and encounter moments of excitement, humor, awe and beauty. By publishing the work of climbers from a wide range of ages, technical abilities, nations and cultures—united by their passion for adventure and wild places—we hope to reflect and enhance the sense of community within the climbing life. Over time, back issues have become collectors’ items, serving as historical references and ongoing inspirations. Like our readers, we believe that great writing and art about climbing demand the same boldness, commitment and vision as the pursuit itself. JOIN US. Exclusive AAC Member Pricing 1 Year - $29.95 | 2 Years - $54.95 Alpinist.com/AAC ALPINIST IS A PROUD PARTNER OF THE AMERICAN ALPINE CLUB Stay Connected! @AlpinistMag @Alpinist @AlpinistMag ALP_2019_AAC Ad FIN.indd 1 6/26/19 4:14 PM WELCOME, ALL 5 You Belong Here ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 8 Brooklyn Bell on Art for the In-betweens MEMBERSHIP THROUGH THE LENS 10 Inspiration, Delivered Directly NAVAJO RISING 23 An Indigenous Emergence Story WHEN WOMEN LEAD 27 Single Pitch Instructors for the 21st Century GLACIAL VIEWS 29 A Climate Scientist Reflects & Other Research Stories CLIMBERS FOR CLIMATE 32 Taking a Stand on Climate Change, Together 1CLIMB, INFINITE POTENTIAL 34 Kevin Jorgeson Breaks Down Walls by Building Them ON PUSHING 37 24 Hours Into the Black, the AAC Grief Fund AN ODE TO MOBILITY 40 The Range of Motion Project Tackles Cotopaxi YOSEMITE'S CAMP 4 43 The Center of the Climbing Universe REWIND THE CLIMB 47 The Tragedy of the 1932 American K2 Expedition BETA 48 Everything a Club Member Needs to Know PARTING SHOT 72 Jeremiah Watt on Travel & Life a Greg Kerzhner climbing Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Denali Foundation Statement
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Denali National Park and Preserve Foundation Statement Resource Stewardship Strategy The National Park Service (NPS) directs each park to develop a MISSION STATEMENT Foundation Statement, which for Denali National is a formal description of the park’s core mission and provides Park and Preserve: basic guidance for the decisions to be made about the park—a We protect intact, the foundation for planning and globally significant Denali management. ecosystems, including The Foundation Statement their cultural, aesthetic, for Denali National Park and and wilderness values, Preserve is the park’s most basic document for planning and and ensure opportunities management. It is grounded in for inspiration, education, the park’s legislation and from research, recreation, and knowledge acquired since the park was originally established. It subsistence for this and provides a shared understanding future generations. of what is most important about the park. The legislation used to understand and summarize why Congress and the president created the park—and to build many parts of the Foundation Statement—is included in Appendix A. Denali’s Foundation Statement describes the park’s purpose, significance, fundamental resources and values, other important resources and values, primary interpretive themes, and special mandates. How to cite this document: National Park Service. 2014. Denali National Park and Preserve Foundation Statement. Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali Park, Alaska. 69 pp.
    [Show full text]