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Only in Alaska: The tallest mountain in the world
Can you name the tallest mountain in the world? Did Mt. Everest just pop into your head? If so, you're close – but not totally correct.Mt. Everest, at 29,029ft, is the highest mountain in the world. But Everest's base is way up on the Tibetan Plateau at 17,000 feet. So although this mountain reaches an elevation higher than any other on the planet, its base-to-summit height is actually closer to 12,000 feet.
If we measure from base to summit, Alaska's Mt. McKinley (known locally by its native name Denali, or "the high one"), is the tallest mountain in the world. (Caveat: the folks in Hawaii might take issue with this, as Mauna Kea stretches over six miles, though only 13,796 feet of those are above water.)
But Denali's base sits near 2,000 feet, giving this mountain a rise of 18,000 feet. In fact, Denali has an entire wall that stretches longer than many mountains at 13,652 feet. Wickersham Wall, as its called, is one continuous drop – and yes, people have skied it. Crazy people. Another fun fact about Denali is that it actually has two summits. The South Summit is the taller of the two, and naturally the one most climbed. The North Summit is no shorty at 19,470 feet, but is often ignored by those collecting peaks. When it comes to conquering mountains, elevation definitely matters.
When it comes to seeing the tallest mountain in the world, North Americans are in luck. The peak can be viewed from afar in Anchorage, Alaska, the biggest city in the state. The best accessible views, however, are out of Talkeetna, a small town about a two-hour drive from Anchorage. This tiny town also serves as the base for the climbers who come to make summit attempts on Denali, so you can chat up those folks with crazy sunglasses tan lines about their experiences.
Coming up next: flight-seeing Mt. McKinley.
Coming up next: flight-seeing Mt. McKinley.
Filed under: Asia, North America, China, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Robert Teague Jun 23rd 2010 1:18PM
If you are measuring from the base, then the tallest mountain is in Hawaii, not Alaska. Mauna Kea is 30,000 ft from it's base.
Catherine Jun 23rd 2010 8:50PM
Thanks for your comment, Robert! I did mention Mauna Kea, and noted that most of its height is underwater.
Scott Tadsen Jun 24th 2010 5:16PM
Just because Mauna Kea sits under water is no cause to dismiss it. Do you realize what it took to get to that point from nothing? As a volcano Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa (The Worlds most Massive Mountain) started out from small lava flows building upon each other, it's actually mind blowing when you think about how it built itself up to where it stands today. Compared to Everest that was built with plate tectonics in a much shorter time span and at a much higher plateau. It is like building a sand castle on top of the Empire State Building and saying that you have the highest sand castle in the world. Mt. McKinley was not built in a spectacular fashion such as Mauna Kea either so again I do not think you can just say because it is under water so it does not count. Now as far as climbing, Mauna Kea is a dud because you can drive to the very tip top and it is not a jagged or rugged looking mountain. I will tell you though when it is beautiful is when the snow level drops to 9,000 feet and it is covered in white and you are down at the beach. The ultra blue water, the beach and the the coconuts are swaying and behind it all there sits a spectacular site against a beautiful blue sky. The observatories glisten in the sun along with the bright white snow. How about that same snow covered mountain on a crystal clear night with a full moon so bright that it lights up the snow and the whole sky and you can see everything and it is so bright out you can see shadows as if it were daylight. Mauna Kea is very special.
Scott Tadsen Jun 24th 2010 5:19PM
So my point was that your article title IS incorrect.
Catherine Jun 24th 2010 8:16PM
Sorry, Scott, but the title "The Tallest Mountain in the World Above Sea Level" was just too clunky. I stand by my assertion that Denali is the tallest because you can only climb to nearly 14,000 feet on Mauna Kea. It's nothing personal towards Mauna Kea!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Scott Tadsen Jun 25th 2010 4:46AM
Aloha again Catherine, I still believe that your article is misleading, you claim in your message to me that Denali is the tallest because of its climbing attributes yet your article does not even talk about climbing until the 4th paragraph and then has only 3 sentences about the subject in the rest of the article. I don't believe your article was about climbing but about Denali and your incorrect assertion that it is indeed the tallest mountain on Earth. It is neither highest in elevation nor is it the tallest mountain from its origin. Yes Denali is an impressive mountain but your article as it stands is flawed and you just do not want to admit it. I know that you did mention Mauna Kea but you still chose to keep your misleading title and that was a bad idea. The facts are that Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the World. Scott