North America’s Tallest Mountain Just Got Smaller

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Mountain Journey
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Denali Is Now Officially 10 Feet Smaller

On September 2, 2015, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced that the new official height for Denali is 20,310 feet (6,190 m). That’s 10 feet LESS than the previous elevation of 20,320 feet (6,194 m).

Caribou In Front Of Denali | Pixabay Image
Caribou In Front Of Denali | Pixabay Image

Denali hasn’t shrunk though. The original 20,320′ elevation was based on a survey by Bradford Washburn in 1953 using technology like maps, math, and surveying. This latest measurement was completed by researchers from the USGS, NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey, Dewberry, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Compass Data in mid-June 2015. The project was called Denali Summit Survey.

This group used GPS technology, which allows for much more accurate measurements. Since June the researchers have been compiling data and accounting for variables such as snow depth to accurately determine the exact height of “The Great One.”

Even after “shrinking” by 10 feet, Denali is still the tallest peak in North America and is still almost 700 feet taller than Mount Logan (19,551 ft or 5,959 m) – the continent’s second highest summit located in the Yukon of Canada.

If this was any other mountain, there would be little media coverage. But since this is the tallest peak around, it’s pretty important. The USGS Director Suzette Kimball’s says that, “No place draws more public attention to its exact elevation than the highest peak of a continent. Knowing the height of Denali is precisely 20,310 feet has important value to earth scientists, geographers, airplane pilots, mountaineers and the general public. It is inspiring to think we can measure this magnificent peak with such accuracy.”

It’s official the top of North America is 20,310′.

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Denali is located in the Alaska Range of south central Alaska. It sits at the center of Denali National Park, which was established in 1917. The park sees over 500,000 visitors every year. About 1,200 mountaineers try for its summit annually.

Denali has been in the news a lot lately. Last week President Obama, officially changed the name of the mountain from Mount McKinley back to it’s native name, Denali. Read more about Denali’s recent name change on MountainJourney.com.

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Learn more about Denali’s change in elevation on: