Mt. McKinley (now Denali) is the tallest mountain in North America. Known simply as "Denali" to native Alaskans, the 20,320 foot mountain was first ascended by Walter Harper in 1913. Although Mt.Everest in Nepal is the highest mountain in the world, Mt.McKinley actually rises higher because the base of Mt. Everest is located at 17,000 feet above sea level. The base of Mt. McKinley is only some 2,000 feet above sea level. Mt. McKinley is part of Denali National Park. It was named after William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States. |