"You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again… so why bother in the first place? Just this: what is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art to conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can still at least know."

Rene Daumel

Mount Analogue

Current Weather

• Alaska was inducted into the Union as the 49th state on January 3, 1959 and was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7,200,000 which amounted to less than 2 cents an acre (0.4 hectares). As a result of the "organic act" which was passed by congress in 1912, Alaska and was organized as a territory and was no longer a district.
• Alaska is one-fifth the size of the continental United States and has a land area of 570,373 square miles (1,482,970 square kilometers); thus, making it the largest state in the Union. In fact, if Alaska's land area was divided in half, each half would still be larger than the state of Texas.
• Alaska also abounds with miles and miles of shoreline-- more than 33,900 miles of it. More than twice the shoreline of the Lower 48 (the continental U.S.) and the tidal range in the Cook Inlet near Anchorage has a diurnal (daily) range of almost 39 feet (11.7 meters) making it the second largest tidal range in North America.
• Approximately 5% of Alaska's land mass (almost 28,500 sq. miles) is covered with glaciers which is over half of the world's glaciers. Only the polar ice caps and Greenland have more ice than Alaska. The Malaspina glacier is the largest at approximately 850 square miles (2,210 square kilometers). If you include its tributaries, this glacial system would be almost 2000 square miles in size (3200 square meters), larger than the state of Rhode Island.
• Of the 39 mountain ranges found in Alaska, the Alaska Range has the distinction of Denali (Mt. McKinley). At 20,320 feet (6194 meters), it's massive presence is prodigious and is quite unmistakable when viewed from a far. The vertical rise of the Wickersham Wall exceeds 14,000 feet (4,200 meters). Other well known mountain ranges in Alaska are: The Wrangell Mountains, Talkeetna Mountains, Fairweather Range, Brooks Range, and the Chugach Mountains. The latter has the distinction of occupying the most climbed mountain in Alaska-- Flattop Mountain which stands at approximately 3,500 feet (1050 meters) and is easily accessible and within the Anchorage area.
• Temperatures in Alaska: January and December have the lowest average temperatures and July and August have the highest average temperatures throughout most of the state. The following table shows average temperatures for a few cities and villages. For more precise information about an area, city, or village, check out the Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs' Alaska Community Database.

  City	January	April	July	October	Record High	Record Low
  Anchorage	14.9°F / -9.5°C	35.8°F / 2°C	58.4°F / 14°C	34.6°F / 1°C	85°F / 29°C	-34°F / -36°C
  Barrow	-13.4°F / -25°C	-2.2°F / -19°C	39.3°F / 4°C	13.5°F / -10°C	79°F / 26°C	-56°F / -48°C
  Fairbanks	-10.1°F / -23°C	30.7°F / 0°C	62.5°F / 16°C	25.1°F / -3°C	96°F / 35°C	-62°F / -52°C
  Juneau	24.2°F / -4°C	39.7°F / 4°C	56°F / 13°C	42.5°F / 5°C	90°F / 32°C	22°F / -30°C

  * The above data was obtained from the National Weather Service.

• Climatic Regions in Alaska: There are five climatic regions in Alaska-- the arctic, continental, maritime, and two transition zones. The arctic region covers the North Slope which is the area north of the Brooks Range. The continental region includes all of Interior of Alaska and stretches south of the Brooks Range to, but not including the coastal areas. The maritime region includes the Aleutian Chain, Gulf Coast, and the Southeast area. One of the transition regions covers part of the southcentral region including the coastal mountain range to the Alaska Range in the Interior. The other transition region stretches from the Point Hope on the Chukchi Sea (north of Kotzebue Sound) to north of the Aleutian Chain.

  
  

  
  

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  State Symbols

  State Nicknames: "Land of the Midnight Sun" and "The Last Frontier".

  State Motto: "North to the Future" adopted in 1967.

  State Flag: Designed by 7th grade Aleut student, Bobby Benson, in 1926. Bobby Benson entered his design in a territorial flag contest. In his word's, "The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly of the Union. The Great Bear symbolizing strength." On May 2, 1927, the Alaska State Legislature adopted Bobby's design as the official Territory of Alaska flag.

  State Capital: Alaska's state capital is Juneau located in the Southeast. Juneau became the state capital in 1906. When Alaska was initially purchased from Russia, Sitka was the capital and the U.S. flag was raised there on October 18th; hence, Alaska Day is now celebrated this day each year. Sitka is also known as the "Paris of the North."

  State Bird: Alaska's state bird is the Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus). Chosen in 1955 by Alaskan school children.

  State Mammal: Alaska's state mammal is the Moose (Alces alces).

  State Marine Mammal: Alaska's state marine mammal is the Bowhead Whale and was adopted in 1983.

  State Fish: Alaska's state fish is the King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and was adopted in 1962.

  State Flower: Alaska's state flower is the Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris) and was adopted in 1949.

  State Fossil: Alaska's state fossil is the Woolley Mammoth and was adopted in 1986.

  State Gem: Alaska's state gem is Jade and was adopted in 1968.

  State Mineral: Alaska's state mineral is gold and was adopted in 1968.

  State Insect: Alaska's state insect is (no not the Mosquito) the Four-spot skimmer dragonfly and was adopted in 1995.

  State Sport: Alaska's state sport is Dog mushing and was adopted in 1972.

  State Tree: Alaska's state tree is the Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) and was adopted in 1962.

  State Song:The state song became Alaska's official song when it was still a territory in 1955. This was originally written as a poem by Marie Drake in 1935 and appeared on the cover of a territorial Department of Education publication, School Bulletin.

   

    Alaska's Flag

  Eight stars of gold on a field of blue— Alaska's flag.

  May it mean to you the blue of the sea, the evening sky,

  The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby;

  The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,

  The precious gold of the hills and streams;

  The brilliant stars in the northern sky,

  The "Bear"— the "Dipper"— and, shining high,

  The great North Star with its steady light,

  Over land and sea a beacon bright.

  Alaska's flag— to Alaskans dear,

  The simple flag of a last frontier.

   

  2nd Verse

  A Native lad choose the dipper's stars,

  For Alaska's flag that there be no bars;

  Among our cultures be it known,

  Through years the Natives' past has grown;

  To share lifes treasures, hand in hand,

  To keep Alaska our great land;

  We love the northern midnight sky,

  The mountains lakes and streams nearby;

  The great north star with its steady light,

  Will guide all cultures clear and bright;

  With nature's flag to Alaskans dear,

  The simple flag of a last frontier.

   

   

  

  Links
  

  Climbing Links
  Alaskana Links
  More Links

   

  Climbing Links Climbing Links Climbing Links Climbing Links

   

  The Access Fund "A national, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting climbers' interests in the U.S. ..."

  Alaska Alpine Club Information about the club, applications, photos, and local resources.

  Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (AMH) An excellent mountaineering shop supporting a friendly and knowledgeable staff.

  The Climbing Archive A link to the Contents Page. A great site for info, stories, photos, climbing partners, and more.

  Climbing Magazine's online information source.

  Guillaume Dargaud's Home Page A cool site about climbing, Antarctica, humor, and more.

  High Alaska Magazine A very good source for climbing and other Alaskan adventures.

  Mt. Everest A Mt. Everest page with livecam and current weather.

  Mountaineering Club of Alaska Club info, lots of links, hut locations, and more.

  The Mountain Zone News, gear reviews, and much more.

  NPS's Climbing McKinley Page National Park Service web site.

  The Homepage of Per Jerberyd Hiking, climbing, photos, famous climbers, and more.

  Rock & Ice magazine's online information source.

  Solid Rock/Climbers for Christ "A group of Christian climbers who are excited about sharing what Christ has done in our lives."

   

   

   

  

   

   

  Alaskana Links Alaskana Links Alaskana Links Climbing Links

   

  Alaskan Community Profiles: Detailed information on cities, towns, and villages.

  Alaskan Weather Image Map Cities, communities, villages, it's all here.

  The Aurora Page: This is a great page for learning more about the Aurora Borealis (aka Northern Lights).

  Denali Park Website Visitor Center: Helpful information for visiting the park, camping, shuttle bus, and hiking.

  Everything Alaska "Attractions, Business, Communities, History, State & City Links, Local Webpages, News, Photo Galleries ..." and much more.

  Fairbanks, Alaska Community Network Want to know what's happening in Fairbanks? Also Alaska history & culture info.

  Fairbanks Area Hiking Club "The Fairbanks Area hiking Club's mission is to provide a network for hikers to share knowledge and foster enthusiasm for the outdoors."

  Good Migrations "An Alaskana Soup, Sandwich, Espresso Shop. Good food with an awesome view of Creamer's Field, a migratory bird refuge."

  An Alaskana Kids Link: An informative Alaskan kids website.

  Science Forum Index UAF's Geophysical Institute's Science Forum Index. Interesting site.

  University of Alaska - Fairbanks: Academic, Campus, Admission, Faculty, Student information.

   

   

  

   

   

  More Links
  More Links
  More Links  

  Compassion International: "...an evangelical Christian child development ministry dedicated to addressing the needs of children around the world..."

  Computrainer: For you serious cyclists, the ultimate indoor bike trainer.

  Kids Links: Lots of links for kids. From arts and crafts to science and nature.

  Silver Lining Foundation: "...a magical world created for children with cancer and life threatening illnesses."

  Marcella's Home Page: A friend's home page.

  Select a Brand! American Bodybuilding ASN AST Sports Science Atkins Nutritionals Balance Bar Company Balco Labs BIO-X Champion Nutrition Clif Bar Cytodyne Technologies EAS EicoTech Endurox Flora Fortress Systems GEN GeniSoy German American HDT Health From The Sun Kaizen Labrada MD Labs MedLean MET-Rx MHP Muscle Marketing USA MuscleLinc MuscleTech Natrol Naturade Nature's Best Nature's Herbs Nature's Way Next Nutrition Nutraceutics Oils Of Aloha Optimum Nutrition OSMO Therapy Ostrim Pacific Health Power Bars PR Nutrition Premier Nutrition Prolab Sopharma SportPharma Sports One Substrate Solutions SuperTech Syntrax Thompson TwinLab Ultimate Nutrition Universal Nutrition Worldwide Sport

   

   

   

  

   

  Recommended Reading  

  Historical and Route Information:

  The Ascent of Denali A Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America by Hudson Stuck: ISBN 0-8032-9193-0

  High Alaska A Historical Guide to Denali, Mount Foraker, & Mount Hunter by Jonathan Waterman: ISBN 0-930410-32-7

  In the Shadow of Denali Life and Death on Alaska's Mt. McKinley by Jonathan Waterman: ISBN 0-385-31245-8

  Mount McKinley The Conquest of Denali by B. Washburn & D. Roberts: ISBN 0-8109-3611-9

  Mount McKinley Climber's Handbook by Glenn Randall: ISBN 0-934641-55-2

  Breaking Point by Glenn Randall: ISBN 0-9609452-3-7

  To the Top of Denali by Bill Sherwonit: ISBN 0-88240-402-4

  Alaska Ascents by Bill Sherwonit: ISBN 0-88240-479-2

  Minus 148 Degrees First Winter Ascent of Mt. McKinley by Art Davidson: ISBN 0-938567-00-4

  
  Mountaineering:

  Mountaineering The Freedom of the Hills by The Mountaineers: ISBN 0-89886-309-0

  Avalanche Safety for Skiers & Climbers by Tony Daffern: ISBN 0-9690038-4-6

  Snow and Ice Climbing by John Barry: ISBN 0-938567-02-0

  
  Rock and Ice:

  First Steps A Climbers guide to the Archangel Valley by R. Pollard/D. Whitelaw: Published by Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking

  Fairbanks Area Climbing Guide by Stan Justice: Published by Stan Justice

  Mount Prindle Area Climbing Guide by Stan Justice: Published by Stan Justice

  Blue Ice and Black Gold by Andrew Embick, M.D.: Published by Valdez Alpine Books

  
   

  

   

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

  And lean not on your own understanding;

  In all your ways acknowledge Him,

  And He shall direct your paths.

  Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

   

  Last Updated: January 1, 2001