Things to do in Talkeetna, Alaska

Denali is the highest peak in the whole of North America.

Denali’s prominence, and the absence of large surrounding peaks, makes it a postcard-perfect mountain.

Mount McKinley’s prominence (the vertical height from its lowest contour to its summit) is perhaps its most remarkable feature: it ranks third in the world, after Mount Everest in Nepal and Aconcagua in South America.

Denali is a mountain with fairly gentle, snow-covered slopes. It has five glaciers running from it—the Peters, Muldrow, Traleika, Ruth and Kahiltna glaciers—of which the 44-mile Kahiltna is the longest.

Denali’s name

Denali was previously named Mount McKinley by the gold prospector William Dickey, after President William McKinley (1897 until his assassination in 1901).

President Barak Obama announced that Denali would revert to its previous name—meaning ‘the tall one’ and given to it by the indigenous Koyukon people—in a September 2015 visit to Alaska.

Climbing Denali

The mountaineering season is short, spanning from May to July, and during this time Talkeetna is crammed with wizened climbers and their considerable kit.

Denali is a difficult peak that should only be attempted by experienced climbers. The mountain can be bitterly cold (up to minus 40 degrees Celsius), is often battered by ferocious winds, and feels higher than it really is (on account of low barometric pressure caused by the northerly location of the mountain).

These factors mean that the overall success rate of climbers attempting the summit is in the region of 50%.

Whilst an important objective in its own right, and a significant step towards those attempting the 'Seven Summits' (the highest peaks on each continent), Denali is also often used as a training peak for those heading to the Himalaya, and particularly those thinking of attempting to climb Mount Everest.

Expeditions to climb Denali by the easiest West Buttress route typically take about 17 days. Teams will fly into the region by bush plane, usually landing on the south-west corner of the Kahliltna glacier. They will then establish up to seven camps, at between 7,200 feet (base camp) and 17,200 feet, as they gradually acclimatize to the altitude.

Though the climb is not technically demanding, with snow slopes up to 45 degrees, a number of crevasses add to the danger of the climb.

The Alaskan railroad is a proud Alaskan institution and in winter is often the only way to get goods and supplies to remote areas of the country.

In summer months, tourists can take advantage of the railroad on the day turnaround service from Talkeetna to Hurricane (passing through Curry, Sherman, Gold Creek, Twin Bridges and Chulitna en route). This trip leaves early afternoon and returns in the evening and passengers can get a marvelous view of the Alaska mountain range along the way.

The trip is a voyage into the great outdoors, with stupendous views of forests, lakes and mountains, and a route that crosses numerous impressive bridges (such as the 914-foot bridge close to Hurricane Gulch).

Note: there is no dining car on this service, so pick up a packed lunch from one of Talkeetna’s stores.

The editor says:

The railroad is a real Alaskan highlight and well worth a ride if you are in town. Unlike most train services it is possible to stop and get off anywhere along the line (the ‘flagstop’ service). Just make sure you are there when the train returns or you may get stuck in the woods! You will also regularly catch a glimpse of the hardy folk who live off grid in the Alaskan woods as they come out to flag down the train for a ride into town.

where? Talkeetna Railway Station.

when? mid-May to mid-September; Thurs to Mon; October to May: 1st Thursday of the month.

£$€¥ Adults: $100; children $50.