The tallest peak in North America is not as tall as previously thought. That’s according to new data from a federal and state effort to provide more detailed topographical maps of Alaska. Denali was measured at 20,237 feet – 83 feet shorter than maps indicate today.
Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell made the announcement at a meeting of map collectors gathered in Fairbanks this week. In a media release, Treadwell says “The good news is: Denali is still the tallest peak in North America.”
Denali’s updated height was recorded with radar technology which also revealed that an entire ridgeline of Mt. Dickey in Denali National Park was missing from previous maps.
Annie Feidt is the broadcast managing editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach her atafeidt@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anniehere.
