Standing at about 20,320 feet, Mt. McKinley, or Denali as it is also called, is the highest mountain peak in North America. Though known for years by the locals, it was not successfully scaled until the 20th century.
Well known among Alaska Natives, Mt. McKinley was first spotted by Capt. George Vancouver, a European, in 1794.
In 1903 Judge James Wickersham attempted to scale the mountain. He made it 8,000 feet before turning back.
Dr. Frederick Cook claimed to have reached the summit in 1906. His claim was later proved false.
Four local explorers, Tom Lloyd, Peter Anderson, Billy Taylor and Charles McGonagall, claimed to have made it to the top of the North Summit, the lower of the two summits, in 1910. Their claim is dubious but still widely accepted.
Hudson Stuck successfully led a team to the top of the South Summit in 1913. Alaska native Walter Harper was the first of the team of reach the summit.
A second successful ascent would not occur until 1932 when a four-man team comprised of climbers Alfred Lindley, Harry Liek, Grant Pearson and Erling Strom ascended both summits.
