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Denali: A Literary Anthology
A literary collection about Denali and the broad shadow it casts in history, culture, and nature. Collects 23 essays on Denali-from well-known writings to undiscovered gems Explores themes from Native culture to exploration history to modern adventures Includes stories from such writers as Charles Sheldon, Robert Dunn, Kim Heacox, Richard Leo, and Sherry Simpson For many, Denali is the epitome of the Alaska experience; it is the place mountaineers dream of, visitors want to see, and armchair travelers want to read about. Spanning centuries of storytelling, A Literary Anthology considers the Denali region from the perspectives of Native Alaskans, early explorers, prospectors, naturalists, hunters, conservationists, mountaineers, and modern homesteaders. Weaving together the threads of Native tales and myths, explorations, mountaineering, natural history, and outdoor adventure, this rich collection creates a vivid tapestry of Denali past and present. Some of the works represented are well-known classics, others are familiar to Alaskans, and a few will be recognized by only the most avid Denaliphiles; all the stories are the best of their kind within the large body of Denali literature.
267 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 12, 2013
I read this book while in Denali, and I highly recommend that approach if you can swing it.
We were staying at a camp deep inside the park, able to see the mountain -- the tallest in North America at 20.3k feet -- from the porch of our micro-cabin. At least in theory. For much of the time, Denali -- known by many as Mt. McKinley -- was cloaked in clouds. Occasionally, the clouds parted and revealed hints of the snowy peak bathed in sunlight, only to close up again all too soon. It didn't really matter. The glimpses were inspiring and just knowing it was behind the clouds, girded in glaciers and impossible angles and towering above the Alaska Range, was enough.
On the last day, after finishing the last chapter the night before by candlelight, we woke to a miracle. The clouds parted and we were treated to a full, unobstructed view of Denali as we left. Bathed in the morning alpenglow and reflected in the calm surface of Wonder Lake, it won't soon be forgotten.
It was easy to see why so many, many books have been written, and oral histories passed along, about the mountain. Many of the best are sampled in this book.
It's organized into several sections. The first captures stories about Denali wrapped up with creation myths from the First Peoples of the region. The stories mostly involved magic and jealousy and giant spears and angry ravens and seas that turned to stone.
The second section covers the early pioneers who blazed their way to the mountain to place it on maps, a difficult task even in the present day but absurdly hard 100-plus years ago. The sheer misery of the mosquito swarms, avalanches, unpredictable glacier-fed rivers forever hopping channels and unrelenting rain says something about human tenacity.
The third section is devoted to the early and often dramatic mountaineering efforts to conquer the peak. There were liars and fistfights and temperatures of minus 150 degrees and over-geared European climbers and under-geared local miners who succeeded with little more than grit and some donuts.
The fourth section details some of the non-human residents living in the park -- grizzlies (we saw so many, we lost count), Dall sheep (saw them too), moose (yep) -- one of my favorite sections -- and wolves (sadly, no sighting).
The last section samples some first person accounts of long time inhabitants and visitors. I skipped a few of these, but enjoyed the contribution from the author, and the piece from the contrarian who suggests limiting the number of visitors each year.
This book (a gift: thanks Stepha!) was a great way to learn about Denali Park -- how it came to be and what it means to the people and animals passing through it -- while experiencing it firsthand. It's not an easy (read: cheap) trip from most places, so that may not be the most economic way to enjoy the book, but chances are, if you read it, you will want to make the time to go.
You won't be disappointed on either score.
We were staying at a camp deep inside the park, able to see the mountain -- the tallest in North America at 20.3k feet -- from the porch of our micro-cabin. At least in theory. For much of the time, Denali -- known by many as Mt. McKinley -- was cloaked in clouds. Occasionally, the clouds parted and revealed hints of the snowy peak bathed in sunlight, only to close up again all too soon. It didn't really matter. The glimpses were inspiring and just knowing it was behind the clouds, girded in glaciers and impossible angles and towering above the Alaska Range, was enough.
On the last day, after finishing the last chapter the night before by candlelight, we woke to a miracle. The clouds parted and we were treated to a full, unobstructed view of Denali as we left. Bathed in the morning alpenglow and reflected in the calm surface of Wonder Lake, it won't soon be forgotten.
It was easy to see why so many, many books have been written, and oral histories passed along, about the mountain. Many of the best are sampled in this book.
It's organized into several sections. The first captures stories about Denali wrapped up with creation myths from the First Peoples of the region. The stories mostly involved magic and jealousy and giant spears and angry ravens and seas that turned to stone.
The second section covers the early pioneers who blazed their way to the mountain to place it on maps, a difficult task even in the present day but absurdly hard 100-plus years ago. The sheer misery of the mosquito swarms, avalanches, unpredictable glacier-fed rivers forever hopping channels and unrelenting rain says something about human tenacity.
The third section is devoted to the early and often dramatic mountaineering efforts to conquer the peak. There were liars and fistfights and temperatures of minus 150 degrees and over-geared European climbers and under-geared local miners who succeeded with little more than grit and some donuts.
The fourth section details some of the non-human residents living in the park -- grizzlies (we saw so many, we lost count), Dall sheep (saw them too), moose (yep) -- one of my favorite sections -- and wolves (sadly, no sighting).
The last section samples some first person accounts of long time inhabitants and visitors. I skipped a few of these, but enjoyed the contribution from the author, and the piece from the contrarian who suggests limiting the number of visitors each year.
This book (a gift: thanks Stepha!) was a great way to learn about Denali Park -- how it came to be and what it means to the people and animals passing through it -- while experiencing it firsthand. It's not an easy (read: cheap) trip from most places, so that may not be the most economic way to enjoy the book, but chances are, if you read it, you will want to make the time to go.
You won't be disappointed on either score.
June 27, 2022
I bought this because it was on a recommended reading list for our upcoming Alaska trip. A series of folktales by native peoples, articles by explorers from multiple times, and nature articles, it sounded like something I would love. I read the editor's introduction and I should have stopped then! I sampled several articles but was surprised that nothing appealed to me. I will wait for the park ranger's talks when we are on the tour.
September 14, 2008
Wonderful to read after just visiting Denali. Reading the dairy entries of early explorers was a bit surreal as they complained about the tundra, the adler and bugs. I could visualize everything, because the park remains the same.
July 1, 2010
When I was in Denali with my brother he recommended this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews