‘Like looking out the windows of Heaven’

Today is a noteworthy day in Alaska history and in the history of the North American continent.

You see, Alaska is home to the continent’s tallest mountain peak, and on June 7, 1913, the first group of climbers successfully reached its summit. A young Alaska Native man named Walter Harper was first to the top. Also reaching the summit 100 years ago today was Robert Tatum.

“The view from the top of Mount McKinley is like looking out the windows of Heaven!” history records Tatum as saying later.

The two were climbing as part of a group led by Harry Karstens and Hudson Stuck. Karstens went on to become McKinley National Park’s first superintendent. Stuck was the Episcopalian Archdeacon of Alaska and went on to write a book about the experience.

To honor this accomplishment, their descendants have undertaken the Denali Centennial climb. Climbing with this group are Alaska Diocese for the Episcopal Church, the Right Reverend Mark Lattime; Dana Wright; Ray Schuenemann; Daniel Hopkins; Ken Karstens; Samuel Alexander; Sam Tatum; and filmmaker Elia Saikaly.

One tremendous difference with this centennial climb is the access technology provides for people to follow along with this modern-day ascent. The site denali2013.org includes bios of the group, background on the project, lesson plans for teachers and a real-time tracker that will show the group’s location.

The historic relevance and educational opportunities included with the Denali Centennial Climb 2013 were clear enough that in January, the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development approved a resolution supporting the Denali Centennial Climb 2013.

Follow along online as they complete a six-day mountaineering course, or wait with the team for a break in the weather at denali2013.org.

Here’s a sample:

“After a few days of camp set up, knots, safety systems and geology, we loaded everything into our packs and sleds, forgoing a cache, walked over a pass to the Crown Glacier and set up camp on an overlook. #Whataview”

There is much to admire and inspire in this historic climb and its modern counterpart. Mountain climbers represent a breed unto themselves. These are hardy souls who seem to prefer danger and adversity to warm hearths and hot meals. All climbers who challenge Denali do so knowing they may never return and it is the final resting place for many souls.

But to work, prepare and plan a successful expedition to the 20,320-foot summit is a significant accomplishment in any century. This is a story that all Alaskans should know. It’s a story we should tell our children as we teach them what it means to work hard, to set goals and to struggle against all kinds of obstacles to reach them.

So here’s to that first hardy group of Alaskans who reached the summit of the continent’s tallest peak 100 years ago today, and to their descendants who are even now re-tracing their footsteps to the top.