Alaska

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Introduction

Kissing Sisters

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Geography

Cities

• Anchorage is Alaska's largest city.
• Juneau is the state capital
• Fairbanks
• Wasilla

Sights and Activities

Mount McKinley

Mt. McKinley (Denali)

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Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America and is situated in the central part of Alaska. It's the showpiece of the Denali National Park, one of the most popular national parks in this northern state.

Although Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, Mount McKinley has the highest rise from its base at about 5500 metres up to the summit, compared to Mount Everest's rise of about 3700 metres from its base which is already 5200 metres above sea level. While Mount McKinley is not as high as the ones in the Himalaya or even Andes Mountains, it's a very tough climb. Only about half of the expeditions made it to the top and over 100 lives have been taken by it. It is a technical climb but the main drawbacks are the cold weather at the top and the lack of oxygen – so much lower compared to a mountain of similar height at the equator (almost 50% less!). Both the temperatures and lack of oxygen are a direct result of its latitude.

For non-climbers, the view of the mountain when there is clear weather in Denali National Park is fantastic already, especially in late winter and early spring when most of the mountain is still covered in snow and conditions are good with blue skies and less rain (or snow).

• Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is an amazing area in the far north of Alaska. It is also the source of much controversy over its proper use due to oil and natural gas reserves under its pristine soil.
• Denali National Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Katmai National Park
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Lake Clark National Park
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Events and Festivals

Weather

Alaska is the coldest state of the US and a visit from October to April is not really recommended because of the cold and miserable conditions. It is possible though, but you have to come prepared. Winter temperatures can drop to below -50 degrees Celsius, even in bigger town like Fairbanks. Average daytime temperatures from December to February are between -10 and -20 degrees Celsius and nights between -20 and -30 degrees Celsius.
Summers are short but surprisingly warm with average temperatures in the interior around 20 degrees or slightly more. Nights are still cool though, so bring warm clothes even in summer.
To the north, even summers are cool to cold, with temperatures in the extreme north averaging below 10 degrees during the warmest months.
In the south, for example in Anchorage, winters tend to be less cold and summers a bit cooler compared to places more inland.
Precipitation is highest in late summer and early autumn when it falls in the form of rain. During winter and early spring most of it comes down as snow, though much of the time it is dry while it is simply to cold to get any precipitation at all.

Getting There

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Cruises around Alaska. Amongst the top spots in Alaska, the Inside Passage, the Glaciers and the Bering Sea are the ones which contain hidden treasures such as massive glaciers, waterways, Eskimo settlements near the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands respectively. On board activities to warm people up are always available in the cruises.

Eat

Drink

Sleep