Controversy Over Renaming Denali Back to Mount McKinley
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As of today, January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to change the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley. This decision has sparked significant controversy and debate. The highest peak in North America, located in Alaska, was officially renamed Denali in 2015 by the Obama administration to honor its original Koyukon Athabascan name, which means "the high one" or "the great one".The name change is not without opposition. Alaska's two Republican U.S. senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, have expressed their support for the Koyukon Athabascan name and are pushing back against the proposed reversion to Mount McKinley. The decision to rename the mountain has historical significance, as the name "Mount McKinley" was originally given in 1896 to honor President William McKinley.In addition to the political and cultural implications, the name change also affects the management and accessibility of Denali National Park. The Park Road remains closed due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide, which has altered summer access to facilities and services.For those interested in climbing the mountain, guided expeditions are available, such as the West Buttress route, which was first pioneered by Bradford Washburn in 1951. The mountain's history and its various names have been documented in several books, including "In the Shadow of Denali" and "Mount McKinley: The Conquest of Denali".