#wrangell mountains

Copper River and Wrangell Mountain Range Scenic Viewpoint, AK (No. 3)

The Copper River is approximately 290 miles (470 km) long.[10] It drops an average of about 12 feet per mile (2.3 m/km), and drains more than 24,000 square miles (62,000 km2)—an area the size of West Virginia.The river runs at an average of 7 miles per hour (11 km/h).

Downstream from its confluence with the Chitina it flows southwest, passing through a narrow glacier-lined gap in the Chugach Mountains within the Chugach National Forest east of Cordova Peak. There is an extensive area of linear sand dunes up to 250 feet (76 m) in height radiating from the mouth of the Copper River. Both Miles Glacier and Childs Glacier calve directly into the river. The Copper enters the Gulf of Alaska southeast of Cordova where it creates a delta nearly 50 miles (80 km) wide.

Copper River and Wrangell Mountain Range Scenic Viewpoint, AK (No. 2)

The Copper River rises out of the Copper Glacier, which lies on the northeast side of Mount Wrangell, in the Wrangell Mountains, within Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park. It begins by flowing almost due north in a valley that lies on the east side of Mount Sanford, and then turns west, forming the northwest edge of the Wrangell Mountains and separating them from the Mentasta Mountains to the northeast. It continues to turn southeast, through a wide marshy plain to Chitina, where it is joined from the southeast by the Chitina River (Ahtna AthabascanTsedi Na'[tʃɛ.diː.näʔ] < tsedi "copper" + na’ "river").

Mountain Day

Looking for a thrilling adventure? Explore the breathtaking heights, stunning vistas, and diverse wildlife of these majestic landmasses!

Head into nature to enjoy the beauty and appreciate everything it has to offer on Mountain Day!

History of Mountain Day

Enacted on May 23, 2014, officials in Japan announced that they would celebrate and promote Mountain Day as a public holiday in the country. The purpose and idea behind the day is a simple one: get to know and appreciate the mountains and the blessings that come from them.

The law was put into action in 2014 but wasn’t actually enforced until 2016. For the years prior to the bill entering into law, it was a grassroots movement of mountain and outdoor supporters, as well as the Japanese Alpine Group, who lobbied to make the day into reality. A National Ceremony for Mountain Day that happened in the Japanese Alps at Kamikochi in Matsumoto, Nagao on the first celebration of the day.

An important argument for the bill was that the Shinto beliefs, which have deeply shaped the culture of the Japanese people, teach that mountains and peaks should be celebrated as an important part of nature.

And since approximately 70% of the landmass of the country of Japan is made up of mountainous areas, honoring Mountain Day seems like a fitting tribute for such a place. The highest and perhaps most recognizable mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji, which comes in at 3,776 meters at its peak, and is one of the country’s three “holy mountains”.

Because the day, August 11, had already been set aside by various local authorities, it was decided that it would remain the day. But even the date is fitting and appropriate as many people have noticed that the number 8 (for August), when written in Japanese, resembles a mountain, and the number 11 resembles two trees.

Mountain Day Timeline

 1992

Sustainable Mountain Development adopted by UN

As part of the Conference on Environment and Development, the United Nations adds documents for managing the mountains as a fragile ecosystem.

 1996

Mount Everest disaster occurs 

A storm kills eight climbers in the mountain’s deadliest season to date. Several survivors will write their memoirs about the occasion.

 2003

United Nations declares International Mountain Day 

Working toward a healthier earth, the UN founds International Mountain Day on December 11.

 2014

Mountain Day announced in Japan 

After lobbying by the Japanese Alpine Club and others, Mountain Day or “Yama-no-Hi” is declared as a national holiday, though it has been unofficially celebrated for many years.

 2016

Mountain Day enacted in Japan 

The previously announced Mountain Day becomes law in Japan and is first officially celebrated this year.

How to Celebrate Mountain Day

Enjoy the observance and celebration of Mountain Day by taking advantage of opportunities to appreciate mountains and get out into nature. Try out some of these ideas for celebrating Mountain Day:

Head to the Mountains

Those who enjoy everything about the mountains can grab a group of friends and get to climbing! Whether your skills are novice or expert, this is the day to practice and improve them. Maybe it’s just a short hike for a half day, or perhaps it’s a week of backpacking through rough terrain and scaling seemingly insurmountable walls. Whatever is fun for Mountain Day is what matters!

And for those who may not feel much like climbing? Well, they can just head to the foothills and appreciate the view while on a drive or enjoying a picnic on the scenic route.

Perhaps it’s the Rocky Mountains, the Himalayas, the Andes, or the Alps, every continent on the planet has its own mountain ranges that bring texture to the landscape. So consider Mountain Day the perfect time to celebrate these unique and wonderful aspects of nature.

Enjoy a Film About the Mountains

If this happens to be a work day, or you live far away and there’s no time to actually get to the mountains, perhaps a good way to spend the day might be to channel that inner mountain climber and watch a story about the mountains and nature instead. Check out some of these movies that might aid in the celebration of Mountain Day:

Everest (2015). This film was based on the true story of adventure and survival that happened in May 1996 during a climb that was attempted on the summit of Mount Everest. At the time it was the deadliest climbing season of Mount Everest in history, with eight climbers dying over two days.

Into the Wild (2007). Another biographical adventure film, this screenplay was written and directed by Sean Penn, based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. It tells the story of Christopher McCandless who travels alone into the wilderness.

Meru (2015). This documentary chronicles the first ascent of a particularly challenging route, the Shark’s Fin, which is a 4000 foot wall that exists in Meru Peak in the Himalayas of India.

The Climb (2017). A light-hearted look at mountain climbing, this French comedy adventure film tells the real-life story of a man who says he would climb Mount Everest for the woman he loves.

Visit Japan’s Mountains

Perhaps the ultimate way to celebrate Mountain Day would be to head to Japan to visit this beautiful mountainous countryside. In addition to Mount Fuji, the other two of the Three Holy Mountains include Mount Tateyama and Mount Haku. But that is only the beginning, because there are more than 18,000 other mountains in the country of Japan. The beauty of the landscape and the opportunities to enjoy nature seem almost endless in this small, archipelago country.

Make a Donation for Sustainable Mountains

In an effort to allay the damage that has been done to mountains through sports, tourism and human development, some charities have been created to help. Making a donation to a charity that supports the sustainability of mountains is a great way to celebrate and be involved with Mountain Day, no matter where in the world you are:

Sustainable Mountain Alliance. This organization is committed to measuring, protecting and regenerating the natural mountainous environment by the reduction of carbon emissions as well as the negative impact of human activity.

International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions. Also known as Mountain Partnership, this non-profit organization is a voluntary alliance of various partners and members that are dedicated to the improvement and well being of the livelihoods of mountain people, as well as protecting and stewarding mountain environments all around the globe.

Kilian Jornet Foundation. A charity dedicated to the preservation of the mountain environment, this organization was created by Kilian Jornet, a young Catalan mountain climber and famous mountain athlete.

Run for Good. The ISPO global system for ecosports is particularly committed to raising funds that help to sustainability for the mountains as a vital part of the ecosystem. The efforts are to conserve, manage, protect, and preserve the natural mountain environment.

Mountain Day FAQs

What is the tallest mountain in the world?

The tallest mountain above sea level is Mount Everest, located in the Himalayan mountain range between Nepal and Tibet.

Where are the Rocky Mountains?

The Rocky Mountain range is located in the western portion of North America, in the US states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico and Montana, as well as Canadian British Columbia and Alberta.

How are mountains formed?

The tallest mountain ranges on earth were likely formed when pieces of the earth’s crust bump against each other in a process called plate tectonics.

What is mountain time?

Mountain Standard Time is a zone in North America, which is seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The time changes twice yearly due to Daylight Savings, making it 6 hours behind UTC.

How mountainous is Japan?

Japan’s archipelago consists of approximately 70% mountainous terrain.

Hidden

Copper River and Wrangell Mountain Range Scenic Viewpoint, AK (No. 4)

The name of the river comes from the abundant copper deposits along the upper river that were used by Alaska Native population and then later by settlers from the Russian Empire and the United States.[16] Extraction of the copper resources was problematic due to navigation difficulties at the river's mouth. The construction of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway from Cordova through the upper river valley from 1908 to 1911 allowed widespread extraction of the mineral resources, in particular from the Kennecott Mine, discovered in 1898. The mine was abandoned in 1938 and is now a ghost town tourist attraction and historic district maintained by the National Park Service.

Copper River Highway (Alaska Route 10) runs from Cordova to the lower Copper River near Childs Glacier, following the old railroad route and ending at the reconstructed Million Dollar Bridge across the river. The Tok Cut-Off (Alaska Route 1) follows the Copper River Valley on the north side of the Chugach Mountains.

Copper River and Wrangell Mountain Range Scenic Viewpoint, AK (No. 1)

The Copper River or Ahtna River (Ahtena: ‘Atna’tuu, "river of the Ahtnas";Tlingit: Eeḵhéeni, "river of copper"), is a 290-mile (470 km) river in south-central Alaska in the United States. It drains a large region of the Wrangell Mountains and Chugach Mountains into the Gulf of Alaska. It is known for its extensive delta ecosystem, as well as for its prolific runs of wild salmon, which are among the most highly prized stocks in the world. The river is the tenth largest in the United States, as ranked by average discharge volume at its mouth.

National Alaska Day

The largest state by area to join the U.S. and its last frontier to boot; is it any wonder we have a special day — National Alaska Day, held on October 18 each year — to celebrate this amazing place?

History of National Alaska Day

While the origins and founder of National Alaska Day remain elusive at the moment, we know plenty about how Alaska came to be a part of the U.S. Long before the Russians settled in this Arctic land, it was populated by indigenous people from tribes like Inuit, Yupik, Tlingit, and others. They hunted and lived on whale fat, beaver, and fish. Then, the Russians came and settled in Alaska, leaving only after 68 years of ruling. The history of U.S. rule in Alaska began with the setting up of a transcontinental telegraph line in Sitka, Alaska. The U.S. wanted to expand their territory, and the Russians wanted to leave — the decimated sea otter population meant this land was no longer profitable, and Russia was short on money after the Crimean War, making Alaska hard to defend. William Seward, the state’s secretary at that time, was the main hand behind the purchase. Alaska was purchased at $7.2 million. His championing of this cause was so prominent, the vast majority of Americans who thought this purchase was a mistake took to calling Alaska “Seward’s Folly.”

Then, in the 18th century, two prospectors found gold at the Klondike region, and thus began the gold rush era in Alaska. Numbers indicate upwards of 10,000 fortune seekers that were headed for goldfields at Klondike, and the beaches at Nome in western Alaska, another place where gold was found. The newfound popularity of this region was cemented by its strategic position during the Second World War. When the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands, parts of which are U.S. territory and parts belonging to the Russian federal subject of Kamchatka Krai, the American army had already been stationed there, ready to protect their border. After the Civil War, this Aleutian campaign — called the ‘One Thousand Mile War’ — was the first such battle fought on American soil. Alaska remained a territory until the 19th century when it became a U.S. state.

The 19th century also brought dog sledding to the forefront of American consciousness. A deadly outbreak of diphtheria in Nome threatened the lives of every single person living there. Additionally, the place was so isolated, that assisting them was very hard. This situation was worsened by an approaching blizzard, which ruled out air assistance. The only way to deliver an antitoxin was via sled dogs. Enter Leonhard Seppala. His fellow Norwegian Jafet Lindeberg — who struck rich in Nome — asked Leonhard Seppala to come work with him in his Pioneer Mining Company. Records indicate Seppala regretted this decision on account of the work being difficult. That is, until the day he became a sled dog driver, mushing supplies. A team of 20 was assembled, including that of Leonhard Seppala, who was a venerated musher by then. While the lead dog, Balto, became famous, many argue it was actually Seppala and his lead dog, Togo, who were the true saviors that day.

National Alaska Day timeline

1867

The Debate

A debate erupts in the U.S. about the purchase of Alaska from Russia.

October 18, 1867

From Russian Rule to U.S. Governance

The Russian flag at the governor’s house is lowered and replaced with a U.S. flag.

1868

Alaska Becomes a U.S. Territory

Alaska changes hands from Russia to the United States.

1897

The Gold Rush Era Begins

Prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris discover gold in the Klondike region, starting the gold rush in Alaska.

1898

More Gold is Found

Prospectors find gold on the beaches at an Alaskan city called Nome.

1900

Prospectors Pour In

232 ships carrying around 18,000 prospectors arrive in Nome.

1943

Alaska is an Important Frontier

Japan invades the Aleutian Islands and more than 140,000 American military troops are already stationed in Alaska.

January 3, 1959

Alaska Becomes a U.S. State

Alaska is number 49 to join the U.S. as a state.

National Alaska Day FAQs

What is Seward's Day in Alaska?

Falling on the last day of March, this day commemorates the purchase of Alaska by the U.S., negotiated by then-Secretary of State William H. Seward.

Can you see Russia from Alaska?

On a clear day, by climbing a hill on Cape Prince of Wales, you might see mainland Siberia, which is 50 miles away.

Can Alaska be sold?

The United States does appear to have the right to sell Alaska or give it away without consulting its debt holders.

How To Celebrate National Alaska Day

Visit Alaska: If you have the time (and the budget) plan a holiday to see the wonders of this Arctic state. Visit the immense Denali National Park and Preserve, which is home to glaciers, fossil records, and a study in geology. Take a trip to see Glacier Bay, which gives you a glimpse at a color of blue you cannot find anywhere else on Earth. If you are a fan of nature, you are in luck. The Alaskan wildlife is as diverse as it is abundant — you can see humpback whales in the bay, lumbering brown bears in the woods, or bald eagles soaring overhead. Explore travel websites for advice on when to visit and get started planning your trip!

Learn more about Alaska: Not bitten by the travel bug yet? Not a problem. Take a virtual tour of this place. Read up on the history of Alaska, its people, and the reasons that make it a special place unlike any other.

Watch a feature: Settle in for a fun Alaska-themed movie night with the family. Check out movies set in this region, like the rom-com “The Proposal,” the adventure drama “Into The Wild,” or the Disney feature, “Togo.” Want something longer-lasting? The “Gold Rush” reality TV series that aired on Discovery Channel is all about, you guessed it, the gold rush in Alaska. Whatever your fancy, there are many movies or TV shows across genres that are set in this place. So grab some popcorn and enjoy watching Alaska’s beautiful landscape on your screen.

5 Fun Facts About Alaska

Alaska means 'great land': The name 'Alaska' comes from the Aleut word ‘Alyeska,’ which means 'great land'.

Alaska has the highest mountain peaks: Alaska is home to some of the highest mountain peaks in the U.S., like Mount Denali.

The Alaskan flag was designed by a child13-year-old Native American Benny Benson designed the flag of Alaska in 1926.

Lowest population density: Alaska has only one person per square mile, making it the state with the lowest population density in the world.

A sled dog race in Seppala’s honor: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is held every year from Anchorage to Nome, to honor Leonhard Seppala's mission to save an entire community.

Why We Love National Alaska Day

We get to celebrate Alaskan history: The Gold Rush. The Iditarod. 'Seward’s Folly.' There are so many parts to Alaska's history that we are uncovering. On National Alaska Day, we get a chance to learn about and share in this history and celebrate the fact that this amazing land is a part of the U.S.

Because we love Alaska: The land where the sun shines for 24 hours. The land with the Aurora Borealis. Forests, lakes, glaciers, national parks, hiking trails, islands — Alaska has a little something for everyone. This perfect untouched slice of land is a holiday lover's paradise.

We celebrate America’s history: Just imagine, if Seward had not purchased Alaska from the Russians, Americans could not claim this beautiful land as their 49th state. It’s part of their pride and joy and an attraction to travelers everywhere. Alaskan history is intertwined with American history, and National Alaska Day reminds us of this fact.

Wide Alaska