Fake Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fake Peak |
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Cook's claimed photograph of the summit of Denali, actually taken at Fake Peak
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,338 ft (1,627 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States |
Fake Peak is a small rocky spot in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, USA. It's located near the Ruth Glacier, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of the top of Denali. This peak is famous because of a big climbing mystery!
What is Fake Peak?
Fake Peak is not a very tall mountain itself. It stands at about 5,338 feet (1,627 meters) above sea level. This is much lower than Denali, which is the tallest mountain in North America. Denali reaches an amazing height of 20,310 feet (6,190 meters). That means Fake Peak is nearly 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) shorter than Denali's true summit!
The Denali Climbing Mystery
In 1906, an explorer named Frederick Cook claimed he was the first person to climb to the very top of Denali. This was a huge claim at the time. To prove his climb, Cook showed a photograph. He said this picture was taken from the summit of Denali.
The Truth About the Photo
Years later, a researcher named Robert M. Bryce studied Cook's photograph very carefully. He compared it to other pictures and maps of the area. Bryce discovered that the photo was not taken on Denali's summit at all. Instead, it was taken on Fake Peak!
This discovery showed that Frederick Cook had not reached the top of Denali. The photograph was proof that his claim was false. That's why this small outcrop is now known as "Fake Peak." It reminds us of the importance of truth in exploration and science.
