if all goes well, a survey of Mount McKinley will either confirm its accepted elevation of 20,320 feet, or determine whether it's taller, or lesser, in stature./UAF photo by Todd Paris

For the first time since 1953 teams are working to accurately measure the height of Mount McKinley in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. It long has been accepted that the peak topped out at 20,320 feet. Is that still the case?

The USGS, along with NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, are supporting a Global Positioning System survey of the Mount McKinley apex. Surveying technology and processes have improved greatly since the last survey and the ability to establish a much more accurate height now exists, a USGS release says.

With the acquisition of new elevation data in Alaska as part of the 3D Elevation Program, there have been inquiries about the height of the summit. The survey party is being led by CompassData, a subcontractor for Dewberry on a task awarded under the USGS’ Geospatial Products and Services Contract.

Using modern GPS survey equipment and techniques, along with better gravity data to improve the geoid model in Alaska, the partners will be able to report the summit elevation with a much higher level of confidence than has been possible in the past. It is anticipated the newly surveyed elevation will be published by the National Geodetic Survey in late August.

An experienced team of four climbers, one from UAF and three from CompassData, will carry the needed scientific instruments to the top of McKinley. They plan to return on or before July 7 and begin work with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and NGS processing the data to arrive at the new summit elevation.