life and heritage
Walter Harper was a monumental figure in both Alaskan history and the world of mountaineering. Harper’s exceptional abilities, accomplishments, and character traits make him a role model and hero to all, particularly our Native youth. At only 20 years of age, Harper’s Koyukon Athabascan subsistence skills, courage, and charisma contributed to the success of the 1913 pioneer ascent of Denali.
On summit day, Harper took the lead and became the first person to stand atop North America’s tallest mountain, Denali, an Athabascan word meaning The Great One. His journey exemplifies extraordinary ability, bravery, commitment. He would have been a Doyon shareholder had he lived a longer life.
The youngest of eight children Walter Harper was born in 1892 in Alaska, to his Koyukon Athabascan mother, Jeannie Seentahna, and his Irish-American father, Arthur Harper. Harper lived much of his childhood in Tanana, AK and later in Fort Yukon, AK. When he turned 16 he attended the Tortella School, and Episcopal boarding school in Nenana, AK where he was hired to work as an interpreter, guide, and dog driver.
Raised in the ways of his traditional Athabascan heritage, Harper’s early life was deeply connected to the Alaskan wilderness, from which he learned invaluable skills in hunting, fishing, and survival. These skills, combined with his respect for the land and its people, prepared him for the challenges he would face on Denali.
On return to Tanana, AK after his historic climb, Harper continued his education at Mount Hermon School and was planning to attend medical school in Philadelphia. He married Frances Wells in Fort Yukon on September 1, 1918 and the couple boarded the SS Princess Sophia for their honeymoon on October 23, 1918 in Skagway, AK, bound for Seattle, WA. As the ship was passing through the Lynn Canal in route to Juneau, tragedy struck and the strong gale winds and heavy snow caused the ship to sink to the ocean floor, taking all 343 passengers with it. The Harpers were later buried side by side in Juneau.
The historic climb
In the spring of 1913, at age 20, Harper’s courage, subsistence skills, and mountaineering expertise were put to the ultimate test. As a key member of the historic expedition led by Episcopal Archdeacon Hudson Stuck and co-leader Harry Karstens, Harper’s knowledge of Alaska’s terrain and his climbing skills were instrumental to the mission’s success.
The team, which included Robert Tatum, John Fredson of Gwich’in Athabascan heritage, and Esaias George of Koyukon Athabascan heritage, embarked on a daunting journey from Alaska’s Interior to Denali, traveling the wilderness by dog team, a testament to their adventurous spirit and determination.
Harper’s role in the climb was pivotal. On June 7, 1913, he was the first of the ascent team to set foot on Denali’s summit, a moment of unparalleled triumph and a testament to his extraordinary abilities. He was followed closely by Harry Karstens, Robert Tatum, and finally Hudson Stuck.
While Stuck and Karstens, the expedition’s leaders, are often credited with the climb’s success, it was the collective efforts of the entire team that made their remarkable achievement possible. John Fredson and Esaias George played crucial roles at lower elevations, with Fredson managing the basecamp and ensuring the ascent team’s month-long effort on the mountain was supported and sustainable.
In the wake of their successful ascent, Stuck named a glacier on Denali in honor of Harper and his father, Arthur. The Harper Glacier stretches for 4 miles (6.4 km) from Denali Pass down to the Great Icefall, before turning into the Muldrow Glacier. The glacier stands as a lasting tribute to the Harper family’s legacy, acknowledging Harper’s remarkable achievement and celebrated the spirit of exploration and resilience that he embodied.
Legacy
Walter Harper’s legacy extends far beyond his historic climb. He is remembered as a figure who embodied the spirit of unity and resilience, bridging the gap between Native Alaskan cultures and the broader society.
Today, the Walter Harper Project continues his legacy, promoting education, leadership, and cultural understanding among Alaskan natives. Scholarships and programs in his name inspire new generations to pursue their dreams with the same courage and determination Harper displayed.
On April 29, 2020 Senate Bill 144 was passed unanimously by both Alaska’s Senate and House of Representatives, recognizing June 7 as Walter Harper Day.
The act recognizes not only Harper’s critical role in the success of the pioneer summit of Denali, but his “superb subsistence skills, his integrity, his strong sense of identity and purpose, and his ability to navigate comfortably in both the Athabascan culture and other cultures of the United States.”
“This young man, Walter Harper, was the first to reach the top of the summit and I think I can safely say that his stamina, his fortitude, his knowledge and his survival skills living in the Interior of Alaska, that were passed down from his Koyukon ancestors, greatly contributed to the success of this climb. Walter Harper is not only a role model to the Alaska Native youth, but a role model to us all.” Senator Click Bishop, sponsor of Senate Bill 144 said.
On Sunday, June 7, 2020, Alaska celebrated the first annual Walter Harper Day.
A Life-Size Bronze Statue Commemorating an Alaskan & American Icon Walter harper
” … I was ahead all day and was the first ever to set foot on Mt. Denali.”- Walter Harper climbing journal, 1913.
The walter harper statue
The Walter Harper Project in partnered with Fairbanks Native Association undertook the task of fundraising to assist in commemorating Walter Harper with a life-size bronze statue. The Walter Harper project team consisted of Michael Harper, Bill Gordon, Mary Ehrlander, Darlene Bishop, Tanya Kaquatosh, Diana Campbell, and Angela J. Linn, all of who were instrumental in reaching the fundraising goal.
A total of $231,000 was raised to fund the creation and installation of the bronze statue, a testament to Harper’s legacy and the community’s deep respect for him and his achievements.
Doyon is proud to have contributed a $25,000 donation to the cause, with Sarah Obed, Senior Vice President of External Affairs saying, “It’s important to recognize the strengths and accomplishments of our people. Doyon is honored to contribute to this moment.”
On July 19, 2022 The Walter Harper Project unveiled the 13-foot bronze statue of Walter Harper, including his dog, Snowball, located outside of the Doyon Plaza in downtown Fairbanks, AK. The location of the statue is fitting as Denali is the most prominent landmark in Alaska’s interior, the homeland of the Athabascan people, and provides easy access to tourists and community members in Fairbanks.
Gary Lee Price – Statue Sculptor
The Walter Harper Project team choose renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price as the artist to create the statue.
Gary Lee Price is known for his bronze sculptures that aim to capture the each individual’s unique human spirit and inspire others.
His celebrated works, which include joyous figures and monumental pieces worldwide, reflect a lifelong commitment to uplifting and empowering through art.
Thank you to each corporation and individual who has supported the walter harper project
“Together we will reach our summit.”
▴▴▲▲ DENALI SUMMIT ▲▲▴▴
Alaska Airlines
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Doyon, Limited
Rasmuson Foundation
Bill Stroecker Foundation
▴▲▲ HARPER GLACIER ▲▲▴
Kinross Fort Knox
▴▲ KARSTENS RIDGE ▲▴
ConocoPhillips Alaska
Marathon Petroleum Corp.
Tozitna, Limited
▲ MULDROW GLACIER ▲
Golden Heart Community Foundation
Mt. McKinley Bank
Darlene & Click Bishop
In honor of Bishop William & Shirley Gordon
Mary Harper Denton & Family
Jeanne Ostnes & Timothy Benintendi
Lance & Karen Parrish
Tsigonis Family
▴ BASECAMp ▴
Baan O Yeel Kon Corporation
John & Judy Binkley
CSG, Inc.
Elizabeth Cook
Mary & Lars Ehrlander
Steve Frank & Linda Anderson
Dan & Joyce Gavora
Betty Ruth George
Ghemm Company
The Geraghty Family
Michael & Jane Harper
Gail & Richard Hattan
Anna Huntington-Kriska
George H. Lounsbury
Lynden Transport
Cathryn Rasmuson
Margaret Rich
Maxine Harper Richert
Rick & Cheryl Schikora
Tanana Yukon Historical Society
Teamsters Local 959
Natasha & Rudi von Imhof
Andy & Judy Warwick
Gary & Susan Wilken
▴ TIMBERLINE Camp ▴
Beatus Kaquatosh Family
Doug & Dianne Blummer
John & Peggy Bryant
Winston & Glenda Burbank
Diana Campbell
Jennifer Fate
Randy & Georgianne Frank
Great Northwest, Inc.
Johanna Harper
Diane Kaplan
Koniag, Inc.
Gen. Jake Lestenkof
Jamie Marunde
Stephen & Sarah Obed
Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, Local 375
Rick & Cherie Solie
Doug Pope
Carol & Jack Wilbur
▴ The Kantishna ▴
IBEW Local 1547
Rohn & Chris Abbott
Linda S. Belarde
Gary & Laura Elliott Bender
Sherry Bestard
Dan Bishop
John Bitney
Brandon Boylan
Julius Brecht
Catherine Call & Glenn Olson
Michael & Margaret Carey
Tim & Kathy Cline
Jeff & Sue Cook
Sue Harper Courtillet
Lorraine Cutler
Diann Darnell
Kent & Jenny Dawson
Sam & Mary Demientieff
Ernest L & Lillian S Demoski
Annette Freiburger & Deanna Linzner
Steven & Maureen Haagenson
Jan Harper (Petri) Haines
Daryl & Karen Haggstrom
Karl & Nancy Hanneman
Nancy Hanson
Ella Harper
Diane Holmstrom
Garry & Diane Hutchison
Ronald Inouye
Clare Jaeger
Kris Knauss
Bart & Mary LeBon
Jim & Deanna Linzer
Karen Lopez
Antoinette Mallot
Marie Matsuno
Jerry & Jenifer McBeath
Pat & Patty Miller
Emil Notti
Susan Paskvan
Hild & Guy Peters
Steve & Shannon Planchon
Jim & Jan Plaquet
Al & Ann Renfroe
Tom and Jo Roberts
Jim & Beth Sampson
Katie & Phil Sanders
Elizabeth Schaffhauser & Gerald Walker
Angela Schmidt & Chris Miller
Rick & Cherie Solie
Julie Fate Sullivan
Gene Therriault & Jo Kuchle
Linda Van Houten & Bill Joiner
Jimmy Vining
Tom Walker
Ronald & Nancy Whitten
Richard & Sally Wien
Daphne & Frank Wright
▴ Others ▴
Joan Antonson
Margaret Asbury
Alan Batten
Romana Bober
Kate Bull
John Curran
Nicole Eiseman
Andrea Gelvin
Hillary Gularte
Carol Kasza
Inez Larsen
Angela Linn
Katie McCaffrey
Marie Nash
Karen Perdue
Marilyn Richards
Stephanie Rivet
Amy Russell-Jamgochian
David Tillman
Ronald & Nancy Whitten
▴ ▲ In kind ▲▴
Brice Inc. with special thanks to Calista, Brice Family, and Togi Letuligasenoa
Doyon, Limited
Design Alaska
Fairbanks Native Association
Kathleen Carol-Kendall
Reanna Moses
Lynden Transport
Kesler Woodward