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Ultima Thule Peak

Coordinates: 61°17′39″N 142°00′28″W / 61.29411°N 142.007799°W / 61.29411; -142.007799
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ultima Thule Peak
Aerial view of east aspect (centered)
Highest point
Elevation10,900+ ft (3,320+ m)[1]
Prominence2,000 ft (610 m)[1]
Parent peakCeleno Peak
Isolation3.32 mi (5.34 km)[2]
Coordinates61°17′39″N 142°00′28″W / 61.29411°N 142.007799°W / 61.29411; -142.007799[1]
Geography
Ultima Thule Peak is located in Alaska
Ultima Thule Peak
Ultima Thule Peak
Location of Ultima Thule Peak in Alaska
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughValdez-Cordova Borough
Protected areaWrangell-St. Elias National Park
Parent rangeSaint Elias Mountains
Topo mapUSGS McCarthy B-3
Climbing
First ascent1996
Easiest routeSouth Face - Southwest Ridge

Ultima Thule Peak is a 10,900+ ft (3,320+ m) glaciated mountain summit located in the Saint Elias Mountains of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak rises above the Hawkins Glacier to its east, Erickson Creek Glacier to the south, and the Canyon Creek Glacier to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Chitina River, which in turn is part of the Copper River drainage basin. The first ascent of the then-unnamed peak was made in 1996 by Paul Claus, Ruedi Homberger, and Reto Reuesh via the south face.[3] Paul Claus dubbed the peak “Ultima Thule Peak.” The second ascent was made April 20, 2013, by Kevin Ditzler and Jay Claus via the southwest ridge.

Climate

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Based on the Köppen climate classification, Ultima Thule Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[4] Winds coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Saint Elias Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ultima Thule Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  2. ^ Ultima Thule Peak, listsofjohn.com
  3. ^ Ultima Thule Peak, Southwest Ridge, 2014. Americanalpineclub.org
  4. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.
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