Mount_Steller_(Chugach_Mountains)

Mount Steller (Chugach Mountains)

Mount Steller (Chugach Mountains)

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This article is about the peak in the Chugach Mountains. For the peak in the Aleutian Range, see Mount Steller (Aleutian Range).

Mount Steller is a peak at the far eastern end of the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, United States. It is notable for its isolated location among extensive icefields, and for its large rise above local terrain. For example, it rises 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above the Bering Glacier to the south in about 4 horizontal miles (6.4 km).

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Mount Steller is the high point of Waxell Ridge, an east–west trending ridge on the south side of the Bagley Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America. The large Bering Glacier flows past the east and south slopes of the ridge, while the Steller Glacier flows from its west side.

The mountain was named for the naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller.

Due to its isolated location, poor weather, and comparatively low absolute elevation by Alaskan standards, Mount Steller was not climbed until recently. The first ascent was in 1992.

Mount Steller, looking southwest
South aspect of Mt. Steller

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Steller is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[2] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Sources vary on the elevation and prominence of this peak, ranging from Peaklist's elevation of 10,715 ft (3,266 m) and a prominence of 5,515 ft (1,681 m) to Peakbagger's 10,515 ft (3,205 m) elevation and 5,315 ft (1,620 m) prominence.
  2. [2]
    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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