Mount Steller (Chugach Mountains)

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 8000 feet (2440 m) above the Bering Glacier to the south in about 4 horizontal miles (6.4 km).

This article is about the peak in the Chugach Mountains. For the peak in the Aleutian Range, see Mount Steller (Aleutian Range).
Mount Steller
Aerial view from northeast
Highest point
Elevation10,715 ft (3,266 m) [1]
Prominence5,515 ft (1,681 m) [1]
Listing
Coordinates60°31′13″N 143°05′27″W 
Geography
Mount Steller
Alaska
LocationYakutat City and Borough
Alaska U.S.
Parent rangeChugach Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Bering Glacier C-6
Climbing
First ascent1992 by B Jacobs, G Anderson, M Bowling, R Wesson

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.

Climate
Mount Steller, looking southwest

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. 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. 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. 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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