Blackthorn Peak

Last updated
Blackthorn Peak
Black Thorn
Blackthorn Peak.jpg
Blackthorn Peak, northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation 4,117 ft (1,255 m) [1]
Prominence 1,900 ft (580 m) [2]
Parent peak Mount Aleutka (5200 ft) [3]
Isolation 2.5 mi (4.0 km) [2]
Coordinates 58°34′24″N136°34′19″W / 58.57333°N 136.57194°W / 58.57333; -136.57194 Coordinates: 58°34′24″N136°34′19″W / 58.57333°N 136.57194°W / 58.57333; -136.57194 [2]
Geography
Relief map of USA Alaska.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Blackthorn Peak
Location of Blackthorn Peak in Alaska
Location Glacier Bay National Park
Hoonah-Angoon
Alaska, United States
Parent range Fairweather Range
Saint Elias Mountains [2]
Topo map USGS Mount Fairweather C-2
Climbing
First ascent 1898 by gold prospectors [3]

Blackthorn Peak, also known as Black Thorn, is a 4,117 foot (1,255 meter) mountain summit located at the head of Glacier Bay's Geikie Inlet in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. [1] The mountain is situated immediately east of Geikie Glacier, 80 mi (129 km) west-northwest of Juneau, and 2.5 mi (4 km) north of Threesome Mountain, which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in a little over two miles. The mountain was given its descriptive name in 1896 by Harry Fielding Reid, an American geophysicist who studied glaciology in Glacier Bay. [1] Weather permitting, Blackthorn Peak can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing the peak.

Contents

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Blackthorn Peak is located in a subpolar oceanic climate zone, with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. [4] Weather systems 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. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Glacier Bay Basin.

Blackthorn Peak from Geikie Inlet, with Contact Peak to left Contact and Blackthorn.jpg
Blackthorn Peak from Geikie Inlet, with Contact Peak to left

See also

Related Research Articles

Mount Foresta

Mount Foresta is an 11,000+ ft multi-peak massif located in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, in the Saint Elias Mountains of Alaska in the United States. Rising high above the lower western margin of the Hubbard Glacier, the summit of Mount Foresta is just over 9 mi (14 km) from tidewater at Disenchantment Bay, 12 mi (19 km) northwest of Mount Seattle, 14.5 mi (23 km) southeast of Mount Vancouver, and 46 mi (74 km) north of Yakutat.

Mount Cooper (Alaska)

Mount Cooper is a 6780-foot (2067-meter) mountain summit located in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The peak is situated in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve at the entrance to Johns Hopkins Inlet, 100 mi (161 km) northwest of Juneau, and 5.6 mi (9 km) northeast of Mount Abbe, which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than two miles. Mount Cooper can be seen from Johns Hopkins Inlet which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The mountain's name was proposed in the 1950s for William Skinner Cooper (1884-1978), a plant ecologist who performed vegetation-glacier relationship studies in the Glacier Bay area, and was chairman of the committee of scientists which proposed establishing Glacier Bay National Monument. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1980 by the United States Geological Survey following Cooper's death. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing Mount Cooper.

Mount Abdallah

Mount Abdallah is a prominent 6,210-foot (1,893-meter) mountain summit located in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, as the highest point between Tarr Inlet and Rendu Inlet, 93 mi (150 km) northwest of Juneau, and 10.5 mi (17 km) southeast of Mount Barnard, which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than three miles. The mountain was named in 1892 by Harry Fielding Reid, an American geophysicist, who in 1892 hired a small crew of men for an expedition to study glaciology in Glacier Bay. There is no record of who Reid named this mountain for, but a member of his expeditionary crew who accompanied him might be a possibility. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing Mount Abdallah. Weather permitting, Mount Abdallah can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships.

Sentinel Peak (Alaska)

Sentinel Peak is a 4,355-foot (1,327-meter) mountain summit located at the head of Glacier Bay's Queen Inlet in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated immediately southwest of Carroll Glacier, 87 mi (140 km) northwest of Juneau, and 7.44 mi (12 km) east of Mount Abdallah. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than two miles. The mountain was named in 1892 by Harry Fielding Reid, an American geophysicist, who studied glaciology in Glacier Bay. He so named it because Carroll Glacier is guarded by Sentinel Peak, and a sentinel is a guard whose job is to stand and keep watch. Weather permitting, Sentinel Peak can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing the peak.

Mount Turner (Fairweather Range)

Mount Turner, also known as Boundary Peak 162, is an 8,661+ foot glaciated mountain summit located in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, on the Canada–United States border between southeast Alaska and British Columbia. The peak is situated on the shared boundary of Glacier Bay National Park with Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, 8 mi (13 km) west of Tarr Inlet, and 4.4 mi (7 km) southwest of Mount Forde, which is the nearest peak. Turner is the highest point on the divide which separates Ferris Glacier from Margerie Glacier. The mountain's name was officially adopted by the Geographical Names Board of Canada on March 31, 1924. The mountain was named for George Turner (1850-1932), one of the US members of the 1903 Alaska Boundary Tribunal.

Mount Watson (Alaska)

Mount Watson is a 12,497-foot glaciated mountain summit located in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska, United States. It ranks as the fifth-highest peak in the Fairweather Range. The peak is situated in Glacier Bay National Park, 2 mi (3 km) west of the Canada–United States border, and 7.16 mi (12 km) north of Mount Fairweather, which is the highest peak in the Fairweather Range. The mountain's name was officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names in 1924 to commemorate David Thompson Watson (1844-1916), who was US Counsel to the 1903 Alaska Boundary Tribunal. The first ascent of the peak was made June 18, 1974, by Michael Allen, Walter Gove, Lawrence Dauelsberg, Alice Liska, and Donald Liska via the East Ridge. The first ascent of the North Face was made in April 1999 by Chris Trimble and Jim Earl. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing.

Mount Dagelet

Mount Dagelet is a 9,800+ ft glaciated mountain summit located in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska, United States. The peak is situated in Glacier Bay National Park, 4.6 mi (7 km) south of Mount Crillon, and 4 mi (6 km) northwest of Mount La Perouse, which is the nearest highest peak. Topographic relief is significant as the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than nine miles. The mountain was named in 1874 by William Healey Dall of the U.S. Geological Survey, for Joseph Lepaute Dagelet (1751-1788), a French astronomer and mathematician who accompanied Lapérouse when he explored this coastal area in 1786. The first ascent of the peak was made July 29, 1933, by W. S. Child, C. S. Houston, and H. A. Carter.

Castle Peak (Alaska)

Castle Peak is a 10,190-foot mountain summit located in the Wrangell Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, 21 mi (34 km) northwest of McCarthy, and 9.3 mi (15 km) south of Mount Blackburn on the south margin of the Kuskulana Glacier valley. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Kuskulana River and Lakina River which are both tributaries of the Chitina River. The peak's descriptive name was used by early prospectors as reported in 1901 by the US Geological Survey.

Mount Merriam

Mount Merriam is a prominent 5,083-foot (1,549-meter) mountain summit located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated 75 mi (121 km) northwest of Juneau, 3.1 mi (5 km) south of Mount Wordie, 3.5 mi (6 km) north of Black Cap Mountain, and 13.4 mi (22 km) southeast of Mount Abdallah which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than three miles, and it ranks 85th in prominence for all peaks in Alaska.

Black Cap Mountain (Alaska)

Black Cap Mountain is a 3,321-foot (1,012-meter) mountain summit located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated immediately north of the entrance to Tidal Inlet, 80 mi (129 km) northwest of Juneau, and 3.5 mi (6 km) south of Mount Merriam, which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than two miles. The mountain's descriptive name was given by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1956 because the summit is composed of black limestone which contrasts with the color of the flanks of the mountain, making it visible for many miles. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1960 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Weather permitting, Black Cap Mountain can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing the peak.

Mount Wordie

Mount Wordie is a 4,700+ foot mountain summit located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated 80 mi (129 km) northwest of Juneau, 4 mi (6 km) south of Carroll Glacier, and 3.1 mi (5 km) north of Mount Merriam which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than two miles.

Mount Case Mountain in Alaska, United States

Mount Case is a prominent 5,545-foot (1,690 m) mountain summit located in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, as the highest point between Adams Inlet and White Glacier, 65 mi (105 km) northwest of Juneau, and 2.47 mi (4 km) northeast of Mount Wright, which is the nearest peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than three miles, and it ranks 73rd in prominence for all peaks in Alaska. The mountain was named in 1890 by Harry Fielding Reid, an American geophysicist, who studied glaciology in Glacier Bay. Reid named this mountain for his school, the Case School of Applied Science, in Cleveland, Ohio. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing Mount Case. Weather permitting, Mount Case can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships.

Marble Mountain (Alaska)

Marble Mountain is a 3,366-foot (1,026-meter) mountain summit located in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The peak is situated in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve at the entrance to Geikie Inlet, 68 mi (109 km) west-northwest of Juneau, and 10.7 mi (17 km) east-northeast of Blackthorn Peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in Shag Cove in less than one mile. The mountain's name was in local use as reported by the United States Geological Survey in 1951. Marble Mountain can be seen from Glacier Bay which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing Marble Mountain.

Black Mountain (Alaska)

Black Mountain is a prominent 5,891 foot mountain summit located in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska. The mountain is situated in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 75 mi (121 km) northwest of Juneau, between the Riggs and McBride glaciers. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing Black Mountain. Weather permitting, Black Mountain can be seen from Muir Inlet of Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships.

Mount Tom White

Mount Tom White is a prominent 11,191-foot glaciated mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The remote peak is situated on land managed by Chugach National Forest, 72 mi (116 km) northeast of Cordova, and 20 mi (32 km) north of the Bering Glacier, North America's largest glacier. The mountain lies within the Copper River drainage basin, and is the eighth-highest major peak in the Chugach Mountains. Topographic relief is significant as it ranks 17th in prominence for all peaks in Alaska, and 52nd for all North America peaks.. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1973 by Story Clark, Chris Hall, Tom Kizzia, William Resor, Sarah Robey, and Don White.

Porphyry Mountain

Porphyry Mountain is a prominent 6,375-foot mountain summit located in the Wrangell Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, immediately southeast of Kennecott, 4 mi (6 km) northeast of McCarthy, and, 5 mi (8 km) northwest of Sourdough Peak. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Nizina River, which in turn is part of the Copper River drainage basin. The peak is notable for a rock glacier on its north slope. The mountain was so named because it is largely composed of porphyry, which is a very hard igneous rock. The mountain's local name was reported in 1908 by the U.S. Geological Survey. On a clear day the summit of Porphyry Mountain offers views of Donoho Peak, Kennicott Glacier, and Mount Blackburn to the northwest, and Fireweed Mountain to the west.

Williams Peak (Alaska)

Williams Peak is a 7,431-foot mountain summit located at the western edge of the Saint Elias Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, 15 mi (24 km) east-southeast of McCarthy, and 4 mi (6 km) west-southwest of Joshua Green Peak in the Dan Creek area. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Nizina River, which in turn is part of the Copper River drainage basin.

Mount Huxley (Alaska)

Mount Huxley is a 12,216-foot 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 remote peak is situated 75 mi (121 km) northwest of Yakutat, and 8.7 mi (14 km) west-northwest of Mount Saint Elias. The peak rises above the Columbus Glacier and Bagley Icefield to its north, the Tyndall Glacier to the south, and the Yahtse Glacier to the west. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Gulf of Alaska. The mountain was named in 1886 by English mountaineeer Harold Ward Topham for Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895), an English biologist. The mountain was officially named Huxley Peak in 1917, but the name was officially changed to Mount Huxley in 1968 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The first ascent of the peak was made June 9, 1996 by Paul Claus who landed his plane at 11,500 feet elevation on the western flank and climbed the remaining distance to the summit. The second ascent of Mt. Huxley, and first complete ascent from base to summit, was made in June 2018 by Scott Peters, Andrew Peter, and Ben Iwrey starting from the Columbus Glacier.

Mount Chitina

Mount Chitina is an 8,424-foot (2,568-meter) mountain summit located in the Saint Elias Mountains of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The remote peak is situated 113 mi (182 km) northwest of Yakutat, and 40 mi (64 km) northwest of Mount Logan. Mount Chitina rises 5,000+ ft above the confluence of the Chitina Glacier and the Logan Glacier. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Chitina River, which in turn is part of the Copper River drainage basin. The first ascent of the peak was made September 24, 1988, by Danny Kost and Donnie Hunton via the west ridge. The mountain's name is derived from the Chitina Glacier located at the base of the north slope, and was first published on a Canadian topographic map in 1958.

Pyramid Peak (Alaska)

Pyramid Peak is an 8,875-foot (2,705-meter) mountain summit located at the western edge of the Saint Elias Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, 22 mi (35 km) southeast of McCarthy, 7 mi (11 km) southeast of Williams Peak, and 6 mi (10 km) south-southeast of Joshua Green Peak. The peak's descriptive local name was reported in 1908 by the United States Geological Survey. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Nizina River, which in turn is part of the Copper River drainage basin.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Blackthorn Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Blackthorn Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  3. 1 2 "Blackthorn Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  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.