The Tusk (Alaska)

Last updated
The Tusk
The Tusk.jpg
West aspect
Highest point
Elevation 6,650 ft (2,027 m) [1] [2]
Prominence 1,700 ft (518 m) [1]
Parent peak The Snow Towers [1]
Isolation 4.11 mi (6.61 km) [1]
Coordinates 58°43′07″N134°30′20″W / 58.7186292°N 134.5056074°W / 58.7186292; -134.5056074 [3]
Naming
Etymology Tusk
Geography
Relief map of USA Alaska.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
The Tusk
Location of The Tusk in Alaska
CountryUnited States
State Alaska
Borough Juneau
Protected area Tongass National Forest
Parent range Coast Mountains
Boundary Ranges [2]
Topo map USGS Juneau C-2
Climbing
First ascent 1972 Fred Beckey
Easiest route class 5.8 [1]

The Tusk is a 6,650-foot-elevation (2,027-meter) mountain summit in Alaska, United States.

Contents

Description

The Tusk is located in the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains and set on land managed by Tongass National Forest. [2] The remote peak is four miles (6.4 km) east of Horn Spire and 24 miles (39 km) north of Juneau on the northwest margin of the Juneau Icefield. [2] [3] Precipitation runoff and glacial meltwater from the mountain drains west to Berners Bay and Lynn Canal via the Gilkey River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 5,450 feet (1,660 m) above the Battle Glacier in two miles (3.2 km).

History

The mountain's descriptive name was applied by members of the Juneau Icefield Research Project in 1964 and the toponym was officially adopted in 1965 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [3] [4] The first ascent of the summit was made on August 2, 1972, by Fred Beckey, John Rupley, Dave Beckstead, and Ray Ketcham via the upper Taku Glacier. [5]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, The Tusk is located in a tundra climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. [6] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Coast Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop to 0 °F with wind chill factors below −10 °F. This climate supports the Taku Glacier, Battle Glacier, Gilkey Glacier, and the Juneau Icefield surrounding the peak.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Observation Peak (Alaska)</span> Mountain in Alaska, United States

Observation Peak is a 4,931-foot (1,503 m) mountain summit located in the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northeast of Juneau along the southern periphery of the Juneau Icefield, on land managed by Tongass National Forest. Precipitation runoff and glacial meltwater from the mountain drains to Gastineau Channel via Lemon and Salmon creeks, whereas the southeast slope drains to Taku Inlet via Carlson Creek. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,700 feet (1,128 m) above Salmon Creek Reservoir in 1.6 miles (2.6 km). This peak's local name was published in 1962 by the U.S. Geological Survey and the toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tusk, The - 6,650' AK". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "The Tusk, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Tusk". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  4. Donald J. Orth, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1967, page 995.
  5. Fred Beckey, North America, United States, Alaska, The Tusk, Juneau Icefields, (1973), American Alpine Journal, publications.americanalpineclub.org
  6. 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.