| Watkins Range | |
|---|---|
| Watkins Bjerge | |
 Watkins Range | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Gunnbjørn Fjeld |
| Elevation | 3,649 m (11,972 ft) |
| Geography | |
  Watkins Range Location | |
| Country | Greenland |
| Municipality | Sermersooq |
| Range coordinates | 68°45′N29°38′W / 68.750°N 29.633°W |
The Watkins Range (Danish : Watkins Bjerge) [1] is Greenland's highest mountain range. It is located in King Christian IX Land, Sermersooq municipality.
The range was named after British Arctic explorer Gino Watkins.
Made up entirely of nunataks, [2] this remote range was formerly an unknown area. In 1912 Swiss geophysicist and Arctic explorer Alfred De Quervain crossed the Greenland ice cap from Godhavn (Qeqertarsuaq) on the west, to Sermilik Fjord on the eastern side and saw a range system that he named 'Schweizerland', marking the position and approximate height of Mont Forel, the highest point of that area [3] Lacking accurate data, Mont Forel was then thought to be the highest mountain in the Arctic Circle area, together with Petermann Peak far to the north. [4]
However, in 1930 Gino Watkins, leader of the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, discovered a new mountain range from the air located over 350 km to the northeast of Schweizerland [5] that he named 'New Mountains'. [6] This was the higher Watkins Range with the Gunnbjørnsfjeld, the actual highest summit in Greenland. [7]
In 1935 Lawrence Wager, who had been earlier with Watkins' 1930 expedition returned to East Greenland and opened a new route inland. During his venture he made the first ascent of the range's highest point, Gunnbjorns Fjeld. He was also able to sight as well the Lemon Range, a hitherto unknown range located to the north-east of Kangerlugssuaq Fjord. [4]
The Watkins Range is located in King Christian IX Land about 60 km inland from the Blosseville Coast. It is a system of nunataks surrounded by large active glaciers. The main glaciers are the large Christian IV Glacier to the west, the Rosenborg Glacier to the south and the Kronborg Glacier to the east. [1] The range has massive ice-covered peaks and exposed cliffs. The primary summit of the range is Gunnbjørn Fjeld 3,694 m (12,119 ft), also the highest peak in the Arctic.
The Lindbergh Range rises to the west, beyond the Christian IV Glacier. Other high nunataks are located nearby, some being part of the greater Watkins Range system, such as the Skærmen to the west, [8] the Ejnar Mikkelsen Range— [9] and the Borgtinderne to the east, [10] and the Lilloise Range to the southeast. [11] The Gronau Nunataks are located to the north at the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet, separated from the Watkins Range by the Christian IV Glacier. [12]
'Rasmussens Range' (Knud Rasmussens Bjerge), from Knud Rasmussen Land mountains, is the name used in some sources to refer to the northern section of the range located between the 69th parallel north and the Gronau Nunataks. [13] However, there is a mountain range located in West Greenland that is known by the name Knud Rasmussens Bjerge . [14]
The Watkins Range has a number of mountains higher than 3,000 m (9,800 ft), some of which are unnamed. [15] Among these the following deserve mention:
The Watkins Range has excellent snow as well as ice routes for experienced climbers. Good climbing conditions are present for the most part in July and August. [19]
Greenland is located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland. The territory comprises the island of Greenland—the largest island in the world—and more than a hundred other smaller islands. Greenland has a 1.2-kilometer-long (0.75 mi) border with Canada on Hans Island. A sparse population is confined to small settlements along certain sectors of the coast. Greenland possesses the world's second-largest ice sheet.
Gunnbjørn Fjeld is the highest mountain in Greenland, Denmark, and north of the Arctic Circle. It is a nunatak, a rocky peak protruding through glacial ice.
Andrée Land is a peninsula in King Christian X Land, East Greenland that is bounded by Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord, Isfjord and Geologfjord.
Mont Forel is a mountain in King Christian IX Land, Sermersooq Municipality, Greenland. It is part of the Schweizerland range, also known as 'Schweizerland Alps'.
The Stauning Alps are a large system of mountain ranges in Scoresby Land, King Christian X Land, northeastern Greenland. Administratively the Stauning Alps are part of the Northeast Greenland National Park zone.
Petermann Peak,, also known as Petermann Fjeld, Petermanns Topp and Petermann Point is a mountain in King Christian X Land, Northeast Greenland. Administratively it is part of the Northeast Greenland National Park zone.
Schweizerland, also known as Schweizerland Alps, is a mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Sermersooq Municipality. Its highest point is one of the highest peaks in Greenland.
The Lemon Range or Lemon Mountains is a mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.
The Crown Prince Frederik Range is a large mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.
The Gronau Nunataks is a mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.
Ejnar Mikkelsen Range is a mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively it is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.
The Knud Rasmussen Range, also known as Usugdluk, is a mountain range in West Greenland. Administratively this range is part of Qeqertalik municipality.
The Lindbergh Range or Lindbergh Nunataks is a mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively the range is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.
The Lilloise Range or Lilloise Mountains is a mountain range in King Christian IX Land, eastern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.
The Roosevelt Range or Roosevelt Mountains is a mountain range in Northern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Northeast Greenland National Park. Its highest peak is the highest point in Peary Land.
The Daly Range or Daly Mountains is a mountain range in Peary Land, Northern Greenland. Administratively this range is part of the Northeast Greenland National Park.
Frederiksborg Glacier is a glacier on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet. It is named after Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark.