Mount Deborah
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| Mount Deborah | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 12,339 ft (3,760 m) |
| Location | Alaska, USA |
| Range | Eastern Alaska Range |
| Prominence | 5,200 ft (1,585 m) |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | USGS Healy C-1 |
| First ascent | 1954 by Fred Beckey, Henry Meybohm, Heinrich Harrer |
| Easiest route | snow/ice climb |
Mount Deborah is one of the major peaks of the eastern Alaska Range. Despite its low absolute elevation (compared to other major peaks in North America), it is a particularly large and steep peak in terms of its quick rise over local terrain. For example, the Northeast Face rises 7000 feet (2135m) in approximately 1.5 miles (2.4km). This steepness, combined with difficult access, harsh weather, and classic Alaskan ice and snow features, make this a challenging peak to climb.
Mount Deborah was first climbed in 1954 by Fred Beckey, Henry Meybohm, Heinrich Harrer, via the South Ridge. The second ascent was in May, 1975, by Pat Condran, Mark Hottman, Brian Okonek, Dave Pettigrew, Pat Stuart, and Toby Wheeler. Today's standard route is the West Face; the Northwest Ridge is also a recommended route.
Mount Deborah is the subject of one of the classics of mountaineering literature, Deborah: A Wilderness Narrative, by David Roberts, which describes a failed attempt on the peak in the 1960's.
[edit] Sources
Michael Wood and Colby Coombs, Alaska: A Climbing Guide, The Mountaineers, 2001.
[edit] Further reading
David Roberts, The Mountain of My Fear/Deborah: A Wilderness Narrative, The Mountaineers, 1991.
