Mount Deborah

Mount Deborah
Elevation 12,339 ft (3,761 m)
Prominence 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Location
Location Denali Borough, Alaska, USA
Range Eastern Alaska Range
Topo map USGS Healy C-1
Climbing
First ascent 1954 by Fred Beckey, Henry Meybohm, Heinrich Harrer
Easiest route snow/ice climb

Mount Deborah is a mountain in the U.S. state of Alaska. It 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 (2.4 km). This steepness, combined with difficult access, harsh weather, and classic Alaskan ice and snow features, make this a challenging peak to climb.[1]

Mount Deborah was named in 1907 by James Wickersham for his first wife, Deborah Susan (Bell) Wickersham.[1][2]

Contents

First ascent

Mount Deborah was first climbed in 1954 by Fred Beckey, Henry Meybohm, Heinrich Harrer, via the South Ridge.

Notable subsequent attempts and ascents

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 1964.

Deborah Avenue in College, Alaska is named for the mountain. Parallel to the street in the same subdivision is Hayes Avenue.

References

  1. ^ a b Orth, Donald J. (1967). Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 262. 
  2. ^ Atwood, Evangeline; DeArmond, Robert N. (1977). Who's Who in Alaskan Politics. Portland: Binford & Mort for the Alaska Historical Commission. p. 106. 
  3. ^ Roberts, David (1991). Deborah; and, The Mountain of my fear: the early climbs. Seattle, WA, USA: The Mountaineers. ISBN 9780898862706. 
  4. ^ Okonek, Brian (1976). "Deborah". American Alpine Journal 1976 (New York, NY, USA: American Alpine Club) 20 (50): 294–301. 
  5. ^ Gowans, Dakers (1978). "Deborah's North Face". American Alpine Journal 1978 (New York, NY, USA: American Alpine Club) 21 (52): 337–343. 

Further reading

Roberts, David (1991). Deborah; and, The Mountain of my fear: the early climbs. Seattle, WA, USA: The Mountaineers. ISBN 9780898862706. 

External links