Mount Russell (Alaska)

For the peak in California's Sierra Nevada, see Mount Russell (California).

Mount Russell is one of the major peaks of the central Alaska Range, approximately 35 mi (56 km) southwest of Mount McKinley (Denali). Though much lower than McKinley or its neighbor Mount Foraker, Russell is a steep, dramatic peak and a significant mountaineering challenge in its own right. To give a sense of its size and steepness, note that its summit rises 6,560 ft (2,000 m) over the Chedotlothna Glacier to the northwest in only 1.8 mi (3 km), and almost 10,000 ft (3,048 m) above the lower Yentna Glacier to the south in only 8 mi (13 km).^[2]

The first ascent of Mount Russell was made on May 28, 1962 by a party led by Hellmut Raithel. The summit party comprised Klaus Ekkerlein, Robert Goodwin, and Peter Hennig.^[3] They ascended the West Face from the Chedotlothna Glacier. The second ascent was in July 1972, by Thomas Kensler, Peter Brown, John Hauck, Dick Jablonowski, and Dan Osborne. That ascent proceeded via the now-standard North Ridge route, from the high basin of the upper Yentna Glacier to the northeast of the peak. This route is rated at Alaska Grade 2+, and is made much shorter by the feasibility of landing at around 8,000 feet in the basin, just outside the wilderness portion of the park.^[4]

Overshadowed as it is by its larger neighbors, Mount Russell had seen only six recorded ascents by 2001.^[4] However guided climbs of the peak are available.

In 2008 five additional summits were put up on Mt Russell.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of Ultras of North America
• List of Ultras of the United States

References

External links