Mount Williwaw

Summary

Mount Williwaw is a prominent 5,446-foot (1,660 m) mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in Anchorage Municipality in the U.S. state of Alaska. Mount Williwaw, the highest peak of the Chugach Front Range, is situated in Chugach State Park, 12 mi (19 km) southeast of downtown Anchorage, and 1.4 mi (2 km) northeast of The Ramp. The Williwaw Lakes lie below the north and west slopes of the mountain and provide pleasant campsites for climbers not wanting to climb the mountain in one arduous day. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1964 by the United States Geological Survey based on a recommendation by the Mountaineering Club of Alaska because an infantry company from nearby Fort Richardson was caught in a williwaw near this mountain in May 1962. Three men died of exhaustion before the group was rescued.[2] The first ascent of this peak was made June 11, 1965, by David Judd, M. Judd, Myers, and Parker via the South Ridge.[3]

Mount Williwaw
Mount Williwaw seen from Mt. Elliott
Highest point
Elevation5,446 ft (1,660 m)[1]
Prominence3,245 ft (989 m)[1]
Coordinates61°06′13″N 149°30′52″W / 61.10361°N 149.51444°W / 61.10361; -149.51444[1]
Geography
Mount Williwaw is located in Alaska
Mount Williwaw
Mount Williwaw
Location of Mount Williwaw in Alaska
LocationChugach State Park
Anchorage Municipality, Alaska
United States
Parent rangeChugach Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Anchorage A-7
Climbing
First ascent1965
Easiest routeScrambling class 3

Climate edit

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Williwaw is located in a subarctic climate with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[4] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Ship Creek and Campbell Creek.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Mount Williwaw, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  2. ^ "Mount Williwaw". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  3. ^ Vincent Hoeman, The Western Chugach Range, Alaska, American Alpine Journal, 1966
  4. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN 1027-5606.

Gallery edit

External links edit

  • Weather forecast: Mount Williwaw
  • Climbing Williwaw's northwest ridge: YouTube