Castle Mountain (Alaska) Explained

Castle Mountain
Elevation Ft:8620
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:1170
Isolation Mi:4.63
Range:Wrangell Mountains
Location:Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Valdez-Cordova Borough
Alaska, United States
Map:USA Alaska
Label Position:left
Coordinates:61.6487°N -141.9854°W
Topo:USGS McCarthy C-3
Rock:Sedimentary rock

Castle Mountain is a remote 8,620-foot (2,630-meter) mountain summit located at the southeastern edge of the Wrangell Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated 350NaN0 northeast of McCarthy at Skolai Pass in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the south face rises 4,000 feet above the terminus of the Russell Glacier in less than one mile. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains east via the White River, and west to the Nizina River via Skolai Creek. The mountain's descriptive name was reported in 1914 by the United States Geological Survey.[2]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Castle Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[3] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Wrangell Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °F with wind chill factors below −30 °F. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://listsofjohn.com/peak/154142 Castle Mountain AK, listsofjohn.com
  2. 1400064. Castle Mountain. 2020-02-22.
  3. Peel, M. C. . Finlayson, B. L. . McMahon, T. A. . 2007 . Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification . Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. . 11 . 1027-5606.