| Kahiltna Queen | |
| Elevation Ft: | 12380. |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 1430 |
| Isolation Mi: | 1.46 |
| Parent Peak: | Peak 13050 |
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Alaska |
| Region: | Matanuska-Susitna |
| Region Type: | Borough |
| Part Type: | Protected area |
| Part: | Denali National Park |
| Range: | Alaska Range[2] |
| Map: | USA Alaska |
| Map Size: | 270 |
| Label Position: | right |
| Coordinates: | 62.9804°N -151.041°W |
| Topo: | USGS Talkeetna D-3 |
| First Ascent: | 1977 |
| Rock: | Granite[3] |
Kahiltna Queen is a 12380feet mountain summit in the U.S. state of Alaska.
Kahiltna Queen is located 140 miles (225 km) north of Anchorage in Denali National Park and the Alaska Range. It is situated east of the Denali Base Camp for mountaineers attempting to climb Denali, Mount Foraker, or Mount Hunter. Kahiltna Queen is set 6.240NaN0 south of Denali's summit, 3.630NaN0 south of Kahiltna Peaks, and 2.620NaN0 northeast of Hunter.[2] Access to the area is via air taxi from Talkeetna. The peak has the shape of a steep glacial horn sculpted by three glaciers as it rises above the heads of West Fork Ruth Glacier, Southeast Fork Kahiltna Glacier, and the Tokositna Glacier. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3400abbr=offNaNabbr=off above the Tokositna Glacier in one-half mile (0.8 km). The peak ranks as the 54th-highest summit in Alaska.[4] The first ascent of the summit was made in April of 1977 by Alan Kearney, Mai Ulrich, and Chuck Sink who christened it "Humble Peak."[5] [6]
The mountain's toponym commemorates Frances Randall (1925-1984), the first Denali Base Camp manager for nine climbing seasons (1974-1983).[7] She was planning a tenth season, but cancer claimed her life.[8] Her expertise was instrumental in coordinating many rescues that saved lives and earned her the nicknames Kahiltna Queen and Guardian Angel of McKinley.[9] She was a member of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, often playing the violin at base camp over the CB radio. In 1964 she became the sixth woman to reach the summit of Mount McKinley. "Kahiltna" is a Athabaskan word meaning "from the source."[10]
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Kahiltna Queen is located in a Tundra climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[11] Weather systems are forced upwards by the Alaska Range (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of snowfall. Winter 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.[12]