Mount Williwaw | |
Elevation Ft: | 5446 |
Elevation Ref: | [1] |
Prominence Ft: | 3245 |
Range: | Chugach Mountains |
Location: | Chugach State Park Anchorage Municipality, Alaska United States |
Map: | USA Alaska |
Label Position: | left |
Coordinates: | 61.1036°N -149.5144°W |
Topo: | USGS Anchorage A-7 |
First Ascent: | 1965 |
Mount Williwaw is a prominent 54460NaN0 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, 120NaN0 southeast of downtown Anchorage, and 1.40NaN0 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]
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.