Mount Valhalla (Alaska)

Mount Valhalla, elevation (12,135 ft), is a glaciated summit located 34 mi (55 km) northwest of Valdez in the Chugach Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. It's set on land managed by Chugach National Forest. This remote mountain, fourth-highest in the Chugach range, is situated 6 mi (10 km) northeast of Mount Witherspoon, and 7.1 mi (11 km) north of Mount Einstein. It is named after Valhalla, the seat of the gods in Norse mythology. The mountain was named in 1957 by Lawrence E. Nielsen because the peak is "a fitting throne of the gods." Nielsen was a member of the first ascent party on July 1, 1957.[2] The mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1965 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Mount Valhalla
North aspect of Mt. Valhalla to left
(Mt. Thor to right)
Highest point
Elevation12,135 ft (3,699 m)[1]
Prominence1,085 ft (331 m)[1]
Coordinates61°27′36″N 147°04′49″W / 61.46000°N 147.08028°W / 61.46000; -147.08028[2]
Geography
Mount Valhalla is located in Alaska
Mount Valhalla
Mount Valhalla
Location in Alaska
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaCopper River
Protected areaChugach National Forest
Parent rangeChugach Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Anchorage B-1
Climbing
First ascent1957 by Lawrence E. Nielsen

Climate

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Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Valhalla is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[3] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Harvard, Nelchina, and Columbia Glaciers surrounding this mountain. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Mount Valhalla, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  2. ^ a b "Mount Valhalla". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  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. ISSN 1027-5606.
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