Mount Epperly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Epperly |
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![]() Location of Vinson Massif in Western Antarctica.
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 4,359 m (14,301 ft) |
Geography | |
Location | Antarctica |
Climbing | |
First ascent | December 1, 1994 by Erhard Loretan |
Mount Epperly is a very tall mountain located in Antarctica. It stands about 4,359 meters (14,301 feet) high, though some measurements suggest it might be even taller, around 4,512 meters (14,803 feet)! This impressive peak is part of the Sentinel Range in the Ellsworth Mountains.
Mount Epperly looks out over two large ice rivers, called glaciers. To its northeast is the Cervellati Glacier, and to its east-northeast is the Ramorino Glacier.
Mount Epperly: A Giant in Antarctica
Mount Epperly is one of the highest points in the Ellsworth Mountains. These mountains are found in a very cold and remote part of Antarctica. The area is known for its huge ice sheets and rugged peaks. Climbing mountains here is a big challenge due to the extreme weather.
Climbing History
Mount Epperly has a fascinating climbing history. The first person to ever reach its top was a climber named Erhard Loretan. He made this amazing solo climb on December 1, 1994. He went up the mountain's south face, which is about 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) high!
A year later, Loretan returned to the mountain. He climbed the same route again, this time for a film. In 1999, two American climbers, Conrad Anker and Jim Donini, tried to climb Mount Epperly. They attempted a different path, the west ridge, but they were not able to reach the summit.
The third successful climb happened in December 2007. A Chilean climber, Camilo Rada, and an Australian climber, Damien Gildea, made it to the top. They found a brand new way up the south face. When they measured the mountain's height with GPS, their tools showed it was 153 meters (502 feet) taller than what was officially recorded!
Who was Robert Epperly?
Mount Epperly is named after a man named Robert Epperly. He was born in 1926. Robert Epperly spent time in Antarctica during a special scientific event called the International Geophysical Year. This event happened between 1957 and 1958. During that time, Bob, as he was known, served in the United States Navy. He lived his later years in Worthington, Massachusetts, which is also where he is buried.