Columbia Peak (Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Columbia Peak |
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Columbia Peak from Prince William Sound
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 9,489 ft (2,892 m) |
| Prominence | 2,189 ft (667 m) |
| Isolation | 3.9 mi (6.3 km) |
| Parent peak | Mount Einstein (11,552 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Columbia Peak
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Chugach National Forest Valdez-Cordova Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Chugach Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Anchorage A-1 |
Columbia Peak is a tall, icy mountain in Alaska, United States. It stands about 9,489 feet (2,892 meters) high. You can find it in the Chugach Mountains, northwest of the town of Valdez.
This mountain is quite remote, meaning it's far from cities. It's surrounded by huge glaciers like the Meares Glacier and parts of the Columbia Glacier. The land around Columbia Peak is managed by the Chugach National Forest.
Columbia Peak gets its name from the nearby Columbia Glacier. This glacier was named after Columbia University in 1899. This naming was done by the Harriman Alaska expedition. Many glaciers in this area were named after famous U.S. colleges. The mountain's name was officially recorded in 1906.
Mountain Weather
Columbia Peak has a type of weather called a subarctic climate. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. Summers are usually mild, not too hot.
Weather systems often come from the Gulf of Alaska. When they hit the tall Chugach Mountains, the air is forced upwards. This process is called orographic lift. It causes a lot of rain and snow to fall on the mountains.
Temperatures on Columbia Peak can drop very low. They can go below −20 °C (which is −4 °F). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (−22 °F). This cold weather helps keep the Meares and Columbia Glaciers around the mountain.
If you want to visit or climb near Columbia Peak, the best weather is usually in May and June.
Images for kids
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Columbia Peak (centered) from the northwest
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Columbia Peak (centered) with Great Nunatak in lower right. (from the south)
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Aerial from SW with Columbia Peak centered. Mount Einstein in upper left.
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