Hess Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hess Mountain |
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Hess Mountain's south peak, from the SW
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 11,940 ft (3,640 m) |
| Prominence | 2,440 ft (740 m) |
| Isolation | 2.7 mi (4.3 km) |
| Parent peak | Mount Deborah (12,339 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Hess Mountain
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Denali Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Alaska Range Hayes Range |
| Topo map | USGS Healy C-1 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1951 |
Hess Mountain, also called Mount Hess, is a tall, icy mountain peak in Alaska, United States. It stands at 11,940 ft (3,640 m) high! This mountain is part of the Alaska Range, a huge chain of mountains. Hess Mountain is especially important because it's the seventh-highest peak in a smaller part of the Alaska Range called the Hayes Range.
It's a very remote place, far from cities. Hess Mountain is about 13.3 mi (21 km) west of Mount Hayes. It's also about 90 mi (145 km) south of Fairbanks, a major city in Alaska. The closest taller mountain is Mount Deborah, which is about 2.8 mi (5 km) to the west.
The name "Hess Mountain" was first written down in 1912 by the United States Geological Survey.
Contents
About Hess Mountain
Hess Mountain is a very impressive peak. It's known for its icy top, which means it's covered in glaciers.
Where is Hess Mountain?
Hess Mountain is located in Denali Borough, Alaska. This area is in the central part of the state. The mountain sits right on the crest, or highest line, of the Alaska Range. This mountain range stretches across a large part of Alaska.
How Tall is Hess Mountain?
Hess Mountain reaches an elevation of 11,940 ft (3,640 m). This makes it one of the highest points in the area. Its prominence is 2,440 ft (740 m), which means it rises significantly from the land around it. It's also quite isolated, being 2.7 mi (0 km) from any higher peaks.
First Climbers to Reach the Top
The first time anyone successfully climbed to the very top of Hess Mountain was on May 24, 1951. A team of five climbers made this historic first ascent. They were Alston Paige, Dick Holdren, Ed Huizer, Howard Bowman, and Elton Thayer. Later, on May 23, 1976, Steven Hackett and Thomas Hillis found a new way up. They were the first to climb the mountain using its North Ridge.
Weather and Climate
The weather around Hess Mountain is very cold for most of the year. This is because it's in a special climate zone.
What is a Subarctic Climate?
Hess Mountain has a subarctic climate. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually mild, but short. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C (that's −4 °F). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (−22 °F).
Glaciers and Rivers
Because of the cold climate, Hess Mountain is surrounded by large ice fields called glaciers. The Gillam Glacier and West Fork Glacier are found near this peak. The melting snow and ice from the mountain flow into streams. These streams then join larger rivers like the Susitna and Tanana River. The best time to visit Hess Mountain for climbing or just to see its beauty is usually from May through June. The weather is most favorable during these months.
