Mount Frances facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Frances |
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Mount Frances, south aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,450 ft (3,190 m) |
| Prominence | 1,650 ft (500 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Frances
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Denali Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Alaska Range |
| Topo map | USGS Talkeetna D-3 |
| Type of rock | Granite |
Mount Frances is a tall mountain in Alaska, standing at 10,450 ft (3,190 m) high. It is located in the beautiful Alaska Range, within Denali National Park and Preserve. This park is famous for its stunning natural beauty.
The mountain sits in the Kahiltna Glacier valley. It is a key spot for climbers. Many adventurers set up their base camp nearby. From here, they prepare to climb much larger peaks like Denali, Mount Foraker, or Mount Hunter.
Mount Frances offers an amazing view. From its top, you can see all three giant mountains at once! It is about 7.43 mi (12 km) southwest of Denali. It is also 3.47 mi (6 km) northwest of Mount Hunter. The mountain is 1.3 mi (2 km) northwest of Radio Control Tower.
To reach this area, most people fly in. Small planes, called air taxis, take visitors from Talkeetna.
Why is it called Mount Frances?
This mountain is named after a special person, Frances Randall (1925-1984). She was the very first manager of the Denali Base Camp. She worked there for nine climbing seasons, from 1974 to 1983.
Frances was planning her tenth season when she sadly passed away from cancer. Her knowledge and skills were incredibly important. She helped coordinate many rescue missions. These rescues saved many lives on the mountains.
Because of her amazing work, people gave her nicknames. She was known as the Guardian Angel of McKinley. She was also called the Kahiltna Queen. Frances was also a talented musician. She played the violin in the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. Sometimes, she would even play her violin at base camp over the radio!
In 1964, Frances Randall made history. She became the sixth woman ever to reach the summit of Mount McKinley.
Climbing Mount Frances
Mount Frances is a popular spot for climbers. It offers several challenging routes. These routes test climbers' skills and strength.
Some of the well-known climbing routes on Mount Frances include:
 | Isaac Myers |
 | D. Hamilton Jackson |
 | A. Philip Randolph |
