Mount Marcus Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Marcus Baker |
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Mt. Marcus Baker centered at top
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,176 ft (4,016 m) NGVD 29 |
| Prominence | 10,726 ft (3,269 m) |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
 Mount Marcus Baker
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, U.S. |
| Parent range | Chugach Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Anchorage B-3 Quadrangle |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1938 by Norman Bright, Peter Gabriel, Norman Dyhrenfurth, Bradford Washburn |
| Easiest route | Snow/ice climb (Alaska grade 2) |
Mount Marcus Baker is the tallest mountain in the Chugach Mountains of Alaska. It is located about 75 miles (121 km) east of Anchorage. This mountain stands out because it is very close to the ocean. It is only 12 miles (19 km) north of the Harvard Glacier, where huge chunks of ice break off into the water.
Mount Marcus Baker is also one of the most prominent mountains in the world. This means it rises very high above the land around it. When ranked by how prominent it is, Mount Marcus Baker is among the top 75 peaks globally.
Mountain's Name
Mount Marcus Baker was first called "Mount Saint Agnes." A person from the USGS, named James W. Bagley, named it after his wife, Agnes. He added "Saint" hoping the name would stay.
Later, the name was changed to honor Marcus Baker. He was a cartographer, which means he made maps, and also a geologist, someone who studies Earth's rocks and soil.
First Climbs
The first time anyone successfully climbed Mount Marcus Baker was on June 19, 1938. A famous explorer named Bradford Washburn led the climbing team. Their climb took almost two months because of bad weather.
Today, the most common way to climb the mountain is along its North Ridge. Even though Mount Marcus Baker is not as tall as Denali, climbing it is still very serious. This is because the mountain is far away from towns, making the journey to get there and the climb itself very long and difficult.
Climbing Challenges
Climbing conditions on Mount Marcus Baker can change very quickly. Storms can appear suddenly, making the climb dangerous. Because of these challenges, some climbers have faced serious challenges, and sadly, one climber passed away due to the extreme cold during a winter climb in 1988.
See Also
In Spanish: Monte Marcus Baker para niños
