Mount Russell (Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Russell |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 11,670 ft (3,560 m) |
| Prominence | 5,550 ft (1,690 m) |
| Listing | |
| Geography | |
 Mount Russell
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Central Alaska Range |
| Topo map | USGS Talkeetna D-4 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1962 by Klaus Ekkerlein, Robert Goodwin, Peter Hennig |
| Easiest route | North ridge |
For the peak in California's Sierra Nevada, see Mount Russell (California).
Mount Russell is a big mountain in the central Alaska Range. It's about 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Denali, North America's tallest peak. Even though it's not as tall as Denali or Mount Foraker, Mount Russell is still a very steep and impressive mountain. Climbing it is a real challenge for mountaineers. For example, its top rises 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) above the Chedotlothna Glacier in just 1.8 miles (3 km)! It also stands almost 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) above the lower Yentna Glacier to the south.
Mount Russell is the highest point in the area where the Kuskokwim River gets its water.
First Climbs of Mount Russell
The first time anyone successfully climbed Mount Russell was on May 28, 1962. A team led by Hellmut Raithel reached the top. The climbers who made it to the very summit were Klaus Ekkerlein, Robert Goodwin, and Peter Hennig. They climbed up the mountain's West Face, starting from the Chedotlothna Glacier.
Second Ascent and Popular Route
The second time Mount Russell was climbed was in July 1972. This team included Thomas Kensler, Peter Brown, John Hauck, Dick Jablonowski, and Dan Osborne. They used a different path, which is now the most common way to climb the mountain. This route is called the North Ridge. It starts from a high basin in the upper Yentna Glacier, northeast of the peak.
This North Ridge route is considered an "Alaska Grade 2+" climb. It's much shorter because climbers can often land a small plane at about 8,000 feet in the basin. This landing spot is just outside the wild, untouched part of the park.
Because Mount Russell is near much taller mountains, it hasn't been climbed as often. By 2001, only six successful climbs had been recorded. However, you can find guided trips to climb the peak if you're interested in mountaineering.
See also
In Spanish: Monte Russell (Alaska) para niños
