Ultima Thule Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ultima Thule Peak |
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Aerial view of east aspect (centered)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,900+ ft (3,320+ m) |
| Prominence | 2,000 ft (610 m) |
| Isolation | 3.32 mi (5.34 km) |
| Parent peak | Celeno Peak |
| Geography | |
 Ultima Thule Peak
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Valdez-Cordova Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Saint Elias Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS McCarthy B-3 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1996 |
| Easiest route | South Face - Southwest Ridge |
Ultima Thule Peak is a tall mountain in Alaska, standing at 10,900+ ft (3,320+ m). It is covered in ice and snow, like many mountains in the Saint Elias Mountains. This peak is located inside the amazing Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
The mountain is surrounded by large ice rivers called glaciers. You can find the Hawkins Glacier to its east and the Erickson Creek Glacier to the south. The Canyon Creek Glacier is to the northwest. Water from the melting snow and ice flows into the Chitina River. This river then joins the larger Copper River.
The very first time someone climbed this mountain was in 1996. A team of climbers, Paul Claus, Ruedi Homberger, and Reto Reuesh, reached the top. They climbed up the south side of the mountain. Paul Claus gave the peak its special name, "Ultima Thule Peak." The mountain was climbed a second time on April 20, 2013. Kevin Ditzler and Jay Claus made this climb, using a different path along the southwest ridge.
Mountain Weather: Climate at Ultima Thule Peak
The weather around Ultima Thule Peak is known as a subarctic climate. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually cool. This type of climate is identified by the Köppen climate classification system.
Strong winds blow from the Gulf of Alaska. When these winds hit the tall Saint Elias Mountains, they are forced to rise. This process is called orographic lift. As the air rises, it cools down and drops a lot of rain and snow. This is why the area gets so much precipitation.
Temperatures can get extremely cold, sometimes dropping below -20 °C. With the wind blowing, it can feel even colder, below -30 °C. If you want to see the mountain or try to climb it, the best time to visit is usually from May through June. The weather is often more pleasant during these months.
