Carpathian Peak

Mountain in Alaska

Carpathian Peak

Location of Carpathian Peak in Alaska

LocationChugach National Forest
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Alaska, United StatesParent rangeKenai MountainsTopo mapUSGS Seward C-5ClimbingFirst ascentMay 1959 by Keith Hart, Ted Barrett, and Mat Nitsch

Carpathian Peak is a prominent 6,000+ ft (1,830+ m) mountain summit located in the Kenai Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Chugach National Forest, 8 mi (13 km) southwest of Whittier, Alaska, at the isthmus of the Kenai Peninsula, where the Kenai Mountains meet the Chugach Mountains. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the eastern aspect of the mountain rises from sea level at Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound. The peak's nearest higher peak is Isthmus Peak, 8 mi (13 km) to the south, and nearby Bard Peak lies 5 mi (8.0 km) northeast. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1959 by the United States Geological Survey.^[3] The 1959 first ascent party of Keith Hart, Ted Barrett, and Mat Nitsch suggested the name as a tribute to the Carpathian Mountains back in Mat's homeland which at the time was behind the Iron Curtain, with the intention to create a symbol of freedom.^[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Carpathian Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.^[4] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Skookum Glacier on the west side, Portage Glacier to the north, and the Spencer Glacier on its south and east aspects. The months May through July offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Carpathian Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
^ ^a ^b "Carpathian Peak - 6,050' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
^ ^a ^b "Carpathian Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.