Mount Johnson (Alaska)

Mount Johnson is an 8,400+ ft (2,560+ m) mountain summit located in the Alaska Range, in Denali National Park and Preserve, in Alaska, United States. It is situated on the west side of the Ruth Gorge, 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Denali and six miles (9.7 km) south-southwest of The Moose's Tooth. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Wake, 0.69 miles (1.11 km) to the northwest.

Mount Johnson
Aerial view of Mount Johnson
Highest point
Elevation8,400+ ft (2,560+ m)[1]
Prominence1,150 ft (350 m)[1]
Coordinates62°53′41″N 150°42′28″W[1]
Naming
EtymologyEmory R. Johnson
Geography
Mount Johnson
Location of Mt. Johnson in Alaska
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughMatanuska-Susitna
Protected areaDenali National Park
Parent rangeAlaska Range
Topo mapUSGS Talkeetna D-2
Geology
Type of rockGranite
Climbing
First ascent1979

Despite its relatively low elevation, it is notable for its north face with over 4,000 feet of vertical sheer granite with climbing routes called the Escalator and Stairway to Heaven.[2] The first ascent of the peak was made in 1979 by Gary Bocarde, Charlie Head, John Lee, and Jon Thomas via the south ridge.[3] The mountain was named by famed explorer Dr. Frederick Cook who claimed the first ascent of Mount McKinley in 1906, but was later disproved.[4] Emory Richard Johnson (1864–1950) was the president of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia (1898–1912) at the time that Cook explored Ruth Gorge in 1906.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Johnson is located in an alpine climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[5] Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.[6]

See also
  • Left to right: Mount Church, Mount Johnson, Mount Wake, and Mount Bradley seen from a flight through Ruth Gorge
  • Mt. Grosvenor centered, flanked by Johnson (left), Church (right)
    Aerial view from northwest.
  • Mts. Grosvenor and Johnson by Frederick Cook circa 1906

References
  1. "Mount Johnson". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  2. "2014 Annual Mountaineering Summary - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". Archived from the original on 2014-12-27.
  3. "AAC Publications - the Elevator Shaft, A Wild Ride to the Summit of Mount Johnson".
  4. "AAC Publications - North America, United States, Alaska, Four Ascents in the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier".
  5. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11 (5): 1633–1644. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606.
  6. Denali FAQ, American Alpine Institute, alpineinstitute.com, Retrieved 2024-01-08.
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