Chitistone Mountain

Chitistone Mountain is a 6,844-foot (2,086-meter) mountain summit located at the southeastern edge of the Wrangell Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, 15 mi (24 km) east-northeast of McCarthy, 13 mi (21 km) east of Bonanza Peak, and 12 mi (19 km) north of Williams Peak, where it is wedged between the confluence of the Nizina River and Chitistone River.

Chitistone Mountain
Chitistone Mountain, southwest aspect.
Nizina River (left) and Chitistone River (right).
Highest point
Elevation6,844 ft (2,086 m) [1]
Prominence994 ft (303 m)
Isolation3.07 mi (4.94 km)
Coordinates61°29′30″N 142°28′41″W [2]
Geography
Chitistone Mountain
Location of Chitistone Mountain in Alaska
LocationWrangell-St. Elias National Park
Valdez-Cordova Borough
Alaska, United States
Parent rangeWrangell Mountains
Topo mapUSGS McCarthy B-4

The mountain takes its name from the Chitistone River as reported in 1959 by the United States Geological Survey.[2] In turn, the Chitistone River which is part of the Copper River drainage basin, was derived from "chiti," an Indian word for copper, added to the English word "stone."[3]

The area west of this mountain at the Kennecott Mines was actively mining copper from 1911 through 1938.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Chitistone Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[4] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Wrangell Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °F with wind chill factors below −30 °F. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing.

See also

References
  1. Chitistone Mountain AK, listsofjohn.com
  2. "Chitistone Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  3. "Chitistone River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  4. 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.
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