Lindita Peak is a 7,910-foot-elevation (2,411-meter) mountain summit located 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Valdez in the U.S. state of Alaska.[2][5] Lindita is the highest peak at the head of the Tazlina Glacier when viewed from the Glenn Highway at Mile 156 near the Tazlina Glacier Lodge.[6] This remote glaciated mountain is set in the Chugach Mountains on land managed by Chugach National Forest.[1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains south to Prince William Sound and north to Tazlina LakeTazlina RiverCopper River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,400 feet (732 m) above the East Branch of the Columbia Glacier in 0.4 mile (0.64 km). The mountain's name Lindita, meaning "little beauty" in Spanish, was applied in 1955 by mountaineer and glaciologist Lawrence E. Nielsen (1917–1992), and the toponym was officially adopted in 1965 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[4] The first ascent of the summit was made on July 1, 1977, by Lawrence E. Nielsen, Halford Joiner, Tom Lamb, and Dr. Randall Travis via the northeast face and the north-facing knife-edged ridge from the Tazlina Glacier.[6]

Lindita Peak
Southwest aspect centered in the distance
Highest point
Elevation7,910 ft (2,411 m)[1][2]
Prominence2,060 ft (628 m)[3]
Parent peakMount Shouplina (8,531 ft)[3]
Isolation3.97 mi (6.39 km)[3]
Coordinates61°20′34″N 146°36′27″W / 61.3428783°N 146.6074340°W / 61.3428783; -146.6074340[4]
Geography
Lindita Peak is located in Alaska
Lindita Peak
Lindita Peak
Location of Lindita Peak in Alaska
LocationCopper River Census Area
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Protected areaChugach National Forest
Parent rangeChugach Mountains[1]
Topo mapUSGS Valdez B-7
Climbing
First ascent1977

Climate

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Based on the Köppen climate classification, Lindita Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[7] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F. This climate supports the Tazlina and Columbia Glaciers surrounding this mountain. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Lindita Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  2. ^ a b United States Board on Geographic Names, Decisions on Geographic Names in the United States, Decision List No. 6501, 1965, page 4.
  3. ^ a b c "Lindita Peak - 7,910' AK". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  4. ^ a b "Lindita Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  5. ^ Donald J. Orth, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1967, page 578.
  6. ^ a b Lawrence E. Nielsen, North America, United States, Alaska, Chugach Mountains, Lindita Peak, 1978, American Alpine Journal, Volume 21, Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  7. ^ 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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