Mount Logan is situated in the southwestern Yukon inside the Kluane National Park Reserve, which is less than 40 miles from the northern Yukon or the Alaskan border. It is known all around the world as the second-highest mountain in North America. The height of the giant peak is 5,959m above sea level. Also, it is the highest mountain in Canada. Denali is the only mountain that tops the height of this mountain in North America. The peak gets its name from a Canadian geologist and founder of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), Sir William Edmond Logan. The Huban and Logan glaciers get their source from Mount Logan.
This mountain is also known to have the largest base circumference despite there being several other volcanic mountains that are of greater circumference. Moreover, Mount Logan is a non-volcanic mountain. There are several other interesting facts about Mount Logan; make sure to read till the end of this article to know more!
Where is Mount Logan, and how tall is it?
Mount Logan is situated inside the Kluane National Park Reserve in southwestern Yukon, which is only 40 miles from north Yukon. Mount Logan is the tallest mountain in Canada and the second tallest mountain in the whole of North America, with a height reaching 5,959m.
The tectonic uplifting is still very frequent, making the mountain’s height change just as frequently. The estimated growth in the height of the mountain is believed to be 0.35mm every year. The elevation of the mountain remained unknown until 1992. The measurement of the mountain was assumed to be somewhere between 5,959 and 6,050 meters (19,551 and 19,849 ft). A GSC expedition went to the peak to know the height of the mountain in May 1992. Hence, the height was 5,959 meters (19,551 ft). The height was discovered with the help of a GPS.
The temperature on Mount Logan is extremely cold and almost unbearable. The air temperature, on the other hand, ranges from −45 °C (−49 °F) in the winter to −27 °C (−17 °F) during other times of the year. The mountain is freezing cold during winter, while at other times in the year, the temperature is close to freezing. There are snow caps almost 300 meters (980 ft) thick in the mountain after the ice melts.
Likewise, its parent peak is Mount Denali. There are other mountains that fall under the peaks of the massif, like Main Peak, Phillipe Peak, Logan East Peak, Houston’s Peak, Prospector Peak, AINA Peak, Russell Peak, Todor Peak (Logan North Peak), Saxon Peak, Queen peak, Capet Peak, Catenary Peak, and Teddy Peak.
How was Mount Logan discovered?
You cannot see the mountain from surrounding coasts or lowlands. Its position in the center of Saint Elias Mountain is responsible for this. It can only be viewed from 200 kilometers (125 mi) out to sea. It is evident that the mountain can be seen from Yakutat Bay, given there is plenty of picture evidence. The peak, however, was only sighted for the very first time in 1890 by Israel C. Russell, who happened to be on an expedition to Saint Elias Mountain. He spotted the peak from the Pinnacle Pass Hills’s crest. Recalling the moment of his discovery, the geologist wrote, “The clouds parting toward the northeast revealed several giant peaks not before seen… One stranger, rising in three white domes far above the clouds, was especially magnificent”.
It was Russell who became the one to both discover and name the peak. Likewise, there has always been a debate when it comes to the height of Mount Logan. While it was thought to be 19,500 ft or 5,950 m in 1894 and recognized as the tallest peak in all of North America, 1898’s discovery proved that Mount Denali was higher than Mount Logan, making it the second highest peak in North America.
Is Mount Logan more difficult to climb than Mount Denali?
There has been a curious topic that is debatable among mountaineers on whether Mount Logan is more difficult to climb than Mount Denali or not. It is not possible to answer the question as climbing the summit of Denali is rather more difficult than Mount Logan, given the Alaskan weather, and even its base camp at Kahiltna Glacier makes it tough for the climbers to make it through. However, a lot of mountaineers tend to go to the base camp of Mount Denali on a flight. On the other hand, though not as tough of a climb as Mount Denali, Mount Logan has its own drawbacks, as the climbers cannot go to the base camp by flight.
There are possibilities of avalanches and bad weather in both the mountains. Hence, you cannot possibly go to either of the mountains without proper expertise in hiking, skiing, and adjusting your body to extremely low temperatures. It is only right for a beginner to train in smaller mountains before attempting to climb Mount Denali and Mount Logan.
Climbing rules of Mount Logan
The cost of rescue missions and search had exceeded heavily, leading to Parks Canada announcing new rules in January 2020. The rules state that no one is going to be allowed solo expeditions in the mountain, no winter expeditions in all of Kluane National Park, and the climbers must have insurance for any search and rescue missions before attempting to climb the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Mount Logan in Canada?
Mount Logan is in Yukon Y0B 1L0, Canada.
Is Mount Logan hard to climb?
Mount Logan is one of the most strenuous high-altitude climbs in North America, which makes it fairly hard to climb.
What is important about Mount Logan?
Since Mount Logan is the source of Hubbard and Logan glaciers, it is important.
Is Mount Logan an active volcano?
No, Mount Logan is a non-volcanic mountain.
How long does it take to climb Mount Logan?
It takes about three weeks to climb Mount Logan.
Can you hike to the top of Mount Logan?
With a three-week hike, you can reach the top of Mount Logan.
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