Neacola Mountains

Neacola Mountains
Range
Blockade Glacier in the Neacola Mountains
Name origin: Named for the Neacola River[1]
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Part of	Aleutian Range
Borders on	Chigmit Mountains, Tordrillo Mountains, Alaska Range
Highest point	Mount Neacola
- elevation	9,426 ft (2,873 m)
- coordinates	60°47′55″N 153°23′38″W / 60.79861°N 153.39389°W / 60.79861; -153.39389
Length	81 mi (130 km)
Location of Neacola Mountains

Meadow in the Neacola Mountains

The Neacola Mountains are the northernmost subrange of the Aleutian Range in Alaska. They are bordered on the southeast by the Chigmit Mountains, on the northeast by the Tordrillo Mountains, on the northwest by the southern tip of the Alaska Range, and on the west and southwest by the lakes and lowlands of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. They are the only wholly non-volcanic part of the Aleutian Range. The highest peak is Mount Neacola (also known as "Neacola Peak"), 9,426 feet (2,873 m).

These mountains have not seen extensive exploration, due to their remoteness, typically poor weather, and lack of truly high peaks. However they are rugged and offer many climbing possibilities of an exploratory nature. Noted climber Fred Beckey visited the range in the early 1970s; in 1991, when he was "spiritual leader" of the expedition which made the first ascent of Mount Neacola; and again in 2004. Other recorded climbing visits occurred in 1979 and 1995.

Fishermen sometimes fly into the mountains on a bush strip on the McArthur River near Blockade Glacier.

Coordinates: 60°47′55″N 153°23′38″W / 60.79861°N 153.39389°W / 60.79861; -153.39389

Sources

• American Alpine Journal, 1980, 1992, 1996, 2005.
• Michael Wood and Colby Coombs, Alaska: a climbing guide, The Mountaineers, 2001.

References

1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Neacola Mountains