Mount Hunter | Alaska

14,573-foot peak in the Alaskan wilderness

0 ft

Elevation

U.S

Country

Days

4C

Difficulty

Early May

Start

Mid July

End

About the Mountain

WHY CLIMB IT?

Mount Hunter (14,573 ft) might be thousands of feet shorter than Denali, but it packs a punch in technical difficulty that few other mountains can match. It’s known as the ‘most difficult 14,000-foot climb in North America’, thanks to its corniced ridgelines and steep faces. Few people even attempt it, and less than 40 percent of those that do typically succeed.

“A rock tower streaked with lines of snow and ice required proper mixed climbing.”

- Graham Zimmerman

If you want to try your hand at beating the odds, make sure you have sufficient training and experience. Unlike some mountains where professional guides can train you along the way, Mount Hunter requires serious preparation. The consequences of errors in judgment are too great on this unforgiving peak. You’ll also need to carefully assess your route with current snow conditions in mind. The West Ridge is considered the classic route up Mount Hunter, starting from Kahiltna Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alaska Range.