Part of the St. Elias mountain range, this massive peak forms the border between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory. In Tlingit, Mount St. Elias is referred to as Yasżéitʼaa Shaa or Shaa Tlein (“Big Mountain”). It holds great cultural significance and is mentioned in oral histories and migration tales of the K’inei x̱ K’waan clan.
When Mount St. Elias was first seen by European explorers in 1741 as part of Vitus Bering’s expedition, it quickly gained notoriety as a climbing destination and a standout feature of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Location Details
Situated on the border between Yukon and Alaska, approximately 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak, is Mount Saint Elias, also known as Yasʼéitʃaa Shaa or Was’eitushaa. Mount Saint Elias is located in Wrangell-St.
Exploration History
The first European explorers to see Mount Saint Elias is Danish explorer Vitus Bering on July 16, 1741. While some historians think that Bering named the mountain, others assert that because he did not name the peak, mapmakers from the 18th century named it after Cape Saint Elias.
Current Climbing Routes
Because of Mount Saint Elias’s difficult terrain and remote location, not many people have climbed it. It’s hard to pinpoint the precise number of successful summits, but seasons frequently go by with no expeditions making it to the top.
The Southwest Ridge, which served as the ascent path for the Duke of Abruzzi’s first successful expedition in 1897, is the most well-liked route for climbing Mount Elias. This route starts off near Icy Bay in the Taan Fjord and travels through the Malaspina Glacier moraine before arriving at the Seward Glacier. Climbers ascend roughly 3,000 vertical feet (914 m) from the col at about 10,100 feet (3,078 m) to a bench on the southwest ridge at slightly over 13,000 feet (3,962 m).
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Representation in Media
Mount Saint Elias has been featured in various media forms, capturing the imagination of audiences through its towering presence and challenging terrain.
Movies
The mountain’s daunting summit and notoriously bad weather have earned it the nickname “The Man Eater,” attracting daring adventurers and filmmakers alike. One such film, titled “Climbing,” follows three of the world’s best ski mountaineers as they dare to take on the formidable peak.
Other climbing-focused films have also showcased the allure of Mount Saint Elias, such as “Explore the legacy of Canada’s climbing icon, Mount Yamnuska,” “Three elite climbers scale the titanic Meru Peak,” “Sasha DiGiulian explores the world’s most undiscovered climbs,” and “Climbing adventures in Europe.” These films highlight the mountain’s status as a coveted destination for climbers seeking to conquer one of North America’s most challenging ascents.
Books
The narrative of expeditions to Mount Saint Elias has been chronicled in various literary works, capturing the arduous journey across vast glaciers and the challenges of traversing over 100 miles of ice and snow while carrying heavy equipment and supplies. One such book, published prior to 1923, serves as an important historical work, preserving the original archival form and providing insights into the early explorations of this iconic peak.
These representations in movies and books have not only ded the mountain’s allure but have also inspired generations of adventurers to test their limits against the formidable Mount Saint Elias.
