Mount Logan

Mount Logan is the highest mountain in Canada. It is also the second-highest peak in North America, following Denali.

The mountain is located in southwestern Yukon within Kluane National Park and Reserve. It sits in the heart of the Saint Elias Mountains near the Yukon–Alaska border. This massive mountain serves as the source for two glaciers: the Hubbard and the Logan glaciers. It is a unique geological feature because of its massive scale.

While many shield volcanoes have more mass, Mount Logan is quite different. It is believed to have the largest base circumference of any non-volcanic mountain on Earth. The mountain is part of a large massif, which is a group of connected mountains. This massif includes eleven peaks that are all over 4,000 meters high. These peaks include names like Philippe Peak, Queen Peak, and Tudor Peak.

Because of active tectonic uplifting, the mountain is still growing. It rises in height by approximately one millimeter every year.

The climate on Mount Logan is extremely harsh and cold. On the high plateau, winter air temperatures hover around -40 degrees Celsius. In the summer, temperatures reach near freezing. The median temperature for the entire year is around -15 degrees Celsius. Because there is minimal snow melt, a massive ice cap has formed. In certain spots, this ice cap is almost 3,000 meters thick.

This creates a landscape that is mostly ice and snow.

For a long time, the exact height of the mountain was a mystery. Before 1992, measurements ranged from 5,900 to 6,200 meters. The mountain is difficult to see from the coast or lowlands because of its position. In 1890, American geologist Israel C. Russell first reported seeing the peaks. He described seeing "three white domes far above the clouds." Russell gave the mountain its name. It was named after Sir William Edmond Logan, the founder of the Geological Survey of Canada. In 1894, it was thought to be the highest peak in North America, but Denali was later found to be taller.

Reaching the summit is a major challenge for climbers. The first successful ascent happened in 1925. An international team of Canadian, British, and American climbers reached the top on June 23. The journey took 65 days from the nearest town. While the team was successful, some members suffered from severe frostbite. In May 1992, a Geological Survey of Canada expedition used GPS technology to find the precise height. They confirmed the elevation is 5,959 meters.

Many notable climbs have taken place on different parts of the mountain. In 1957, climbers reached the East Peak via the East Ridge. In 1965, a team climbed the difficult Hummingbird Ridge. In 1967, climbers completed the first traverse of the mountain. That same year, the first ski descent was made from the main summit to the Kluane glacier. In 1986, a team completed the first winter ascent. More recently, in 2017, a 15-year-old named Naomi Prohaska became the youngest person to reach the summit.

Because the mountain is so remote, climbing it requires strict rules. In 2020, Parks Canada introduced new regulations to manage the costs of search and rescue. These rules prohibit solo expeditions and winter expeditions. Climbers must also have insurance to cover rescue costs. This decision followed several expensive rescue missions in Kluane National Park. In the seven years before the rule change, there had been eight rescue missions. Each mission typically cost between $60,000 and $100,000 CAD for taxpayers.

Mount Logan is more than just a high peak; it is a significant part of the Earth's geography. It is the 6th most topographically prominent peak on Earth. This means the height difference between the peak and the surrounding land is very large. The mountain's growth through tectonic activity shows how the Earth's crust is constantly moving. Its massive ice cap and glaciers are important parts of the local environment. The mountain continues to be a place of study for geologists and a challenge for mountaineers.