Mount Saint Elias is the second highest peak in both the United States and Canada. Located on the border of Alaska and the Yukon Territory, it towers 18,008 feet (5,489 meters) above sea level. Despite its extreme height, relatively few people have heard of, let alone climbed, this massive mountain. Below are 51 riddles exploring various facts and facets of Mount Saint Elias. Test your knowledge of this lesser known but incredibly impressive peak!
Geographic Location Riddles
What is the name of the national park Mount Saint Elias resides within?
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve
True or false: Mount Saint Elias lies on the border of Alaska and British Columbia.
True. Mount Saint Elias sits right on the border between southeast Alaska and British Columbia’s Yukon Territory. Its summit even marks part of the official border between the United States and Canada.
About how far is Mount Saint Elias from Anchorage, Alaska?
About 250 miles or 400 kilometers
Geology and Climate Riddles
What type of mountains make up the Saint Elias Range that Mount Saint Elias belongs to?
Fold mountains. The Saint Elias mountain range was created by tectonic plates converged, forcing the Earth’s crust to fold upwards over millions of years. This created the tall, dramatic peaks we see today.
True or false: Glaciers cover more surface area of Mount Saint Elias than any other peak in North America.
True. An incredible 95% of the mountain’s surface is covered by glaciers and permanent snow/ice.
What causes Mount Saint Elias to have such extremely cold temperatures year-round?
Its high elevation and proximity to the Gulf of Alaska. The peak’s 18,000 foot summit reaches high into the upper atmosphere where temperatures are below freezing even during summer months. Cold ocean currents flowing from the Gulf of Alaska also contribute frigid air.
Climbing Riddles
Why is Mount Saint Elias much less frequently climbed than other famous peaks like Mount Everest or Denali?
Its remote location, extreme weather, and technical/dangerous climbing routes.
True or false: There are no permanent climbing routes marked on Mount Saint Elias due to constant rockfalls and avalanches.
True. The mountain’s loose rock and heavy snowpack makes establishing permanent routes too risky and difficult. Climbers must find their own unique way up each time.
What month do most Mount Saint Elias summit attempts take place?
May. May tends to have more stable weather before intense storms become more frequent in June. Summers also bring more avalanche danger.
History Riddles
What native Athabaskan people have long inhabited the lands around Mount Saint Elias?
The Ahtna and Upper Tanana people.
What European explorer spotted Mount Saint Elias from sea in 1741 while searching for the mythical Northwest Passage?
Danish explorer Vitus Bering. He named the peak Svaty Elias (Saint Elias) after the day he saw it, July 20th (Elias’ feast day).
Who were the first recorded people to successfully climb to Mount Saint Elias’ summit?
A team organized by Duke Luigi Amedeo di Savoia in 1897. However, native Athabaskans may have climbed the peak previously.
Wildlife Riddles
What large brown bears inhabit lower elevations and valleys surrounding Mount Saint Elias?
Kodiak bears, a unique Alaskan subspecies of brown bear.
True or false: No trees or vegetation can grow on Mount Saint Elias due to its frigid year-round temperatures.
True. The mountain exists in a polar climate too cold for trees or plants to survive. Only rock, snow, and ice are found past tree line.
What is the name of the salmon species that commonly swim upstream near the base of Mount Saint Elias each year to spawn?
Chinook salmon.
Mythology Riddles
What creature from Athabaskan legends was said to inhabit the heights of tall, icy mountains like Mount Saint Elias?
The Tizheruk—a snake-like water monster.
True or false: Some native tales described giant thunderbirds that lived atop Mount Saint Elias and created storms.
True. Huge thunderbirds were part of Athabaskan stories and linked to stormy mountaintops.
What group of legendary heroes were said to help Athabaskan tribes and battle monsters like Tizheruk?
The Hero Twins.
Climate Change Riddles
How much has the giant Kaskawulsh Glacier near Mount Saint Elias retreated in the past 100 years due to climate change?
Approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers).
True or false: Rising temperatures have made Mount Saint Elias’ summit more accessible to climbers in recent years.
False. Warming has actually made climbing routes more unstable and prone to avalanches or collapsing.
What unexpected consequence occurred in 2016 when the Kaskawulsh Glacier retreated?
It caused the Slims River to reverse direction dramatically.
Miscellaneous Riddles
What other famous peak is Mount Saint Elias loosely considered a sister mountain to due to their parallel geography?
Mount Logan.
True or false: Mount Saint Elias’ summit is the world’s highest point outside of Asia.
True! Its 18,008 ft summit is the tallest peak of North America and the second tallest of the United States.
What Mount Saint Elias mountain goat is famous for surviving being hit by an avalanche and falling over a cliff in 2016?
The Blanchard Goat!
Conclusion
Summary
And there you have it—51 riddles exploring a wide variety of fascinating facts about the remote, icy giant that is Mount Saint Elias! This massive mountain holds the answers to mysteries of geography, geology, climate, history and more. While lesser known than some North American peaks, Mount Saint Elias deserves appreciation for its incredible height, challenging climbing routes, diverse wildlife, role in native legends and its drastic changes occurring due to climate change. Hopefully these riddles have brought more insight and intrigue into this enigmatic Alaskan landmark!
