North America, Canada, Yukon Territory, Icefield Ranges Research Project, St. Elias Mountains

Publication Year: 1963.

Icefield Ranges Research Project, St. Elias Mountains. The Icefield Ranges Research Project completed its second field season in August 1962. Whereas the 1961 field program was devoted to reconnaissance and the commencement of scientific study of a portion of the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon Territory, the 1962 effort saw intensive study initiated in a number of scientific disciplines. Study was concentrated on a broad area of snow accumulation which includes a part of the divide between the Hubbard and Kaskawulsh Glaciers. Scientific emphasis included the disciplines of glaciology, meteorology and seismology, which aimed at an understanding of factors influencing accumulation, ablation, movement and the three-dimensional conformation of the glacier mass. In addition, periglacial studies were carried out in the Slims River Valley and in the Shakwak Valley at the southern end of Kluane Lake. The former sought data on the sedimentation of a major glacial stream; the latter on the glacial geology and geomorphology of the area. The field party was comprised of seventeen members representing eight institutions. In addition, the wives and children of several members passed varying periods of time at the project Base Camp on Kluane Lake. As in 1961, primary logistics were provided by the project aircraft, a ski-wheel equipped Helio Courier, which flew more than 135 missions between mid-May and early September. From a mountaineering point of view, it is pleasant to report the second ascent of Mount Walsh (14,780 feet) by Ueli Zysset (Arctic Institute of North America), George Denton (Yale University), and Mr. M. E. Alford, (Water Resources Division, Canada), on August 14. The Icefield Ranges Research Project is jointly sponsored by the American Geographical Society and the Arctic Institute of North America and, in 1962, was under the field leadership of Richard H. Ragle.

Walter A. Wood