North America, United States, Alaska, Attempt on Mount Blackburn, Wrangell Range

Publication Year: 1968.

Attempt on Mount Blackburn, Wrangell Range. On June 24 Jack Wilson flew Don Houseley, Jim Scott and me from Chitina and landed us on the Nebesna Glacier at 7300 feet. From there on the north side of Blackburn (16,523 feet) we climbed the lower sections of the northeast ridge. Five days later we were well established on the ridge at 10,000 feet, but reconnaissance of the upper ridge proved that the technical difficulties on that part were too much for our small party. We made an attempt on the north ridge, but were again repelled, this time by the numerous crevasses, “bridged” by a foot of unstable, fresh snow.

Robert E. Ekstrand, Oregon State University Mountain Club