North America, United States, Alaska, P 6225 and Sinclair Mountain, East of Lynn Canal

Publication Year: 1984.

P 6225 and Sinclair Mountain, East of Lynn Canal. Dana van Burgh and I made the first ascent of P 6225, one of the highest peaks on the eastern side of Lynn Canal between Skagway and Haines, which we have called “Mordor.” It dominates the view north of Haines and lies only 1½ miles from the coast, halfway between Dayabas and Kasidaya Creeks. We spent six days of devious bushwhacking and ridge walking getting to it. We chose not to fly the route or take maps to add to the pioneering aspect. The whole trip took eleven days. Annie O’Dell was the third member of the team. Sinclair Mountain (6300 feet) farther south was climbed by Kevin Allred in one day from his home in Haines. He crossed the Lynn Canal by boat and worked his way up to the base up a major drainage basin. On the west buttress, which is technical climbing, he noticed slings and he found a cairn on top, left by the first-ascent party in the 1970s. His was the second ascent and was done in hunting boots by this relative novice.

John E. Svenson. Jr.