Plizio Visual Lab

Mount St. Elias

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

Weather…

Mount Saint Elias is located on the international boundary between Canada's Yukon Territory and the U.S. state of Alaska. Standing at 5,489 meters, it is the second-highest peak in both countries and a dominant feature of the Saint Elias Mountains. Geographically, the mountain is notable for its immense vertical relief, rising from sea level to its summit in a very short horizontal distance from the Pacific coast. The first successful ascent was achieved in 1897 by an expedition led by Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi. The peak is surrounded by massive glacial systems, including the Malaspina Glacier, the largest piedmont glacier in North America. Historically, the mountain served as a key landmark in 19th-century boundary negotiations between British and Russian interests. Today, Mount Saint Elias is regarded as one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks to climb due to its severe maritime weather and technical complexity.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-16	-16	-16	-12	-6	-1	1	0	-4	-10	-15	-15
Rain mm	300	239	207	158	148	111	144	256	370	372	323	348

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Access to this extremely remote high-altitude peak generally requires chartered bush planes landing on glacial airstrips, followed by highly specialized, grueling mountaineering expeditions typical of deep sub-arctic ranges.

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Best season

The extremely short climbing window is primarily confined to the late spring and early summer months when daylight is extended and extreme winter storms slightly abate, though severe weather can still occur abruptly at any time.

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Terrain & paths

The environment consists exclusively of massive glaciers, immense icefalls, hidden crevasses, and brutally steep, avalanche-prone snow slopes. Technical ice climbing and roped glacier travel skills are fundamentally necessary.

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What to bring

Expeditions must be entirely self-sufficient, requiring expedition-grade polar tents, customized extreme-cold layering systems, ice axes, crampons, comprehensive avalanche safety gear, and specialized long-range rescue radios.

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Parking

There is absolutely no road access or conventional vehicle parking within hundreds of miles; all logistics originate from distant aviation hubs where equipment is loaded onto specialized ski-equipped aircraft for the remote drop.

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Safety

Risks are exceptionally high, including extreme cold, severe altitude issues, and massive objective hazards like serac falls. Only elite, highly experienced mountaineering teams should ever attempt this isolated and unforgiving terrain.

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Time needed

A successful expedition typically requires a commitment of several weeks to over a month. This extensive duration accounts for difficult travel, necessary staging of high camps, acclimatization, and waiting out severe storms.

Geography

Coordinates

60.56000, -140.40000

Facts

The peak reaches an elevation of 5,489 meters
Second-highest mountain in both Canada and the USA
First climbed in 1897 by the Duke of the Abruzzi
Located just 15 kilometers from the Gulf of Alaska
Part of the Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias UNESCO site
Features the Malaspina Glacier, North America's largest

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Mount St. Elias (1)

Mount Logan🌿 nature

Mount Logan is a peak in the Mount Foraker region, the highest mountain in Canada.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How high is Mount St. Elias?

It is 5,489 meters high and located on the border between Yukon and Alaska.

Is it the highest mountain in Canada?

No, it is the second highest mountain in Canada after Mount Logan.

How difficult is the climb?

Extremely difficult due to unstable weather and massive glaciation.

Which national park is it in?

It is in Kluane National Park (Canada) and Wrangell-St. Elias Park (USA).

When was it first climbed?

The first ascent was in 1897 by an expedition led by the Duke of the Abruzzi.

Mount St. Elias: where is it located?

Mount St. Elias is located in Canada.

Mount St. Elias: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.

Mount St. Elias: why is it worth visiting?

Mount Saint Elias is located on the international boundary between Canada's Yukon Territory and the U.S.

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