Mount Fairweather

Mountain High coastal peak on Alaska-British Columbia border

On the Alaska-British Columbia border, Mount Fairweather is a high coastal peak notable to mountaineers and photographers; access is remote, with glaciers and steep coastal relief.

Main image

Mount Fairweather is a high, glaciated mountain on the Alaska-British Columbia border, part of the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias and Boundary Ranges. It is notable for its steep relief rising directly from near sea level to very high elevations, producing dramatic coastal mountain terrain.

The summit reaches roughly 4,671 metres and the mountain is heavily glaciated on most faces, with icefields and outlet glaciers descending from its flanks. Its coastal position subjects it to abundant precipitation and frequent stormy weather, which contributes to extensive glaciation and challenging climbing conditions.

The peak has long been recognised by mariners and mountaineers for its prominence above nearby coastal waters. It remains a remote objective that requires significant logistical support and glacier‑travel experience for safe access.

Geographically the mountain sits along the international border in the far northwestern North American coastal ranges, within a remote corridor of high peaks between the Gulf of Alaska and the interior.

  • Elevation and glaciation: The peak reaches roughly 4,671 metres (about 15,325 feet) and is one of the highest coastal mountains in the world, with heavy glaciation on its flanks.
  • Remoteness and access: Approaches are remote and involve extensive glacier travel and logistics; the mountain lies on the border between Alaska and British Columbia and is exposed to frequent severe weather from the Gulf of Alaska.
Mount Fairweather
58.9062, -137.5270

How to Get to Mount Fairweather #

Mount Fairweather is very remote and has no road access. Approaches are normally by air (charter or bush plane) to nearby staging points such as Yakutat, Alaska, or by boat/glacier travel from the coast; from those points mountaineering parties fly to base camps or undertake long sea/glacier approaches. If planning an expedition, arrange bush-plane support out of Yakutat or Haines and expect technical glacier travel - there are no public roads to the mountain.

Tips for Visiting Mount Fairweather #

  • Mount Fairweather is an extremely remote, heavily glaciated peak on the Alaska-Canada border; treat any attempt as a technical expedition requiring glacier experience, crevasse rescue skills and expedition‑grade logistics.
  • Best season for attempts is mid‑summer (late June-August) when weather windows are relatively (but still unpredictably) better; plan for long, weather‑dependent approaches and limited rescue options.
  • Access is not by road - approaches typically require long glacier travel and/or bush‑plane drops from regional hubs; organize with an experienced expedition outfitter familiar with the Alaskan coastal ranges and permitting.
  • Do not attempt solo or without a professional team: strong storms, heavy crevassing and objective avalanche risk mean only well‑equipped, experienced teams should consider Fairweather.

Best Time to Visit Mount Fairweather #

Mount Fairweather is only practical for expeditions in the short summer window (June-August) when weather is comparatively more stable; otherwise conditions are extreme and hazardous.

Summer (short expedition window)
June-August · Cool to cold (lower elevations near 0-10°C; summit much colder)
The brief summer offers the most favorable weather and daylight for expeditions, but conditions remain harsh and unpredictable with storms possible.
Shoulder / Winter (extreme)
September-May · Very cold, severe alpine and glacial conditions
Outside the summer window weather is typically too severe for most climbing or visiting; heavy snow, storms and very low temperatures are common.

Weather & Climate near Mount Fairweather #

Climate

Mount Fairweather's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with freezing summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -20°C to -3°C. Abundant rainfall (1517 mm/year), wettest in December.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
-3°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -18°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-18° -9°

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
9.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy

February

February is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -16°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-16° -7°

Weather

131 mm
Rainfall
7.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

March

March is the coldest month with highs of -17°C and lows of -20°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm).

Comfort

-18°
Feels Like Freezing
-18°C
Temperature
-20° -17°

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is freezing with highs of -16°C and lows of -18°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).

Comfort

-17°
Feels Like Freezing
-17°C
Temperature
-18° -16°

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is freezing with highs of -11°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-13° -11°

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -10°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm).

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-10° -5°

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm).

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-7° -3°

Weather

131 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm).

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-7° -3°

Weather

134 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-9° -7°

Weather

146 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy

October

October is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -15°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-15° -8°

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
7.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy

November

November is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -19°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-19° -10°

Weather

159 mm
Rainfall
7.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy

December

December is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (176 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-17° -8°

Weather

176 mm
Rainfall
9.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

Nearby Attractions to Mount Fairweather