Mount Marcus BakerMount Marcus Baker at a Glance
About Mount Marcus Baker
Mount Marcus Baker is a glaciated peak in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, rising to about 4,016 metres (13,176 feet). It is the highest point in the Chugach range and a prominent mountaineering objective.
The mountain’s routes involve extensive glacier travel, crevasse navigation and alpine climbing; approaches are long and typically start from coastal or glacial access points. The peak and its surrounding glaciers offer dramatic ice and mountain scenery for experienced climbers.
Named for geographer Marcus Baker, the mountain has a recorded history of technical climbs and exploration during 20th-century Alaskan mountaineering. Its glaciated environment reflects the active alpine glaciation of the Chugach range.
Located in south-central Alaska within the Chugach Mountains, the peak sits inland from the Gulf of Alaska and is accessed from remote valleys and glaciers in the region.
- Elevation and rank: Summit elevation is approximately 4,016 metres (13,176 feet), making it the highest peak in the Chugach Mountains of south-central Alaska.
- Access and conditions: Remote, heavily glaciated terrain requires technical mountaineering skills and long approaches from glacier bases.
Best Time to Visit Mount Marcus Baker
Summer months are the only viable time for climbs; even then, conditions are harsh and unpredictable.
Weather & Climate near Mount Marcus Baker
Mount Marcus Baker'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 -21°C to 0°C. Moderate rainfall (731 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -18° - -12° | -26° | 50 mm | - | - | 8.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -16° - -11° | -23° | 58 mm | - | - | 6.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -21° - -18° | -29° | 51 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -19° - -16° | -26° | 30 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -12° - -10° | -18° | 28 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -8° - -3° | -11° | 93 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -6° - 0° | -8° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -6° - -2° | -9° | 86 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -10° - -6° | -16° | 69 mm | - | - | 6.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -17° - -10° | -22° | 47 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -19° - -12° | -25° | 55 mm | - | - | 6.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -17° - -11° | -25° | 61 mm | - | - | 8.1 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Mount Marcus Baker
Approaches start from Anchorage or Whittier, followed by small-plane drops or long glacier approaches. Most expeditions are arranged through Alaskan guide services experienced with Chugach conditions; independent attempts require serious logistical planning.
Tips for Visiting Mount Marcus Baker
- Only experienced alpine mountaineers should attempt routes on Mount Marcus Baker-expect glacier travel and technical climbing.
- Arrange logistics with Alaska-based operators who run expeditions and know weather windows and crevasse hazards.
- Carry redundant communication equipment; rescue options are limited and weather windows for evacuation are narrow.