Mount Laurens


Mount Laurens is a mountain summit in Alaska.

Description

Mount Laurens is located northwest of Talkeetna in Denali National Park and the Alaska Range. It is set south-southwest of Mount Foraker and southwest of Denali. Topographic relief is significant as the east face rises over in 0.75 mile. The glaciated peak ranks as the 507th-highest summit in Alaska. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1997 by Thomas Bubendorfer, solo, via the north face and west ridge.
The mountain's toponym was applied by Thomas Bubendorfer, and the mountain is named after his son, Laurens, 10-years-old at that time. The second ascent, first via the Northeast Buttress, was made on May 21, 2013, by Graham Zimmerman and Mark Allen.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Laurens is located in a tundra climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. Weather systems are forced upwards by the Alaska Range, causing heavy precipitation in the form of snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F. This climate supports the Yentna Glacier west of the peak and Lacuna Glacier to the east. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing.