Begich Peak

Begich Peak
Begich Peak
	Begich Peak (left) seen from Turnagain Arm
Highest point
Elevation	4,623 ft (1,409 m)
Prominence	1,181 ft (360 m)
Coordinates	[ ⚑ ] : 60°49′22″N 148°49′45″W / 60.82278°N 148.82917°W
Naming
Etymology	Nick Begich
Geography
	Begich Peak Location of Begich Peak in Alaska
Location	Municipality of Anchorage
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Protected area	Chugach National Forest
Parent range	Chugach Mountains
Topo map	USGS Seward D-5

Short description: Mountain summit in Alaska, United States

Begich Peak is a 4,623-foot (1,409 m) mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in Anchorage Municipality in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Chugach National Forest, 2.5 mi (4 km) north of Portage Lake, 5 mi (8 km) northwest of Whittier, Alaska, 1.8 mi (3 km) east of Portage Peak, and 1.24 mi (2 km) southwest of Boggs Peak. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of Portage Creek and Twentymile River before emptying into Turnagain Arm. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 4,400 feet (1,340 m) above Bear Valley in 1.25 miles (2.01 km).

Etymology

The mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1976 by the United States Geological Survey to commemorate Alaska Congressman Nick Begich (1932–1972), who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives when he disappeared along with House majority leader Hale Boggs and two others on October 16, 1972, during an airplane flight from Anchorage to Juneau.^[2] Neither the plane's wreckage nor the pilot's and passengers' remains were ever found. The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is located at Portage Lake.^[3]

Climate

South aspect, in winter

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Begich Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.^[4] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing.