Milton Mt. Mckinley Range Expedition, 1960

Abstract

AbstractThe paper describes the expedition’s work on the north fork of the Eldridge Glacier, which is found to be of the temperate alpine type. Velocity profiles show both slip at the glacier’s edge and shear in the adjacent layers. A summer accumulation pattern is demonstrated which makes the glacial balance unusually delicate. It is concluded that glaciers in this region are near their recent maxima because the high altitude accumulation offsets the shrinking of the lower tributary glaciers. Examination of an ice-dammed lake shows the main Eldridge Glacier to be near the maximum of the last major advance which raised the level of the ice at least 60 m.