Location and surroundings
Mount Vsevidof is in the Fox Islands of the Aleutian Islands, within the Aleutian Range, the Alaska-Yukon Ranges, and the wider North American Cordillera. Administratively it lies in Unorganized Borough, Alaska, United States. At 2,103 m, it is the highest of the 40 named peaks in the Fox Islands and the high point of that island group.
The volcano rises from a maritime island landscape shaped by wind, snow, ice, and volcanic rock. Its cone is steep and fairly regular, with glacially cut gullies on the flanks. Nearby terrain is low and open in many directions, so the mountain dominates the island skyline even though it sits in a chain of volcanic peaks rather than an isolated mainland range.
Neighbouring peaks
- Teapot Hill — 61 m, 6.6 km west
- Mount Recheshnoi — 1,933 m, 10.8 km east
- High Hill — 2 m, 20.5 km southwest
- Ikaagux — 106 m, 32.9 km southwest
- Elbow Hill — 32 m, 35.2 km southwest
- Jag Peak — 964 m, 42.2 km northeast
- Tulik Volcano — 1,058 m, 50.4 km northeast
- Mount Okmok — 1,053 m, 51.2 km northeast
The nearest higher major peak in this list is Mount Recheshnoi, which is lower than Mount Vsevidof but still a substantial volcanic summit. Most of the closest named features are much lower hills, so Vsevidof rises well above its immediate surroundings.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the main high point in view is Mount Recheshnoi, about 10.8 km east. It is the only nearby summit in that radius that approaches Vsevidof in scale, though it remains lower at 1,933 m. The rest of the close landscape is mostly low ground and small hills, so the summit outlook is likely to be broad and open across Umnak Island and the surrounding Aleutian terrain.
Because the mountain is a volcanic cone on an island, the summit view is shaped more by distance and weather than by nearby ridgelines. On clear days, the open maritime horizon and the low relief around the volcano should make the island setting easy to read.
The range
Mount Vsevidof belongs to the Fox Islands, where it is the highest point. The range hierarchy places it in the Aleutian Islands, then the Aleutian Range, then the Alaska-Yukon Ranges, and finally the North American Cordillera. The Fox Islands are the narrowest range unit named in the classification here.
FACTS identify the Fox Islands as containing 40 named peaks, with Mount Vsevidof ranked first by elevation. That makes it the reference summit for the island group, even though the broader Aleutian volcanic arc contains many other high peaks farther away.
Climate and weather
Climate data for the summit are estimates from NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020. The mean temperature at the summit is about -3 °C in the warmest month, August, and about -7 °C in the coldest month, April. No month averages above freezing at the summit. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 1,250 mm, with the wettest month in December at about 140 mm and the driest in April at about 80 mm.
In this part of Alaska, weather can change quickly, with wind, fog, snow, and icy surfaces common even in the warmer season. The maritime setting also means damp conditions and poor visibility can arrive fast, especially on exposed slopes and ridges.
Best time to visit
Since the summit stays below freezing in every month, Mount Vsevidof is a cold mountain year-round. The least severe conditions are usually in the short summer season, when temperatures are relatively higher and daylight is long, but snow and ice can still remain on the upper mountain. The drier part of the year is around April, while December is the wettest month.
For most visitors, the practical window is the period with the most stable weather and the best chance of workable snow conditions. Even then, the mountain should be treated as a cold volcanic climb rather than a summer hike.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain sits in a subarctic island environment where low vegetation, tundra plants, mosses, and hardy grasses are typical at lower elevations, giving way to bare volcanic ground, snow, and ice higher up. The steep cone and glacially carved gullies create a rough alpine setting with limited shelter.
Wildlife in the Aleutians can include seabirds, foxes, and other coastal species, while marine life is a major part of the wider ecosystem. On the mountain itself, conditions are usually too cold and exposed for dense vegetation near the summit.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain of this height, steepness, and volcanic terrain, a certified guide is sensible unless you already have strong experience with snow, ice, navigation, and changing weather. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club. Examples of established guiding companies in the country include RMI Expeditions and Exum Mountain Guides.
Guided ascents in Alaska usually focus on route choice, safety, logistics, and weather planning. For remote volcanic peaks, visitors often also check with local land managers or community contacts before setting out. Some peaks in the United States require registration or permits from the land agency, but no specific permit rule is given here for Mount Vsevidof.
Safety and preparation
Mount Vsevidof demands winter-style preparation in most seasons: warm layers, glacier or snow travel skills, navigation tools, and the ability to turn back in poor visibility. The steep cone, volcanic ground, and cold maritime weather can make progress slow and tiring. Ice, wind, and sudden weather changes are the main hazards, and the mountain should not be treated as a casual day walk.
For emergencies in the United States, call 911. Dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually run by the county sheriff or a national park service.
History and name
Mount Vsevidof is a stratovolcano on Umnak Island. Its name is linked to Russian exploration of the Aleutians and is thought to honor either Andrew Vsevidov or Piotr Vsevidov, both associated with 18th-century work in the region. The volcano was likely named by the Russian explorer Gavriil Pribylov.
The mountain’s eruption history is uncertain in part, but eruptions are reported for 1250, 1450–1455, 1490, 1500, 1530, 1757, and 1957. The 1957 event began after an earthquake on 9 March, started erupting on 11 March, and ended the next day. Some older reports are considered questionable.
Interesting facts
Mount Vsevidof is the highest of the 40 named peaks in the Fox Islands and the high point of that island group. Its prominence is also 2,103 m, matching its elevation because it rises directly from sea-level surroundings. The nearest higher-scale volcanic neighbour in the listed area is Mount Recheshnoi, 10.8 km away to the east, but it is still lower.
The volcano’s cone is unusually symmetrical, and its base is about 10 km wide. Glacial tongues have cut narrow canyons into the flanks, especially on the north and east sides, giving the mountain a mix of volcanic and ice-shaped landforms.
FAQ
How high is Mount Vsevidof? It rises to 2,103 m.
Where is Mount Vsevidof? It is on Umnak Island in the Fox Islands of the Aleutian Islands, in Alaska, United States.
What is Mount Vsevidof the highest point of? It is the highest point of the Fox Islands.
What peaks are closest to Mount Vsevidof? The nearest listed peak is Teapot Hill, 6.6 km west. The nearest substantial higher-elevation neighbour is Mount Recheshnoi, 10.8 km east.
Is there water on the way to Mount Vsevidof? In this cold volcanic terrain, water is usually from snowmelt or meltwater, and it should be treated before drinking. Carry about 1.5–3 litres for a day, depending on conditions and route length.
When is the best time to visit? The most workable period is usually the short summer season, but the summit stays below freezing all year, so snow and ice can remain even then.
Does mobile phone coverage work on Mount Vsevidof? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground it may be possible, but ridges and valleys can block it. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.