The Ramp
by Greg Higgins, Scree 5/82

History Corner.  Easily seen from Anchorage, the pointed summit behind O'Malley Peak known as the Ramp is ranked 4th or 5th among the skyline 5,000-foot peaks.  Its top is surveyed at 5,240 feet while that of West Tanaina is listed as over 5,200 feet.  Its name is unofficial and was derived from the suggestive shape of its upper regions.  Originally, it was referred to as the "mountain behind O'Malley Peak."

Three ridges form a tripod that supports the summit.  The West Ridge eventually links to Hidden Peak (5105') via some difficult 4th class terrain.  To the northeast another rugged ridge connects to the south side of Mt. Williwaw.  The gentle South Ridge leads to the beautiful pass overlooking Ship Creek Lake, most people approach the mountain from this side.

The Ramp was trip #4 in the old 30 Hikes in Alaska, and has been a popular family goal since the 1960's.  Vin Hoeman had reported that the first recorded ascent was probably by Ted Rust, Dixie Pierson, Clark & Pat Phillips, and Gary Hansen on August 16, 1964 (SCREE:6:11:3).  However, Jon Gardey described a trip in 1960 that could have been this peak (SCREE:3:4:1).  Likewise the trip described by Irma Duncan in 1961 may have been the Ramp, and if so it represents the first known Winter ascent (SCREE:3:5:2). Joe Pichler, Elinore and Howard Shuck, and Jim Messick were with Irma.

My most recent trip to the Ramp in 1980 revealed no records of ascents earlier than 1976.  Near the register were shards of glass so it is assumed that all the old records have been lost in the demise of the original container.  An ABS pipe now houses the present register.