Koktoya Peak (5100')
by Greg Higgins, Scree 10/82

History Corner.  Little known and seldom visited Koktoya Peak (5100+ feet) may be the least climbed of the Skyline 5000 foot peaks.  It lies to the east of Tanaina, and marks the point where the ridge turns to the south on its way to Mt. Williwaw.  Its name is from the Tanaina Indians and means "moose".  It is sometimes spelled Koktoya.

Approaches to this peak have usually been from the North Fork of Campbell Creek, although some have come across from the Mt. Williwaw ridge.  In height this peak ranks sixth among the near range summits along with Tikishla and O'Malley (see last two issues of SCREE).

The 1st ascent party of John Dillman (the same!) and Dave Dahlke in 1961 had named this mountain Mt. Elliot in honor of Sgt. Robert Elliot who died on McKinley in 1960.  This name was eventually transposed to the 4710 foot peak across the valley while the name Koktoya came into usage in keeping with the Indian theme of this side.

The 1st record of a climb on Koktoya in the SCREE was in 1968 when Chuck Libler went to the top and found Gayle Nienhueser and Bob Spurr's register (10:12:5).  Their notes indicated that there were signs on the top of previous visitors.  The 1st Winter ascent on January 1, 1974 claimed the life of 16 year old Mark Rainery who was then Chairman of the Club's Huts & Cabins Committee (17:1:1).