In the midsummer of 1911 her inadequately outfitted expedition, hastily organized for the ascent of Mount Blackburn (16, 140 feet) (4919 m) in Alaska, was unsuccessful, as the expedition wasted 4½ days trying to climb two different glaciers at the mountain base, compared with a total expected climb time of 12 days. Each effort was abandoned as avalanches had rendered the glaciers impassable. Keen returned early in 1912, with only local prospectors for companions, and accomplished the record first ascent of the mountain on 19 May 1912 of this sub-Arctic peak. Out of 33 days which the party spent entirely on glaciers, for 20 they were without tents, sleeping in snow caves at low temperatures in extreme storms; and for 10 days they had only candles for fuel.