Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,500 feet (1,067 m) above the Hayes Glacier in 0.6 mile (1 km).

The first ascent of the summit was made on May 2, 1974, by Dusan Jagersky and Bill Sumner via the Northeast Face.

[5][6] The mountain was named by Troy L. Péwé for Otto W. Geist (1888–1963), University of Alaska, pioneer researcher in paleontology, archeology, and glaciology in Alaska, whose glacier work was centered near this area.

[8] Geist worked with Ivar Skarland who also has an adjacent peak named after him (Mt.

[9] Geist and Skarland were personal friends of Bernt Balchen, who also had an adjacent peak (Mt.