Crystal Crag

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Crystal Crag
Lake George Mammoth September 2016 003.jpg
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation 10,377 ft (3,163 m) [1]
Prominence 338 ft (103 m) [2]
Parent peak Mammoth Crest (11,515 ft) [3]
Isolation 2.28 mi (3.67 km) [3]
Coordinates 37°35′28″N119°00′49″W / 37.5910432°N 119.0137291°W / 37.5910432; -119.0137291 [4]
Geography
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Crystal Crag
Location in California
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Crystal Crag
Crystal Crag (the United States)
Location Mono County, California, U.S.
Parent range Sierra Nevada [2]
Topo map USGS Crystal Crag
Geology
Type of rock granite [5]
Climbing
First ascent Unknown
Easiest route class 3 [3]

Crystal Crag is a 10,377-foot-elevation (3,163 meter) summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County of northern California, United States. [4] This photogenic landmark, popular with rock climbers, [6] is situated approximately three miles south of the community of Mammoth Lakes, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 1,300 feet (400 meters) above Lake George in one-half mile. Crystal Lake lies below the west aspect and T J Lake below the east aspect. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into these three lakes, thence north to Mammoth Creek. This mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [4]

Contents

Climbing

The first ascent of Crystal Crag is unknown but was likely before 1900. [7]

The Northeast Face was climbed by Owen Williams on August 11, 1936. [8] The North Buttress was climbed by Alvin McLane, John Houghton, and Reggie Donatelli on March 3, 1968. Galen Rowell and Vern Clevenger climbed the East Face in January 1973. [7]

Climate

Crystal Crag is located in an alpine climate zone. [9] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

See also

Further reading

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References

  1. R. J. Secor, The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails, 2009, Third Edition, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9781594857386, p. 369
  2. 1 2 "Crystal Crag, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  3. 1 2 3 "Crystal Crag - 10,377' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  4. 1 2 3 "Crystal Crag". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  5. Steven R. Lipshie (2001), Geologic Guidebook to the Long ValleyMono Craters Region of Eastern California, South Coast Geological Society, p. 140
  6. Bradley Howard (2014), The Cycle Touring Diaries - Diary 3: The L.A. Loop, ISBN   9781291682571
  7. 1 2 Steve Roper (1976), The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra, Sierra Club Books, ISBN   9780871561473, p. 338
  8. George Bloom and John D. Mendenhall, A Climber’s Guide to the High Sierra (1954)
  9. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica .