Johannesburg Mountain

Johannesburg Mountain
Johannesburg Mountain
	Viewed from Sahale Mountain
Highest point
Elevation	8,200+ ft (2,500+ m) NGVD 29
Prominence	1,560 ft (480 m)
Coordinates	48°27′53″N121°05′31″W / 48.4648474°N 121.0920574°W
Geography
Location	Skagit County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	North Cascades
Topo map	USGS Cascade Pass (WA)
Climbing
First ascent	1938 by Calder Bressler, Bill Cox, Ray Clough, Tom Myers
Easiest route	East Route (hike/scramble)

Last updated January 07, 2024

Johannesburg Mountain is one of the most famous peaks in the North Cascades of Washington state.^{[ citation needed ]} Though not one of the top 100 peaks in the state by elevation,^[3] nor one of the top peaks as ranked by topographic prominence,^[4] Johannesburg is notable for its large, steep local relief, and particularly its immense, dramatic Northeast Face, which drops 5,000 feet (1,525 m) in only 0.9 miles (1.4 km).

Johannesburg Mountain was first climbed on July 26, 1938, by Calder Bressler, Bill Cox, Ray W. Clough, and Tom Myers, via a version of the most popular route today, the East Ridge/Cascade-Johannesburg Couloir Route. This route, and others which also finish on the south side of the mountain, are mostly scrambling routes. However, there are many routes on the north and northeast faces which are highly technical and involve considerable objective danger from falling rock and ice.^[5]

Climate

Johannesburg Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.^[6] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer.^[6] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.^[6]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.^[7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.^[7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.^[7]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.^[7] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

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Mesahchie Peak is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Mesahchie Peak is named after the Chinook word for wicked. Mesahchie Peak is the highest summit along a ridge known as Ragged Ridge and is only .25 mi (0.40 km) east of Katsuk Peak. Both the Katsuk and Mesahchie Glaciers descended down the northwest and northeast flanks of the peak respectively.

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Mother Lode is a 7,905-foot-elevation (2,409-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Okanogan County, Washington. It is situated in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and the peak is approximately two miles east of the crest of the range. Mother Lode is set approximately six miles south of Washington Pass, and the nearest higher neighbor is Gilbert Mountain, three miles to the northeast. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,500 feet above the South Fork Twisp River in one mile. The peak was climbed in 1983 by Rick La Belle and Glen Sterr via the north ridge, and the northeast ridge was climbed in 1985 by Carl and Gordon Skoog. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Twisp River, which in turn is a tributary of the Methow River.

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References

1 2 "Johannesburg Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
↑ "Johannesburg Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
↑ Howbert, Jeff. "Washington 100 Highest Peaks". The Northwest Peakbaggers Asylum.
↑ Howbert, Jeff. "All Washington Peaks with 2000 Feet of Prominence". The Northwest Peakbaggers Asylum.
1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (2003). Cascade alpine guide : climbing and high routes. Vol. 2, Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. pp. 274–281. ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.
1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

"Johannesburg Mountain" (map). TopoQuest.com.
"Johannesburg Mountain". SummitPost.org.
"Johannesburg Mountain". Bivouac.com.

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[pb-1] 1 2 "Johannesburg Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.

[gnis-2] "Johannesburg Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.

[3] Howbert, Jeff. "Washington 100 Highest Peaks". The Northwest Peakbaggers Asylum.

[4] Howbert, Jeff. "All Washington Peaks with 2000 Feet of Prominence". The Northwest Peakbaggers Asylum.

[becky-5] 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (2003). Cascade alpine guide : climbing and high routes. Vol. 2, Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. pp. 274–281. ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.

[Beckey,_Fred_W_2008-6] 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.

[Kruckeberg-7] 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

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