Kissing Couple

Last updated
Kissing Couple
Kissing Couple, Colorado National Monument, US.jpg
Southeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation 5,815 ft (1,772 m) [1]
Prominence 305 ft (93 m) [1]
Parent peak Black Ridge [1]
Isolation 2.28 mi (3.67 km) [1]
Coordinates 39°05′21″N108°43′05″W / 39.0891483°N 108.7181544°W / 39.0891483; -108.7181544 [2]
Geography
USA Colorado relief location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Kissing Couple
Location in Colorado
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Kissing Couple
Kissing Couple (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State Colorado
County Mesa
Protected area Colorado National Monument
Parent range Colorado Plateau
Uncompahgre Plateau
Topo map USGS Colorado National Monument
Geology
Rock age Late Triassic to Early Jurassic [3]
Rock type Wingate Sandstone
Climbing
First ascent 1960
Easiest route class 5.11a climbing [1]

Kissing Couple is a 5,815-foot-elevation (1,772-meter) sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. [2] This iconic 400-foot-high tower is situated on the west side of Monument Canyon, 1.5 mile southeast of the monument's visitor center, and nine miles (14 km) west of the community of Grand Junction. It is also a half-mile south-southeast of another popular climbing destination, Independence Monument, and both can be seen from viewpoints along Rim Rock Drive. It is so named because it resembles an embracing couple. [2] This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1982 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [2] Older USGS maps have the feature's name misplaced by about one-half mile to the southeast. The first ascent of the summit was made May 4, 1960, by Layton Kor, Harvey Carter, and John Auld via the five pitch, class 5.11a route named Long Dong Wall. [4] [5] The first free ascent was made in 1977 by Andy Petefish, Tom Stubbs, and Jim Pearson. [6] [7] Some climbers alternatively refer to Kissing Couple as "Bell Tower." [8]

Contents

Geology

This tower is the remnant of a differentially eroded fin composed primarily of cliff-forming Wingate Sandstone, which consists of wind-borne, cross-bedded quartzose sandstones deposited as ancient sand dunes approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. The thin caprock at the summit consists of fluvial sandstones of the resistant Kayenta Formation. The slope around the base of the Kissing Couple is Chinle Formation. [9] The floor of the canyon is Precambrian basement rock consisting of gneiss, schist, and granites. The tower has a small natural arch which formed from an enlarged vertical joint. Precipitation runoff from this geographical feature drains to the Colorado River, approximately three miles to the northeast.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Kissing Couple is located in a semi-arid climate zone. [10] Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold with some snow. Temperatures reach 100 °F (38 °C) on 5.3 days, 90 °F (32 °C) on 57 days, and remain at or below freezing on 13 days annually. The months April through October offer the most favorable weather to visit.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster Tower</span> Sandstone tower in San Juan County, Utah, United States

Monster Tower is a 600-foot (180-meter) tall sandstone tower located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washer Woman</span> Sandstone arch and tower in Utah, US

Washer Woman is a 500-foot (150-meter) tall sandstone arch and tower located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah. It is situated 300 feet northwest of the slightly higher Monster Tower. Washer Woman is so named because the feature gives the appearance of a washerwoman bent over a washtub. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1986 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names after previously having similar names such as Washer-Woman Arch and The Washer Woman. Washer Woman and Monster Tower are an eroded fin composed of Wingate Sandstone, which is the remains of wind-borne sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. Airport Tower is set 1.6 mi (2.6 km) to the east, and Mesa Arch is situated 1.5 mi (2.4 km) to the west. A short hike to Mesa Arch provides the easiest view of Washer Woman. Access to this formation is via the four-wheel drive White Rim Road, which is the other option to see it. The top of this geological formation rises 1,300 feet above the road in approximately one mile. Precipitation runoff from Washer Woman drains southeast into the nearby Colorado River via Buck Canyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeus and Moses</span> Rock formations in Utah, United States

Zeus and Moses are a pair of 500-foot-tall (150 m) sandstone formations located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah, United States. These rock towers' names refer to Zeus, a god in Greek mythology, and Moses, an important prophet in several religious traditions. Zeus and Moses are composed of Wingate Sandstone, which is the remains of wind-borne sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. This formation is situated in Taylor Canyon, 3 mi (4.8 km) north-northeast of Upheaval Dome. Access to the towers is via the four-wheel-drive White Rim Road, and a spur road into Taylor Canyon. The top of this geological formation rises 900 feet above the canyon floor at road's end, approximately one-half mile away. Precipitation runoff from Zeus and Moses drains into the nearby Green River via Taylor Canyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tower Butte</span> Mountain in Coconino County, Arizona, United States

Tower Butte is a 5,287-foot elevation sandstone summit located south of Lake Powell, in northern Arizona. Tower Butte is a butte composed of Romana and Entrada Sandstones with a Morrison Formation caprock. It is situated 9 miles (14 km) northeast of the town of Page, and 7.5 miles north of LeChee Rock, on Navajo Nation land, towering over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain as an iconic landmark of the area. Precipitation runoff from this feature drains into Lake Powell, which is part of the Colorado River drainage basin. The first ascent of Tower Butte was made October 23, 1994, by Jason Keith and David Insley. However, they were not the first to visit the summit as they reported finding litter from prior helicopter landings. An outfit operating out of Page flies helicopter sightseeing flights which land on the flat top of the butte where tourists have panoramic views of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell, and Navajo Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chip and Dale Towers</span> Sandstone towers in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

Chip and Dale Towers are two 300-foot (91-meter) tall sandstone towers located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah. Dale Tower rises to an elevation of 5,620 feet, whereas the lower Chip Tower is 5,420-feet. Airport Tower is set 2.5 mi (4.0 km) to the southwest, and Dead Horse Point State Park overlook is situated 4.5 mi (7.2 km) to the north-northeast. Chip and Dale Towers are an eroded fin composed of hard, fine-grained Wingate Sandstone, which is the remains of wind-borne sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. This Wingate Sandstone overlays a softer layer of the Chinle Formation. Access to the towers is via the four-wheel drive White Rim Road, and a scramble to reach the base. The top of the towers rise over 1,000 feet above the road in approximately one-half mile. Precipitation runoff from Chip and Dale Towers drains east to the nearby Colorado River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixshooter Peaks</span> Pair of summits in San Juan County, Utah, United States

The Sixshooter Peaks are two iconic sandstone summits located in Bears Ears National Monument in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The larger and higher North Sixshooter Peak rises to an elevation of 6,379 feet, whereas South Sixshooter Peak rises to 6,154 feet, with approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) separation between the two. These buttes tower nearly 1,400 feet above the surrounding terrain, and are historic landmarks visible from State Route 211 between Newspaper Rock and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. They are situated 1.5 mile outside the boundary of the park, and four miles northwest of Bridger Jack Butte. Variant names for the peaks include "North Six-Shooter Peak", "South Six-shooter Peak", "Six Shooter Peaks", and "Six-shooter Peak". They are so named because of their resemblance to a pair of revolvers pointing skyward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridger Jack Butte</span> Rock formation in Utah, United States

Bridger Jack Butte is a sandstone butte located in Bears Ears National Monument, in San Juan County, Utah, United States. Set at the northern tip of Bridger Jack Mesa and above the confluence of Indian and Lavender Creeks, the summit rises to an elevation of 5,890 feet, and towers over 700 feet above the surrounding terrain and floor of Lavender Canyon to its west. This landmark is situated four miles southeast of the Sixshooter Peaks, and is visible from State Route 211 between Newspaper Rock and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. "Bridger Jack" was a Paiute medicine man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Hayden (Arizona)</span> Landform in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Mount Hayden is an 8,362-foot (2,549 m)-elevation summit located in the Grand Canyon, in Coconino County of Arizona, United States. It is situated one-half mile (0.80 km) southeast of the Point Imperial viewpoint, on the canyon's North Rim, where it towers 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above the bottom of Nankoweap Canyon. Mount Hayden, also known as Hayden Peak, is named for Charles T. Hayden (1825–1900), an Arizona pioneer influential in the development of the Arizona Territory where he was known as the "Father of Tempe", and he established Arizona State University. He was also the father of US Senator Carl Hayden, as well as a probate judge. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1932 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

The first ascent of the summit was made in May 1978 by Joe Sharber, George Bain, and Abra Watkins via the north side. Pegasus, a challenging class 5.10+ route on the East Face, was first climbed by Paul Davidson and Jim Haisley in 1982. The most popular climbing route is the class 5.8 South Face. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mount Hayden is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoroaster Temple</span> Landform in Coconino County, Arizona

Zoroaster Temple is a 7,123-foot-elevation (2,171-meter) summit located in the Grand Canyon, in Coconino County of Arizona, USA. It is situated 5.5 miles (8.9 km) northeast of the Yavapai Point overlook on the canyon's South Rim, from which it can be seen towering over 4,600 feet above the Colorado River and Granite Gorge. Its nearest higher neighbor is Brahma Temple, less than one mile to the north-northeast. Zoroaster Temple is named for Zoroaster, an ancient Iranian prophet. This name was used by George Wharton James and Clarence Dutton. Dutton began the tradition of naming geographical features in the Grand Canyon after mythological deities. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1906 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels Gate</span> Landform in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Angels Gate is a 6,761-foot (2,061 m)-elevation summit located in the Grand Canyon, in Coconino County of Arizona, United States. It is situated seven miles (11 km) due north of the Grandview Point overlook on the canyon's South Rim, three miles (4.8 km) west of Vishnu Temple, and three point five miles (5.6 km) southeast of Zoroaster Temple. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 4,200 feet (1,300 m) above the Colorado River in three miles. Angels Gate is the place in Paiute mythology where the gods would return to Earth by descending from the shadow world above.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddha Temple (Grand Canyon)</span> Landform in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Buddha Temple is a 7,212-foot-elevation (2,198-meter) summit located in the Grand Canyon, in Coconino County of northern Arizona, in the Southwestern United States. It is situated 6.5 miles (10.5 km) due north of the Mather Point overlook on the canyon's South Rim, and four miles southwest of the North Rim's Bright Angel Point. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 3,800 feet in two miles above Bright Angel Canyon to the east, and 3,000 feet in less than one mile above Haunted Canyon to the immediate west. Its neighbors include Manu Temple 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the northeast, Isis Temple 2.3 miles to the southwest, Zoroaster Temple 3.8 miles to the southeast, and Deva Temple, 3.5 miles to the east. Buddha Temple was named by Henry Gannett, a geographer for Clarence Dutton, in following Dutton's practice of naming features in the Grand Canyon after mythological deities, in this case Buddha. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1906 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The first ascent of this butte was made in 1973 by Bruce Grubbs, Chauncey Parker, and Mark Brown via the Northwest Arete. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Buddha Temple is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brady Peak</span> Landform in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Brady Peak is an 8,121-foot (2,475 m)-elevation summit located in the Grand Canyon, in Coconino County of northern Arizona, United States. It is situated one mile (1.6 km) northeast of the Vista Encantada viewpoint on the canyon's North Rim, where it towers 4,800 feet (1,500 m) above the bottom of Nankoweap Canyon. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Hayden, two miles (3.2 km) to the north, Kibbey Butte is one mile to northwest, and Alsap Butte lies one mile to the northeast. Brady Peak is named after Peter Rainsford Brady (1825–1902), a pioneer and politician of the Arizona Territory. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1932 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Brady Peak is located in a cold semi-arid climate zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiki Tower</span> Sandstone pinnacle in San Juan County, Utah

Tiki Tower is a thin 300-foot (91-meter) tall sandstone pinnacle located in the Airport Tower/Monster Tower/Washer Woman area of the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah. It is situated one-half mile northwest of Airport Tower, and is composed of Wingate Sandstone, which is the remains of wind-borne sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. Access to this tower is via the four-wheel-drive White Rim Road. The top of this spire rises 1,100 feet above the road in a little more than one mile. Precipitation runoff from Tiki Tower drains southeast into the nearby Colorado River via Buck and Lathrop Canyons. The first ascent of Tiki Tower was made in November 1991 by Jeff Widen and Mitch Allen, via Brave Little Toaster, with Fred Lifton and Paul Frank working the first pitch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independence Monument (Colorado)</span> Rock formation in Mesa County, Colorado, US

Independence Monument is a 5,739-foot-elevation sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. This iconic 450-foot-high landmark is situated one mile southeast of the monument's visitor center, and 9 miles (14 km) west of the community of Grand Junction, where it towers above the floor of Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon. It is a popular climbing destination, and can be seen from Rim Rock Drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipe Organ (Colorado National Monument)</span> Sandstone pillar in Mesa County, Colorado, United States

Pipe Organ is a 5,731-foot-elevation (1,747-meter) sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. This 400+ foot tower is situated in Wedding Canyon, less than one-half mile east of the monument's visitor center, and 9 miles (14 km) west of the community of Grand Junction. It is also immediately northwest of another popular climbing destination, Independence Monument, and both can be seen from viewpoints along Rim Rock Drive. The first ascent of the summit was made January 31, 1961, by John Auld, Gary Ziegler, Jim Dyson, and John Kuglin. Pipe Organ has a subsidiary summit unofficially named Organ Pipe Spire on the east aspect, which the National Park Service refers to as Praying Hands. This 325-foot-high subsidiary peak was originally named Squall Spire in 1976 by Harvey T. Carter of the first ascent party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel Spire</span> Sandstone pillar in Mesa County, Colorado, United States

Sentinel Spire is a 5,500-foot-elevation (1,676-meter) sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. This 200-foot freestanding tower is situated in Wedding Canyon, one-half mile east of the monument's visitor center, and 9 miles (14 km) west of the community of Grand Junction. It is also immediately south of Window Rock, and north of another climbing destination, Pipe Organ, both of which can be seen from viewpoints along Rim Rock Drive. The first ascent of the summit was made May 3, 1960, by Layton Kor, Harvey Carter, and John Auld via the class 5.10 route, Fast Draw. This was the day before the climbers also made the first ascent of nearby Kissing Couple. The first solo ascent was made by Ron Olevsky in March 1976, and the first free ascent was made by Andy Petefish and John Christenson in 1978. Some climbers refer to Sentinel Spire as Watusi Spear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand View Spire</span> Sandstone formation in Colorado

Grand View Spire is a 5,821-foot-elevation (1,774-meter) sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. This 400-foot tower is situated on the west side of Monument Canyon, one mile southeast of the monument's visitor center, and 9 miles (14 km) west of the community of Grand Junction. It is also 0.32 mile immediately south of Independence Monument, and 0.27 mile northwest of another climbing destination, Kissing Couple. Its unofficial name relates to its position at the tip of Grand View Overlook, one of several scenic viewpoints along Rim Rock Drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooster Butte</span>

Rooster Butte is a 5,145-foot-elevation (1,568-meter) summit in San Juan County, Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De Gaulle and His Troops</span>

De Gaulle and His Troops is a 5,540-foot-elevation (1,689-meter) summit in San Juan County, Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancient Art (Fisher Towers)</span>

Ancient Art is a 5,420-foot-elevation (1,652-meter) pillar in Grand County, Utah, United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kissing Couple - 5,815' CO". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Kissing Couple". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  3. Geologic Formations, National Park Service
  4. Cameron Burns, Selected Climbs in the Desert Southwest: Colorado and Utah, 1999, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9780898866575, page 34.
  5. First Ascent Timeline, deserttowersbook.com
  6. Cameron Burns, Selected Climbs in the Desert Southwest: Colorado and Utah, 1999, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9780898866575, page 34.
  7. Long Dong Wall (aka Bell Tower), Mountainproject.com
  8. Stewart M. Green, 2010, Rock Climbing Colorado A Guide to More Than 1,800 Routes, Falcon Guides, ISBN   9780762763443, page 468.
  9. Stanley William Lohman, The Geologic Story of Colorado National Monument, Geological Survey Bulletin 1508, pages 28-30.
  10. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN   1027-5606.