Kitling Peak

Last updated
Kitling Peak
Kitling Peak 8003'.jpg
Kitling Peak seen from the North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation 8,003 ft (2,439 m) [1]
Prominence 523 ft (160 m) [1]
Isolation 0.54 mi (0.87 km) [1]
Coordinates 48°34′56″N120°51′24″W / 48.58222°N 120.85667°W / 48.58222; -120.85667 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Kitling Peak
Location of Kitling Peak in Washington
Location Skagit County, Washington, US
Parent range North Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Mount Arriva
Climbing
First ascent August 24, 1968, John Roper, Chris Roper [2]
Easiest route Scrambling

Kitling Peak is an 8,003-foot (2,439-metre) mountain summit in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located one mile northwest of Easy Pass on the borders of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. The mountain's name "Kitling" derives from Chinook Jargon "ketling" which means kettle. [3] The mountain takes its name from Kitling Lake which is one mile north of the peak. [4] The name was officially adopted in 1969 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Kitling Peak is situated at the east end of Ragged Ridge. Other peaks on Ragged Ridge include Mesahchie Peak, Kimtah Peak, Katsuk Peak, and Graybeard Peak. The nearest higher peak is Mesahchie Peak, 0.95 miles (1.53 km) to the south. [1] The Mesahchie Glacier on Kitling's northwest slope forms the headwaters of Panther Creek. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into Ross Lake via Granite Creek, whereas the west side of the peak drains into Diablo Lake via Panther Creek and Fisher Creek.

Contents

Climate

Kitling Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [2] 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 (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. 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. [2] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [2]

Geology

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

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [5]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [5] 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.

See also

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Elija Ridge is a prominent 7,739 ft (2,360 m) ridge located in North Cascades National Park, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The highest point is called Elija Peak, and another peak on this ridge with sufficient prominence to qualify as a separate summit is called Ezekiel,. The nearest higher neighbor is Gabriel Peak, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to the southeast, Beebe Mountain is set 1.86 miles (2.99 km) to the northeast, and Ruby Mountain is 4.86 miles (7.82 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from this ridge drains to Ross Lake via Panther Creek. This geographical feature is named after the prophet Elija, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Gabriel Peak, Genesis Peak, and Mount Prophet are also named in association with Rowland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabriel Peak (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Gabriel Peak is a prominent 7,920-foot (2,410 m)-elevation mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Cosho Peak, 2.7 miles (4.3 km) to the south, Beebe Mountain is set 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the north, and Red Mountain is 3 miles (4.8 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from this feature drains to Ross Lake via Gabriel and Panther Creeks. Like many North Cascade peaks, Gabriel Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 4,700 feet (1,400 m) above the Panther Creek valley in approximately one mile. This geographical feature is named after the archangel Gabriel, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Mount Prophet, Genesis Peak, and nearby Elija Ridge were also named in association with Rowland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedge Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Wedge Mountain is a 5,860-foot-elevation (1,786-meter) summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is set on the boundary line of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Wedge Mountain is the northeastern terminus of the Stuart Range, which is a subset of the Cascade Range. It is situated 3.5 miles (5.6 km) northeast of The Temple, and the nearest town is Leavenworth, 5 miles (8.0 km) to the north-northeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 2,800 feet above Snow Creek in one-half mile. Backpackers hiking en route to The Enchantments via the Snow Creek Trail traverse the western foot of this mountain. Wedge Mountain is the toponym officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for the 5,860-foot summit.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kitling Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. ISBN   978-1-59485-136-0.
  3. http://www.washington.edu/uwired/outreach/cspn/Website/Classroom%20Materials/Curriculum%20Packets/Treaties%20&%20Reservations/Documents/Chinook_Dictionary_Abridged.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. "Kitling Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.