Mount Despair (Washington)

Last updated
Mount Despair
Mount Despair 25953.JPG
Highest point
Elevation 7,296 ft (2,224 m)  NAVD 88 [1]
Prominence 1,852 ft (564 m) [1]
Coordinates 48°44′14″N121°22′36″W / 48.737333°N 121.376777°W / 48.737333; -121.376777 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Despair
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Despair
Mount Despair (the United States)
Parent range Cascade Range, North Cascades
Topo map USGS Damnation Peak
Climbing
First ascent Fred Beckey (1939)

Mount Despair is a rugged mountain in the North Unit of North Cascades National Park in Washington state. Northeast of Mount Despair lies the Picket Range.

Contents

The mountain's name was given by Lage Wernstedt of the U.S. Forest Service who mapped the region in the 1920s. The name Mount Despair first appeared on Forest Service maps in 1931. [2]

Climate

Mount Despair 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.

Mount Despair in winter Mount Despair in winter.jpg
Mount Despair in winter

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. [2] 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, 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. [3] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [3] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [3]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [3] 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.

Mount Despair from the east featuring its glacier Mount Despair from McMillan Spire.jpg
Mount Despair from the east featuring its glacier

Nearby peaks

Related Research Articles

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

Mount Terror is a mountain of the Cascade Range, located in the northwestern corner of Washington in Whatcom County. The peak is in North Cascades National Park, about 15.7 miles (25.3 km) south of the Canada–United States border.

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

Bacon Peak is a mountain located in North Cascades National Park, in the Cascade range in the U.S. state of Washington. Its glaciers cover 1.2 square miles (3.2 km2); the three main glaciers are Diobsud Creek Glacier, Green Lake Glacier and Noisy Creek Glacier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Logan (Washington)</span> Mountain in North Cascades National Park, Washington

Mount Logan is located in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Mount Logan is in a remote location of North Cascades National Park that requires hiking 20 mi (32 km) from a trailhead to reach the peak. The mountain itself is not a difficult climb, though the easiest approaches require traversing glaciers and ropes are recommended. The peak supports three glaciers including Banded Glacier to the north, Fremont Glacier to the southwest and Douglas Glacier on the southeast slopes.

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

Klawatti Peak is located in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Klawatti Peak is a nunatak, a peak surrounded by glaciers. These are Klawatti Glacier to the east, McAllister Glacier to the northwest and Inspiration Glacier to the south.

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

Mount Hinman is located on the border of Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests in the U.S. state of Washington. Mount Hinman is less than 2 mi (3.2 km) west of Mount Daniel and both are within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Hinman Glacier is situated on the north flank of Mount Hinman and Foss Glacier is to the northeast. The mountain was named in 1934 for Dr. Harry B. Hinman, a founder of the Everett branch of The Mountaineers club.

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

Sinister Peak is in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests in the U.S. state of Washington. It is situated in Glacier Peak Wilderness and the North Cascades. Not quite 1 mi (1.6 km) east of Dome Peak, Sinister Peak is along a high ridge connecting the two peaks. The Chickamin Glacier is on the north slopes of Sinister Peak while the Garden Glacier is just southeast. Though some of the routes to the summit are technical, it can be reached by a moderate scramble.

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

Whatcom Peak is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Whatcom Peak is .50 mi (0.80 km) north of Challenger Glacier and the Whatcom Glacier descends from the northeast slopes of the peak. An unnamed hanging glacier descends along the northwest flank of the peak. This mountain is set between Mount Challenger and Easy Peak.

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

Cosho Peak is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Cosho Peak is a summit along a ridge known as Ragged Ridge and the Kimtah Glacier is on the northeast slopes of the peak.

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

Kimtah Peak, elevation 8,600+ feet, is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Kimtah Peak is a summit along a ridge known as Ragged Ridge. Kimtah Glacier is on the northwest slopes of the peak, while Katsuk Glacier is to the northeast.

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

Mount Fury, elevation 8,356+ ft, is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Several small glaciers are on the slopes of Mount Fury, and it is the highest peak in the Picket Range. A theodolite survey of West and East Fury on Oct 22, 2022, established the altitudes of the two peaks of Fury. West Fury was set at 8,305ft +/-10 feet and East Fury as 8,356 +/- 8ft. This makes East Fury one of the 100 highest peaks in the State of Washington. Luna is now the second highest peak in the Picket Range.

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

Mount Rahm is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Located in the northern section of the park, Mount Rahm is less than .25 mi (0.40 km) south of the Canada–United States border, just north of Silver Lake, and 2 mi (3.2 km) north-northeast of Mount Spickard. The peak is estimated to be between 8,485 and 8,525 ft above sea level, and it sits at the northeastern end of Custer Ridge. Mount Rahm was named after Dr. David Allan Rahm (1931–1976), author and professor, who published and lectured about the geology of the surrounding area.

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

Mox Peaks is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Located in the northern section of the park, Mox Peaks consist of several summits in close proximity to each other that are nearly the same altitude, but the highest point is the eastern peak. Mox Peaks West looms just to the southeast of Redoubt Glacier and is at the southern terminus of a long arête which extends 1.75 mi (2.82 km) to Mount Spickard to the northeast. A deep col lies between Mox Peaks High Point and Mox Peaks West.

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

Crooked Thumb Peak is located in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Located in the northern section of the park, Crooked Thumb Peak is in the Picket Range and is .50 mi (0.80 km) south of Mount Challenger and the same distance north of Phantom Peak.

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

Mount Degenhardt, elevation 8,000+ ft, is a mountain peak in the Picket Range in the U.S. state of Washington and within North Cascades National Park. Located in the northern section of the park, Mount Degenhardt is .30 mi (0.48 km) southeast of Mount Terror, .28 mi (0.45 km) west of Inspiration Peak. and .75 mi (1.21 km) west of McMillan Spire. Mount Degenhardt is named after William Degenhardt, an early 20th century mountain climber. The Terror Glacier lies on the southeast slopes of Mount Degenhardt.

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

McMillan Spire is a mountain peak in the Picket Range in the U.S. state of Washington and within North Cascades National Park. The peak lies .75 mi (1.21 km) east of Mount Degenhardt, and 0.47 mi (0.76 km) east of Inspiration Peak. The subpeak known as East McMillan Spire is .14 mi (0.23 km) east of McMillan Spire and they are collectively referred to as the McMillan Spires. The Terror Glacier lies to the west of the peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sourdough Mountain (Whatcom County, Washington)</span> Mountain in North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA

Sourdough Mountain is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. The Sourdough Mountain Lookout, is a fire lookout that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 near the summit. The lookout was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

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

The Chopping Block is a 6,819-foot (2,078-metre) mountain summit located in the Picket Range within North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington. The mountain is officially named Pinnacle Peak on maps, but hardly anyone calls it by that name. The nearest higher peak is Mount Degenhardt, 0.6 mi (0.97 km) to the northeast. The Chopping Block can be seen from the North Cascades National Park Newhalem visitor center, weather permitting. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Goodell Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hagan Mountain</span> Multi-peak mountain located in the North Cascades

Hagan Mountain is a multi-peak mountain located in Whatcom County, Washington state, within North Cascades National Park. It has an elevation of 7,080-foot (2,160-metre). The mountain is situated approximately 12 mi (19 km) north of Marblemount.

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

Nodoubt Peak is a remote 7,290-foot (2,220-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades of Washington state. Nodoubt Peak is situated in North Cascades National Park, 2.2 kilometres south of the Canada–United States border. Its nearest higher peak is Canuck Peak, 1.43 mi (2.30 km) to the southeast, and Mount Redoubt rises 3.04 mi (4.89 km) also to the southeast of Nodoubt. Nodoubt Peak was named by a group of geologists who climbed the peak in 1967. Its name is a word play on Mount Redoubt's name. Precipitation runoff from Nodoubt Peak drains into tributaries of the Chilliwack River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trappers Peak</span> Mountain in Washington State

Trappers Peak is a 5,966-foot (1,818 m) elevation mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated within North Cascades National Park, Stephen Mather Wilderness, and Whatcom County. It rises steeply above Lower Thornton Lake which is set at the southwestern face of the mountain. Like many North Cascades peaks, Trappers Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 5,500 feet (1,700 m) above the North Cascades Highway in approximately two miles. The nearest higher neighbor is Thornton Peak, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the northwest, Mount Triumph is two miles to the northwest, and Newhalem is three miles to the east-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River. The summit of Trappers Peak is known for its grand view of the jagged peaks of the Picket Range.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mount Despair, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. (1995). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (2nd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 86. ISBN   978-0-89886-423-6.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.