Mount Rahm

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Mount Rahm
Mount Rahm.jpg
North aspect of Mt. Rahm, and Mt. Spickard behind
(View from Mt. Outram)
Highest point
Elevation 8,480+ ft (2,580+ m) [1]
Prominence 280 ft (90 m) [1]
Coordinates 48°59′51″N121°13′51″W / 48.99750°N 121.23083°W / 48.99750; -121.23083 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Rahm
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
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Mount Rahm
Location in the United States
Location Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Mount Spickard

Mount Rahm (8,480+ ft (2,580+ m)) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. [2] 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 (2,586 and 2,598 m) 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. [3]

Contents

Climate

Mount Rahm is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] 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. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. [4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [4] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C). [4] 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. [4] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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. 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. [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.

Mount Rahm has its own surrounding extinct caldera, called the Mount Rahm Caldera. Mount Rahm may have been a subsidiary stratovolcano of this caldera.[ citation needed ]

See also

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

Easy Peak is a 6,613-foot (2,016-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. Easy Peak is situated in North Cascades National Park, and is often climbed during the Easy Ridge approach to Mount Challenger and the remote northern Pickets. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mineral Mountain, 2 mi (3.2 km) to the west, and Whatcom Peak is set 2.1 mi (3.4 km) to the east. Glacierets line the north slope of Easy Ridge between Easy Peak and Whatcom Peak. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains north into the Chilliwack River, or south into headwaters of the Baker River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mount Rahm, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  2. Mount Spickard, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  3. "Mount Rahm". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. pp. 55ff. ISBN   978-1-59485-136-0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.