Phalanx Mountain

Last updated
Phalanx Mountain
Phalanx Mountain, British Columbia.jpg
Southwest aspect
Highest point
Elevation 2,441 m (8,009 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 151 m (495 ft) [1]
Parent peak The Spearhead (2,457 m) [2]
Isolation 1.38 km (0.86 mi) [1]
Listing Mountains of British Columbia
Coordinates 50°05′53″N122°51′30″W / 50.09806°N 122.85833°W / 50.09806; -122.85833 [3]
Naming
Etymology Phalanx
Geography
Canada British Columbia relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Phalanx Mountain
Location in British Columbia
Canada relief map 2.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Phalanx Mountain
Location in Canada
Phalanx Mountain
Interactive map of Phalanx Mountain
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
District New Westminster Land District
Protected area Garibaldi Provincial Park
Parent range Spearhead Range
Garibaldi Ranges
Coast Mountains
Topo map NTS 92J2 Whistler [3]

Phalanx Mountain is a 2,441-metre (8,009-foot) summit located in Garibaldi Provincial Park of southwest British Columbia, Canada.

Contents

Description

Phalanx Mountain is the northernmost peak in the Spearhead Range, which is a subset of the Garibaldi Ranges of the Coast Mountains. [1] The peak is situated 7 km (4 mi) east-southeast of Whistler and 1.4 km (1 mi) north-northeast of The Spearhead, which is the nearest higher neighbor. [1] Precipitation runoff and glacial meltwater from the east side of the peak drains to Wedge Creek, whereas the west slope drains to Blackcomb Creek, with both then eventually finding the Green River. Phalanx is more notable for its steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation as topographic relief is significant with the summit rising 1,240 meters (4,068 ft) above Wedge Creek in approximately 3 km (1.9 mi).

Etymology

The descriptive name for the mountain refers to the mountain resembling a Greek flying wedge of soldiers when viewed from the southwest or southeast, and this wedge formation is termed a phalanx. [4] The mountain's toponym was officially adopted August 27, 1965, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. [3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Phalanx Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Coast Mountains where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Blackcomb Glacier below the west slope, Spearhead Glacier on the southeast slope, and the Phalanx Glacier on the north slope. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Phalanx Mountain.

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overlord Mountain</span> Mountain in the country of Canada

Overlord Mountain is a 2,625-metre (8,612-foot) glacier-clad peak located in the Garibaldi Ranges of the Coast Mountains, in Garibaldi Provincial Park of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is the highest point of the Fitzsimmons Range, which is a subset of the Garibaldi Ranges, and can be readily seen from the Whistler Blackcomb ski area. It is situated 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Whistler, and its nearest higher peak is Mount Macbeth, 3 km (2 mi) to the north-northeast. The Benvolio Glacier rests below the south aspect of the summit, the Fitzsimmons Glacier on the east aspect, and the expansive Overlord Glacier spans the northern and western aspects of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from the peak and meltwater from its glaciers drains into tributaries of the Cheakamus River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1923 by Phyllis Munday and Don Munday via the Benvolio Glacier. The mountain's descriptive name was recommended by the Garibaldi Park Board and officially adopted on September 2, 1930, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Phalanx Mountain, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  2. 1 2 "Phalanx Mountain, Peakvisor.com" . Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  3. 1 2 3 "Phalanx Mountain". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada . Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  4. "Phalanx Mountain". BC Geographical Names . Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  5. 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.