Tantalus Range

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Tantalus Range
Tantalusrange.JPG
Tantalus Range from the Sea to Sky Highway
Highest point
PeakMount Tantalus
Elevation 2,603 m (8,540 ft) [1]
Coordinates 49°49′05″N123°19′46″W / 49.81806°N 123.32944°W / 49.81806; -123.32944 [1]
Naming
Native nameTsewílx’ (Squamish)
Geography
Vancouver Island-relief+TantalusRange.png
Location map of the Tantalus Range
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Parent range Pacific Ranges
Borders on Garibaldi Ranges, Clendinning Range and North Shore Mountains

The Tantalus Range is a subrange of the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in southern British Columbia, Canada. The range is easily viewed from the "Sea to Sky Highway" that travels from Vancouver to Squamish and Whistler. To Squamish people, the local indigenous people of the area, the name of the Tantalus Range is Tsewílx’ (/tʃə.wilχ/).

Contents

The range's southern end is on the western edge of Squamish and it runs only about 35 km (22 mi) northwest on the west bank of the Squamish River and is less than 16 km (9.9 mi) wide at its widest. It is about 460,000 ha (1,100,000 acres) or 4,600 km2 (1,800 sq mi) in area. Mount Tantalus, 2,603 m (8,540 ft) in elevation, is the highest in the range.

The origin of the name, as well as the names of many of its peaks, are from Greek mythology. Tantalus was doomed in Hades to be half-submerged in cold water with fruit dangling close but not close enough to eat, which is where the word tantalize has its root. Allegedly the name was conferred by a local mountain climber who was "tantalized" by the sight of the range's impressive spires and icefalls from across the turbulent waters of the Squamish River. [ citation needed ] Alternately, another version of the legend has Tantalus and his family frozen before a banquet, unable to move - very descriptive of the ice-draped and somehow regal character of the peaks and icefields of the range. [ citation needed ].

The Tantalus Range is a favourite with climbers, and also with photographers and filmmakers. The best views of it can be had just north of Squamish from the Brohm Ridge and Cheakamus Canyon stretches of BC Highway 99 (the Sea-to-Sky Highway).

Neighbouring ranges:

(unnamed ranges not listed at present)

Mountains

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stawamus Chief</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howe Sound</span> Sound in British Columbia, Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Ranges</span> Subrange of the Coast Mountains in British Columbia, Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Shore Mountains</span> Mountain range in British Columbia, Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Black Tusk</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Mountain</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Alpha Mountain is a 2,302-metre (7,552-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 14 km (8.7 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 4.6 km (2.9 mi) southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Serratus Mountain, 1.9 km (1.2 mi) to the west. The Serratus Glacier lies to the west of Alpha, unnamed glaciers lie on the northern and eastern slopes, and Lake Lovely Water lies below the south slope. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Niobe</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Niobe is a 2,021-metre (6,631-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 7.2 km (4 mi) southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Lydia Mountain, 2.03 km (1 mi) to the west-northwest, and Omega Mountain lies 1.1 km (1 mi) to the east. Lake Lovely Water lies below the northern slope of the peak and precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1910 by E. Kingsford-Smith and G. Warren via the south side. The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The mountain was named for Niobe, daughter of Tantalus in Greek mythology, with several peaks in the Tantalus Range being named for family members of Tantalus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ossa Mountain</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Ossa Mountain is a 2,261-metre (7,418-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 21 km (13 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 3.54 km (2 mi) north-northwest of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Pelion Mountain, 0.77 km (0 mi) to the east. Unnamed glaciers lie on the northern and eastern slopes. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River and Clowhom River. The first ascent of the mountain was made on July 25, 1960, by Dick Chambers, Jack Bryan, and Howie Rode via the east ridge. The mountain names in the Tantalus Range have a Greek mythology theme, and Ossa Mountain was named for legendary Mount Ossa in Thessaly, upon which the Aloadaes are said to have attempted to pile Mount Pelion on top of Mount Ossa in their attempt to scale Olympus, home of the Greek gods. The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega Mountain</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Omega Mountain is a 1,918-metre (6,293-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 8.2 km (5 mi) southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Pelops, 1.7 km (1 mi) to the west. Lake Lovely Water lies below the northwestern slope of the peak with Alpha Mountain on the opposite side of the lake. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1916 by Tom Fyles and his brother, John Fyles. The mountain's name comes from Omega, in keeping with nearby peaks being named for Greek alphabet letters, namely Alpha and Iota mountains. Its name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Dione</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Dione is a 2,589-metre (8,494-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 17 km (11 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 0.24 km (0 mi) north of Mount Tantalus, which is its nearest higher peak and the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. The Dione Glacier lies on the southern slope, and the Rumbling Glacier lies to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains east into tributaries of the Squamish River, or west into tributaries of the Clowhom River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1916 by Tom Fyles and his brother, John Fyles, via the southeast ridge. The mountain names in the Tantalus Range have a Greek mythology theme, and Mount Dione was named for Dione, the wife of Tantalus. The mountain's name was submitted by Neal Carter of the British Columbia Mountaineering Club, and was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Sedgwick (British Columbia)</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Sedgwick is a prominent 2,082-metre (6,831-foot) mountain summit located in the Tantalus Range of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 13 km (8 mi) west-northwest of Squamish, and 8 km (5 mi) south of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is The Red Tusk, 4.4 km (3 mi) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into tributaries of the Clowhom River, and east into Mill Creek which empties into Howe Sound. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1909 by H. Dowler. The mountain is named for Adam Sedgwick (1785–1873), one of the founders of modern geology who accompanied Sir Roderick Murchison on geological tours in Canada. The mountain's name was officially adopted on May 3, 1951, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Pelops</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Pelops is a 2,015-metre (6,611-foot) mountain summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 7.5 km (5 mi) southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Niobe, 0.2 km (0 mi) to the northwest, and Omega Mountain lies 1.7 km (1 mi) to the east. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1916 by Tom Fyles and his brother, John Fyles. The mountain was named for Pelops, brother of Niobe and son of Tantalus according to Greek mythology, with several peaks in the Tantalus Range being named for family members of Tantalus. The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Thyestes</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Thyestes is a 1,697-metre (5,568-foot) mountain summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 4 km (2 mi) immediately west of Brackendale, 7 km (4 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 10.7 km (7 mi) southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Omega Mountain, 2.4 km (1 mi) to the northwest, and Mount Pelops lies 3.6 km (2 mi) to the west-northwest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1942 by R. McLellan, H. Parliament, and F. Roots. The mountain was named for Thyestes, son of Pelops and grandson of Tantalus according to Greek mythology. The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelion Mountain</span> Summit in British Columbia, Canada

Pelion Mountain is a 2,312-metre (7,585-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 21 km (13 mi) northwest of Squamish, 0.8 km (0 mi) east of Ossa Mountain, and 5.5 km (3 mi) north-northwest of Mount Tantalus, which is its nearest higher peak and the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Unnamed glaciers surround the peak and precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River and Clowhom River. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1944 by V. Brink and B. McLellan. The mountain names in the Tantalus Range have a Greek mythology theme, and Pelion Mountain was named for the legendary Pelion mountain in Thessaly, upon which the Aloadaes are said to have attempted to pile Mount Pelion on top of Mount Ossa in their attempt to scale Olympus, home of the Greek gods. The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lydia Mountain</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Lydia Mountain is a 2,100-metre (6,890-foot) summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 14.5 km (9 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 5.46 km (3 mi) south-southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. The nearest higher neighbor is The Red Tusk, 0.5 km (0 mi) to the west, and Mount Niobe lies 2.17 km (1 mi) to the east-southeast. Lake Lovely Water lies below the eastern slope of the peak and precipitation runoff from the peak drains east to the Squamish River, and west to the Clowhom River via Red Tusk Creek. Topographic relief is significant as Lydia Mountain rises 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above Red Tusk Creek in approximately three kilometers (two miles). The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The mountain was named for mythic Lydia, of which Tantalus was a primordial ruler in Greek mythology. Several peaks in the Tantalus Range are named in association with Tantalus. The first ascent of Lydia Mountain was made in 1914 by Basil Darling and Allan Morkill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea to Sky Gondola</span> Gondola in British Columbia, Canada

The Sea to Sky Gondola is a privately owned recreational aerial tramway about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Squamish, British Columbia. On BC-99, it offers views over Howe Sound along with cafes, a lodge, hiking trails, and a suspension bridge, the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. The majority of the area is located inside of Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. The upper platform, on top of Mount Habrich, is 885 m (2,904 ft) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashlu Mountain</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Ashlu Mountain is a 2,561-metre (8,402-foot) pyramidic mountain summit located in the Pacific Ranges in the Coast Mountains of southwestern British Columbia, Canada known for its glaciation and climbing routes. It is situated 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Squamish, in the Elaho-Jervis Divide, where it is the tallest peak in that subrange. Its nearest higher peaks are Mount Tantalus in the Tantalus Range, 33 km (20 mi) to the southeast, and its line parent, Mount Tinniswood, 33.5 km (21 mi) to the northwest at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mount Tantalus". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2021-07-19.