The Triplets (Washington)

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The Triplets
The Triplets snowy.jpg
The Triplets
Highest point
Elevation 7,240 ft (2,210 m) [1]
Prominence 360 ft (110 m) [1]
Parent peak Cascade Peak (7,428 ft) [2]
Isolation 0.37 mi (0.60 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°27′40″N121°04′23″W / 48.461226°N 121.073033°W / 48.461226; -121.073033 [1]
Geography
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The Triplets
Location in Washington
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The Triplets
The Triplets (the United States)
The Triplets (Washington)
Interactive map of The Triplets
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Skagit
Protected area North Cascades National Park
Glacier Peak Wilderness
Parent range North Cascades
Topo map USGS Cascade Pass
Geology
Rock type Breccia
Climbing
First ascent 1945
Fred Beckey, Jack Schwabland [3]
Easiest route class 4 climbing [2]

The Triplets is a 7,240+ ft (2,210+ m) summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. [4] This breccia triple pinnacle is part of the North Cascades. The Triplets is situated above Cascade Pass on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Cascade Peak, 0.35 miles (0.56 km) to the west-northwest. [1] Surface runoff from the mountain drains into the Cascade River.

Contents

Climate

The Triplets is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [3] Most weather fronts coming off the Pacific Ocean 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 snow 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [5] 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. [5]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and 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. [6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [6] 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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Kololo Peaks is an 8,200+ ft mountain located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, and also straddling the boundary between Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Glacier Peak, 3.29 mi (5.29 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff and meltwater from the White River Glacier on the southeast slope drains into White River. On the west slope, the White Chuck Glacier drains into the White Chuck River, and the Suiattle Glacier and Honeycomb Glacier on the north and east sides drain into the Suiattle River. Surrounded by these glaciers, Fred Beckey in his Cascade Alpine Guide describes the mountain as being almost a nunatak.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Triplets, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Triplets, The - 7,260' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  3. 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. "The Triplets". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  5. 1 2 Beckey, p. 16
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.