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 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 northwest on the west bank of the Squamish River and is less than 16 km wide at its widest. It is about 460000 ha (4600 km² or 1775 mi²) in area. Mount Tantalus, 2,603 metres (8,540 ft), 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)

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Mountain</span>

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 (9 mi) northwest of Squamish, and 4.6 km (3 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 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>

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>

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>

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>

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 Pelops</span>

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>

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>

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>

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.

References

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