Colchuck Peak

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Coordinates: 47°28′42″N 120°50′47″W / 47.478348°N 120.846468°W / 47.478348; -120.846468
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Colchuck Peak
Colchuck Peak from near Colchuck Lake
Highest point
Elevation8,705+ ft (2,650+ m)[1]
Prominence665 ft (200 m)[1]
Parent peakDragontail Peak (8,860 ft)[2]
Isolation0.63 mi (1.01 km)[2]
Coordinates47°28′42″N 120°50′47″W / 47.478348°N 120.846468°W / 47.478348; -120.846468[1]
Geography
Colchuck Peak is located in Washington (state)
Colchuck Peak
Colchuck Peak
Location in Washington
Colchuck Peak is located in the United States
Colchuck Peak
Colchuck Peak
Colchuck Peak (the United States)
Country
class 3 scrambling[2]

Colchuck Peak

topographic relief
is significant with the summit rising 3,130 feet (954 m) above Colchuck Lake in 1 mi (1.6 km), and 4,600 feet (1,402 m) above Ingalls Creek in 1.9 mi (3.1 km).

Climate

Most

snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the Cascades experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. 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

Colchuck Peak detail

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the

glacial valleys, and granite walls spotted with over 700 mountain lakes.[6]
Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late

continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[7] Colchuck Peak is situated in part of the Mount Stuart batholith, a large area of clean granite
rock that forms the Stuart Range.

Argonaut Peak (left) and Colchuck Peak (right)

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[7] The last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago.[7] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of that 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 Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.

Accidents

Three members of a climbing group from the northeast US were killed on February 20, 2023, when the lead climber triggered a slab avalanche.[8] A fourth member was injured.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Colchuck Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Colchuck Peak WA - 8,705'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  3. ^ "Colchuck Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  4. ISBN 0806135980
    .
  5. ^ Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  6. ^ Smoot, Jeff (2004). Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Helena, Montana: The Globe Pequot Press.
  7. ^ a b c d e Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
  8. ^ 3 killed in avalanche on Colchuck Peak near Leavenworth, komonews.com, February 21, 2023

External links

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