Spider Mountain
Spider Mountain from Maple Pass
Highest point
Elevation8,286 ft (2,526 m)[1]
Prominence926 ft (282 m)[1]
Parent peakMount Formidable (8,325 ft)[2]
Isolation1.33 mi (2.14 km)[2]
Coordinates48°24′34″N 121°02′10″W / 48.409454°N 121.036096°W / 48.409454; -121.036096[1]
Geography
Spider Mountain is located in Washington (state)
Spider Mountain
Spider Mountain
Location in Washington
Spider Mountain is located in the United States
Spider Mountain
Spider Mountain
Spider Mountain (the United States)
LocationChelan County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Cascade Pass
Geology
Type of rockSchist
Climbing
First ascent1938, Calder Bressler, Ralph Clough, Bill Cox, Tom Myers[3]
Easiest routeScrambling Glacier travel

Spider Mountain is an 8,286-foot (2,526-metre) mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness in western Chelan County of Washington state.[4] It is part of the North Cascades, which is a subset of the Cascade Range. Meltwater from the Spider Glacier on the steep north face, and other surface runoff from the mountain drains into Flat Creek, which is a tributary of the Stehekin River. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Formidable 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the west.[1] The Middle Cascade Glacier lies between these two mountains, and the Ptarmigan Traverse passes through also.

Climate

Southwest aspect seen from Green Mountain

Spider Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences 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.[3] In terms of favorable weather, July through September are best for climbing.

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[5]

Spider Mountain in upper left

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[5] 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Spider Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Spider Mountain - 8,300' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  3. 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Spider Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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