The Triplets
The Triplets
Highest point
Elevation7,240 ft (2,210 m)[1]
Prominence360 ft (110 m)[1]
Parent peakCascade Peak (7,428 ft)[2]
Isolation0.37 mi (0.60 km)[2]
Coordinates48°27′40″N 121°04′23″W / 48.461226°N 121.073033°W / 48.461226; -121.073033[1]
Geography
The Triplets is located in Washington (state)
The Triplets
The Triplets
Location in Washington
The Triplets is located in the United States
The Triplets
The Triplets
The Triplets (the United States)
LocationSkagit County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Cascade Pass
Geology
Type of rockBreccia
Climbing
First ascent1945
Fred Beckey, Jack Schwabland[3]
Easiest routeclass 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 Range. 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.

Climate

In winter

The Triplets 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.[5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[5]

Geology

The Triplets from Sahale Arm

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

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.
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