Alpha Mountain

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.[2] 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.

Alpha Mountain
Alpha Mountain above Lake Lovely Water
(as seen from Mount Niobe)
Highest point
Elevation2,302 m (7,552 ft) [1]
Prominence372 m (1,220 ft) [1]
Parent peakSerratus Mountain (2321 m)[1]
Coordinates49°47′44″N 123°16′33″W [1]
Geography
Alpha Mountain
Location in British Columbia
Alpha Mountain
Alpha Mountain (Canada)
LocationTantalus Provincial Park
British Columbia, Canada
Parent rangeTantalus Range
Coast Ranges
Topo mapNTS 92G/14
Climbing
First ascent1914 by Basil Darling and A. Morkill[1]
Easiest routeScrambling via SW Ridge

History

The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1914 by Basil Darling and Alan Morkill via the southwest ridge. These two named the peak shortly after they made the ascent, alluding to Alpha, which is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, because the peak is the first (southeast) summit of the Alpha-Serratus-Tantalus-Zenith Ridge, and also because of its form.[3] The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[4]

Climate
Alpha Mountain seen from the shoulder of Pelion Mountain

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Alpha Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Coast Mountains where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Alpha.

Climbing Routes

Established rock climbing routes on Alpha Mountain:[1]

References
Alpha Mountain, northeast aspect, as seen from the Sea to Sky Highway
  1. "Alpha Mountain". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  2. "Alpha Mountain, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  3. "Alpha Mountain". BC Geographical Names. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  4. "Alpha Mountain". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  5. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.

See also
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