Ossa Mountain

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.[2] 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.[1] 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.[1] The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[3]

Not to be confused with Mount Ossa.
Ossa Mountain
Ossa Mountain, northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation2,261 m (7,418 ft) [1]
Prominence176 m (577 ft) [1]
Parent peakPelion Mountain (2312 m)[1]
Coordinates49°51′48″N 123°22′02″W [1]
Geography
Ossa Mountain
Location in British Columbia
Ossa Mountain
Ossa Mountain (Canada)
LocationTantalus Provincial Park
British Columbia, Canada
Parent rangeTantalus Range
Coast Ranges
Topo mapNTS 92G/14
Climbing
First ascent1960 by R. Chambers, J. Bryan, H. Rode[1]
Easiest routeScrambling

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Ossa Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] 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. July through September offer the best months to catch favorable weather for climbing Ossa.

Pelion, Ossa, and Tantalus seen from the northwest on Coin Peak

Climbing Routes

Established rock climbing routes on Ossa Mountain:[1]

  • East Ridge - class 4 First Ascent 1960
  • West Ridge - class 4  FA 1967
  • Northeast Face - FA 1968
  • North Face - FA 1999
  • Northwest Buttress - class 5.7 FA 2016  

See also

References
  1. "Ossa Mountain". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  2. "Ossa Mountain, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  3. "Ossa Mountain". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  4. 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.
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