Martin Peak (Olympic Mountains)
Climate
Martin Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow. As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. 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. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing this peak.
Geology
The Olympic Mountains are composed of obducted clastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarily Eocene sandstone, turbidite, and basaltic oceanic crust. The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.
See also
References
- ^ "Martin Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- ^ ""Martin Peak" - 7,638' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- ^ Martin Peak, climbersguideolympics.com
- ^ Parratt, Smitty (1984). Gods and Goblins: A Field Guide to Place Names of Olympic National Park (1st ed.).
- ^ McNulty, Tim (2009). Olympic National Park: A Natural History. Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press.
- ^ Alt, D.D.; Hyndman, D.W. (1984). Roadside Geology of Washington. pp. 249–259. ISBN 0-87842-160-2.
Gallery
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East aspect. {Sundial to right)
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Martin Peak (right) seen with Gilhooley Tower and Mt. Johnson
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The Needles from Mount Deception. Martin Peak front and center
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Martin Peak to right, from northwest
External links
- George W. Martin biography: americanalpineclub
- "Olympic National Park". National Park Service.
- National Weather Service: weather forecast