Thar Peak
Geology
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. 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.
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 which lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Thar Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Range 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 Cascade 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 Thar Peak.
Climbing Routes
Established climbing routes on Thar Peak:
- East Ridge - class 2 Off-trail hiking, easy scrambling
- South Slope - Off-trail hiking
- Northeast Face - class 5, First ascent 1998
- North Couloir - steep snow, First ascent 2005
See also
References
- ^ "Thar Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ "Thar Peak, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ "Thar Peak". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "Thar Peak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
- ^ 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.