Guanaco Peak

Guanaco Peak is a 2,127-metre (6,978-foot) mountain located in the North Cascades of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is the highest summit of the Anderson River Group, a subset of the North Cascades. It is situated 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Coquihalla Summit, and 1 km (1 mi) northeast of Vicuna Peak.[2] Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into headwaters of the East Anderson River, or east into headwaters of the Coldwater River. The mountain was named for the guanaco, as part of the animal names theme for several other nearby peaks that were submitted by Philip Kubik of the 1974 first ascent party.[3] The mountain's name was officially adopted on February 5, 1976, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[4]

Guanaco Peak
Vicuna Peak (left) with Guanaco Peak (right)
Highest point
Elevation	2,127 m (6,978 ft) [1]
Prominence	1,002 m (3,287 ft) [1]
Parent peak	Stoyoma Mountain (2267 m)[1]
Coordinates	49°39′43″N 121°08′36″W
Geography
Guanaco Peak Location in British Columbia Show map of British Columbia Guanaco Peak Guanaco Peak (Canada) Show map of Canada
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Parent range	North Cascades
Topo map	NTS 92H/11
Climbing
First ascent	1981 Karl Ricker, BCMC Party
Easiest route	Southwest Ridge class 3 [1]

Geology

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[5]

Vicuna and Guanaco in winter

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape.[5] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are 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

Guanaco Peak, Vicuna Peak, Alpaca Peak

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Guanaco Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[6] 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 Guanaco Peak.

See also

• List of mountains of Canada
• Geography of the North Cascades
• Geology of British Columbia

References

Guanaco Peak seen from the summit of Vicuna Peak

1. "Guanaco Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
2. "Guanaco Peak, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
3. "Guanaco Peak". BC Geographical Names.
4. "Guanaco Peak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
6. 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.

External links

• Weather forecast: Guanaco Peak