Mount Challenger (Washington)

Mount Challenger (8,207 feet (2,501 m)) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] A difficult peak to approach due to its isolation, one of the most common routes to the summit involves ascending the Challenger Glacier on the north slopes of the peak.[4][5] Mount Challenger is one of the taller peaks of the Picket Range.

Mount Challenger
Highest point
Elevation	8,207 ft (2,501 m) [1]
Prominence	567 ft (173 m) [1]
Coordinates	48°50′08″N 121°20′32″W [2]
Geography
Mount Challenger Location in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Mount Challenger Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Mount Challenger
Climbing
Easiest route	class 4

Climate

Mount Challenger is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[6] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[6] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C).[6] 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.[7] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[7]

References

1. "Mount Challenger, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
2. "Mount Challenger". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
3. Mount Challenger, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved March 31, 2013.
4. Beckey, Fred (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide: Climbing and High Routes Rainy Pass to Fraser River. The Mountaineers Books. p. 122. ISBN 978-1594851360. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
5. Nelson, Jim (2003). Peter Potterfield (ed.). Selected Climbs in the Cascades:, Volume 1. The Mountaineers Books. p. 274. ISBN 978-0-89886-767-1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
6. Beckey, p. 15
7. Beckey, p. 16