Granite Peak (Montana)

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Granite Peak
Male mountain goat crossing a rocky moraine in front of Granite Peak, pictured in the background.
Elevation	12,799 ft (3,901 m)
Location	Montana, USA
Range	Beartooth Mountains
Prominence	4,781 ft (1,457 m)
Coordinates	45°09′48″N, 109°48′26″W
Topo map	USGS Granite Peak
First ascent	1923 by Elers Koch
Easiest route	rock/ice climb

Granite Peak is the highest point in the state of Montana, USA. It lies within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, in Park County very near the borders of Stillwater County and Carbon County. Granite Peak is 10 miles (16 km) north of the Wyoming border, 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Columbus, Montana.

Granite Peak is one of the most difficult U.S. state highpoint ascents, due to technical climbing, poor weather, and route finding^[1]^[2]. Granite Peak’s first ascent was made by Elers Koch on August 29, 1923 after several failed attempts by others. It was the last of the state highpoints to be climbed^[2] Today, climbers typically spend two or three days ascending the peak, stopping over on the Froze-to-Death Plateau. However, other climbers choose to ascend the peak in a single day. Be cautious at the snow bridge as a few unroped climbers have perished here. If the snow is not soft or you feel you do not have the ability to safely walk across then you must rope up. The route before you reach the snow bridge is mostly a scramble. After it, it immediately becomes technical rock climbing that requires extremely good route finding skills.

The Froze-to-Death Plateau: the common location of a base camp for the ascent of Granite Peak.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Granite Peak, Montana, Route Description. Jackie and Alan's Outdoor Adventures.
^ ^a ^b Winger, Charlie; Winger, Diane (2002). Highpoint Adventures: The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints. Colorado Mountain Club Press, 140-141.