Middle Teton

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Middle Teton

Middle Teton at left with Grand Teton and Mount Owen at far right, are part of the Cathedral Group of peaks in the Teton Range
Elevation 12,804 feet (3,903 m)
Location Wyoming, USA
Range Teton Range
Prominence 1,124 feet (343 m)[1]
Coordinates 43°43′48″N 110°48′38″W / 43.73, -110.81056Coordinates: 43°43′48″N 110°48′38″W / 43.73, -110.81056
Topo map USGS Middle Teton
First ascent 29 August 1923 (Ellingwood)
Easiest route Scramble/snow/Class 3/4

Middle Teton is the third highest peak in the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.[2] The peak is immediately southwest of Grand Teton and the two are separated from one another by the lower saddle, a broad high ridge at 11,600 feet (3,540 m). The Middle Teton Glacier is located on the eastern slopes of the peak. Middle Teton is a classic pyramidal shaped alpine peak and is sometimes included as part of the Cathedral Group of high Teton peaks. The 40-mile (64 km) long Teton Range is the youngest mountain chain in the Rocky Mountains, and began their uplift 9 million years ago, during the Miocene.[3] Several periods of glaciation have carved Middle Teton and the other peaks of the range into their current shapes.[4] From the lower saddle, a distinctive feature known as the black dike appears as a straight line running from near the top of the mountain down 800 feet (240 m).[5] The black dike is a basaltic intrusion that occurred long after the surrounding rock was formed.[6]

[edit] Climbing

What is known as the southwest couloir provides the easiest route to the summit. Other sections on the mountain are rated as high as class 5.11, with the Middle Teton Glacier route considered to be the most technically advanced.

[edit] See also

Geology of the Grand Teton area

[edit] Cited references

  1. ^ Middle Teton. Peakbagger. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
  2. ^ Middle Teton, USGS Grand Teton (WY) Topo Map (Map). Topozone. Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
  3. ^ Mountain Uplift. Creation of the Teton landscape: Geologic story of Grand Teton National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
  4. ^ Jackson, Reynold G.. Park of the Matterhorns. Grand Teton Historic Resource Study. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
  5. ^ Middle Teton. SummitPost.org. Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
  6. ^ Jackson, Reynold G.. Park of the Matterhorns. Grand Teton Historic Resource Study. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2006-08-29.