Mount Stuart

For other uses, see Mount Stuart (disambiguation).
Mount Stuart

Mount Stuart from the south.
Elevation 9,415 ft (2,870 m) NGVD 29[1]
Prominence 5,354 ft (1,632 m)[1]
Listing Ultra
Location
Mount Stuart

Location in Washington

Location Chelan County, Washington U.S.
Range Stuart Range, Cascade Range
Coordinates 47°28′30″N 120°54′11″W / 47.4751179°N 120.9031444°WCoordinates: 47°28′30″N 120°54′11″W / 47.4751179°N 120.9031444°W[2]
Topo map USGS Mount Stuart
Geology
Type Granite
Age of rock Late Cretaceous
Climbing
First ascent 1873 by A. McPherson and party
Easiest route Major scramble

Mount Stuart is a mountain in the Cascade Range, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the second highest non-volcanic peak in the state, after Bonanza Peak and tenth-highest overall.[3] Mount Stuart is the highest peak in the Stuart Range, and it is located in the central part of the Washington Cascades, south of Stevens Pass and east of Snoqualmie Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Mount Stuart was given its name by George B. McClellan on August 26, 1853, in honor of his oldest and best friend, "the late Capt. Jas. Stuart of the Rifles—a gallant soldier & accomplished gentleman."[4]

Mount Stuart is more notable for its local relief than for its absolute elevation. For example, the south face rises 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in just 2 horizontal miles (3.2 km). The northeast and northwest sides of the mountain exhibit similar steep relief.[5] Due to its location away from higher peaks, Mount Stuart has a topographic prominence of 5,354 feet (1,632 m), making it the sixth most prominent in the state.[6] The rock of Mount Stuart is rugged due to the extensive jointing of the granite.[7] The north slopes of the mountain shelter three glaciers, including Stuart, Ice Cliff and Sherpa Glaciers from west to east.

It is not known for sure who made the first ascent of Mount Stuart. According to Fred Beckey: "Claude Rusk... was told by Frank Bryant of Yakima about finding a stick at the summit bearing the name `Angus McPherson—1873.' A. H. Sylvester, who climbed to the summit in 1897 and 1899 for triangulation, believed the first ascent was made by Richard U. Goode and Frank Tweedy during the Northern Pacific land survey about 1890 or 1885."[7] Also, since the easiest route is not technical, a much earlier Native American ascent is a possibility.

The standard route is the Southeast Route, which has several variations. All of these ascend gullies on the southeast slopes of the mountain to a false summit just southeast of the main summit, and finish along a short ridge. The route involves scrambling, and often, steep snow. Far more technical climbs are available on the complex north face and other aspects of the mountain.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Mount Stuart, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ "Mount Stuart". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey.
  3. ↑ Howbert, Jeff. "Washington 100 Highest Peaks". The Northwest Peakbaggers Asylum.
  4. ↑ Beckey, Fred (2003). Range of Glaciers: The Exploration and Survey of the Northern Cascade Range. Oregon Historical Society Press. pp. 80, 83. ISBN 0-87595-243-7.
  5. ↑ Mount Stuart quadrangle, Washington (Map). 1:24000. 7.5 Minute Topographic. USGS.
  6. ↑ Howbert, Jeff. "All Washington Peaks with 2000 Feet of Prominence". The Northwest Peakbaggers Asylum.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Beckey, Fred W. (1987). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 1, Columbia River to Stevens Pass (2nd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 300.

External links