Alpha Mountain
{{Short description|Mountain in British Columbia, Canada}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Alpha Mountain
| photo = Alpha Mountain above Lake Lovely Water.jpg
| photo_caption = Alpha Mountain above Lake Lovely Water
(as seen from Mount Niobe)
| elevation_m = 2302
| elevation_ref = {{cite bivouac|id=737|name=Alpha Mountain|accessdate=2019-11-02}}{{cite opentopomap|Alpha Mountain
|49.795556|-123.275833|2024-01-13}}
| prominence_m = 372
| range = Tantalus Range
Coast Ranges
| parent_peak = Serratus Mountain (2321 m)
| listing = Mountains of British Columbia
| country = Canada | region_type = Province | region = British Columbia
| part_type = Protected area | part = Tantalus Provincial Park
| district = New Westminster Land District
| map = Canada British Columbia#Canada
| map_caption = Location in British Columbia##Location in Canada
| map_size = 270
| label_position = right
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 8
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Alpha Mountain
| coordinates = {{coord|49|47|44|N|123|16|33|W|type:mountain_region:CA_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| topo_maker = NTS
| topo_map = {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|92|G|14}}
| type =
| age =
| first_ascent = 1914 by Basil Darling and A. Morkill
| easiest_route = Scramble via SW Ridge
}}
Alpha Mountain is a {{Convert|2302|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} summit located in the Tantalus Range, in Tantalus Provincial Park, in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated {{cvt|14|km|mi}} northwest of Squamish, and {{cvt|4.6|km}} southeast of Mount Tantalus, which is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Its nearest higher peak is Serratus Mountain, {{cvt|1.9|km}} to the west.{{cite peakbagger|id=34083|name=Alpha Mountain, British Columbia|access-date=2019-11-02}} The Serratus Glacier lies to the west of Alpha, unnamed glaciers lie on the northern and eastern slopes, and Lake Lovely Water lies below the south slope. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Squamish River.
History
The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1914 by Basil Darling and Alan Morkill via the southwest ridge. These two named the peak shortly after they made the ascent, alluding to Alpha, which is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, because the peak is the first (southeast) summit of the Alpha-Serratus-Tantalus-Zenith Ridge, and also because of its form.{{cite bcgnis|id=1085|name=Alpha Mountain|access-date=2019-11-02}} The mountain's toponym was officially adopted on June 6, 1957, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.{{cite cgndb|id=JACCQ|name=Alpha Mountain|access-date=2019-11-03}}
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Alpha Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.{{cite journal | author = Peel, M. C. |author2=Finlayson, B. L. |author3=McMahon, T. A. | year = 2007 | title = Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification | journal = Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. | volume = 11 | issn = 1027-5606}} Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Coast Mountains 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 Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Winter 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 Alpha.
Climbing Routes
Gallery
File:Alpha and Serratus from Black Tusk Meadows.jpg|Alpha Mountain (left) and Serratus Mountain (right).
File:Alpha Mountain in white.jpg|Alpha Mountain seen from the shoulder of Pelion Mountain
File:Alpha Mountain, Tantalus Range.jpg|Alpha Mountain, northeast aspect, as seen from the Sea to Sky Highway
File:Alpha and Tantalus.jpg|Alpha (left) and Mt. Tantalus, east aspect
File:Alpha Mountain, northeast aspect.jpg|Northeast aspect
File:Alpha Mountain.jpg|Southeast aspect
See also
- {{Commons-inline}}
- {{Portal-inline|Mountains|size=tiny}}
- Geography of British Columbia
- Geology of British Columbia
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- Weather: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5884173/Canada/British%20Columbia/Alpha%20Mountain Alpha Mountain]
- YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rmWeDZEXds Climbing Alpha Mountain]
- Vimeo: [https://vimeo.com/237023717 Climbing Alpha East Ridge]
{{Pacific Ranges}}