Mount Index is a peak in the central part of the Cascade Range of Washington state. It lies just south of the Skykomish River and U.S. Route 2, at the western edge of the Cascades. Despite its low elevation relative to peaks higher in the Cascades, it is a famous and dramatic landmark due to its topographic prominence. It comprises three pointed spires which rise steeply from a very low base. The main peak is the southernmost of the three, while the North Peak rises even more steeply above the valley. For example, it rises more than 4,250 ft (1,300 m) above the lower slopes on the northeast side in less than 1 horizontal mile (1.6 km).
The first recorded ascent of Mount Index (the main peak) was on October 29, 1911, by H. B. Hinman, Ernest Martin, Lee Pickett, George E. Wright. However, they found a flagpole already on the summit, so theirs was certainly not the first ascent. A much earlier ascent by Native Americans is likely. The first ascent of the steeper, more difficult North Peak was in 1929, by Lionel Chute and Victor Kaartinen, by the North Face Route.
The standard route on the main peak climbs the east side of the peak from Lake Serene. The standard route on the North Peak is the North Face Route, which is a long, moderately technical climb (Grade III, Class 5.6).
Mount Index was once known as West Index Mountain,[2] and Baring Mountain was known as Mount Index instead.[3] They were both renamed in 1917.[4]
Mount Index is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] 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, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[5] 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).[5] 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.[5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[5]
"Lake Serene, Washington". Peak Fever. July 2002. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
April 13, 2024
mount, index, peak, central, part, cascade, range, washington, state, lies, just, south, skykomish, river, route, western, edge, cascades, despite, elevation, relative, peaks, higher, cascades, famous, dramatic, landmark, topographic, prominence, comprises, th. Mount Index is a peak in the central part of the Cascade Range of Washington state It lies just south of the Skykomish River and U S Route 2 at the western edge of the Cascades Despite its low elevation relative to peaks higher in the Cascades it is a famous and dramatic landmark due to its topographic prominence It comprises three pointed spires which rise steeply from a very low base The main peak is the southernmost of the three while the North Peak rises even more steeply above the valley For example it rises more than 4 250 ft 1 300 m above the lower slopes on the northeast side in less than 1 horizontal mile 1 6 km Mount IndexNortheast aspectHighest pointElevation5 991 ft 1 826 m NGVD 29 1 Prominence2 991 ft 912 m 1 Coordinates47 46 28 N 121 34 51 W 47 7745488 N 121 5809415 W 47 7745488 121 5809415 2 GeographyMount IndexKing Snohomish counties Washington U S Parent rangeCascade RangeTopo mapUSGS IndexClimbingFirst ascentFirst recorded ascent on October 29 1911 by H B Hinman Ernest Martin Lee Pickett George E WrightEasiest routeHike scramble This section s factual accuracy is disputed Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced October 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message The first recorded ascent of Mount Index the main peak was on October 29 1911 by H B Hinman Ernest Martin Lee Pickett George E Wright However they found a flagpole already on the summit so theirs was certainly not the first ascent A much earlier ascent by Native Americans is likely The first ascent of the steeper more difficult North Peak was in 1929 by Lionel Chute and Victor Kaartinen by the North Face Route The standard route on the main peak climbs the east side of the peak from Lake Serene The standard route on the North Peak is the North Face Route which is a long moderately technical climb Grade III Class 5 6 Mount Index was once known as West Index Mountain 2 and Baring Mountain was known as Mount Index instead 3 They were both renamed in 1917 4 Contents 1 Climate 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksClimate edit nbsp Mount Index in winterMount Index is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America 5 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 causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades Orographic lift As a result the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall 5 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 5 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 5 Because of maritime influence snow tends to be wet and heavy resulting in high avalanche danger 5 See also edit nbsp Mountains portalMount Persis Geology of the Pacific NorthwestReferences edit nbsp Mt Index from Mount Persis a b Mount Index Washington Peakbagger com a b Mount Index Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey United States Department of the Interior Baring Mountain Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey United States Department of the Interior Beckey Fred W 2003 Cascade Alpine Guide Vol 2 Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass 3rd ed Mountaineers Books p 41 ISBN 978 0 89886 838 8 a b c d e Beckey Fred W Cascade Alpine Guide Climbing and High Routes Seattle WA Mountaineers Books 2008 External links editWeather forecast Mount Index Mount Index map TopoQuest com Retrieved 2011 01 05 All Washington Peaks with 2000 Feet of Prominence Jeff Howbert Retrieved 2011 01 05 Mount Index SummitPost org Retrieved 2011 01 05 Lake Serene Washington Peak Fever July 2002 Retrieved 2011 04 21 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mount Index amp oldid 1190603929, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
