Mount Olympus (Washington)
| Mount Olympus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,980 feet (2,432 m) [1] |
| Prominence | 7,838 feet (2,389 m) [2] |
| Coordinates | 47°48′04.68″N 123°42′39.01″W / 47.8013000°N 123.7108361°W [1] |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Olympic National Park, Jefferson County, Washington, USA |
| Parent range | Olympic Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Olympus |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Eocene |
| Mountain type(s) | Shale and sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1907 by L.A. Nelson and party |
| Easiest route | Ice climb |
Mount Olympus is the tallest and most prominent mountain in the Olympic Mountains range of Western Washington. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it is the central feature of Olympic National Park. Mount Olympus is the highest summit of the Olympic Mountains, however, peaks such as Mount Constance, on the eastern margin of the range, are more visible from the Seattle metropolitan area. With notable local relief, it ascends over 2,100 m (6,900 ft) from the 293 m (961 ft) elevation confluence of the Hoh River with Hoh Creek in only 8.8 km (5.5 mi). Mount Olympus has 7,829 ft (2,386 m) of prominence, ranking 5th in the state of Washington.[3]
Due to large winter snowfalls, Mount Olympus supports large glaciers, despite its modest elevation, 2,427 m (7,963 ft), and relatively low latitude (48°). These glaciers include Blue, Hoh, Humes, Jeffers, Hubert, and White, the longest of which is Hoh at 4.93 km (3.06 mi). The largest is Blue with a volume of 0.57 km³ and area of 5.31 km².[4]
Mount Olympus was sighted in 1774 by the Spanish explorer Juan Perez, who named it "El Cerro de la Santa Rosalia". This is said to be the first European to name a geographic feature in present-day Washington state. In 1778, on July 4, the British explorer John Meares gave the mountain its present name, Olympus.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Mt Olympus". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
- ^ "Mount Olympus, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ Howbert, Jeff. "All Washington Peaks with 2000 Feet of Prominence".
- ^ Spicer, Richard C. (1986). Glaciers in the Olympic Mountains, Washington: Present Distribution and Recent Variations. Thesis, University of Washington.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|abbr=ignored (help) - ^ Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-95158-3.
External links
- Mount Olympus Speed Record
- Mount Olympus on SummitPost.org
- Mount Olympus on TierraWiki.org
- Mount Olympus on Bivouac
- Mount Olympus on Peakware.com
- Mount Olympus on Peakbagger.com
- University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections:
- The Mountaineers Collection Photographic albums and text documenting the Mountaineers official annual outings undertaken by club members from 1907–1951, primarily on the Olympic Peninsula, in Mount Rainier National Park and on Glacier Peak. Includes 7 Mt. Olympus albums (ca. 1905-1951).
- The Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula Community Museum A web-based museum showcasing aspects of the rich history and culture of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula communities. Features cultural exhibits, curriculum packets and a searchable archive of over 12,000 items that includes historical photographs, audio recordings, videos, maps, diaries, reports and other documents.
- 1920 Outing to Mt. Olympus Includes images of camps, maps, and excerpts from the 1913 essay Melodious Days by Elmer Brown.