Repulse Peak

Repulse Peak
Repulse Peak's northeast aspect, seen from the North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation	7,923 ft (2,415 m)
Prominence	523 ft (160 m)
Parent peak	Fisher Peak (8,040 ft)
Isolation	0.56 mi (0.90 km)
Coordinates	48°32′17″N 120°49′05″W
Geography
Repulse Peak Location in Washington Repulse Peak Repulse Peak (the United States)
Interactive map of Repulse Peak
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Chelan / Skagit
Protected area	North Cascades National Park Stephen Mather Wilderness
Parent range	North Cascades Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Mount Arriva
Climbing
First ascent	1971, Firey, Swanson
Easiest route	class 4 scrambling

Repulse Peak is a 7,923-foot (2,415-metre) mountain summit in the North Cascades in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located on the border of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. It is situated midway between Black Peak and Fisher Peak, and can be seen from the North Cascades Highway. Precipitation runoff from Repulse Peak drains into tributaries of the Skagit River and Stehekin River. Topographic relief is significant as the east face rises over 2,900 feet (880 meters) in 0.53 mile (0.85 km).

Climate

Repulse Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. 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.

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

Gallery

• 
  Repulse Peak is between Black Peak (left) and Fisher Peak (center) as seen from the Pacific Crest Trail above Swamp Creek
• 
  Repulse Peak

See also

• Geography of Washington (state)
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest

External links

• North Cascades National Park National Park Service
• Repulse Peak aerial photo: PBase