Mount Triumph

Mount Triumph
The east face of Mount Triumph (center skyline)
Elevation	7240+ ft (2207+ m) NGVD 29[1]
Prominence	1,720 ft (524 m) [1]
Location
Location	North Cascades National Park, Whatcom County, Washington, USA
Range	Cascade Range
Coordinates	48°42′23″N 121°21′18″W / 48.7065138°N 121.3551293°W / 48.7065138; -121.3551293Coordinates: 48°42′23″N 121°21′18″W / 48.7065138°N 121.3551293°W / 48.7065138; -121.3551293[2]
Topo map	USGS Mount Blum
Climbing
First ascent	July 31, 1938 by Lloyd Anderson, Lyman Boyer, Dave Lind, Sig Hall, and Louis Smith [3]
Easiest route	Rock/ice climb

Mount Triumph is a summit in the North Cascades range of Washington state. Located approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west-northwest of the town of Newhalem, it was named by Lage Wernstedt, a surveyor with the U.S. Forest Service.^[4] A significant peak in North Cascades National Park, Mount Triumph is one of its "outstanding sights" and is well known among regional climbers for its lack of easy climbing routes to the summit.^[3][5] Despite its moderate elevation, its local relief is dramatic. With the terrain deeply dissected by the valleys of Bacon Creek on the west and Goodell Creek on the east, it rises 1 mile (1.6 km) in less than 2 miles (3.2 km) on the latter side.

The mountain is extremely rugged and one author describes it as "a rock thumb with near-vertical to overhanging faces on three sides."^[5] From above, it has the appearance of a three-bladed propeller consisting of the northeast, northwest, and south ridges. Mount Despair (7,292 ft/2,223 m) is located 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the north-northwest. The two peak are connected by Triumph Pass (5,520 ft/1,680 m).^[6]

Geology

Mountains and valleys around Mount Triumph from Trappers Peak

The mountain lies completely within the drainage of the Skagit River, Bacon Creek and Goodell Creek being tributaries of the Skagit. Two small glaciers are found below the east face and north faces, both of which are receding.^[6] The south ridge of Mount Triumph ends at a minor peak that has been called Thornton Peak (6,935 ft/2,114 m).^[3] On its south flank is a deep cirque that hold the Thornton Lakes, a chain of three lakes at 4,486 feet (1,367 m) to 5,040 feet (1,540 m), the source of south-flowing Thornton Creek, another tributary of the Skagit River.

Mount Triumph is composed of old orthogneiss. Neighboring Mount Despair is an exposure of light grey granodiorite, part of the great pluton of the Chilliwack batholith, which is visible west of the Thornton Lakes. East of the lakes are dark amphibolite, orthogneiss and mica quartz schist.^[7]

Climbing

The easiest route to the summit is on the west. It is rated class 4 and can be dangerous when wet. The approach is by means of the Triumph Pass climber's route. The northeast ridge is more difficult at class 5.5, but is a notable climb on generally good rock. It is approached by means of the Thornton Lakes Trail.^[3] A scrambling route from Thornton Lakes Trail leads to the summit of Trappers Peak (5,966 ft/1,818 m) which provides good views of Mount Triumph.

Nearby mountains

• Mount Blum
• Mount Despair
• Mount Shuksan
• Mount Terror

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Mount Triumph". Peakbagger.com. http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=1642. 
2. ^ "Mount Triumph". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1527387. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Beckey, Fred W. (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. ISBN 1594851360. 
4. ^ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 28. ISBN 9780918664006. http://books.google.com/books?id=CoWrPQAACAAJ. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Mueller, Marge; Ted Mueller (2002). Exploring Washington's wild areas: a guide for hikers, backpackers, climbers, cross-country skiers, paddlers. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. p. 118. ISBN 0898868076. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Mount Triumph". SummitPost.org. http://www.summitpost.org/page/151949. Retrieved 2009-03-17. 
7. ^ Tabor, Rowland; Ralph Haugerud (1999). Geology of the North Cascades: a mountain mosaic. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0898866235. 

External links

Media related to Mount Triumph at Wikimedia Commons