Alpha Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alpha Mountain |
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Alpha Mountain above Lake Lovely Water
(as seen from Mount Niobe) |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,302 m (7,552 ft) |
| Prominence | 372 m (1,220 ft) |
| Parent peak | Serratus Mountain (2321 m) |
| Listing | Mountains of British Columbia |
| Geography | |
 Alpha Mountain
Location in British Columbia
Alpha Mountain
Location in Canada
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| Location | Tantalus Provincial Park British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Tantalus Range Coast Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 92G/14 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1914 by Basil Darling and A. Morkill |
| Easiest route | Scrambling via SW Ridge |
Alpha Mountain is a tall mountain in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It stands at 2,302 meters (about 7,552 feet) high. You can find it in the Tantalus Range, which is part of the Tantalus Provincial Park.
This mountain is located about 14 kilometers (9 miles) northwest of a town called Squamish. It's also about 4.6 kilometers (2.9 miles) southeast of Mount Tantalus. Mount Tantalus is the highest peak in the Tantalus Range. Alpha Mountain's closest taller neighbor is Serratus Mountain, which is about 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the west.
You'll find the Serratus Glacier to the west of Alpha Mountain. There are also unnamed glaciers on its northern and eastern sides. Below its south side is a beautiful spot called Lake Lovely Water. All the rain and melted snow from Alpha Mountain flow into streams that eventually reach the Squamish River.
History
The first time anyone climbed Alpha Mountain was in 1914. Two climbers, Basil Darling and Alan Morkill, made it to the top. They used a path along the mountain's southwest ridge.
After their climb, they decided to name the peak "Alpha Mountain." They chose this name because "Alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. They thought of it as the "first" peak because it's the most southeastern mountain in a line of peaks. This line includes Alpha, Serratus, Tantalus, and Zenith. The mountain's shape also reminded them of the letter Alpha. The name "Alpha Mountain" became official on June 6, 1957.
Climate
Alpha Mountain is in a region with a "marine west coast" climate. This type of climate is found in western North America. It means the area gets a lot of rain or snow.
Most of the weather systems start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel east towards the Coast Mountains. When these weather systems hit the mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air goes higher, it cools down and drops its moisture. This process is called "orographic lift." Because of this, the Coast Mountains get a lot of precipitation. This is especially true in winter, when most of it falls as snow.
Temperatures on Alpha Mountain can get very cold. They can drop below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). With the wind, it can feel even colder, below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). If you want to climb Alpha Mountain, the best weather is usually from July through September.
Climbing Routes
Many people enjoy climbing Alpha Mountain. There are several different paths, or "routes," that climbers can take to reach the top.
- The Southwest Ridge was the path used for the very first climb in 1914.
- Other routes include the East Ridge, Northeast Ridge, Northwest Ridge, North Buttress, and South Face.
