Baring Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baring Mountain |
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Baring Mountain as seen from Barclay Lake
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,127 ft (1,868 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,445 ft (745 m) |
| Geography | |
 Baring Mountain
Location in Washington (state)
Baring Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | July 28, 1897 by John Charlton, Albert H. Sylvester (first recorded ascent) |
| Easiest route | Hike/scramble |
Baring Mountain, sometimes called Mount Baring, is a tall peak in the middle of the Cascade Range in Washington, United States. It's a really impressive mountain because it rises steeply from the ground around it. You can find it near the Skykomish River and US Highway 2, right on the western edge of the Cascades. It's part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, a beautiful area for outdoor adventures.
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Discover Baring Mountain
Where is Baring Mountain?
Baring Mountain is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northeast of the Skykomish River and US Highway 2. It sits at the western edge of the Cascade Mountains. The mountain is also about 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) east of Mount Index. At its base, you'll find Barclay Lake, which you can reach by taking Forest Road 6024 and then hiking about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers).
A Mountain's New Name
Did you know Baring Mountain wasn't always called that? Before 1917, this peak was actually known as Mount Index. The mountain we now call Mount Index used to be known as West Index Mountain. So, the names were swapped around a bit over time!
A Dramatic View
Just like Mount Index, Baring Mountain is a very dramatic-looking peak. This is because it rises sharply from low ground. For example, the Skykomish River is only about 760 feet (232 meters) high, but Baring Mountain towers above it.
The most striking feature is its huge, sheer Northeast Face. This face drops about 750 meters (2,460 feet) in a very short distance. Then, it continues to drop another 1,250 feet (381 meters) at a gentler angle all the way down to Barclay Lake. It's a truly impressive sight!
Climbing to the Top
The first time someone officially recorded climbing Baring Mountain was on July 28, 1897. The climbers were John Charlton and Albert H. Sylvester. However, it's possible that Native American people climbed it much earlier. This is because the easiest way up the mountain doesn't require special climbing gear.
The most common way to climb Baring Mountain is called the Northwest Ridge Route. This route involves hiking off-trail, sometimes through bushes. Near the very top, you'll need to do a bit of scrambling. Scrambling means using both your hands and feet to climb over rocks, but it's not as difficult as technical rock climbing.
The northeast side of the peak has some very long and challenging climbing routes. These routes are for experienced climbers who use ropes and special equipment. The northeast face was first climbed on July 13, 1960, by Ed Cooper and Don Gordon Claunch.
Extreme Sports on Baring
Baring Mountain is also a popular spot for some extreme sports! The first BASE jump off Baring Mountain happened in August 2001. Todd Higley and Josh Whipple were the brave people who did it. BASE jumping involves jumping from a fixed object, like a mountain, with a parachute.
Later, in June 2004, Michael McMurtrey from Seattle was the first person to jump from Baring Mountain using a wingsuit. A wingsuit is a special jumpsuit that adds surface area to the body, allowing jumpers to glide through the air like a bird before deploying their parachute.
Images for kids
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BASE Wingsuit Picture: First BASE wingsuit jumps off Baring Mountain (June, 2004)
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BASE Wingsuit Picture: First BASE wingsuit jumps off Baring Mountain (June, 2004)
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BASE Wingsuit Picture: Recent BASE wingsuit jump off Baring Mountain (September, 2010)
