Company Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Company Glacier |
|
|---|---|
Company Glacier on the north slopes of Bonanza Peak
|
|
 Company Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
|
|
| Type | Alpine glacier |
| Location | Chelan County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°14′46″N 120°51′51″W / 48.24611°N 120.86417°W |
| Length | .60 mi (0.97 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock |
| Status | Retreating |
Company Glacier is a cool river of ice found in the Wenatchee National Forest in the state of Washington, USA. It sits on the northern side of Bonanza Peak, which is the tallest non-volcanic mountain in the amazing Cascade Range.
This glacier flows down from a high point of about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) to a lower point of 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). Imagine a giant icy slide! Several smaller ice streams join together to form the main part of the glacier below 7,800 feet (2,400 meters). Did you know Company Glacier was super important for the first people who climbed Bonanza Peak? They used it as their path to reach the top way back in 1937.
Contents
Discovering Company Glacier
Company Glacier is located in a beautiful, wild part of the United States. It's in Chelan County, Washington, which is known for its stunning mountains and forests. The glacier is part of the North Cascades mountain range. This area is often called the "American Alps" because of its rugged, icy peaks.
Its Icy Journey
A glacier is like a very slow-moving river made of ice. Company Glacier is an "alpine glacier," meaning it forms high up in the mountains. It moves by slowly sliding down the mountain slopes due to gravity. The ice is always flowing, even if you can't see it moving. This glacier is about 0.60 miles (1 kilometer) long. It ends on bare rock, showing how it carves the landscape.
A Historic Climb
In 1937, a team of climbers made history by being the first to reach the top of Bonanza Peak. They chose Company Glacier as their main route to get up the mountain. Glaciers can provide a path through steep, rocky terrain. However, they can also be dangerous with hidden cracks called crevasses. The climbers had to be very skilled and careful.
Why Glaciers Matter
Glaciers like Company Glacier are important for many reasons. They store a huge amount of the world's fresh water. When they melt slowly, they feed rivers and streams. This water is used by people for drinking, farming, and making electricity. Glaciers also help shape the land. As they move, they carve out valleys and peaks.
Glaciers and Our Planet
Scientists study glaciers to understand our planet's climate. The "status" of Company Glacier is listed as "retreating." This means it is getting smaller over time. Many glaciers around the world are retreating. This can be a sign of changes in Earth's climate. Studying these changes helps us learn more about our environment.
