Middle Teton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Middle Teton |
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Middle Teton
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 12,809 ft (3,904 m) |
| Prominence | 1,124 ft (343 m) |
| Geography | |
 Middle Teton
Location in Wyoming
Middle Teton
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Parent range | Teton Range |
| Topo map | USGS Middle Teton |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 29 August 1923 (Ellingwood) |
| Easiest route | Scramble/snow/class 3/4 |
Middle Teton is a tall mountain in Wyoming, standing at 12,809 feet (3,904 m). It is the third highest peak in the Teton Range. This mountain is found within Grand Teton National Park.
Middle Teton is located just southwest of Grand Teton, which is an even taller mountain. A lower ridge, like a wide saddle, separates the two peaks. This saddle is about 11,600 feet (3,540 m) high.
On the eastern side of Middle Teton, you can find the Middle Teton Glacier. This is a large body of ice that moves very slowly. Middle Teton has a classic pyramid shape, like many mountains formed by ice. It is sometimes considered part of the Cathedral Group, which is a collection of high peaks in the Teton Range.
The Teton Range is a young mountain chain, about 40-mile (64 km) long. It is part of the larger Rocky Mountains. These mountains started to rise about 9 million years ago. Over time, several periods of glaciation (when glaciers covered the land) shaped Middle Teton and the other peaks.
A unique feature on Middle Teton is the "black dike." This looks like a straight line running down the mountain for about 800 feet (240 m). It is made of basalt, a dark volcanic rock. This basalt pushed into the older rock long after the mountain first formed.
Exploring Middle Teton: Climbing Adventures
Climbing Middle Teton offers exciting challenges for adventurers. The first person known to reach the top was Albert R. Ellingwood. He made his climb on August 23, 1923. He used a route on the south side of the mountain called Ellingwood Couloir. On the very same day, Ellingwood also climbed the nearby South Teton.
Popular Climbing Routes
The easiest way to reach the summit of Middle Teton is through the southwest couloir. A couloir is a steep, narrow gully on a mountainside. Other parts of the mountain are much harder to climb. Some sections are rated as high as class 5.11, which means they are very difficult.
The Middle Teton Glacier route is considered the most challenging. It requires advanced climbing skills. Paul Bradt and Sterling Hendricks were the first to complete this route. They did it on August 4, 1944. This route is known as a "classic" for early season climbs. It is one of the few routes in the Teton Range that is purely ice and snow.
See also
In Spanish: Middle Teton para niños
