Luna Peak (Washington)

For Luna Peak in British Columbia (Coast Range), see Luna Peak (British Columbia).
Luna Peak

Luna Peak far left and Mount Fury at far right
Highest point
Elevation 8,311 ft (2,533 m)  NGVD 29[1]
Prominence 3,105 ft (946 m) [1]
Coordinates 48°49′50″N 121°16′23″W / 48.83056°N 121.27306°W / 48.83056; -121.27306Coordinates: 48°49′50″N 121°16′23″W / 48.83056°N 121.27306°W / 48.83056; -121.27306 [2]
Geography
Parent range Picket Range, North Cascades
Topo map USGS Mount Challenger
Climbing
First ascent September 1938, by Bill Cox and Will F. Thompson
Easiest route scramble, (class 3/4)

Luna Peak is the highest mountain in the Picket Range,[3] an extremely rugged subrange of the North Cascades in the American state of Washington. It is located within North Cascades National Park. It is notable for its large local relief and isolated position on a far-flung eastern ridge of the Pickets. For example, it rises over 6,560 ft (2,000 m) in 1.8 mi (2.9 km) above McMillan Creek to the south.

Luna Peak was first climbed in early September 1938, by Bill Cox and Will F. Thompson.[4] The standard route is the Southwest Ridge, approached from Ross Lake and Big Beaver Creek. It requires strenuous off-trail hiking including bushwhacking and tricky route-finding, but offers the promise of solitude, as the peak is rarely climbed. The final climb to the true summit involves exposed scrambling on loose rock, and some parties will want a rope (Class 3/4).

The north and east faces of Luna Peak are steep and dramatic, but are not popular with mountaineers. Fred Beckey says, "the peak lacks the compelling appeal of attractive alpine climbing problems."[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Luna Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ "Luna Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
  4. 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0.


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