Tolkien Peak

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Tolkien Peak
Tolkien Peak, northern aspect
Highest point
Elevation2,380 m (7,810 ft)[1]
Prominence350 m (1,150 ft)[1]
Parent peakMount Gandalf (2391 m)[1]
ListingMountains of British Columbia
Coordinates50°36′24″N 122°42′41″W / 50.60667°N 122.71139°W / 50.60667; -122.71139[2]
Geography
Tolkien Peak is located in British Columbia
Tolkien Peak
Tolkien Peak
Location in British Columbia
Tolkien Peak is located in Canada
Tolkien Peak
Tolkien Peak
Tolkien Peak (Canada)
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
DistrictLillooet Land District
Protected areaBirkenhead Lake Provincial Park
Parent rangeCadwallader Range
Coast Mountains
Topo mapNTS 92J10 Birkenhead Lake
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling via Southeast Ridge[1]

Tolkien Peak is a 2,380-metre (7,810-foot) mountain summit located in the Cadwallader Range in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated in Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, 32 km (20 mi) north of Pemberton, and 2.9 km (2 mi) south of Mount Gandalf, which is its nearest higher peak.[2] The peak is named for J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973), author of the novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.[1] The names for nearby Mount Aragorn, Mount Gandalf, and Mount Shadowfax were taken from fictional characters in his books, which were read while waiting out stormy weather during the 1972 first ascents of those mountains.[3] Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Fraser River.

Climate[edit]

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Tolkien Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone of western North America.[4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Coast Mountains where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Tolkien Peak.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Tolkien Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  2. ^ a b "Tolkien Peak, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  3. ^ "Mount Gandalf". BC Geographical Names. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  4. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11 (5): 1633. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606.

External links[edit]