Athena (Olympic Mountains)

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Athena
Athena, a mountain.jpg
West aspect
Highest point
Elevation7,365 ft (2,245 m)[1]
Prominence525 ft (160 m)[1]
Parent peakMount Olympus[1]
Isolation1.08 mi (1.74 km)[2]
Coordinates47°46′53″N 123°41′23″W / 47.781469°N 123.689627°W / 47.781469; -123.689627Coordinates: 47°46′53″N 123°41′23″W / 47.781469°N 123.689627°W / 47.781469; -123.689627[1]
Geography
Athena is located in Washington (state)
Athena
Athena
Location of Athena in Washington
LocationOlympic National Park
Jefferson County, Washington, US
Parent rangeOlympic Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Mount Olympus
Geology
Age of rockEocene
Climbing
First ascent1938
Easiest routeclass 3 via Hoh Glacier[3]

Athena is a 7,365-foot-elevation (2,245 meter) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Athena is situated at the head of the Hoh Glacier, and the Hubert Glacier lies below the west aspect. Its neighbors include Mount Olympus, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the northwest, and Aries 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the northeast.[1] Athena has subpeaks "Athena II" (7,259 ft), and "Athena's Owl" (7,000 ft).[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Queets and Hoh Rivers, with Athena being the highest point within the Queets drainage basin.[1]

History[]

This peak was originally called Mount Reid by the 1889-90 Seattle Press Expedition, in honor of Whitelaw Reid of the New-York Tribune.[4] Reid was one of the expedition's sponsors. It is named for the goddess Athena, in keeping with the Greek mythology naming theme of features surrounding Mount Olympus. The peak is also known as the South Peak of Mount Olympus.[1] The first ascent of the summit was made in 1938 by Don Dooley, George Martin, Bob Peterson, and Bob Scott.[3]

Climate[]

Athena left of center, at top above Hoh Glacier

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Athena is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Olympic Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall (Orographic lift). As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Geology[]

The Olympic Mountains are composed of obducted clastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarily Eocene sandstone, turbidite, and basaltic oceanic crust.[6] The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.

Gallery[]

  • Aerial view of Athena in upper left at top of Hoh Glacier. Mt. Olympus to the right.

  • East aspect

  • Aerial view of Athena (left foreground) and Mt. Olympus. Camera pointed northwest.

  • Athena seen from summit of Mt. Olympus

  • Hubert Glacier, Athena (right of center), Thor (foreground right) seen from Woden

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Athena". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ ""Athena" - 7,365' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  3. ^ a b c Athena climbersguideolympics.com
  4. ^ Parratt, Smitty (1984). Gods and Goblins: A Field Guide to Place Names of Olympic National Park (1st ed.).
  5. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN 1027-5606.
  6. ^ Alt, D.D.; Hyndman, D.W. (1984). Roadside Geology of Washington. pp. 249–259. ISBN 0-87842-160-2.

External links[]

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