Matthes Crest

Matthes Crest
Matthes crest from the west side.
Highest point
Elevation10,923 ft (3,329 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence278 ft (85 m)[1]
Parent peakEcho Ridge
Coordinates37°49′24″N 119°23′51″W / 37.823259°N 119.3973791°W / 37.823259; -119.3973791[2]
Geography
Matthes Crest is located in California
Matthes Crest
Matthes Crest
Location in California
Location
Parent rangeCathedral Range, Sierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Tenaya Lake
Geology
Rock ageCretaceous
Mountain typeGranite arête
Climbing
First ascent1931 by Jules Eichorn, Glen Dawson and Walter Brem[3]
Easiest routeRock climb class 5.7[4]

Matthes Crest is an approximately mile-long fin of rock with two summits separated by a deep notch. It is a part of the Cathedral Range, which is a mountain range in the south-central portion of Yosemite National Park. The range is part of the Sierra Nevada.

History and geology

Matthes crest is named for François E. Matthes, a cartographer and author who described the geology in the region where Matthes Crest lies. It was originally named Echo Ridge due to its proximity to the Echo Peaks.[citation needed] Matthes crest arose as a nunatak in the glacial field which covered Tuolumne during the last ice age.[5]

Climbing

The first known ascent of Matthes Crest was by Jules Eichorn, Glen Dawson, and Walter Brem on June 16, 1931.[3] Climbing Matthes Crest by traversing the ridge from south to north is a popular alpine climbing activity today.[6]

Matthes Crest
  • Matthes Crest from the west side
    Matthes Crest from the west side
  • Matthes Crest from the north east side
    Matthes Crest from the north east side

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Matthes Crest, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  2. ^ "Matthes Crest". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Roper, Steve (1976). The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books. p. 335. ISBN 978-0871561473.
  4. ^ Barnes, G. and McNamara, C. and Roper, S. (2009). Tuolumne Free Climbs. SuperTopo. ISBN 9780976523574.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Matthes, Francois (1950). The Incomparable Valley, A Geological Interpretation of the Yosemite. The University of California Press. ISBN 9780520008274.
  6. ^ "Matthes Crest". SummitPost.org. Retrieved May 25, 2014.