Matthes Crest

Matthes Crest

Matthes crest from the west side.
Highest point
Elevation 10,923 ft (3,329 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence 278 ft (85 m)[1]
Parent peak Echo Ridge
Coordinates 37°49′24″N 119°23′51″W / 37.823259°N 119.3973791°W / 37.823259; -119.3973791Coordinates: 37°49′24″N 119°23′51″W / 37.823259°N 119.3973791°W / 37.823259; -119.3973791[2]
Geography
Location
Parent range Cathedral Range, Sierra Nevada
Topo map USGS Tenaya Lake
Geology
Age of rock Cretaceous
Mountain type Granite arête
Climbing
First ascent 1931 by Jules Eichorn, Glen Dawson and Walter Brem[3]
Easiest route Rock 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.[5] Matthes crest arose as a nunatak in the glacial field which covered Tuolumne during the last ice age.[6]

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.[7]

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

References

  1. 1 2 "Matthes Crest, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-12-29.
  2. "Matthes Crest". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2014-12-29.
  3. 1 2 Roper, Steve (1976). The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books. p. 335. ISBN 9780871561473.
  4. Barnes, G. and McNamara, C. and Roper, S. (2009). Tuolumne Free Climbs. SuperTopo. ISBN 9780976523574.
  5. Farquhar, Francis P. (1926). Place Names of the High Sierra. San Francisco: Sierra Club.
  6. Matthes, Francois (1950). The Incomparable Valley, A Geological Interpretation of the Yosemite. The University of California Press.
  7. "Matthes Crest". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
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