Middle Teton

Middle Teton
Middle Teton
Elevation	12,804 ft (3,903 m) [1]
Prominence	1,124 ft (343 m) [1]
Location
Location	Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, Wyoming, USA
Range	Teton Range
Coordinates	43°43′48″N 110°48′41″W / 43.73°N 110.81139°W / 43.73; -110.81139Coordinates: 43°43′48″N 110°48′41″W / 43.73°N 110.81139°W / 43.73; -110.81139[2]
Topo map	USGS Middle Teton
Climbing
First ascent	29 August 1923 (Ellingwood)
Easiest route	Scramble/snow/class 3/4

Middle Teton (12,804 feet (3,903 m)) is the third highest peak in the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.^[3] The peak is immediately southwest of Grand Teton and the two are separated from one another by the lower saddle, a broad high ridge at 11,600 feet (3,540 m). The Middle Teton Glacier is located on the eastern slopes of the peak. Middle Teton is a classic pyramidal shaped alpine peak and is sometimes included as part of the Cathedral Group of high Teton peaks. The 40-mile (64 km) long Teton Range is the youngest mountain chain in the Rocky Mountains, and began their uplift 9 million years ago, during the Miocene.^[4] Several periods of glaciation have carved Middle Teton and the other peaks of the range into their current shapes.^[5] From the lower saddle, a distinctive feature known as the black dike appears as a straight line running from near the top of the mountain down 800 feet (240 m).^[6] The black dike is a basaltic intrusion that occurred long after the surrounding rock was formed.^[5]

Middle Teton at left with Grand Teton and Mount Owen at far right, are part of the Cathedral Group of peaks in the Teton Range

Climbing

The first recorded ascent of Middle Teton was by Albert R. Ellingwood on August 23, 1923, via Ellingwood Couloir on the south side of the peak. Ellingwood made the first ascent of South Teton the same day.^[5]

What is known as the southwest couloir provides the easiest route to the summit. Other sections on the mountain are rated as high as class 5.11, with the Middle Teton Glacier route considered to be the most technically advanced.

See also

• Geology of the Grand Teton area
• Breast shaped hill

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Middle Teton, Wyoming". Peakbagger.com. http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=5220. Retrieved 2011-05-28. 
2. ^ "Middle Teton". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1601431. Retrieved 2011-05-28. 
3. ^ TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Grand Teton, WY (Map). http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=43.72993&lon=-110.81133&datum=nad83&zoom=4. Retrieved 2011-05-28. 
4. ^ "Mountain Uplift". Creation of the Teton landscape: Geologic story of Grand Teton National Park. National Park Service. http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/grte/grte_geology/sec3.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-28. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} Jackson, Reynold G.. "Chapter 16: Park of the Matterhorns". A Place Called Jackson Hole. National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/grte2/hrs16a.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-28. 
6. ^ "Middle Teton". SummitPost.org. http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150981/middle-teton.html. Retrieved 2011-05-28.