Gannett Peak

Gannett Peak

Highest point
Elevation 13,809 ft (4,209 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence 7,076 ft (2,157 m)[2]
Parent peak Longs Peak[3]
Listing
Coordinates 43°11′03″N 109°39′15″W / 43.184202022°N 109.654233614°W / 43.184202022; -109.654233614Coordinates: 43°11′03″N 109°39′15″W / 43.184202022°N 109.654233614°W / 43.184202022; -109.654233614[1]
Geography
Gannett Peak

Wyoming

Location Fremont / Sublette counties, Wyoming, U.S.
Parent range Wind River Range
Topo map USGS Gannett Peak
Climbing
First ascent 1922 by A. Tate and F. Stahlnaker
Easiest route rock/ice climb

Gannett Peak is the highest peak in the U.S. state of Wyoming and straddles the boundary between Fremont and Sublette Counties along the Continental Divide.

Overview

Geographically, Gannett Peak is the apex of the entire Central Rockies; the largely continuous group of the chain occupying the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Named in 1906 for American geographer Henry Gannett,[4] the peak is also the highpoint of the Wind River Range. The mountain slopes are located in both Bridger-Teton National Forest and Shoshone National Forest. Gannett is the highest peak within what is better known as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains outside of Colorado. The 896-acre (3.63 km2) Gannett Glacier, which is likely the largest single glacier in the American portion of the Rocky Mountains, flows down from the northern slopes of the mountain. Minor Glacier is situated in the western cirque of the peak while Dinwoody and Gooseneck Glaciers can be found on the southeast side of the mountain.

Gannett Peak is commonly climbed on a four- to six-day round-trip. It is considered by mountaineers to be the most difficult state high point except for Alaska's Denali and possibly Montana's Granite Peak.

In October 2010, a private plane crash in the vicinity of the mountain triggered an extensive search-and-rescue operation.[5] The plane was located in early November, with no survivors.[6]

Gannett Glacier on the north side of Gannett Peak.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Gannett Peak Cairn". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  2. "Gannett Peak, Wyoming". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  3. "Gannett Peak". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  4. Penry, Jerry (27 October 2007). "The Father of Government Mapmaking: Henry Gannett". American Surveyor. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  5. startribune.com
  6. startribune.com


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