Thunderbolt Peak

Thunderbolt Peak
Polemonium, North Palisade, Starlight, Thunderbolt Peaks
Highest point
Elevation14,009 ft (4,270 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence203 ft (62 m)[1]
Parent peakNorth Palisade[2]
Listing
  • SPS Mountaineers peak[3]
  • Western Climbers Star peak[4]
Coordinates37°05′53″N 118°31′03″W / 37.0979892°N 118.5176055°W / 37.0979892; -118.5176055[5]
Geography
Thunderbolt Peak is located in California
Thunderbolt Peak
Thunderbolt Peak
California
LocationFresno / Inyo counties, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS North Palisade
Climbing
First ascentAugust 13, 1931 by Robert Underhill, Norman Clyde, Bestor Robinson, Francis Farbquar, Glen Dawson, Lewis Clark and Jules Eichorn[6]
Easiest routeTechnical climb, class 4, by several routes[6]

Thunderbolt Peak is a peak in the Palisades group located in the Sierra Nevada of California. It rises to 14,009 feet (4,270 m) and could be considered the thirteenth-highest peak in the state, but since the peak has less than 300 feet (91 m) of prominence it is usually considered a subsidiary peak of North Palisade.[7] But if it is considered a separate mountain peak, Thunderbolt Peak is the northernmost fourteener in the Sierra Nevada.

The first ascent was attempted by a party of very well-known climbers. During the climb, a lightning bolt struck very close to Jules Eichorn, breaking his concentration. The mountain was named in commemoration of this event.[6]

Thunderbolt Peak, west aspect

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Thunderbolt Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
  2. ^ "Key Col for Thunderbolt Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  3. ^ "Sierra Peaks Section List" (PDF). Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  4. ^ "Western States Climbers Qualifying Peak List". Climber.org. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  5. ^ "Thunderbolt Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
  6. ^ a b c Secor, R.J. (2009). The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, and Trails (3rd ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. pp. 255–259. ISBN 978-0898869712.
  7. ^ "California 14,000-foot Peaks". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2016-03-24.