Mount Forddred

Mt. Forddred is part of the Skagit Range which is a subrange of the North Cascades.[1] It is situated 23 km (14 mi) southeast of Hope and 3 km (2 mi) north of Mount Payne which is the nearest higher neighbor.[1] Precipitation runoff from the peak's west slope drains to the Fraser River via Silverhope Creek, whereas the north and east slopes drain into the Sumallo River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,585 metres (5,200 feet) above Silverhope Creek in five kilometres (3.1 miles) and 1,128 metres (3,700 feet) above the Sumallo in three kilometres (1.86 mile). The mountain's toponym was officially adopted on April 7, 1955, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[3] The name honors Canadian Army Lance Corporal James Adam Forddred, from Sardis, who was killed in WWII action on May 24, 1944, at age 23.[4]

Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Cascade Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °C with wind chill factors below −20 °C. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer.[5] The months of July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing Mount Forddred.

The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] The "U"-shaped cross sections of the river valleys are a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

•  Mountains portal
• Geography of British Columbia
• Geography of the North Cascades

• Lance Corporal James Adam Forddred: Canadian Virtual War Memorial
• Weather forecast: Mount Forddred
• Mount Forddred (photo): Flickr