Jump to content

West Vidette

Coordinates: 36°44′02″N 118°25′11″W / 36.733889°N 118.419752°W / 36.733889; -118.419752
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
West Vidette
North aspect, from Bullfrog Lake
Highest point
Elevation12,533 ft (3,820 m)[1]
Prominence230 ft (70 m)[1]
Parent peakWest Spur (12,700 ft)[2]
Isolation0.52 mi (0.84 km)[2]
ListingSierra Peaks Section
Coordinates36°44′02″N 118°25′11″W / 36.733889°N 118.419752°W / 36.733889; -118.419752[1]
Naming
EtymologyVedette
Geography
West Vidette is located in California
West Vidette
West Vidette
Location in California
West Vidette is located in the United States
West Vidette
West Vidette
West Vidette (the United States)
LocationKings Canyon National Park
Tulare County
California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Mount Brewer
Climbing
First ascent1926
Easiest routeclass 2[2] East slope, south ridge

West Vidette is a 12,533-foot-elevation (3,820-meter) mountain summit located three miles west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the northeast corner of Tulare County in northern California. It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, 13.5 miles (21.7 km) west-southwest of the community of Independence, and 1.27 miles (2.04 km) west of East Vidette. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 4,300 feet (1,300 meters) above Junction Meadow in two miles. The John Muir Trail passes below the north aspect of this remote peak. The first ascent of the summit was made September 19, 1926, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.[3]

Etymology

[edit]

Vidette is an alternative spelling of vedette, which is a mounted sentry for bringing information, giving signals, or warnings of danger, to a main body of troops. The pyramid-shaped East Vidette and West Vidette appear to stand guard above a valley, which inspired members of the Sierra Club to name them: "Two of these promontories, standing guard, as it were, the one at the entrance to the valley and the other just within it, form a striking pair, and we named them the Videttes."[4]

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification system, West Vidette is located in an alpine climate zone.[5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range (orographic lift). Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to Bubbs Creek which is a tributary of the South Fork Kings River.

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "West Vidette, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  2. ^ a b c "West Vidette - 12,565' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  3. ^ R. J. Secor, The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails, 2009, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9780898869712, page 143.
  4. ^ Cornelius Beach Bradley, Sierra Club Bulletin, 1899, page 272.
  5. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.