Borah Peak, also known as Mount Borah or Beauty Peak, is the highest mountain in the U.S. state of

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Monta ...

and one of the most prominent peaks in the

contiguous United States The contiguous United States (officially the conterminous United States) consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states and the Federal District of the United States of America. The term excludes the only two non-contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii ...

. It is located in the central section of the Lost River Range, within the

Challis National Forest Challis may refer to: People * Challis (surname) Places * Challis, Idaho * Challis, New Zealand Other uses * Challis (crater), a crater on Earth's moon * Challis railway station * "Challis", a song by American heavy metal band Dio off their ...

in eastern Custer County. On February 11, 2021, the USGS officially recognized Mt. Borah as Idaho's only active glacier.

Description

The mountain was nameless until it was discovered to be higher than

Hyndman Peak Hyndman Peak, at an elevation of above sea level, is the ninth highest peak in Idaho and the highest point in the Pioneer Mountains, Sawtooth National Forest, and Blaine County. Hyndman Peak is located on the border of Custer and Blaine count ...

, previously regarded as the state's highest point. In February 1934, the U.S. Geological Survey named it for

William Borah William Edgar Borah (June 29, 1865 – January 19, 1940) was an outspoken Republican United States Senator, one of the best-known figures in Idaho's history. A progressive who served from 1907 until his death in 1940, Borah is often co ...

, the prominent senior

U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and power ...

from Idaho, who had served for nearly 27 years at the time and was dean of the Senate. An outspoken

isolationist Isolationism is a political philosophy advocating a national foreign policy that opposes involvement in the political affairs, and especially the wars, of other countries. Thus, isolationism fundamentally advocates neutrality and opposes entan ...

, the "Lion of Idaho" ran for president two years later in

1936 Events January–February * January 20 – George V of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India, dies at his Sandringham Estate. The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne of the United Kingdom as King E ...

, but did not win the Republican nomination, and died in office in 1940.

1983 earthquake

The 1983 Borah Peak earthquake occurred on Friday, October 28, at 8:06:09 MDT in the Lost River Range at Borah Peak in central Idaho, United States, measuring 6.9 on the

moment magnitude scale The moment magnitude scale (MMS; denoted explicitly with or Mw, and generally implied with use of a single M for magnitude) is a measure of an earthquake's magnitude ("size" or strength) based on its seismic moment. It was defined in a 1979 pa ...

. Mount Borah rose about and the Lost River Valley in that vicinity dropped about . The peak was scarred on the western side, and the mark is still visible. Two children in Challis were the only fatalities of the quake, struck by falling masonry while walking to elementary school.

Climbing

The normal route involves ascending 5,262 vertical feet (1,604 m) from the trailhead to the summit in just over . This route on the southwest ridge, the most popular route, is a strenuous hike for the most part until one reaches a Class 4

arête An arête ( ) is a narrow ridge of rock which separates two valleys. It is typically formed when two glaciers erode parallel U-shaped valleys. Arêtes can also form when two glacial cirques erode headwards towards one another, although frequ ...

just before the main summit crest. This point is known as ''Chickenout Ridge'' as many people will abort the attempt once they see the hazards up close. In the cooler seasons this crossing usually involves a traverse over snow, with steeply slanting slopes on either side. An

ice axe An ice axe is a multi-purpose hiking and climbing tool used by mountaineers in both the ascent and descent of routes that involve snow, ice, or frozen conditions. Its use depends on the terrain: in its simplest role it is used like a walking ...

, and the ability to use it, is recommended for this section when icy. Borah Peak's north face is one of Idaho's only year-round snow climbs and provides a much greater challenge than the normal route. The face features a number of grade II class 5 routes on mixed terrain. Three climbers are known to have died on Borah Peak. Two climbers, Vaughn Howard and Guy Campbell, ascended the northwest ridge on November 24, 1977, and were killed in an

avalanche An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, such as a hill or mountain. Avalanches can be set off spontaneously, by such factors as increased precipitation or snowpack weakening, or by external means such as humans, animals, and ea ...

. The bodies were not recovered for 9 months, until August 26, 1978. Ten years later on June 13, 1987, another climber, Dave Probst, died on a glissade during descent in June.

References

External links

Borah Peak Detailed Guide & Trip Report
from Mountainouswords.com

- photos of the normal route

Faulting information
{{Authority control Mountains of Idaho Mountains of Custer County, Idaho Highest points of U.S. states Salmon-Challis National Forest North American 3000 m summits Articles containing video clips

Description

1983 earthquake

Climbing

See also

References

External links