| Woden – The Valhallas | |
|---|---|
 Woden, from Hugin | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,038 ft (1,840 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,038 ft (316 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Mount Tom (7,076 ft)[1] |
| Isolation | 2.96 mi (4.76 km)[2] |
| Coordinates | 47°45′04″N123°44′41″W / 47.751075°N 123.744773°W /47.751075; -123.744773[1] |
| Geography | |
  Woden – The Valhallas Location in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Woden – The Valhallas Woden – The Valhallas (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Jefferson |
| Protected area | Olympic National Park |
| Parent range | Olympic Mountains |
| Topo map | USGSMount Olympus |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Eocene |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1966 by Ernie Labistida, Ivan Lundgren[3] |
| Easiest route | class 4climbing via NE corner[3] |
Woden is a 6,038-foot (1,840-metre) mountainsummit located withinOlympic National Park inJefferson County ofWashington state. Its nearest higher neighbor isMount Tom, 3 mi (4.8 km) to the north-northwest, andMount Olympus rises 3.8 mi (6.1 km) to the north-northeast.[1] Woden is the highest point in The Valhallas, a sub-range south of Mount Olympus. Precipitationrunoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the South ForkHoh River andQueets River. The Geri-Freki Glacier, which descends north from Woden. is the only glacier in The Valhallas.
These peaks were originally named "Pleiades Peaks" by Robert L. Wood, a reference to the seven daughters of Atlas in Greek mythology, however this name did not stick. Glenn Kelsey and Harold Pinsch climbed in this area in 1970 and are credited with the Valhallas name.[4] InNorse mythology, "Valhalla" is a great hall located inAsgard, ruled over by the godOdin, who inOld English was known as "Woden". The peak, Woden, may have originally been named "Mount O'Neil" by the 1890 Seattle Press Expedition in honor of Lt. Joseph O'Neil, who led an earlier 1885 exploration into the Olympic wilderness.[4] Thefirst ascent of Woden was made in 1966 by Ernie Labistida and Ivan Lindgren.[3]
Based on theKöppen climate classification, The Valhallas are located in themarine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5]Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow. As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[6] Because ofmaritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting inavalanche danger. 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.[6] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing these peaks.
The Olympic Mountains are composed ofobductedclastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarilyEocenesandstone,turbidite, andbasaltic oceanic crust.[7] The mountains were sculpted during thePleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.
Select named peaks of The Valhalla Range[8] All are named afterNorse gods, except Sleipner(Odin's horse) and Pelton.
| Name | Elevation (feet) | Prominence (feet) | First ascent | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woden | 6,038 | 1,038 | 1966 | [1] |
| Hugin | 6,000+ | 80 | 1966 | [9] |
| Munin | 6,000+ | 160 | 1971 | [10] |
| Thor | 5,968 | 328 | 1971 | [11] |
| Loki | 5,920+ | 1971 | [12] | |
| Baldur | 5,720+ | 160 | 1971 | [13] |
| Mimir | 5,480+ | 40 | 1978 | [14] |
| Vili | 5,487 | 87 | 1978 | [15] |
| Frigga | 5,406 | 246 | 1971 | [16] |
| Bragi | 5,400+ | 40 | 1978 | [17] |
| Vidar | 5,637 | 677 | 1978 | [18] |
| Mount Sleipner | 5,520 | 520 | 1978 | [19] |
| Pelton Peak | 5,301 | 541 | [20] |
