Tantalus Range

Tantalus Range
Tantalus Range from the Sea to Sky Highway
Highest point
Peak	Mount Tantalus
Elevation	2,603 m (8,540 ft)[1]
Coordinates	49°49′05″N 123°19′46″W / 49.81806°N 123.32944°W / 49.81806; -123.32944[1]
Naming
Native name	Tsewílx’ (Squamish)
Geography
Location map of the Tantalus Range
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Parent range	Pacific Ranges
Borders on	Garibaldi Ranges, Clendinning Range and North Shore Mountains

The Tantalus Range is a subrange of the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in southern British Columbia, Canada. The range is easily viewed from the "Sea to Sky Highway" that travels from Vancouver to Squamish and Whistler. To Squamish people, the local indigenous people of the area, the name of the Tantalus Range is Tsewílx’ (/tʃə.wilχ/).

The range's southern end is on the western edge of Squamish and it runs only about 35 km northwest on the west bank of the Squamish River and is less than 16 km wide at its widest. It is about 460000 ha (4600 km² or 1775 mi²) in area. Mount Tantalus, 2,603 metres (8,540 ft), is the highest in the range.

The origin of the name, as well as the names of many of its peaks, are from Greek mythology. Tantalus was doomed in Hades to be half-submerged in cold water with fruit dangling close but not close enough to eat, which is where the word tantalize has its root. Allegedly the name was conferred by a local mountain climber who was "tantalized" by the sight of the range's impressive spires and icefalls from across the turbulent waters of the Squamish River.^{[citation needed]} Alternately, another version of the legend has Tantalus and his family frozen before a banquet, unable to move - very descriptive of the ice-draped and somehow regal character of the peaks and icefields of the range.^{[citation needed]}.

The Tantalus Range is a favourite with climbers, and also with photographers and filmmakers. The best views of it can be had just north of Squamish from the Brohm Ridge and Cheakamus Canyon stretches of BC Highway 99 (the Sea-to-Sky Highway).

Neighbouring ranges:

• Garibaldi Ranges
• North Shore Mountains
• Clendinning Range

(unnamed ranges not listed at present)

See also

• Tantalus Provincial Park
• Alpha Mountain
• Mount Dione
• Omega Mountain
• Mount Niobe
• Ossa Mountain
• Pelion Mountain
• Mount Pelops
• Mount Sedgwick
• Serratus Mountain
• Mount Thyestes
• Lydia Mountain

Gallery

• 
• 
  Alpha Mountain (left)
• 
  Tantalus Range from Sea to Sky Highway

References

This page was last edited on 31 March 2024, at 01:04