Coast Mountains, Pacific Coast mountain range in British Columbia and Alaska.
The Coast Mountains form a mountain range stretching over 1600 kilometers along the Pacific coast of British Columbia and Alaska. Deep-cut fjords, wide glaciers, and dense rainforests on the lower slopes shape the appearance of this chain.
European seafarers mapped the coastal mountains in the late 18th century during their search for the Northwest Passage. The mountains were only systematically explored in the 20th century after settlements and transport routes had developed.
The range carries names from different indigenous languages of the region, referring to old hunting grounds and sacred sites. Many valleys and passes still serve as connection routes between coastal communities and the interior.
Access roads lead from the coast into individual valleys, while most of the mountain region can only be reached on foot or by helicopter. Weather conditions can change quickly, so prepare for rain, fog, and sudden temperature drops.
More than 50 peaks in this range exceed a height of 3000 meters (9800 feet), including Mount Waddington at 4019 meters (13186 feet). Some valleys lie so remote that they were only fully mapped in recent decades.
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