Definition of Mountain

[andyzee]

I'd be suprised if this hasn't been asked here or other forums before. But what is the definition of a mountain. The reason I ask this is because of the Pocono Mountains in PA. Sorry to everyone from PA, but are these really mountains? I mean when it comes to ski slopes is 700-800 feet of vertical really considered a mountain? I tried looking on Dictionary.com for definition of mountain and it was kind of funny. The definition of mountain says bigger than a hill. I look up hill and it says smaller than a mountain :???:

moun·tain ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mountn)
n.
Abbr. Mt. or Mtn. A natural elevation of the earth's surface having considerable mass, generally steep sides, and a height greater than that of a hill.
A large heap: a mountain of laundry.
A huge quantity: a mountain of trouble.
___________________________________________________________________
hill ( P ) Pronunciation Key (hl)
n.
A well-defined natural elevation smaller than a mountain.
A small heap, pile, or mound.

 

[riverc0il]

The reason I ask this is because of the Pocono Mountains in PA. Sorry to everyone from PA, but are these really mountains?

folks out west could ask the same thing of the mountains of the northeast. folks in the alps could ask the same thing about the mountains in the west. folks who have climbed everst could ask... ya, it's all relative.

 

[teachski]

...it's all relative.

Ya, kinda like trail ratings.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

River wrote "folks out west could ask the same thing of the mountains of the northeast. folks in the alps could ask the same thing about the mountains in the west. folks who have climbed everst could ask... ya, it's all relative".

Great analogy to make the point.

The geo-social stigma thing is kinda interesting.Wwhen I moved from Vermont out to Laramie, Wy in 1974 I quickly found out that anyone from the east were referred to as "dam eastern flatlanders". Didn't matter if you were from Newark, NJ or Stowe, Vt.

In Vermont, they refer to folks as just "flatlanders" whether your from NYC or Franconia, NH. Here in Maine out of staters are referred to as "people from away". People from Mass, well, let's not go there. :lol:

Part of it is Yankee heritage and part is maybe a function of how much traveling they have done.

 

[NYDrew]

In the united states (government crap) a mountain is defined as a peak, which is over 1000' verticle from base to summit and must have a topographic priminance (a distinguishable peak). A hill maintains the same definition between the verticle feet of 500-999'.

 

[andyzee]

In the united states (government crap) a mountain is defined as a peak, which is over 1000' verticle from base to summit and must have a topographic priminance (a distinguishable peak). A hill maintains the same definition between the verticle feet of 500-999'.

So, going by that definition, there are no mountains in PA? Well, maybe one I can think of, Blue mountain.

 

[loafer89]

So all things being relative, I guess we can consider Yawgoo Valley,RI a mountain with it's 245 feet of vertical?

Nooooooooooooo, pleeeeaaaassseeeee not that place:lol:

 

[NYDrew]

So, going by that definition, there are no mountains in PA? Well, maybe one I can think of, Blue mountain.

The topgraphical base does not necissarily have to be at the lift loading zone. Notice that the vertical of a mountain does not necissarily have to be the vertical of the area whan advertised on some sites.

 

[loafer89]

Pennsylvania ski area summit elevations and vertical drop:

Area name, Summit elevation and Vertical drop:

Blue Knob 3,172' 1,072'
Alpine Mountain 1,150' 550'
Big Boulder 2,200' 475'
Blue Marsh 590' 300'
Blue Mountain 1,645' 1,082'
Camelback 2,050' 800'
Crystal Lake 2,100' 250'
Doe Mountain 1,100 500'
Elk Mountain 2,693' 1,000'
Hidden Valley 3,000' 610'
Jack Frost 2,000' 600'
Montage 1,960' 1,000'
Mount Tone 1,930' 450'
Mystic Mountain 2,030' 300'
The Resort At Split Rock 2,250' 250'
Seven Springs 2,990' 750'
Shawnee Mountain 1,350' 650'
Ski Denton 2,400' 650'
Ski Liberty 1,186' 600'
Ski Roundtop 1,355' 600'
Ski Sawmill 2,215' 515'
Spring Mountain 1,056' 528'
Tussey Mountain 1,800' 480'
Whitetail 1,800' 935'

 

[loafer89]

At 3,172' in summit elevation, Blue Knob is marginally lower in height than:

Bromley Mountain 3,284'
Burke 3,200'
Okemo 3,344'

And higher than:

Loon 3,050'
Bretton Woods 3,100'
Attitash 2,350'


So it is all relative.

 

[riverc0il]

So all things being relative, I guess we can consider Yawgoo Valley,RI a mountain with it's 245 feet of vertical?

nah, your definition above clearly states a mountain is not a hill.

 

[loafer89]

Yagoo Valley summit elevation: 315' (oxygen please):lol: , base: 70'

So it's not a mountain or a hill:smash:

 

[ckofer]

With rollerblades on: any grade of 1/2% for more than 500'.
Not Pats Peak.
Definitely Snowbird.

 

[andyzee]

nah, your definition above clearly states a mountain is not a hill.

Guess my question is, what is a mountain? What is a hill?

 

[NYDrew]

In the most recent snow-pro put out by PSIA-E, there was an article regarding the largest mountains east of the mississippi river.

All of the mountains were in the carolina areas. The highest lift serviced peak is in NC. On another note, the most verticle is in NY. Its all about the snow.

 

[loafer89]

One of the highest lift serviced peaks in the east is at Sugar Mountain which tops out at 5,300'. I drove there with my wife for fall foliage in 1996 when I had business in Greenville/Spartenberg and it's really high up. The tree's where already bare in early October.

Ski Beech is highest at 5,506'

 

[Greg]

HERE's another old thread on this subject. The poll is interesting.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Pennsylvania ski area summit elevations and vertical drop:

Area name, Summit elevation and Vertical drop:

Blue Knob 3,172' 1,072'
Alpine Mountain 1,150' 550'
Big Boulder 2,200' 475'
Blue Marsh 590' 300'
Blue Mountain 1,645' 1,082'
Camelback 2,050' 800'
Crystal Lake 2,100' 250'
Doe Mountain 1,100 500'
Elk Mountain 2,693' 1,000'
Hidden Valley 3,000' 610'
Jack Frost 2,000' 600'
Montage 1,960' 1,000'
Mount Tone 1,930' 450'
Mystic Mountain 2,030' 300'
The Resort At Split Rock 2,250' 250'
Seven Springs 2,990' 750'
Shawnee Mountain 1,350' 650'
Ski Denton 2,400' 650'
Ski Liberty 1,186' 600'
Ski Roundtop 1,355' 600'
Ski Sawmill 2,215' 515'
Spring Mountain 1,056' 528'
Tussey Mountain 1,800' 480'
Whitetail 1,800' 935'

Steezy lift....does it really matter if it's a hill or mountain???

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Big hills, small mountains, same dif. Shut up and ski!

 

[Warp Daddy]

well in the immortal words of the Bard : It Doan MEAN SHEEEIT