Definition

Proper noun: - The highest mountain in the contiguous United States: Mount Whitney is the tallest peak within the Sierra Nevada mountain range, located in California, USA. Its summit elevation is 14,494 feet (4,421 meters) above sea level.

Usage

• As a specific geographical location: The name is used to refer to the mountain itself, its summit, and the surrounding area within the national park.
  • Climbing Mount Whitney requires a permit during the summer season.
  • The view from the summit of Mount Whitney is breathtaking.

Advanced Usage

• In geological or geographical contexts: Used when discussing the formation, ecology, or features of the Sierra Nevada range.
  • The granitic rock of Mount Whitney was formed during the Cretaceous period.
• In historical contexts: Referenced in accounts of exploration and the history of the American West.
  • The first recorded ascent of Mount Whitney was in 1873.

Variants and Related Words

• Whitney: An informal shorthand sometimes used, though it can be ambiguous as it is also a common surname and the name of other locations (e.g., the Whitney Museum).
  • We're planning a trip to climb Whitney next summer.

Synonyms

• Peak: A general term for the pointed top of a mountain.
• Summit: The highest point of a mountain.
• Fourteener: A colloquial term for a mountain peak exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation, which includes Mount Whitney.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Mount Whitney Trail: The name of the primary hiking route to the summit.
  • The Mount Whitney Trail is a challenging 22-mile round trip.
• Whitney Portal: The name of the trailhead and campground area for the main hiking route.
  • We started our hike at Whitney Portal before sunrise.

Noun

1. the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada range in California (14,494 feet high)