hanging valley
Truncated tributary perch
A hanging valley is a tributary valley whose floor sits high above the main valley it joins, often ending in a cliff or steep drop.
These form when a large glacier carves its valley deeper than smaller side glaciers can match.
Waterfalls frequently mark where streams from hanging valleys plunge to the main valley floor: Bridalveil Fall drops from a classic hanging valley in Yosemite.
Slow-moving ice mass
- moraineGlacier-deposited debris pile
- cirqueGlacier-carved mountain basin
- tarnGlacial mountain pool
- areteSharp glacial ridge
col · fjord · ice age · plucking · ablation · outwash · drumlin · esker
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
viewpoint · breathtaking · majestic · picturesque · pristine · unspoiled · wilderness · remote
Natural terrain feature
- terrainLand's physical features
- elevationHeight above reference point
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- tributaryStream entering larger river
confluence · slope · gradient · contour · watershed · alpine zone · subalpine · mountain range
Path through wilderness
- backpackStrapped bag worn dorsally
- trekkingLong-distance foot travel
- scrambleMix into disorder
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
ridge · switchback · topography · elevation gain · guidebook · wilderness · alpine meadow · treeline
glacier
Slow-moving ice mass
arete · col · fjord · ice age · plucking · ablation · outwash · drumlin · esker · horn
vista
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
cascade · viewpoint · breathtaking · majestic · picturesque · pristine · unspoiled · wilderness · remote · backcountry
landform
Natural terrain feature
- terrainLand's physical features
- elevationHeight above reference point
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
tributary · confluence · slope · gradient · contour · watershed · alpine zone · subalpine · mountain range · relief
trail
Path through wilderness
summit · ridge · switchback · topography · elevation gain · guidebook · wilderness · alpine meadow · treeline · camping
- mountain featurespeaks, peak, ridges, summit, slopes
- mountain scenerypeak, summit, ridge, snow cap, cliff edge
- mountain terrainpeak, ridge, slope, gorge, pass
- glaciersglacier, crevasse, glacial movement, moraine, iceberg
- Alpine termsMatterhorn, Mont Blanc, Eiger, cirque, arete
- erosionerosion, wearing, wearing down, beach erosion, river erosion