Countries Switzerland and Italy Elevation 4,228 m First ascent 23 August 1861 Parent peak Monte Rosa (Dufourspitze) | Parent range Pennine Alps Prominence 165 m Mountain range Pennine Alps | |
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Isolation 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) Location On the Swiss (Valais) – Italian (Aosta Valley) border Topo map Swiss Federal Office of Topography swisstopo First ascenders William Mathews, Michel Croz Similar Pollux, Lyskamm, Breithorn, Monte Rosa (Du, Signalkuppe | ||
Castor (Italian: Castore) is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Valais, Switzerland and the Aosta Valley in Italy. It is the higher of a pair of twin peaks (German: Zwillinge), the other being Pollux, named after the Gemini twins of Roman mythology. Castor's peak is at an elevation of 4,223 m (13,855 ft), and it lies between Breithorn and the Monte Rosa. It is separated from Pollux by a pass at 3,847 m (12,621 ft), named Passo di Verra in Italian and Zwillingsjoch in German.
Map of Castor
Ascents are usually made from the alpine hut Capanna Quintino Sella on the Italian side, by means of the Felikjoch and the long and narrow southeast ridge. From the Swiss side, ascents start from Klein Matterhorn and go by way of the Italian glacier Grand Glacier of Verra and the mountain's west flank. The first ascent was made on August 23, 1861.
Castor and Pollux are also a pair of summits in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA. Located in the Absaroka Range, Castor is 3,308 m, 65 m lower than its twin.