Best Water Softener for Phoenix, AZ — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Extreme Water Crisis Destroying Phoenix Homes Right Now

Every single day you delay installing a water softener in Phoenix costs your family money. At 12.3 grains per gallon (GPG), Phoenix water ranks as extremely hard — a classification that puts your home's plumbing, appliances, and monthly budget under constant assault from dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals.

To understand what 12.3 GPG means, imagine your water as liquid concrete mix. Each gallon flowing through your pipes carries the equivalent of 12.3 grains of pure limestone dust. This isn't an exaggeration — water hardness measures actual dissolved rock. Phoenix draws its supply primarily from the Colorado River and Salt River Project reservoirs, both of which flow through hundreds of miles of limestone and gypsum formations before reaching Valley residents.

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness classification means your water contains over 200 milligrams of dissolved minerals per liter. For perspective, water below 1 GPG is considered soft. Your Phoenix tap water contains more than 12 times that mineral concentration. This extreme hardness level puts Phoenix in the top 5% of hardest municipal water supplies in the United States.

The financial stakes are immediate and measurable. A typical Phoenix household loses $1,800 to $2,400 annually to hard water damage — water heater efficiency loss, premature appliance replacement, excess soap and detergent purchases, and plumbing repairs. Over a 10-year period, that compounds to $18,000 to $24,000 in preventable losses.

2. What 12.3 GPG Does to Your Phoenix Home

At 12.3 GPG, calcium carbonate doesn't just coat your appliances — it forms concrete-like deposits that can destroy a water heater in under two years. The process is chemical and unavoidable. When Phoenix's mineral-saturated water heats up, calcium and magnesium ions crystallize into calcite scale. This scale acts as an insulator between heating elements and water, forcing your system to work 30-40% harder to achieve the same temperature.

A 40-gallon Phoenix water heater operating in 12.3 GPG water typically loses 35% efficiency within 18 months. By month 24, scale buildup can reduce heating capacity by half while doubling energy consumption. Tankless water heater manufacturers including Rinnai, Navien, and Rheem explicitly void warranties in Phoenix without a whole-house water softener — the mineral load is too extreme for their heat exchangers to survive.

Phoenix's extreme hardness accelerates pipe degradation in ways most homeowners never see until it's catastrophic. Inside your home's copper and galvanized steel pipes, 12.3 GPG water deposits concentric rings of calcium carbonate scale. Each layer reduces water flow and increases pressure. In Phoenix's older neighborhoods — particularly homes built before 1985 — galvanized pipes can lose 50% of their internal diameter within 8-10 years of 12.3 GPG exposure.

Your appliances suffer measurable lifespan reductions at this hardness level. Dishwashers in Phoenix homes last an average of 6-7 years versus the 10-year national average. Washing machines experience premature pump failure and heating element burnout. Coffee makers, ice makers, and steam equipment develop mineral clogs that are often irreparable. The scale etching on dishwasher interior glass becomes permanent above 12 GPG — no amount of cleaning will restore clarity.

At 12.3 GPG, soap and detergent effectiveness drops to roughly 25% of normal performance. Calcium and magnesium ions chemically bond with soap molecules, forming insoluble precipitate instead of cleaning lather. A Phoenix household typically uses 3-4 times more laundry detergent, dish soap, and body wash compared to soft water areas. This translates to an additional $300-450 annually in cleaning product costs alone.

The skin and hair effects of 12.3 GPG water are immediate and cumulative. Calcium ions strip natural oils from skin, while mineral deposits coat hair shafts, making them brittle and dull. Phoenix dermatologists report higher rates of eczema, dry skin, and scalp irritation in patients using untreated city water. Children and adults with sensitive skin experience noticeable improvement within days of switching to softened water.

Your Phoenix household's annual "hard water tax" at 12.3 GPG totals approximately $2,100. This includes $800 in excess energy costs, $400 in premature appliance depreciation, $450 in extra soap and detergent, $300 in additional plumbing maintenance, and $150 in skin and hair care products to counteract mineral damage.

3. Phoenix's Specific Contaminant Profile Beyond Hardness

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG water hardness amplifies every other water quality issue in the municipal supply. Beyond the extreme mineral content, Phoenix residents contend with chlorine, fluoride, iron, and sediment — each interacting with the high hardness level in ways that compound problems throughout your home's water system.

Chlorine in Phoenix Water

Phoenix adds chlorine as a primary disinfectant, with concentrations ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 mg/L depending on seasonal demand and distribution distance. The chlorine itself isn't the main concern — it's the interaction with 12.3 GPG minerals. Chlorine accelerates the corrosion of copper pipes, especially when combined with calcium carbonate deposits that create galvanic reactions at pipe joints.

During Phoenix's scorching summer months, chlorine concentrations increase to combat bacterial growth in the distribution system. The result is a stronger medicinal taste and odor that becomes particularly noticeable in ice cubes and cold beverages. Chlorine also degrades rubber seals and gaskets in appliances — a process accelerated by scale buildup that traps chlorine against surfaces.

Fluoride Addition

Phoenix intentionally adds fluoride to the water supply at approximately 0.7 mg/L for dental health purposes. This is well below the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 4.0 mg/L. However, it's important to understand that water softeners do NOT remove fluoride — the ion exchange resin only targets calcium and magnesium. Phoenix residents concerned about fluoride ingestion would need a reverse osmosis system at their drinking water tap in addition to whole-house softening.

Iron Content

Phoenix water contains trace levels of iron, typically 0.1 to 0.3 mg/L, primarily from distribution pipe corrosion. At 12.3 GPG hardness, this iron creates a compounded staining problem. Iron bonds chemically with calcium deposits, creating rust-colored scale that's nearly impossible to remove from fixtures, toilet bowls, and shower surfaces. The combination leaves orange-brown stains that standard cleaning products cannot dissolve.

Iron above 0.2 mg/L can foul water softener resin when combined with extreme hardness. Phoenix homeowners installing the SoftPro Elite HE should consider an iron pre-filter if they notice any reddish staining or metallic taste. This protects the softener investment and ensures consistent performance.

Sediment and Turbidity

Phoenix's aging distribution infrastructure contributes intermittent sediment issues, particularly during main breaks and system maintenance. The city's rapid growth has stressed pipes installed in the 1960s and 1970s, leading to periodic turbidity events when rust and pipe scale break loose. At 12.3 GPG, these particles become nucleation sites for accelerated calcium buildup.

Sediment damages softener resin over time, especially under the heavy mineral load Phoenix water presents. The SoftPro Elite HE includes a self-cleaning sediment pre-filter specifically designed to handle this combination of particulate matter and extreme hardness — a feature that proves essential in Phoenix installations.

4. Why Most Phoenix Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Phoenix's extreme 12.3 GPG hardness exposes every shortcut and compromise in water softener selection. After reviewing hundreds of failed installations across the Valley, four mistakes consistently destroy homeowner investments and leave families still struggling with hard water problems.

Mistake 1 — Buying on Price Alone

A bargain softener becomes an expensive disaster when it can't handle Phoenix's mineral assault. Many homeowners purchase 24,000 or 32,000 grain units based on price, not realizing these systems regenerate every 2-3 days under 12.3 GPG demand. The constant cycling wears out control valves, exhausts resin prematurely, and creates breakthrough periods where hard water bypasses the depleted system.

At 12.3 GPG, undersized units fail within months, not years. The resin becomes so saturated with calcium and magnesium that regeneration cycles can't fully restore capacity. Phoenix families end up replacing their "bargain" softener within 18 months while still dealing with scale damage throughout the interim period.

Mistake 2 — Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium through ion exchange — they do NOT address chlorine, fluoride, iron, or sediment reliably. Phoenix residents often expect one system to solve all water quality issues. A softener will eliminate scale and improve soap performance, but chlorine taste, iron staining, and sediment problems require additional treatment components.

Understanding this distinction prevents disappointment and ensures proper system design. Phoenix homes need softening first, with targeted filtration added based on specific contaminant concerns.

Mistake 3 — Ignoring Grain Capacity Math

The sizing formula for Phoenix's 12.3 GPG water is non-negotiable:

[Number of people] × 75 gallons/day × 12.3 GPG = daily grain demand

A 4-person Phoenix household consumes: 4 × 75 × 12.3 = 3,690 grains daily. Over 7 days, that totals 25,830 grains. Adding a 20% buffer for high-usage days brings the requirement to 31,000 grains minimum. This math explains why 32,000-grain units fail in Phoenix — there's no safety margin for the extreme mineral load.

Mistake 4 — Overlooking Salt Efficiency

At 12.3 GPG, regeneration happens 2-3 times per week instead of weekly like moderate hardness areas. An inefficient softener can consume 200-300 pounds of salt monthly in Phoenix versus 40-80 pounds for high-efficiency units. Over 10 years, this compounds into $3,000-4,000 in unnecessary salt costs — enough to buy a premium system outright.

5. What to Do Next: Phoenix Water Assessment

Before selecting any softener, confirm your home's specific hardness level and flow rate requirements. While Phoenix averages 12.3 GPG, individual neighborhoods can vary from 10.5 to 14.2 GPG depending on distribution blending and seasonal source changes.

Order a comprehensive water test that measures hardness, iron, pH, and TDS (total dissolved solids). Test both cold and hot water taps — hardness can concentrate in water heaters, giving you a preview of scale severity. Phoenix residents should test annually, as hardness fluctuates with Colorado River allocation changes and Salt River Project seasonal flows.

Measure your home's peak flow demand by running dishwasher, washing machine, and two showers simultaneously. Record the pressure drop and flow rate — Phoenix's 12.3 GPG requires systems sized for both grain capacity and adequate flow during regeneration bypass modes.

6. The SoftPro Elite HE: Built for Phoenix's Extreme Water

After evaluating Phoenix's water hardness of 12.3 GPG and the presence of chlorine, fluoride, iron, and sediment in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Phoenix homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange Engineered for Extreme Hardness

Salt-free systems cannot handle Phoenix's 12.3 GPG mineral load — they only attempt to change crystal structure without removing calcium and magnesium. The SoftPro Elite HE uses true cation exchange resin to physically replace every calcium and magnesium ion with sodium. This is the only proven method for delivering genuinely soft water when starting with Phoenix's extreme mineral concentrations.

Template-assisted crystallization and electromagnetic fields — common in salt-free systems — fail above 10 GPG. At 12.3 GPG, only ion exchange resin can intercept the mineral assault before it reaches your appliances and plumbing.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) Technology

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness exhausts resin faster than any preset timer can predict. The SoftPro's DIR system monitors actual water usage and resin capacity in real-time, regenerating only when the media is depleted. This prevents hard water breakthrough during high-demand periods while avoiding salt and water waste during lower usage.

For Phoenix households, DIR isn't a convenience feature — it's operational insurance. A single day of hard water breakthrough at 12.3 GPG can undo weeks of scale prevention in water heaters and appliances.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 Certified Resin

Certification verifies the resin meets performance standards under extreme hardness conditions while ensuring no harmful substances leach into treated water. For Phoenix residents already managing chlorine, fluoride, and trace iron, knowing the softening process itself introduces no additional contaminants provides critical peace of mind.

NSF testing specifically includes cycle testing at hardness levels above 10 GPG — relevant validation for Phoenix's 12.3 GPG challenge. Non-certified resin can break down under extreme mineral cycling, releasing plastic particles and reducing capacity unpredictably.

Multiple Grain Capacity Options

The SoftPro Elite HE offers 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000 grain configurations. For Phoenix's 12.3 GPG water, most households require the 48,000 or 64,000 grain models to maintain 5-7 day regeneration cycles.

A 4-person Phoenix household needs 48,000 grains minimum: (4 people × 75 gallons × 12.3 GPG × 7 days) + 20% buffer = 38,430 grains weekly capacity required. The 48K model provides adequate safety margin, while the 64K model allows for guests, seasonal usage spikes, and resin aging over time.

10-Year Warranty Protection

At Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness level, resin experiences heavy daily mineral exchange cycling. The 10-year warranty covers Phoenix homeowners during the period of highest stress and most expensive potential failures. Lesser warranties often expire just as extreme hardness damage becomes apparent in years 3-5.

Iron and Sediment Pre-Filtration Compatibility

The SoftPro Elite HE is designed to work downstream of iron and sediment filters — essential for Phoenix installations where trace iron and intermittent turbidity compound the 12.3 GPG challenge. The system's inlet design accommodates pre-filter bypass plumbing without voiding warranty coverage.

Phoenix homes showing any iron staining should install a birm or greensand iron filter upstream of the SoftPro. This prevents iron fouling that would otherwise shorten resin life under the city's extreme hardness load.

7. Homeowner Checklist: Before You Buy

Phoenix's extreme water conditions require more preparation than moderate hardness installations. Complete this checklist before purchasing any softener to avoid costly mistakes and ensure optimal performance.

✓ Confirm your neighborhood's exact hardness: Test your water independently — Phoenix hardness varies from 10.5 to 14.2 GPG across different distribution zones and seasonal source blending.

✓ Calculate your household's grain demand: Use the formula: [people × 75 gallons × your exact GPG × 7 days] + 20% buffer. Don't guess — Phoenix's extreme hardness punishes undersized systems immediately.

✓ Test for iron and sediment: Any visible staining or particles require pre-filtration to protect your softener investment. Iron above 0.2 mg/L will foul resin under 12.3 GPG conditions.

✓ Verify installation space and drain access: The SoftPro Elite HE needs adequate clearance for salt loading and drain line routing for regeneration discharge. Phoenix installations often require longer drain runs due to desert landscaping and concrete slab construction.

✓ Check HOA and city requirements: Some Phoenix neighborhoods restrict backwash discharge or require specific installation permits. Verify compliance before ordering equipment.

8. How to Size Your Softener for Phoenix

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness demands precise sizing — there's no margin for error at this mineral concentration. Follow these steps to calculate your exact grain capacity requirement:

Step 1: Count household members (include regular guests and seasonal residents)

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person daily (Phoenix's hot climate increases water usage)

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 12.3 GPG = daily grain demand

Step 4: Multiply daily demand × 7 = weekly grain requirement

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days and resin aging

Step 6: Match to SoftPro Elite HE capacity tier

Example for 4-person Phoenix household:

4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily
300 gallons × 12.3 GPG = 3,690 grains daily
3,690 grains × 7 days = 25,830 grains weekly
25,830 + 20% buffer = 31,000 grains minimum

Recommendation: 48,000 grain SoftPro Elite HE for reliable 5-7 day regeneration cycles. The 64,000 grain model provides additional safety margin for households with pools, large landscaping systems, or frequent guests.

9. Recommended Setup for Phoenix Homes

Phoenix's combination of 12.3 GPG hardness plus chlorine, iron, and sediment requires a strategic treatment approach. The optimal configuration addresses each water quality issue in the proper sequence for maximum effectiveness and equipment protection.

Stage 1: Sediment Pre-Filter (if needed)
Install a 5-micron sediment filter before the softener if you notice any particles or cloudiness. Phoenix's aging infrastructure occasionally sheds rust and pipe scale that can damage softener resin.

Stage 2: Iron Pre-Filter (if needed)
Add a birm or greensand iron filter if you see any reddish staining on fixtures. Even trace iron levels compound with 12.3 GPG minerals to create stubborn deposits.

Stage 3: SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener
Position after the main water shutoff but before the water heater. This is your primary defense against Phoenix's extreme mineral assault.

Stage 4: Carbon Post-Filter (optional)
Add an activated carbon filter after the softener to address chlorine taste and odor. Install at the kitchen sink or whole-house depending on your priorities and budget.

Stage 5: Reverse Osmosis (drinking water only)
RO removes fluoride, trace contaminants, and provides premium drinking water. Install under kitchen sink — not needed whole-house.

10. Installation in Phoenix: What to Know

Phoenix requires licensed plumber installation for water softener systems — DIY installation violates city code and can void homeowner insurance coverage. The city's strict plumbing regulations stem from desert water conservation requirements and cross-connection prevention mandates.

System placement follows standard protocol: after the main shutoff valve and pressure regulator, before the water heater and any branch lines. Phoenix homes typically have the main shutoff near the street-facing garage wall or utility room. The softener installs in this area with bypass valves for maintenance access.

Drain line requirements are critical in Phoenix installations. Regeneration discharge must connect to the home's drain system — never to landscape areas due to salt content and water conservation regulations. Many Phoenix homes require 15-25 feet of drain line routing to reach proper connection points, especially in single-story slab construction.

Phoenix municipal water pressure typically ranges from 45-65 PSI — well within the SoftPro Elite HE's operating range of 25-80 PSI. Homes in elevated areas like Ahwatukee or North Phoenix may experience lower pressure that requires booster pump consideration, particularly during peak summer demand periods.

Salt type selection matters at 12.3 GPG hardness levels. Use evaporated salt pellets exclusively — solar crystals and rock salt contain impurities that accelerate resin fouling under extreme mineral cycling. Evaporated pellets cost 15-20% more but prevent brine tank residue and extend resin life significantly in Phoenix conditions.

Check salt levels weekly during your first month, then bi-weekly once you establish consumption patterns. A Phoenix household typically consumes 80-120 pounds monthly at 12.3 GPG — roughly double the rate of moderate hardness areas.

11. 30-Day Action Plan for Phoenix Homeowners

Phoenix's extreme hardness creates urgency — every month of delay costs money in appliance damage and efficiency loss. Follow this timeline to implement water softening systematically and avoid common installation pitfalls.

Week 1: Assessment and Testing
Order comprehensive water testing to confirm hardness, iron, pH, and contaminant levels. Test multiple taps and note any variations. Schedule plumber consultation for installation planning and permit requirements.

Week 2: System Selection and Ordering
Calculate grain capacity using Phoenix-specific formula. Order SoftPro Elite HE in appropriate capacity plus any required pre-filters. Arrange salt delivery and storage setup.

Week 3: Installation Preparation
Clear installation area and ensure drain access. Obtain city permits if required. Confirm plumber scheduling and material delivery coordination.

Week 4: Installation and Commissioning
Complete professional installation with proper bypass valves and drain connections. Test system operation through full regeneration cycle. Establish baseline water hardness measurements for comparison.

Month 2 and Beyond: Monitoring and Optimization
Track salt consumption and regeneration frequency. Test treated water hardness monthly initially, then quarterly. Schedule annual maintenance inspection.

12. Maintenance Schedule for Phoenix Homeowners

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness accelerates wear on all softener components — maintenance vigilance prevents expensive failures and ensures consistent performance. Higher mineral cycling rates require more frequent attention than moderate hardness installations.

Monthly Tasks

Check salt level in brine tank — consumption at 12.3 GPG is 80-120 pounds monthly versus 40-60 pounds in moderate hardness areas. Salt should cover the water level by 3-4 inches. Never allow the tank to run empty, as this forces the system into emergency regeneration cycles that waste water and salt.

Inspect for salt bridges — a hardened crust that forms above the water line and prevents proper brine mixing. Phoenix's extreme hardness accelerates salt bridge formation, especially during summer months when ambient temperatures exceed 100°F in utility areas.

Verify the bypass valve remains in "service" position. Accidental bypass activation is the most common cause of sudden hard water breakthrough in Phoenix homes.

Quarterly Tasks

Clean brine tank completely — mineral buildup happens faster at 12.3 GPG and can affect regeneration efficiency. Remove salt, scrub tank walls, and check brine line connections for mineral deposits. Phoenix installations should use this opportunity to inspect for any iron staining that indicates pre-filter needs.

Test post-softener water hardness with test strips. Properly functioning systems should deliver water under 1 GPG consistently. Any reading above 1 GPG indicates resin exhaustion, insufficient regeneration, or system bypass issues.

Annual Tasks

Complete professional resin bed inspection — Phoenix's extreme mineral cycling can degrade resin performance within 3-5 years versus 8-10 years in soft water areas. Look for resin beads in household water (indicates breakdown) or persistent hardness despite proper regeneration (indicates capacity loss).

If iron is present in Phoenix water, check resin for orange iron fouling. Use resin cleaner specifically designed for iron removal — generic cleaners can damage resin under high-hardness conditions.

Audit regeneration cycle timing and salt dosage. Phoenix systems may need adjustment as resin ages and seasonal water composition changes affect performance.

13. Is Phoenix's water at 12.3 GPG dangerous to drink?

Phoenix water at 12.3 GPG meets all EPA safety standards and poses no health risks for drinking. The hardness minerals — calcium and magnesium — are actually essential nutrients that many people supplement in their diets. However, the extreme mineral concentration creates significant property damage and quality-of-life issues that justify treatment.

The World Health Organization notes that hard water may provide beneficial minerals, but also acknowledges the practical problems above 10 GPG. Phoenix's 12.3 GPG level falls well into the range where appliance damage, soap inefficiency, and skin irritation become daily problems rather than minor inconveniences.

14. Will a water softener remove chlorine, fluoride, and iron from Phoenix water?

Water softeners remove only calcium and magnesium through ion exchange — they do NOT reliably remove chlorine, fluoride, or iron. This is crucial for Phoenix residents to understand when planning their water treatment approach.

Chlorine: Requires activated carbon filtration, typically added after the softener as a post-filter or at point-of-use locations.

Fluoride: Requires reverse osmosis for removal. Phoenix adds fluoride intentionally at 0.7 mg/L — softeners will not affect this level.

Iron: Requires specialized iron filtration media like birm or greensand, installed before the softener to protect resin from fouling.

Phoenix homes need softening first, with targeted filtration added based on specific concerns about taste, odor, or individual contaminants.

15. How much salt will I use per month in Phoenix at 12.3 GPG?

A typical Phoenix household consumes 80-120 pounds of salt monthly — approximately double the usage rate of moderate hardness areas. This calculation is based on 4-person household usage with regeneration every 5-7 days under 12.3 GPG conditions.

Salt consumption factors include household size, actual water usage, regeneration efficiency, and seasonal variations in municipal hardness levels. Summer months may see 20-30% higher consumption due to increased water usage for pools, landscaping, and cooling system makeup water.

Budget approximately $15-25 monthly for evaporated salt pellets — the recommended salt type for Phoenix's extreme hardness conditions. Buying in bulk (40-pound bags, 6-8 bags at a time) reduces per-pound costs significantly.

16. Does Phoenix require a permit to install a water softener?

Phoenix requires licensed plumber installation but does not require a separate permit for standard residential water softener installation. The work must comply with city plumbing codes, particularly regarding backflow prevention and drain connections, but no special licensing or inspection is mandated for softener-specific work.

However, any modifications to main water lines, pressure regulators, or connection to drain systems may trigger permit requirements under Phoenix's general plumbing codes. Professional installers handle code compliance as part of their licensing — this is another reason DIY installation violates city requirements and insurance coverage.

HOA restrictions may apply in some Phoenix communities, particularly regarding equipment placement, drain discharge routing, or exterior equipment visibility. Check your HOA covenants before scheduling installation.

17. Final Verdict for Phoenix

Phoenix's extreme 12.3 GPG water hardness demands professional-grade treatment — this isn't a situation where "good enough" saves money. The mineral assault is too severe and too expensive to address with bargain equipment or delay tactics. Every month without proper softening costs Phoenix families hundreds of dollars in appliance damage, energy waste, and soap inefficiency.

Chlorine, fluoride, iron, and sediment compound the hardness problem in ways that require strategic treatment planning, not one-size-fits-all solutions. The SoftPro Elite HE rises above other options because its demand-initiated regeneration, certified resin, and grain capacity options directly address Phoenix's specific water profile. The 10-year warranty provides protection during the years when extreme hardness stress tests every component.

For Phoenix households dealing with 12.3 GPG hardness, proper water softening isn't a luxury upgrade — it's infrastructure protection that pays for itself through extended appliance life, energy savings, and improved quality of life. Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for Phoenix households, focusing on 48,000 or 64,000 grain models that can handle the Valley's extreme mineral challenge.

Like the desert itself, Phoenix water demands respect for its extremes — but with the right equipment, residents can enjoy the desert lifestyle without sacrificing their home's plumbing and appliances to the relentless mineral assault flowing from Camelback Mountain to South Mountain.