In the mountains/on Ridgeback Mountain

[Javier Rodriguez]

Hi! What's the basic difference here? Why "in the mountains", but "on Ridgeback Mountain"? Is it the use of the definite article in the first one? Or maybe it is the fact that the second one uses an actual name of a specific mountain? What is it? Thanks!

 

[apex2000]

'In the mountains' suggests in amongst the mountains, the mountains are all around you, but you may still be on one of them.
On means exactly that. You would not be 'in' Ridgeback Mountain unless you were actually inside - in a mine or a deep cave, perhaps.

 

[Javier Rodriguez]

So, in the mountains, but on a specific mountain. Wonderful. Thanks!