Avalanche Mountain, is a 2,861-metre (9,386-foot) mountain summit located in Glacier National Park in the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Macdonald, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) to the north. Mount Sir Donald is 3.83 km (2.38 mi) to the southeast, and Eagle Peak is 1.46 km (0.91 mi) to the south-southeast.[1] The Avalanche Glacier is situated on the east side of the peak, and the Connaught Tunnel lies partially beneath Avalanche Mountain.[4] The peak is visible from eastbound Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway approaching Rogers Pass. During winter and spring of each year the western slope, named Avalanche Crest,[5] generates avalanches which can threaten the highway.[6]

Avalanche Mountain
Avalanche Mountain (west face) seen from the Trans-Canada Highway
Highest point
Elevation	2,861 m (9,386 ft)[1][2]
Prominence	280 m (920 ft)[1]
Parent peak	Uto Peak (2927 m)[1]
Listing	Mountains of British Columbia
Coordinates	51°17′17″N 117°28′10″W[3]
Geography
Avalanche Mountain Location of Avalanche Mountain in British Columbia Show map of British Columbia Avalanche Mountain Avalanche Mountain (Canada) Show map of Canada
Location	British Columbia, Canada
District	Kootenay Land District
Parent range	Sir Donald Range Selkirk Mountains[2]
Topo map	NTS 82N6 Blaeberry[3]
Climbing
First ascent	1885 John Macoun, James M. Macoun[1]
Easiest route	Scrambling YDS 3[1]

History

The mountain's name was applied by Major A.B. Rogers and stems from its history of avalanches from its western slopes onto Rogers Pass.[7] The 1910 Rogers Pass avalanche, the deadliest avalanche in Canadian history, resulted in the deaths of 62 Canadian Pacific Railway workers and was the impetus which forced the railway to build the Connaught Tunnel.[8]

In 1881 Rogers and some of his party climbed to the crest of the ridge between Avalanche and Mount Macdonald, and may have climbed Avalanche itself.[9] The first confirmed ascent of the mountain was made in 1885 by John Macoun and James M. Macoun.[1]

The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1931 when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Avalanche Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[10] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the Illecillewaet River, or east into the Beaver River.

See also

• Geography of British Columbia

References

Gallery

• 
  Avalanche Mountain close-up
• 
  Mt. Macdonald (left) seen with Avalanche Mountain (right)

External links

• Flickr photo: Avalanche Mountain from east, with Avalanche Glacier
• Weather: Avalanche Mountain