Mount Gordon is a 3,161-metre (10,371-foot) mountain summit located immediately west of the Continental Divide, in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia, Canada.[1] It is a glaciated dome situated in Yoho National Park, and is the highest point of the Wapta Icefield. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Baker, 8.8 km (5.5 mi) to the northwest.[1]

Mount Gordon
Mount Gordon seen from Iceline Trail
Highest point
Elevation	3,161 m (10,371 ft)[1]
Prominence	471 m (1,545 ft)[1]
Listing	Mountains of British Columbia
Coordinates	51°36′22″N 116°30′48″W[2]
Geography
Mount Gordon Location of Mount Gordon in British Columbia Show map of British Columbia Mount Gordon Mount Gordon (Canada) Show map of Canada
Location	Yoho National Park British Columbia, Canada
District	Kootenay Land District
Parent range	Waputik Range Canadian Rockies
Topo map	NTS 82N10 Blaeberry River[2]
Geology
Age of rock	Cambrian
Type of rock	Sedimentary
Climbing
First ascent	1897 G. Baker, J.N. Collie, H.B. Dixon, C.E. Fay, A. Michael, C.L. Noyes, H.C. Parker, C.S. Thompson, P.Sarbach

History

The first ascent of the mountain was made in August 1897 by George Percival Baker, J. Norman Collie, H. B. Dixon, Charles Ernest Fay, Arthur Michael, C. L. Noyes, H. C. Parker, and Charles Sproull Thompson, with Peter Sarbach as guide.[1]

The mountain was named in 1897 by Charles Sproull Thompson of the first ascent party for John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, at the time Governor General of Canada from 1893 to 1898.[3] After descending from the summit of Mount Gordon, Thompson fell into a crevasse and became lodged which required rescue by the team.[4] Mount Thompson, six kilometres to the north of Mount Gordon, was one of several peaks named by this same climbing party.

The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1924 when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[2]

Geology

Mount Gordon is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods.[5] Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was pushed east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramide orogeny.[6]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Gordon is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[7] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C.

See also

• Geology of British Columbia
• Geography of British Columbia

References