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Mount Rexford is a prominent 2,329-metre (7,641-foot) mountain summit located in the Cascade Mountains of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 3.5 km (2 mi) north of the Canada–United States border, 7 km (4 mi) west of Chilliwack Lake, and 5.5 km (3 mi) east of Slesse Mountain, which is its nearest higher neighbor.[2] Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Nesakwatch and Centre Creeks, both tributaries of the Chilliwack River. Originally known as Ensawkwatch, the mountain was named for an early settler in the area, Rexford, who had a cabin near Slesse Creek and had trap lines in the vicinity.[4][3] The mountain has two subsidiary peaks known as the Nesakwatch Spires. The mountain's name was officially adopted on June 2, 1950, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[5] Mount Rexford was first climbed in July 1951 by Herman Genschorek and Walt Sparling via the West Ridge.

Mount Rexford
Mount Rexford, north aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,329 m (7,641 ft)[1]
Prominence	555 m (1,821 ft)[1]
Parent peak	Slesse Mountain (2429 m)[1]
Isolation	5.34 km (3.32 mi)[2]
Listing	Mountains of British Columbia
Coordinates	49°02′00″N 121°31′27″W[3]
Geography
Mount Rexford Location in British Columbia Show map of British Columbia Mount Rexford Mount Rexford (Canada) Show map of Canada
Location	British Columbia, Canada
District	Yale Division Yale Land District
Parent range	Skagit Range North Cascades
Topo map	NTS 92H4 Chilliwack[3]
Geology
Mountain type	Intrusive
Type of rock	Granodiorite
Volcanic arc/belt	Pemberton Volcanic Belt
Climbing
First ascent	1951 by Herman Genschorek and Walt Sparling[4]
Easiest route	Scramble

Geology

Mount Rexford is composed of granitic rock related to the Chilliwack batholith, which intruded the region 26 to 29 million years ago after the major orogenic episodes in the region. This is part of the Pemberton Volcanic Belt, an eroded volcanic belt that formed as a result of subduction of the Farallon Plate starting 29 million years ago.[6][7][8]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[9] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences which lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Rexford is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[10] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Range where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Cascade Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Rexford.

Climbing Routes

Established rock climbing routes on Mount Rexford:[1]

• West Ridge - class 4 First Ascent 1951
• Northeast Ridge - class 5  FA 1969
• The Priest-Coupe (NE couloir) - class 5 FA 1970
• East Ridge - class 5.7 FA 1973
• South Ridge - class 4 FA 1981
• Southwest Flank - class 3-4 
• Southeast Arete - class 3-4

See also

• Geography of British Columbia
• Geology of British Columbia

References

External links

• Rexford's west face (aerial photo): PBase
• Nesakwatch Spires Rock Climbing: Mountainproject.com
• Weather forecast: Mount Rexford

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