Cathedral Mountain | |
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![]() Cathedral Mountain | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 3,189 m (10,463 ft)[1] |
Prominence | 467 m (1,532 ft)[2] |
Parent peak | Mount Stephen (3199 m)[2] |
Listing | Mountains of British Columbia |
Coordinates | 51°23′48″N 116°23′25″W / 51.39667°N 116.39028°W[3] |
Geography | |
Location | British Columbia, Canada |
District | Kootenay Land District |
Parent range | Canadian Rockies |
Topo map | NTS 82N8 Lake Louise[3] |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Cambrian |
Type of rock | sedimentary rock |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1901 James Outram, Joseph Bossoney, and Christian Klucker (guide)[2] |
Cathedral Mountain is a 3,189-metre (10,463-foot) complex massif located six kilometres northwest of Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, Canada. Its shape and structure conjures up a resemblance to a gothic cathedral that has inspired many artists, including Group of Seven's Arthur Lismer, to paint it back in 1928. This picturesque mountain is visible from Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, near Kicking Horse Pass. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Stephen, 3.0 km (1.9 mi) to the west.[2] To prevent damage to its operations, the Canadian Pacific Railway pumps overflow from Teacup Lake down the west face of Cathedral to minimize the subglacial lake's discharging in a phenomenon known as a jökulhlaup.[2]
The name Cathedral Mountain was in use as early as 1884 and appeared on George Dawson's 1886 map.[4] The first ascent of Cathedral Mountain was made in 1901 by James Outram, with guides Joseph Bossoney, and Christian Klucker.[4] The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1924 when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[3]
Cathedral Mountain is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Cambrian periods.[5] Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was pushed east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramide orogeny.[6]
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Cathedral Mountain is located in a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[7] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from Cathedral Mountain drains into tributaries of the Kicking Horse River which is a tributary of the Columbia River.
Cathedral Crags[8] (3082 m) are striking pinnacles with steep, reddish cliffs located one kilometre northwest of the summit of Cathedral Mountain, near Kicking Horse Pass and the Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint.[9] This rocky feature of Cathedral Mountain was first climbed in 1900 by James Outram, and W. Outram, with Christian Hasler Sr. as guide.[4] The crag's name was officially adopted in 1952 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[8]