Cheops Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheops Mountain |
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Cheops Mountain seen from Abbott Ridge
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,581 m (8,468 ft) |
| Prominence | 551 m (1,808 ft) |
| Parent peak | Ursus Major Mountain (2705 m) |
| Listing | Mountains of British Columbia |
| Geography | |
 Cheops Mountain
Location in British Columbia
Cheops Mountain
Location in Canada
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| Location | Glacier National Park British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Hermit Range, Selkirk Mountains |
| Topo map | NTS 82N05 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1893 Samuel E.S. Allen, Walter D. Wilcox |
| Easiest route | Trail to Balu Pass, then Scrambling YDS 3 |
Cheops Mountain is a cool mountain peak that stands 2,581-metre (8,468-foot) tall. You can find it in Glacier National Park in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. This mountain is part of the Hermit Range. From its top, you get amazing views of the Hermit and Sir Donald Ranges.
The closest taller mountain is Ursus Major Mountain, which is about 4.0 km (2.5 mi) away to the northwest. You can easily spot Cheops Mountain from Highway 1, also known as the Trans-Canada Highway, especially when you are near Rogers Pass.
Contents
History of Cheops Mountain
Who First Climbed Cheops?
The very first time someone successfully climbed Cheops Mountain was in 1893. Two explorers named Samuel E. S. Allen and Walter D. Wilcox were the first to reach its summit.
The Big Avalanche of 1910
Cheops Mountain is also known for a very important event in Canadian history. In 1910, a huge snowslide, called an avalanche, happened near the mountain. This event is known as the 1910 Rogers Pass avalanche. It was the deadliest avalanche ever in Canada.
On March 4, 1910, a large amount of snow slid down the slopes of Cheops Mountain. This covered the railway tracks below. Workers from the Canadian Pacific Railway were busy trying to clear the tracks. Later that night, another, even bigger avalanche hit. This one came from Avalanche Mountain, on the opposite side of the valley. It was a very sad event for the railway workers.
How Cheops Mountain Got Its Name
The name "Cheops Mountain" was officially given to the peak in 1951. Before that, people called it Mount Cheops. The mountain was named by a person named Otto Julius Klotz. He thought the mountain looked a lot like the famous Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt.
Weather and Climate at Cheops
What's the Weather Like?
Cheops Mountain has a type of weather called a subarctic climate. This means the winters are very cold and snowy. Summers, however, are usually mild.
During winter, temperatures can drop below −20 °C. With the wind blowing, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C! All the snow and rain that falls on the mountain eventually flows into the Illecillewaet River.
