Mount Babel (Alberta) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Babel
Highest point
Elevation	3,101 m (10,174 ft)
Prominence	200 m (660 ft)
Geography
Mount Babel Location in Alberta
Location	Alberta, Canada
Parent range	Bow Range
Topo map	NTS 82N/08 Lake Louise
Climbing
First ascent	1910
Easiest route	East Face IV 5.10

Mount Babel is a mountain peak located in the Bow Range of Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. This impressive mountain can be easily seen from the beautiful Valley of the Ten Peaks.

The first people to climb Mount Babel were A. Hart, Edward Oliver Wheeler, L. Wilson, and H. Worsfold. They reached the top in 1910.

What is Mount Babel?

Mount Babel is a tall mountain in the Canadian Rockies. It stands at 3,101 meters (about 10,174 feet) high. It is part of a group of mountains called the Bow Range.

This mountain is a popular spot for climbers. It offers different routes to the top, with some being quite challenging.

How Mount Babel Formed

Like many other mountains in Banff Park, Mount Babel is made of sedimentary rock. This type of rock forms from layers of sand, mud, and shells that settle over millions of years. These layers were laid down during ancient times, from the Precambrian to the Jurassic periods.

Long ago, this area was covered by shallow seas. Over time, these layers of sediment hardened into rock. Later, a powerful event called the Laramide orogeny pushed these rocks up. This event caused the land to fold and break, creating the mountains we see today.

Weather Around Mount Babel

Mount Babel has a subarctic climate. This means it has very cold and snowy winters. Summers are usually mild, but not very hot.

Temperatures can drop below −20 °C (which is −4 °F) in winter. With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (−22 °F). It's important to be prepared for cold weather if you visit this area.

The Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel is a very noticeable rock formation. It is a tall, single block of quartzite rock. You can see it clearly at the northern end of Mount Babel, especially from Moraine Lake.

It was named in 1899 by Walter D. Wilcox. He thought its shape looked like the biblical Tower of Babel. The mountain itself got its name from this unique tower. The Tower of Babel rises about 500 meters (1,640 feet) above Moraine Lake.

The first people to climb the Tower of Babel were G. Boles, B. Greenwood, and A. Washington. They made their successful climb in 1959.

Gallery

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  Mount Babel centered

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  Bident, Quadra, and Babel

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  Babel (left) seen from road to Moraine Lake

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  Mt. Babel from the northwest

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  Tower of Babel