Mount Black Prince (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Black Prince |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,939 m (9,642 ft) |
| Prominence | 239 m (784 ft) |
| Parent peak | Mount Smith Dorrien (3151 m) |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Geography | |
 Mount Black Prince
Location in Alberta
Mount Black Prince
Location in Canada
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Parent range | Spray Mountains Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82J/11 |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cambrian |
| Type of rock | Sedimentary rock |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1956 B. Fraser, M. Hicks, J. Gorril |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Mount Black Prince is a tall mountain in Alberta, Canada. It stands about 2,939 meters (9,642 feet) high. You can find it in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, which is part of the amazing Canadian Rockies.
The mountain's closest taller neighbor is Mount Smith Dorrien. This peak is about 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) away to the northwest. You can easily spot Mount Black Prince from Alberta Highway 742, also known as the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail.
Many mountains in Kananaskis Country got their names from a big sea battle. Mount Black Prince is one of them. It was named after ships and people involved in the 1916 Battle of Jutland. This was a major sea battle during the First World War.
History of the Name
Mount Black Prince got its name in 1917. It was named after a ship called HMS Black Prince. This ship was a cruiser from the Royal Navy. Sadly, it sank during the Battle of Jutland in World War I.
The name of the mountain became official in 1922. This was decided by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.
The first time people successfully climbed to the very top of Mount Black Prince was in 1956. The climbers were B. Fraser, M. Hicks, and J. Gorril.
What the Mountain is Made Of
Mount Black Prince is made of sedimentary rock. This type of rock forms from layers of sand, mud, and tiny bits of sea creatures that settle over millions of years. These layers were laid down a very long time ago, from the Precambrian to the Jurassic periods.
These rocks formed in shallow seas. Later, during a time called the Laramide orogeny, these rock layers were pushed up and over younger rocks. This is how the mountain got its shape.
Weather Around the Mountain
Mount Black Prince has a subarctic climate. This means it has cold, snowy winters. The summers are usually mild. Temperatures can drop below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit).
If you want to climb the mountain, the best time is from July to September. This is when the weather is usually good. Rain and melted snow from the mountain flow into small streams. These streams then join the Kananaskis River, which eventually flows into the Bow River.
See also
In Spanish: Monte Black Prince (Alberta) para niños
