Mount Bourgeau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Bourgeau |
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Mount Bourgeau seen from Sulphur Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,931 m (9,616 ft) |
| Prominence | 462 m (1,516 ft) |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Geography | |
 Mount Bourgeau
Location in Alberta
Mount Bourgeau
Location in Canada
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Parent range | Massive Range Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82O/04 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1890 by J.J. McArthur, Tom Wilson |
| Easiest route | Easy scramble on western slopes |
Mount Bourgeau is a tall mountain found in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It stands about 2,931 meters (9,616 feet) high. The mountain is part of the Massive Range.
It was named in 1860 by James Hector. He named it after Eugène Bourgeau, who was a botanist. Bourgeau helped explore the area during the Palliser Expedition. A beautiful place called Bourgeau Lake is right at the base of the mountain. It is a favorite spot for hikers.
Contents
How Mount Bourgeau Was Formed
Understanding Sedimentary Rocks
Mount Bourgeau, like many mountains in Banff National Park, is made of sedimentary rock. This type of rock forms from layers of tiny bits of sand, mud, and shells. These layers build up over a very long time. They settle at the bottom of ancient seas.
From Seas to Mountains
The rocks that make up Mount Bourgeau were formed between the Precambrian and Jurassic periods. These are huge stretches of time in Earth's history. Back then, this area was covered by shallow seas. Over millions of years, the layers of sediment hardened into rock.
Later, a big event called the Laramide orogeny happened. This was a time when huge forces deep inside the Earth pushed the land. These forces caused the sedimentary rock layers to fold and break. They were pushed up and over younger rocks. This process slowly created the tall mountains we see today, including Mount Bourgeau.
Weather and Climate at Mount Bourgeau
What is a Subarctic Climate?
Mount Bourgeau is located in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very cold winters with lots of snow. The summers, however, are usually mild. This type of climate is common in areas far from the equator.
Temperatures and Wind Chill
During the winter months, temperatures on Mount Bourgeau can drop very low. It can get colder than -20 °C (-4 °F). When the wind blows, it makes it feel even colder. This is called the wind chill factor. With wind chill, temperatures can feel like -30 °C (-22 °F) or even colder. This makes the mountain a very chilly place in winter!
