Mount Fitzwilliam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Fitzwilliam |
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Mount Fitzwilliam from eastbound Highway 16, the Yellowhead Highway
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,901 m (9,518 ft) |
| Prominence | 731 m (2,398 ft) |
| Parent peak | Roche Noire (2921 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Fitzwilliam
Location in British Columbia
Mount Fitzwilliam
Location in Canada
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| Parent range | Park Ranges Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 83D/16 |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cambrian |
| Type of rock | quartzite and dolomite |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1917 Interprovincial Boundary Commission |
| Easiest route | Scrambling YDS 3 |
Mount Fitzwilliam is a tall mountain peak in the Canadian Rockies. It stands about 2,901 meters (9,518 feet) high. This impressive mountain is located within Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada.
The mountain is found about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Yellowhead Pass. It is also about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) west of the Continental Divide. This area is near where the Fraser River begins. Mount Fitzwilliam's closest taller neighbor is Roche Noire, which is about 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) to the east. Mount Fitzwilliam is a famous landmark. You can easily see it from Highway 16 as you drive east. It's also visible to people riding on the Canadian (train).
Contents
Mountain History
How Mount Fitzwilliam Got Its Name
The mountain was named on July 8, 1863. It was named by Walter Butler Cheadle after William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, Viscount Milton. Viscount Milton lived from 1839 to 1877. His father was the 6th Earl Fitzwilliam.
Milton and his personal doctor, Walter Cheadle, traveled together. They journeyed up the Athabasca River. They might have been the first "tourists" to travel through Yellowhead Pass. Later, they wrote books about their trip. These books described their adventure in great detail.
Official Recognition
The mountain's name was officially accepted on February 7, 1951. This was done by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The mountain was also shown on a map in 1911. This map was made by Arthur O. Wheeler and showed Mount Robson.
First Climbers
The very first ascent of Mount Fitzwilliam happened in 1917. This climb was made by the Interprovincial Boundary Commission.
Climate Around the Mountain
Mount Fitzwilliam is in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has cold, snowy winters. The summers are usually mild. Temperatures can drop very low, sometimes below −20 °C (−4 °F). With the wind chill, it can feel even colder.
The best time to visit or climb this mountain is from July through September. During these months, the weather is usually the most pleasant. Water from the mountain flows into streams and rivers. These streams eventually join the Fraser River.
Mountain Geology
Mount Fitzwilliam is made of sedimentary rock. This rock was formed over millions of years. It was laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods. Later, during an event called the Laramide orogeny, these rocks were pushed up. They were also pushed east and over younger rocks.
The lower part of the mountain is made of dolomite. The upper part of the mountain is made of quartzite.
