Mount Hugh Neave facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Hugh Neave
Mount Hugh Neave (center) from Hobson Glacier
Highest point
Elevation	2,829 m (9,281 ft)
Prominence	800 m (2,600 ft)
Geography
Mount Hugh Neave Location in British Columbia
Parent range	Cariboo Mountains
Topo map	93A/9 or PS-WG3 (north half)
Geology
Mountain type	Arête
Climbing
First ascent	August 27 2019
Easiest route	East from Hobson Lake

Mount Hugh Neave is a tall mountain in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It stands between Hobson Lake to the west and Goat Creek to the south. This mountain is part of the Cariboo Mountains, which are a range within the larger Columbia Mountains. Mount Hugh Neave is the seventh highest mountain in Wells Gray Provincial Park, reaching a height of 2,829 m (9,281 ft).

Who Was Hugh Neave?

Mount Hugh Neave is named after a special person named Hugh Neave (1909-1988). He was a mountaineer, rock climber, and explorer who loved the wild areas of Wells Gray Park. From 1966 to 1987, he spent many years exploring its peaks. Hugh Neave was drawn to the park's amazing views and the challenge of climbing mountains. He wasn't looking for gold or other riches.

In 1966, he went on his first trip to the Huntley-Buchanan Ridge. This area is north of Azure Lake. For the next 20 years, he visited these peaks often.

Early Attempts to Climb the Mountain

In 1972, Hugh Neave and Peter Cowan tried to climb Mount Hugh Neave. They started from the Hobson Glacier, which is east of the peak. They climbed up to 2,400 m (7,874 ft) on the mountain's south side. However, they had to turn back because they were running out of time. They needed to meet a boat at Azure Lake. Back then, boats didn't come as often as they do now. Missing a boat meant a very long wait!

Conquering Garnet Peak

Hugh Neave also led three trips to Garnet Peak. This is the third highest mountain in Wells Gray Park. All three trips were stopped by bad weather. He created the first trail from Azure Lake to Huntley Col. He made it better with each trip. Today, this is the only trail from the lake. People who use it help keep it in good shape.

Finally, in 1974, Hugh Neave was 65 years old. He started his fourth trip to Garnet Peak with Barb Hargreaves and Tor Schmid. This time, they successfully reached the top! Neave named the mountain Garnet Peak because he found small garnet stones near the summit.

Hugh Neave's Global Adventures

Hugh Neave loved adventures all over the world. In 1978, he led a month-long trip to the Andes Mountains in Peru. In 1986, he canoed down the Yukon River. He paddled from Whitehorse to Dawson City. His last big adventure was in 1987. He was 78 years old and went on a trek in the Himalayas.

Hugh Neave passed away in 1988. Mount Hugh Neave was named the next year to honor his climbs. Later in 1988, members of the Kamloops Mountaineering Club carried his ashes to the top of Garnet Peak.

Reaching Mount Hugh Neave

Climbing Mount Hugh Neave is very challenging. The Kamloops Mountaineering Club tried to reach the summit twice in the 1990s. Both times, they flew to Hobson Lake. They started their climb from a sandy area about halfway up the lake. They managed to reach the open alpine meadows. However, severe weather stopped them both times.

One of the biggest challenges is climbing through the thick forest from Hobson Lake. Helicopters and float planes need a special permit to land at Hobson Lake. No other landing spots closer to the mountain are allowed.

Challenges of Goat Creek

On maps, a route up Goat Creek to the base of Mount Hugh Neave looks possible. But Hugh Neave's own trip in 1972 showed how difficult it was. He described Goat Creek as a constant struggle. It was full of thick plants and many fallen, rotting trees. He also mentioned swampy areas along the valley bottom.

Hugh Neave gave advice to future climbers. He said the journey would always be tough. You would cover much less distance each day than you expected. He also said it was important to be good at finding your way in bad weather.

Recent Attempts and Success

After 20 years, a fourth trip to Mount Hugh Neave began in July 2015. The team included Fraser Neave, Hugh Neave's grandson, Fred Erler, and Ken Kram. They climbed up to 2,444 m (8,018 ft) on the southwest ridge. But they had to turn back because of a deep crack they couldn't cross.

The northwest ridge has difficult technical parts. The eastern side is hard to reach because helicopters can't land there. For a while, there were no plans for another trip.

However, on August 27, 2019, the summit was finally reached! Travis Goodridge and Jean-Francois Labranche made it to the top. They paddled across Clearwater Lake. Then, they hiked the Hobson Lake wilderness trail. Their climbing route started 6 km up Hobson Lake, on the west ridge that had been tried before.