Mount Lyell (Canada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Lyell |
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Mt. Lyell & its 5 subpeaks, plus the Lyell Icefield, taken from Mt. Forbes (Columbia Icefield peaks on the horizon - click image for more details)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,498 m (11,476 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,078 m (3,537 ft) |
| Parent peak | Mount Forbes |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta Mountains of British Columbia |
| Geography | |
 Mount Lyell
Location in Canada
Mount Lyell
Location in Alberta
Mount Lyell
Location in British Columbia
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| Country | Canada |
| Parent range | Lyell Group, Central Icefields Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82N/14 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1902, James Outram, guided by Christian Kaufmann |
Mount Lyell is a very tall mountain located right on the border between Alberta and British Columbia in western Canada. This amazing mountain has five different peaks and stands at a height of 3,498 meters (about 11,476 feet). It was named in 1858 by James Hector to honor a Scottish geologist named Sir Charles Lyell.
About Mount Lyell
Mount Lyell is part of the Great Divide. This is a line of high ground that separates rivers flowing to the Pacific Ocean from those flowing to the Atlantic or Arctic Oceans. In this area, the Great Divide also forms the boundary between British Columbia and Alberta. The mountain is found within Banff National Park.
All five peaks of Mount Lyell, along with the main mountain itself, are often called 'the Lyells'. This mountain is the highest in the Lyell Group, which is a smaller part of the Central Icefields in the Canadian Rockies.
In 1972, the five distinct peaks of Mount Lyell were given special names. Before that, they were just called Lyell 1 through 5 (or L1 to L5). These peaks were named after Swiss mountain guides who moved to Golden, British Columbia in 1912.
Moving from south to north along the border, the peaks are:
- Christian Peak (L5), named after Christian Hässler.
- Walter Peak (L4), named after Walter Feuz.
- Ernest Peak (L3), named after Ernest Feuz.
Two other peaks are located entirely within Alberta:
- Edward Peak (L2), named after Edward Feuz Jr.
- Rudolph Peak (L1), named after Rudolph Aemmer.
Mount Lyell also marks where the waters separate. Water flowing from one side of the mountain goes into the South Saskatchewan River system, while water from the other side flows into the Columbia River system.
How Mount Lyell Was Formed
Mount Lyell is made of sedimentary rock. This type of rock forms from layers of sand, mud, and tiny bits of sea creatures that settle at the bottom of ancient shallow seas over millions of years. Over time, these layers get pressed together and harden into rock.
Later, during a period called the Laramide orogeny, huge forces pushed these rock layers upwards. This movement created the mountains we see today. The geology of all five peaks of Mount Lyell is very similar because they are all so close to each other.
Weather and Climate
Mount Lyell has a cold climate, known as a subarctic climate. This means it has very cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Temperatures can often drop below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit).
