Mount Pierrway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Pierrway
Mount Pierrway Location in British Columbia
Highest point
Elevation	2,854 m (9,364 ft)
Listing	Mountains of British Columbia
Geography
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Parent range	Cariboo Mountains
Topo map	093A090 or PS-WG3 (north half)
Geology
Mountain type	Pyramidal peak
Climbing
First ascent	August 13, 1969

Mount Pierrway is a tall mountain in British Columbia, Canada. It's located in the central part of the province, close to where the Clearwater River begins. This mountain is part of the Cariboo Mountains, which are themselves a part of the larger Columbia Mountains. Standing at about 2,854 m (9,364 ft) high, Mount Pierrway is the fifth-tallest mountain in Wells Gray Provincial Park. It also sits right on the edge, or boundary, between Wells Gray Provincial Park and Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park.

Climbing Mount Pierrway

Mount Pierrway has been climbed by adventurers many times. The very first time someone reached the top was on August 13, 1969. Two climbers named Art Maki and Art Wilder made this historic first ascent. They started their climb from a camp east of the park boundary. They bravely made their way up the East Pierrway Glacier, which had many deep cracks called crevasses. After reaching a saddle-like area between peaks, they climbed the north summit. From there, they followed a ridge all the way to the highest point, which is the very south end of the mountain.

More Ascents

The second time Mount Pierrway was climbed was on May 19, 1987. This ascent was made by a group from the British Columbia Mountaineering Club. They were a ski party, meaning they used skis for part of their journey. The team included Brian Gavin, Malcolm MacFadyen, Colin Oloman, Mary Prendergast, Brian Thompson, Gavin Thurston, and Ross Wyborn.

The third time the mountain was climbed was on August 17, 2005. This ascent was completed by Bill McKenzie and Roger Wallis. They were members of the Alpine Club of Canada.

How Mount Pierrway Got Its Name

Mount Pierrway was given its name in 1966. It was named to honor a brave Canadian soldier named Alfred Pierrway. He was a Private in the Canadian Army, serving as a gunner with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Sadly, he was killed in action on July 12, 1942, when he was just 22 years old. Alfred Pierrway was from Quesnel, a town in British Columbia.

Honoring Soldiers

At the same time Mount Pierrway was named, five other mountains nearby were also named. These mountains were named after other Canadian soldiers from the Quesnel area. These soldiers had also lost their lives during World War II. The names of these neighboring peaks are Mount Goodall, Mount Winder, Mount Beaman, Mount Hogg, and Mount Aves. It's a way to remember their bravery and sacrifice.

Other Peaks Nearby

The tallest mountain in Wells Gray Park is very close to Mount Pierrway. It is about 4.9 km (3.0 mi) west of Mount Pierrway. This mountain is even taller, standing at about 2,946 m (9,665 ft) high. Interestingly, this highest peak in the park does not have a name yet!

Unnamed Peaks

The first people to climb this unnamed highest peak are not known. They left a pile of stones, called a cairn, at the top. However, they did not leave any record of their climb. Bill McKenzie and Roger Wallis, who climbed Mount Pierrway in 2005, discovered this cairn. They then claimed the second ascent of this unnamed peak on August 18, 2005.

There is also another very tall mountain near Pierrway that has not been climbed yet. It is about 3.7 km (2.3 mi) southwest of Mount Pierrway. This unclimbed peak is about 2,847 m (9,341 ft) tall.