Mount Pétain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Pétain |
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 Mount Pétain
Location in Alberta
Mount Pétain
Location in British Columbia
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,196 m (10,486 ft) |
| Prominence | 326 m (1,070 ft) |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta Mountains of British Columbia |
| Geography | |
| Country | Canada |
| Parent range | Park Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 82J/11 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1930 Katie Gardiner, Walter Fuez |
Mount Pétain is a tall mountain located in the Canadian Rockies. It sits right on the border between the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. This mountain is part of the Continental Divide of the Americas, which is a line that separates the water flowing to the Pacific Ocean from the water flowing to the Atlantic Ocean.
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Where is Mount Pétain Located?
Mount Pétain stands at an elevation of 3,196 meters (about 10,486 feet) above sea level. It is a snow-capped peak that can be seen from different areas. The mountain is found within a beautiful natural landscape.
Getting to Mount Pétain
You can reach the areas near Mount Pétain from several provincial parks. In British Columbia, you can access it from Height of the Rockies Provincial Park and Elk Lakes Provincial Park. If you are in Alberta, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park offers another way to get close to the mountain.
How Mount Pétain Got Its Name
Mount Pétain was named in 1918 after a French military leader, Marshal Philippe Pétain. At that time, he was considered a hero for his actions during World War I. Many Canadians and other countries that were allies in the war admired him greatly.
A Change in Reputation
However, Marshal Pétain's reputation changed significantly later in his life. During World War II, he became the leader of a government in France called Vichy France. This government worked with Germany during the war. Because of his actions during this period, his name became very controversial. Despite this, the mountain's name has remained the same.
Other Places Named Pétain
Besides Mount Pétain itself, several other natural features in the area also share the name Pétain. For example, there is the Pétain Glacier, which is a large body of ice. This glacier is located near Mount Pétain and Mount Joffre.
Pétain Basin and Falls
The glacier and the mountains form an area known as the Pétain Basin. Water from the melting ice in this basin flows down. This meltwater creates the beautiful Pétain Creek Falls, which then cascades into Pétain Creek below.
