Mount Sampson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Sampson |
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Mount Sampson, east aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,811 m (9,222 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,261 m (4,137 ft) |
| Parent peak | Mount Ethelweard (2819 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Sampson
Location in British Columbia
Mount Sampson
Location in Canada
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| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Thiassi Range Coast Mountains |
| Topo map | NTS 92J/11 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1935 by J. Ronayne, R. Ronayne, P. Tait |
| Easiest route | Scrambling class 3 from south |
Mount Sampson is a tall mountain in British Columbia, Canada. It stands 2,811-metre (9,222-foot) high. This makes it the highest point in the Thiassi Range, which is part of the larger Coast Mountains.
The mountain is located in southwestern British Columbia. It's about 41 km (25 mi) northwest of a town called Pemberton. Another nearby peak, Mount Ethelweard, is 21.5 km (13 mi) to the southeast. Water from Mount Sampson flows into the Lillooet and Hurley Rivers.
How Mount Sampson Got Its Name
Mount Sampson is named after Sampson Creek. This creek flows south from the mountain. In 1911, a person named E.N. Sampson claimed land near this creek. This type of land claim was called a "preemption."
When the mountain first appeared on maps in 1967, its name was spelled "Samson" Mountain. However, the official spelling was changed on April 29, 1983. The Geographical Names Board of Canada corrected it to "Sampson" to match the creek's spelling.
First Climb to the Top
The very first time people climbed to the top of Mount Sampson was in 1935. The climbers were Preston Tait, John Ronayne, and Ronald Ronayne. They were the first to successfully reach the summit.
Mountain Weather and Climate
Mount Sampson is in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Most of the weather in this area comes from the Pacific Ocean.
As weather fronts move east, they hit the Coast Mountains. The mountains force the air upward, which makes it cool down. This cooling causes the moisture in the air to fall as rain or snow. Because of this, the Coast Mountains get a lot of precipitation, especially heavy snowfall in winter.
Winter temperatures on Mount Sampson can drop very low, sometimes below −20 °C. With the wind, it can feel even colder, below −30 °C. The mountain's cold climate supports a glacier on its northern side. The best time to climb Mount Sampson is usually from July to September. During these months, the weather is more favorable.
