Mount Washington (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Washington |
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Mount Washington in the Summer
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,588 m (5,210 ft) |
| Prominence | 510 m (1,670 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Washington
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | Vancouver Island, BC, Canada |
| Parent range | Vancouver Island Ranges |
Mount Washington is a tall mountain located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It's part of the Vancouver Island Ranges and is famous for its fun skiing and many other activities. The mountain is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) away from the Comox Valley.
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What is Mount Washington?
Mount Washington is a popular spot for both winter and summer adventures. It's known for the Mount Washington Alpine Resort, which offers lots of exciting things to do all year round.
How Mount Washington Got Its Name
The mountain was named a long time ago, in the 1860s. A British Royal Navy officer named Captain George Richards was exploring and mapping the West Coast. He decided to name the mountain after Rear Admiral John Washington, who was an important mapmaker for the British Navy.
Fun Activities at Mount Washington
Mount Washington is a great place to visit, no matter the season!
Winter Fun
When winter arrives, the mountain turns into a snowy playground. The Mount Washington Alpine Resort is a top spot for skiing and snowboarding. You can glide down the slopes and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery.
Summer Adventures
In the summer, the snow melts away, revealing many trails. These trails are perfect for mountain biking, where you can ride through forests and enjoy nature. Visitors can also take scenic chair lifts up the mountain for amazing views. There are also many hiking trails to explore on foot.
Home to the Vancouver Island Marmot
Mount Washington is a very special place for a rare animal called the Vancouver Island marmot. This marmot is one of the most endangered mammals on Earth. You can only find them living in the wild on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
Helping the Marmots
The Vancouver Island marmot is different from other marmot types. Because they are so rare, people are working hard to help them. The Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation has special places where they help marmots have babies. The biggest of these places is the Tony Barrett Marmot Recovery Centre, which is located right on Mount Washington. This center helps increase the number of marmots.
Broadcasting on the Mountain
Mount Washington is also important for communication. Several broadcasting stations have their antennas on the east side of the mountain. These antennas send out radio and TV signals to nearby places like the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
- CKLR-FM, 97.3 MHz (radio station)
- CFCP-FM, 98.9 MHz (radio station)
- CHAN-TV-4, channel 11 (TV station)
- CHEK-TV-5, channel 13 (TV station)
Also, many amateur radio repeaters are located on Mount Washington. These help amateur radio users talk to each other over long distances.
