Omega Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Omega Mountain |
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Omega Mountain, west aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,918 m (6,293 ft) |
| Prominence | 228 m (748 ft) |
| Parent peak | Mount Niobe (2021 m) |
| Geography | |
 Omega Mountain
Location in British Columbia
Omega Mountain
Location in Canada
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| Location | Tantalus Provincial Park British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Tantalus Range Coast Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 92G/14 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1916 by J. Fyles and T. Fyles |
| Easiest route | Scrambling |
Omega Mountain is a tall peak in British Columbia, Canada. It stands about 1,918 meters (or 6,293 feet) high. This mountain is part of the Tantalus Range and is located inside Tantalus Provincial Park.
You can find Omega Mountain about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northwest of Squamish. It's also about 8.2 kilometers (5 miles) southeast of Mount Tantalus. Mount Tantalus is the highest peak in this mountain range. The closest higher peak to Omega Mountain is Mount Pelops, which is just 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) to the west.
Below the northwest side of Omega Mountain is a beautiful spot called Lake Lovely Water. On the other side of the lake, you'll see Alpha Mountain. Water from Omega Mountain flows into streams that lead to the Squamish River.
The first time someone successfully climbed Omega Mountain was in 1916. Two brothers, Tom Fyles and John Fyles, made this first climb. The mountain's name, Omega, comes from the Greek alphabet. This is because other nearby mountains, like Alpha Mountain and Iota Mountain, are also named after Greek letters. The name "Omega Mountain" became official on June 6, 1957.
Mountain Weather
Omega Mountain is in a part of western North America that has a "marine west coast" climate. This means it gets a lot of rain and snow. Most of the weather systems that bring this moisture start over the Pacific Ocean. They travel east until they hit the Coast Mountains.
When these weather systems reach the mountains, the air is forced to rise. As the air goes higher, it cools down and drops its moisture. This process is called Orographic lift. Because of this, the Coast Mountains get a lot of rain, and heavy snowfall in winter.
Temperatures on Omega Mountain can get very cold. They can drop below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). Even with these cold temperatures, a small piece of a glacier can still be found on the northeast side of Omega Mountain. The best time to climb Omega Mountain is usually from July through September. This is when the weather is most favorable.
Climbing Routes
If you're interested in climbing, here are some known routes on Omega Mountain:
