Pemberton Icefield facts for kids
The Pemberton Icefield, also called the Pemberton Icecap, is a very large area of ice and snow. It is the most southern of many huge icefields found in the Pacific Ranges. These mountains are part of the southern Coast Mountains in British Columbia, Canada.
About the Icefield
The Pemberton Icefield covers about 300 square kilometers (116 square miles). It looks a bit like a triangle, with its point facing north. A smaller icefield called the Overseer Icefield is nearby. Sometimes, people include the Overseer Icefield when talking about the Pemberton Icefield. If they do, the total area is about 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) larger.
Overseer Mountain is the tallest peak in this area. It sits between the Lillooet, Squamish-Elaho, and Cheakamus-Green valleys. Inside the Pemberton Icefield itself, the highest named mountain is Longspur Peak. It is on the northwest side, above the Ryan River. There is also a taller, unnamed peak at the very northern edge of the icefield.
East of Longspur Peak are Kwtamts Peak and Sisqa Peak. These names come from the St'at'imcets language of the Lil'wat people. Their traditional land includes the eastern parts and valleys of the icefield. The southernmost peak of the icefield is Exodus Peak. It is located where the upper Squamish River meets the Elaho River, which flows into the Squamish.
Rivers and Streams
Many rivers and streams begin in the Pemberton Icefield. The Squamish River and Soo River start on its southern edge. Rutherford Creek flows from its eastern side. The Ryan River begins on its northeast side. Other streams flow into the Elaho River on the west. The south fork of Meager Creek starts on the north side. This creek is another branch of the Lillooet River.
Other smaller icefields are also nearby. The Ipsoot Glacier is to the east, north of Rutherford Creek. The Powder Mountain Icefield is to the south. It is beyond the area where the Squamish and Soo Rivers begin.
Fun Activities and Filming
The Pemberton Icefield is close to the Resort Municipality of Whistler. This makes it a popular spot for outdoor fun. People enjoy heli-skiing there, which means they are dropped off by a helicopter to ski. In the summer, some go heli-hiking.
The icefield is also used for movies and TV shows. It often pretends to be Antarctica or the Arctic in films. For example, parts of X-Files movie were filmed there. It was also used in the "Solitudes" episode of Stargate SG-1. The show Stargate Atlantis also filmed scenes there.
