South Twin Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South Twin Peak
The Twins massif - South Twin and North Twin (l-r)
Highest point
Elevation	3,566 m (11,699 ft)
Listing	Mountains of Alberta
Geography
Location	Alberta, Canada
Parent range	Winston Churchill Range
Topo map	NTS 83C/03
Climbing
First ascent	1924 by F.V. Field, W.O. Field, L. Harris, guided by Edward Feuz jr., J. Biner.
Easiest route	ski

South Twin Peak is a very tall mountain in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It stands at 3,566 m (11,699 ft) high. South Twin is one of two main peaks that form a large mountain group called The Twins. This group is found at the edge of the huge Columbia Icefield.

The other main peak in The Twins group is North Twin. It is even taller, reaching 3,731 m (12,241 ft). South Twin is known as the eighth-highest mountain in the amazing Canadian Rockies.

The Twins Mountain Group

The Twins mountain group has more than just the two main peaks. It also includes two smaller peaks. These are Twins Tower and West Twin.

Twins Tower

Twins Tower is 3,640 m (11,940 ft) tall. The first time climbers reached its top was in 1938. You can find a picture of Twins Tower in the North Twin article.

West Twin

West Twin is 3,360 m (11,020 ft) high. Climbers first reached its summit in 1975. You can see a picture of West Twin in the gallery section below.

All four of these peaks – South Twin, North Twin, Twins Tower, and West Twin – are part of a special list. This list includes mountains in the Canadian Rockies that are over 11,000 feet (about 3,353 meters) tall.

How The Twins Got Their Name

The name The Twins was given to this mountain group way back in 1898. Two explorers, J. Norman Collie and Hugh M. Stutfield, chose the name. They thought the two main peaks looked like twins.

Later, on February 28, 1980, it was officially decided to give each of the main peaks its own separate name: South Twin and North Twin.

Climbing Routes

The most common way to climb South Twin is by using skis. This is called ski mountaineering. It involves skiing up the eastern slopes of North Twin first.

After that, climbers carefully cross a narrow ridge that connects North Twin to South Twin. This part can be tricky. An ice axe is usually recommended to help climbers stay safe on this connecting ridge and on the final path to the summit of South Twin.

Gallery

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  North Twin Slopes (right) & South Twin (left)

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  West Twin; Note 4 climbers

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  Climbers making their way up from the Twins col

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  South Twin Summit Ridge, seen from the summit