The Spearhead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Spearhead |
|
|---|---|
The Spearhead, west aspect
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,457 m (8,061 ft) |
| Prominence | 307 m (1,007 ft) |
| Geography | |
 The Spearhead
Location in British Columbia
The Spearhead
Location in Canada
|
|
| Location | Garibaldi Provincial Park British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Spearhead Range Garibaldi Ranges Coast Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 92J2 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1964 A. MacDonald, B. Port, Karl Ricker |
| Easiest route | Southwest Ridge |
The Spearhead is a tall mountain in British Columbia, Canada. It stands at 2,457 meters (about 8,061 feet) high! This amazing peak is part of the Garibaldi Ranges.
It's a very important spot at the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. The Spearhead sits right between two large ice fields: the Blackcomb Glacier and the Spearhead Glacier. The mountain is even named after the Spearhead Glacier!
The mountain also gives its name to the Spearhead Range. This is a shorter chain of mountains nearby. The name "The Spearhead" was officially chosen on August 27, 1965.
What's the Weather Like?
The Spearhead mountain has a special kind of weather. It's called a 'marine west coast climate'. This means it's often wet and mild, especially because it's close to the ocean.
Most of the weather comes from the Pacific Ocean. Big weather systems travel east towards the Coast Mountains. When they hit the mountains, the air is forced to rise. This is called 'orographic lift'.
As the air rises, it cools down and drops its moisture. This causes a lot of rain or snow to fall on the mountains. Because of this, the Coast Mountains get a lot of precipitation. This is especially true during the winter months, when there's heavy snowfall.
Temperatures on The Spearhead 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).
If you want to climb The Spearhead, the best time to go is usually from July through September. The weather is much nicer and safer then.
