Mount Whyte | |
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Mt. Whyte at top centre, above Lake Agnes |
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Elevation | 2,983 m (9,787 ft) [1] |
Prominence | 140 m (459 ft) [2] |
Location | |
Location | Alberta Canada |
Range | Bow Range |
Topo map | NTS 82N/08 |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1901 |
Easiest route | Difficult scramble |
Mount Whyte is a mountain in Alberta, Canada located in Banff National Park, near Lake Louise. The mountain can be seen from the Trans-Canada Highway, and offers views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, including the Chateau Lake Louise.
The mountain was named in 1898 by Sir William Methuen after William Whyte, a representative of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Mt. Whyte is usually combined with Mount Niblock (2,976 m (9,764 ft)) when done as a scramble. However, while Mt. Niblock is rated a moderate scramble, Mt. Whyte is much more difficult due to additional exposure and loose rock. The scramble should not be attempted in snowy conditions due to considerable fall distance which would likely prove fatal. A route description can be found in Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies.
For rock climbers, the Perren Route (II 5.6) is another option. While mostly a scramble as well, a short section of difficult climbing near the top in addition to route finding challenges and loose rock will not make it an easy ascent.
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