Downie Peak

Downie Peak is a 2,926-metre (9,600-foot) mountain summit located in British Columbia, Canada.

Downie Peak
South aspect, centered
Highest point
Elevation2,926 m (9,600 ft)[1][2]
Prominence924 m (3,031 ft)[2]
Parent peakIconoclast Mountain (3,228 m)[2]
Isolation25.4 km (15.8 mi)[2]
ListingMountains of British Columbia
Coordinates51°33′31″N 118°18′08″W[3]
Naming
EtymologyWilliam Downie
Geography
Downie Peak is located in British Columbia
Downie Peak
Downie Peak
Location of Downie Peak in British Columbia
Downie Peak is located in Canada
Downie Peak
Downie Peak
Downie Peak (Canada)
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
DistrictKootenay Land District
Parent rangeSelkirk Mountains
Big Bend Ranges
Topo mapNTS 82M9 Goldstream River[3]
Geology
Age of rockCambrian[4]
Mountain typeFault block
Type of rockPhyllite, Limestone[5]
Climbing
First ascent1959 by William L. Putnam[6]

Description

Part of the Selkirk Mountains, Downie Peak is situated 60 km (37 mi) north of Revelstoke and 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Lake Revelstoke. Although prominently visible from nearly every peak in the Northern Selkirks,[7] Downie Peak is more notable for its steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) above Downie Creek in 4 km (2.5 mi). Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains south to Downie Creek and north to the Goldstream River, both of which empty into Lake Revelstoke which is a reservoir of the Columbia River.

History

The peak was named by Walter Moberly after William Downie (1819–1893), a gold prospector employed by Sir James Douglas.[8][1] It was labelled on a 1915 reconnaissance map of the Northern Selkirk Mountains; prior to then it was labelled "Eldorado Peak" on earlier maps.[8] The mountain's toponym was officially adopted March 31, 1924, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[3]

The first ascent of the summit was made July 14, 1959, by William L. Putnam, W. V. Graham Matthews and David Michael via the southwest ridge.[7][6] The second successful ascent wasn't accomplished until 1991.[9]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Downie Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[10] Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C.

See also

References
  1. Glen W. Boles, William Lowell Putnam, Roger W. Laurilla (2006), Canadian Mountain Place Names: The Rockies and Columbia Mountains, Rocky Mountain Books, ISBN 9781894765794, p. 83
  2. "Downie Peak, Peakvisor.com". Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  3. "Downie Peak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  4. Donald J. Glass (1972), Field Excursion Guidebook, Geological Survey of Canada, p. 99
  5. Bulletin - Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources, Issue 71, 1979, p. 16
  6. Chic Scott (2000), Pushing the Limits: The Story of Canadian Mountaineering, Rocky Mountain Books, ISBN 9780921102595, p. 267
  7. William L. Putnam (1960), American Alpine Journal, americanalpineclub.org
  8. "Downie Peak". BC Geographical Names. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  9. Andrew Selters (2004), Ways to the Sky: A Historical Guide to North American Mountaineering, AAC Press, ISBN 9780930410834, p. 298
  10. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN 1027-5606.
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