Kwoiek Peak | |
---|---|
![]() North aspect, aerial view | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,736 m (8,976 ft) [1] [2] |
Prominence | 276 m (906 ft) [1] |
Parent peak | Kumkan Peak (2,742 m) [2] |
Isolation | 2.31 km (1.44 mi) [1] |
Listing | Mountains of British Columbia |
Coordinates | 50°05′27″N 121°57′31″W / 50.09083°N 121.95861°W [3] |
Geography | |
Country | Canada |
Province | British Columbia |
District | Kamloops Division Yale Land District |
Protected area | Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park |
Parent range |
Lillooet Ranges Coast Mountains |
Topo map | NTS 92I4 Lytton [3] |
Climbing | |
First ascent | Topographical Survey [4] |
Kwoiek Peak is a 2,736-metre (8,976-foot) mountain summit located in British Columbia, Canada.
This remote glaciated peak is situated 31 km (19 mi) southwest of Lytton on the southern boundary of Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park. [5] It is part of the Lillooet Ranges of the Coast Mountains and the nearest higher neighbor is Kumkan Peak, 2.35 km (1 mi) to the southeast. [1] Meltwater from the Kwoiek Glacier on the northeast slope drains into Stukolait Lake → Kwoiek Creek → Fraser River; the Rutledge Glacier on the west slope drains to Rutledge Creek → Stein River → Fraser River; and precipitation runoff from the peak's south slope drains to Mehatl Creek → Nahatlatch River → Fraser River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,300 metres (4,265 ft) above Stukolait Lake in 3 km (1.9 mi).
The mountain is named in association with Kwoiek Creek, Kwoiek Lake, and Kwoiek Needle. Kwoiek is a Thompson Indian word meaning "gouged out," referring to a large chunk missing from the canyon wall. [6] [7] The toponym was officially adopted on March 31, 1917, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. [6]
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Kwoiek Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone of western North America. [8] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Coast Mountains where they are forced upward by the range ( Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Kwoiek and Rutledge glaciers surrounding the peak. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Kwoiek Peak.
Kwoiek Peak | |
---|---|
![]() North aspect, aerial view | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,736 m (8,976 ft) [1] [2] |
Prominence | 276 m (906 ft) [1] |
Parent peak | Kumkan Peak (2,742 m) [2] |
Isolation | 2.31 km (1.44 mi) [1] |
Listing | Mountains of British Columbia |
Coordinates | 50°05′27″N 121°57′31″W / 50.09083°N 121.95861°W [3] |
Geography | |
Country | Canada |
Province | British Columbia |
District | Kamloops Division Yale Land District |
Protected area | Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park |
Parent range |
Lillooet Ranges Coast Mountains |
Topo map | NTS 92I4 Lytton [3] |
Climbing | |
First ascent | Topographical Survey [4] |
Kwoiek Peak is a 2,736-metre (8,976-foot) mountain summit located in British Columbia, Canada.
This remote glaciated peak is situated 31 km (19 mi) southwest of Lytton on the southern boundary of Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park. [5] It is part of the Lillooet Ranges of the Coast Mountains and the nearest higher neighbor is Kumkan Peak, 2.35 km (1 mi) to the southeast. [1] Meltwater from the Kwoiek Glacier on the northeast slope drains into Stukolait Lake → Kwoiek Creek → Fraser River; the Rutledge Glacier on the west slope drains to Rutledge Creek → Stein River → Fraser River; and precipitation runoff from the peak's south slope drains to Mehatl Creek → Nahatlatch River → Fraser River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,300 metres (4,265 ft) above Stukolait Lake in 3 km (1.9 mi).
The mountain is named in association with Kwoiek Creek, Kwoiek Lake, and Kwoiek Needle. Kwoiek is a Thompson Indian word meaning "gouged out," referring to a large chunk missing from the canyon wall. [6] [7] The toponym was officially adopted on March 31, 1917, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. [6]
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Kwoiek Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone of western North America. [8] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Coast Mountains where they are forced upward by the range ( Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Kwoiek and Rutledge glaciers surrounding the peak. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Kwoiek Peak.