2958m (9705ft.)
Located between the Ribbon Creek Valley and the Kananaskis River; east buttress of Guinn's Pass. Kananaskis Park, Alberta
Latitude 50; 53; 40 Longitude 115; 11; 15, Topo map 82J/14
Panorama viewpoint: Kananaskis Village; Harvie Heights. Can be seen from Highways 1 and 40S
Named by D.B. Dowling (Dr. Dowling was an engineer in the Geological Survey of Canada) in 1907. Kidd, Stuart (A resident of Morley, Stuart Kidd outfitted expeditions which explored in the Kananaskis Valley.) Official name.
First ascended in 1947 by R.C. Hind, J.F. TarrantJournal reference CAJ 31-237.
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| Looking north-northwest to Mount Kidd (both summits) from Highway #40 More photos |
Other Information
Looking north-northwest to Mount Kidd (north summit) from Highway #40Mount Kidd is the "Pilot Mountain" of the Kananaskis Valley. George Dawson named Pilot Mountain in the Bow Valley between Banff and Castle Junction for its location on the outside of a major bend in the Bow Valley which made the peak visible for long distances up and down the valley. Mount Kidd is similarly situated, being visible from both the lower Kananaskis Valley and from the Kananaskis Lakes area to the south.
The massive character of the mountain as well as its two separate peaks are best seen from the vicinity of Rocky Creek, 11.3 kilometres south of the Ribbon Creek Junction. From Rocky Creek, a spectacular fold down which a series of waterfalls flows may be seen. This feature marks the northern end of the Lewis Thrust Fault, a major geological marker which can be mapped to the south into the United States where it passes beneath Chief Mountain. From Kananaskis Village Junction we see only the northern peak of the mountain.
The grassy slopes of the ridge to the right of the mountain was the former site of the Mount Kidd Fire Lookout. Constructed in 1981, it was the most recent addition in the series of fire lookouts first established in the late 1920's to help protect Alberta's forests from fires. It was last used in 1992 and removed in 1997. Funding cutbacks and the fact that the Kananaskis Emergency Services Building are situated immediately below the site contributed to its demise.
Born near Ashton, Ontario, Stuart Kidd homesteaded north of Calgary on the west branch of Nose Creek. According to his son could not resist the attraction of the mountains and so moved to Morley in 1907 where he operated the Scott and Leeson Trading Post. Part of his job was outfitting survey parties which worked in the Kananaskis Valley area. One of these was led by a geologist, D. Bogart Dowling (see Mount Bogart), who chose Kidd's name for the mountain.
In 1911 Martin Nordegg hired Kidd to be purchasing agent for Brazeau Coalieries in the North Saskatchewan valley. In 11914 he became general manager of Nordegg's company-owned general store, the Bighorn Trading Company. He also became postmaster, justice of the peace, and the undertaker for the area. During this time he traded and worked with the Stoneys in the area and became fluent in the Stoney language. In 1927 he was made an honorary chief, probably the first white to be so honoured, and given the name of "Tah-Osa" which means "Moose Killer."
He continued to live in the Nordegg area until 1939.
[Additional information: "Small Moments in Time" by Anne (McMullen) Belliveau]
| A moderate snow/slab/scree ascent via southeast bowl. Mount Kidd has become very popular of late. It is a steep, unrelenting grind best done about late May or June when compacted snow allows step-kicking going up and glissading on descent. Otherwise, expect heaps of loose scree. Knowledge of ice axe self-arrest is imperative during prime months. Your safety also depends on accurate assessment of snow clinging to the steep walls above the bowl. As much of the route is visible from the highway, most parties prefer to wait for a major or climax avalanche to occur before heading up. This is evident by large amounts of avalanche debris compacted into the lower third of the bowl and below the waterfalls.
If unsure of conditions, you should postpone the attempt until later when the climb merely involves tedious scree and a bit of slab.Kane, Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies page 142
MOUNT KIDD SOUTH PEAK |
| North-East Buttress III 5.7 An enjoyable and straightforward rock climb to the top of the NE buttress. A basic rock rack is more than sufficient gear. A round trip to the top of the buttress can be completed comfortably in a day if you take the early descent option to Ribbon Creek. Most parties descend this way. However, for those who like to pack a lot into one day the N summit of Mount Kidd can be attained with a very early start. Dougherty, Selected Alpine Climbs page 38 |