2874m (9430ft.)
Located on the continental divide at the head of Pocaterra Creek; east buttress of Elk Pass; west buttress of Grizzly Col. Kananaskis Park, Alberta/BC border. Major headwaters Bow & Kootenay rivers.
Latitude 50; 34; 55 Longitude 115; 00; 55, Topo map 82J/11
Can be seen from Highway 40S
Named in 1918. Tyrwhitt, Rear Admiral Sir Reginald Y. (Rear Admiral Tyrwhitt commanded destroyer flotillas during WW I.) Official name.
First ascended in 1914 by Horace "Rusty" Westmorland, Alan Campbell, guided by Conrad Kain.
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| Photo: Looking southwest to Mount Tyrwhitt from just north of Highwood Pass on Highway #40 More photos |
Other Information
Photo: The "window" on the east ridge of Mount TyrwhittMount Tyrwhitt occupies a very significant point on the Continental Divide in that it is from its summit that the BC/Alberta boundary leaves the Elk Range and descends into Elk Pass, following a generally ENE-WSW trend for fifteen kilometres until reaching the summit of Mount Joffre.
John Palliser's map showed Mount Head to be situated at the point that is now referred to as Mount Tyrwhitt.
The east ridge of the mountain features a spectacular rock arch which is visible from Highway #40 from a point just north of Highwood Pass. In the upper photograph, the "window" appears as a tiny dot of white below what appears to be a small pinnacle half way up the left hand ridge of the mountain.
It is interesting to note that in 1914 one of the most highly respected of the early guides in the Canadian Rockies, Conrad Kain, was the first to climb Mount Tyrwhitt. His party included Horace "Rusty" Westmorland and Alan Campbell (Land Surveyor) and was part of the Interprovincial Boundary Survey. Although a camera station on the summit was not occupied until 1915, Alan Campbell led a reconnaissance survey to the Elk Pass area in June, 1914 and it must have been during this time that the mountain was first climbed.
[Adventures In Climbing, Rusty Westmorland. Pelham Books,
London, 1964] Lindsay Elms
| A moderate scree/slab scramble via east side. Mount Tyrwhitt offers an easy approach, an interesting scramble and minimal elevation gain. The starting point in delicate larch meadows is an inspiring beginning. In autumn, brilliant golden larches make the approach especially scenic. This ascent is very popular, and rightly so. The views is nothing short of outstanding. Available options include a return loop or a ridge traverse to a higher unnamed peak, depending on your level of energy. Please walk softly through the meadows as this fragile alpine terrain is easily damaged. Years pass before plant life recovers from big boots, so please use existing trails to reduce your impact. Two things are desirable for this ascent: Clear weather so you can enjoy the panorama and a helmet for the steep rubble slope on return. Try from July on. Kane, Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies page 174 |