Mount Lougheed


Mount Lougheed is a triple-peak mountain located between Spray Lakes Reservoir and the Wind Valley of Kananaskis Country in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. The highest summit is known as Peak 2. Peak 1 to the northwest is 3,080 metres. Peak 3 to the southeast is 3,010 metres. The nearest higher peak is Wind Mountain, to the southeast. Mount Lougheed is a conspicuous landmark that can be seen from Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway at Dead Man's Flats which is east of Canmore.

History

Mount Lougheed was named after Sir James Lougheed, a prominent lawyer, politician, senator, and cabinet minister. The mountain was originally named Wind Mountain by Eugène Bourgeau of the Palliser Expedition, but was renamed in 1928 to honor Lougheed after his passing. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1928 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The first ascent was made in 1889 by A. St. Cyr, W.S. Drewry, and Tom Wilson. Mount Lougheed was the scene of the second of three related airplane crashes known as the Rescue 807 Crashes.

Geology

Mount Lougheed is composed of Palliser limestone, a sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods. Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was pushed east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramide orogeny.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Lougheed is located in a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from Mount Lougheed drains into the Bow River which is a tributary of the Saskatchewan River.

Gallery