Elpoca Mountain
Elpoca Mountain is a 3,036-metre (9,961-foot) mountain summit located at the southern end of the Opal Range in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada.[1] The nearest higher peak is Mount Evan-Thomas, 12.0 km (7.5 mi) to the north.[1] Elpoca Mountain is situated 4.0 kilometres south of Mount Jerram, and 2.0 km east of Gap Mountain, and all are within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Precipitation runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Kananaskis River, whereas the east side drains into Elbow River.
| Elpoca Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Elpoca Mountain seen from Upper Kananaskis Lake | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,036 m (9,961 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 460 m (1,510 ft)[1] |
| Parent peak | Mount Evan-Thomas (3097 m)[1] |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Coordinates | 50°39′53″N 115°01′37″W[2] |
| Geography | |
  Elpoca Mountain Location of Elpoca Mountain in Alberta  Elpoca Mountain Elpoca Mountain (Canada) | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Parent range | Opal Range[3] Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82J11 Kananaskis Lakes[2] |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cambrian |
| Type of rock | Limestone |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1960 by G. D. Elliot, H, Kirby, P.S. Scribens[1] |
History
"Elpoca" is a portmanteau of nearby Elbow River and Pocaterra Creek.[4]
The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1928 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[2]
The first ascent of the peak was made in 1960 by G. D. Elliot, H, Kirby, and P.S. Scribens.[1]
Geology
Elpoca Mountain is composed of 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.[5] Elpoca Mountain was created during the Lewis Overthrust. The steeply tilted strata are virtually the same in each peak of the Opal Range, with softer layers sandwiched between harder layers.[1]
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Elpoca Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[6] Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C.
June through September offer the most favorable weather to climb Elpoca Mountain.
Gallery
Elpoca Mountain (right) and Gap Mountain (left)
South aspect of Elpoca Mountain viewed from Mt. Rae
References
- "Elpoca Mountain". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
- "Elpoca Mountain". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
- "Opal Range". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- Place-names of Alberta. Ottawa: Geographic Board of Canada. 1928. p. 47.
- Gadd, Ben (2008), Geology of the Rocky Mountains and Columbias
- 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.
External links
- Elpoca Mountain weather: Mountain Forecast