NOVEMBER, 2002 NEWSLETTER

Peakfinder Updates

Everyone who visits the Canadian Rockies enjoys the views from the highways. This month we have added a new feature to Peakfinder that enables users to obtain listings of the peaks visible from particular highways. So far only Highways No. 1, 11, 16, 93(N), and 774 are available but the remainder of the highways will be added over the next few months. For highways such as the Trans-Canada that extend out onto the prairies we have limited the list to those peaks more or less perpendicular to the road as it passes through the Rockies.

As we add photos to the site we will include a view from a highway (for mountains that are visible from one) as well as a second view from another point.

Check the list of peaks visible from Highway No. 1 (It includes those visible from 1A and the Bow Valley Parkway as well). You may be surprised at some that can be seen. We didn't realize until just recently that Mount Bogart may be seen from a point just west of Banff.

A special thanks this month to George Brindle who has contributed a number of photographs, among them a fine shot of Mount Bryant. Rienk Lakeman has forwarded some as well including an outstanding photo of Mount Ball. Please take a look at these.

If you have a favourite mountain photo or any information about the peaks of the Canadian Rockies that you would like included please contact <dave@peakfinder.com>.

Note that all of the previous newsletters have been archived and are available on the site. If you're interested in other esoteric lists, unusual mountain names, etc. look through the earlier issues. 


November's Unusual Canadian Rockies Name

WAKA NAMBE

Waka Nambe, a small but spectacular tower-like feature, is located just west of Warrior Mountain high above Upper Kananaskis Lake. The name is an Indian word meaning "Great Spirit Thumb" or "Hand of God" and is a refreshing break from the World War I era names of its neighbouring peaks.

Enter "Waka Nambe" in the Finding Peaks search box to learn more about this mountain. 
Look who's honoured in the Canadian Rockies

HOWARD PALMER  (1883-1944)

An American, Howard Palmer climbed widely in the Selkirks in the company of E.W.D. Holway. The two did much of the early exploration in the Selkirk Range from 1908 to 1912, completing the first ascent of Mount Sir Sandford, the highest mountain in the Selkirk Range. These trips involved incredible struggles through devil's club and other thick underbrush in order to reach their objectives. Following his years in the Selkirks, Palmer climbed extensively in the Canadian Rockies often with J.W.A. Hickson and was involved in twelve first ascents.

Like many of the other early mountaineers, Palmer had a wide variety of interests. He was said to be an authority on Captain Cook's voyages and was an expert in the repairing of antique clocks, having over one hundred in his collection.

He was the author of "Mountaineering and Exploration in the Selkirks," one of the classics books of mountaineering in Canada.

For information about Mount Palmer enter the names in the Finding Peaks search box on the main page.
November's Esoteric List

THIS LIST INCLUDES ALL THOSE VISIBLE FROM HIGHWAY NO. 779 THAT HEADS SOUTHWEST FROM BEAVER MINES INTO THE WEST CASTLE VALLEY

Barnaby Ridge, Centre Mountain (BC), Gravenstafel Ridge, Mount Haig, Lys Ridge, Mount McCarty, Southfork Mountain, St. Eloi Mountain, Syncline Mountain, Table Mountain, Whistler Mountain

For information regarding any of these mountains enter the name in the "Finding Peaks" section on the front page.

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