Mount Elsay
Encyclopedia
Mount Elsay is a mountain
in southwestern British Columbia
, Canada
, located 14 km (9 mi) northeast of North Vancouver
near the middle of Mount Seymour Provincial Park
in the District of North Vancouver
. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains
, rising from the shores of Indian Arm
to a summit of 1419 m (4,656 ft). In 1909 it was originally named Mt Jarret in honour of George Jarret, a South African who became the first secretary of the British Columbia Mountaineering Club
(BCMC). It has subsequently be re-named Mount Elsay, after nearby Elsay Lake
and Creek. These names are thought to derive from a Scottish settler, probably after a place name in Scotland
.
led by Fred Mills. The mountain was approached by boat to the top of Indian Arm, opposite Crocker Island, where the group camped overnight. In the morning they broke into two groups, the others climbing Mount Bishop and headed up Bishop Creek. Among the Bishop party was a Mr Cromie, former owner of the Vancouver Sun. Upon reaching the summits of the two mountains at about 9.30am, the two parties of climbers called to each other. Fred Mills' memoirs and photographs are to be found at the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.
, Elsay is not visited by hikers with much frequency. Two routes are most popular; the best hike is to go out by one and return by the other. The West Trail is reached by hiking toward Mount Seymour
, then bearing left (west) in the saddle between Second and Third Peaks. A rough route poorly marked with tapes takes one around Mount Seymour's West flank, across the gully below Runner Peak, then trends upward to the ridge, then a rock face to the summit. Alternately, the Elsay Lake
Trail takes one to the East of Mount Seymour, across several rock slides, then up a large talus
slope (bear right to the low point of the ridge) to join the other trail on the south shoulder of the mountain. The route to Vicar Lakes, Mount Bishop and the Indian Arm Trail heads left shortly after the ridge starts to rise to Mount Elsay.
The Peak is flanked by Mount Bishop and Elsay Lake
on the North, with Mount Seymour
and Runner Peak to the South. This is rough backcountry and should be approached only with caution and experience.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
in southwestern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, located 14 km (9 mi) northeast of North Vancouver
North Vancouver, British Columbia
There are two municipalities in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada, that use the name North Vancouver. These are:*The City of North Vancouver...
near the middle of Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Mount Seymour Provincial Park is a 35 km² park in Vancouver, British Columbia's North Shore Mountains. It is located approximately 15 km from Downtown Vancouver.-History and Geography:...
in the District of North Vancouver
North Vancouver, British Columbia (district municipality)
The District of North Vancouver is a district municipality in British Columbia and is part of the GVRD. It surrounds the City of North Vancouver on three sides.-Geography:The District of North Vancouver is separated from Vancouver by Burrard Inlet...
. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains
North Shore Mountains
The North Shore Mountains are a mountain range overlooking Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. Their southernmost peaks are visible from most areas in Vancouver and form a distinctive backdrop for the city....
, rising from the shores of Indian Arm
Indian Arm
Indian Arm is a steep-sided glacial fjord adjacent to the city of Vancouver in southwestern British Columbia. Formed during the last Ice Age, it extends due north from Burrard Inlet, between the communities of Belcarra and the District of North Vancouver , then on into mountainous wilderness...
to a summit of 1419 m (4,656 ft). In 1909 it was originally named Mt Jarret in honour of George Jarret, a South African who became the first secretary of the British Columbia Mountaineering Club
British Columbia Mountaineering Club
The British Columbia Mountaineering Club is a mountaineering organization, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded on October 28, 1907 as the Vancouver Mountaineering Club, it became one of the centres of Canadian Mountaineering, particularly in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia...
(BCMC). It has subsequently be re-named Mount Elsay, after nearby Elsay Lake
Elsay Lake
Elsay Lake is a lake 15 km NE of North Vancouver, located near the Centre of Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally named Mystery Lake and still known to some as such....
and Creek. These names are thought to derive from a Scottish settler, probably after a place name in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
History
The first ascent of Mount Elsay was made in 1909 by a party of climbers from the British Columbia Mountaineering ClubBritish Columbia Mountaineering Club
The British Columbia Mountaineering Club is a mountaineering organization, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded on October 28, 1907 as the Vancouver Mountaineering Club, it became one of the centres of Canadian Mountaineering, particularly in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia...
led by Fred Mills. The mountain was approached by boat to the top of Indian Arm, opposite Crocker Island, where the group camped overnight. In the morning they broke into two groups, the others climbing Mount Bishop and headed up Bishop Creek. Among the Bishop party was a Mr Cromie, former owner of the Vancouver Sun. Upon reaching the summits of the two mountains at about 9.30am, the two parties of climbers called to each other. Fred Mills' memoirs and photographs are to be found at the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.
Hiking Routes
Unlike the nearby Mount SeymourMount Seymour
Mount Seymour is a mountain located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains, rising to the north from the shores of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm to a summit of above the Indian River and Deep Cove neighbourhoods...
, Elsay is not visited by hikers with much frequency. Two routes are most popular; the best hike is to go out by one and return by the other. The West Trail is reached by hiking toward Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is a mountain located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains, rising to the north from the shores of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm to a summit of above the Indian River and Deep Cove neighbourhoods...
, then bearing left (west) in the saddle between Second and Third Peaks. A rough route poorly marked with tapes takes one around Mount Seymour's West flank, across the gully below Runner Peak, then trends upward to the ridge, then a rock face to the summit. Alternately, the Elsay Lake
Elsay Lake
Elsay Lake is a lake 15 km NE of North Vancouver, located near the Centre of Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally named Mystery Lake and still known to some as such....
Trail takes one to the East of Mount Seymour, across several rock slides, then up a large talus
Scree
Scree, also called talus, is a term given to an accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, or valley shoulders. Landforms associated with these materials are sometimes called scree slopes or talus piles...
slope (bear right to the low point of the ridge) to join the other trail on the south shoulder of the mountain. The route to Vicar Lakes, Mount Bishop and the Indian Arm Trail heads left shortly after the ridge starts to rise to Mount Elsay.
The Peak is flanked by Mount Bishop and Elsay Lake
Elsay Lake
Elsay Lake is a lake 15 km NE of North Vancouver, located near the Centre of Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally named Mystery Lake and still known to some as such....
on the North, with Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is a mountain located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains, rising to the north from the shores of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm to a summit of above the Indian River and Deep Cove neighbourhoods...
and Runner Peak to the South. This is rough backcountry and should be approached only with caution and experience.
External links
- "Mount Elsay". North Vancouver Archives.
- "Mount Elsay". British Columbia Mountaineering Club.