Howse Peak

Howse Peak rises to 3,295 meters (10,810 feet) along the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia as the highest summit in the Waputik Mountains. The mountain displays black limestone and yellow sedimentary rock layers formed in shallow ancient seas from Precambrian through Jurassic times.

The first ascent took place on August 14, 1902, when climbers J. Norman Collie, Hugh Stutfield, G.M. Weed, and Herman Woolley reached the summit with guide Hans Kaufmann. This climb was part of the early exploration of the Waputik Mountains by European and North American mountaineers.

The peak takes its name from Joseph Howse, a fur trader with the Hudson's Bay Company who traveled through this region in the early 1800s. Today, climbers and hikers view this summit as a significant objective in the Canadian Rockies.

Reaching the summit requires a 25-kilometer hike along the Howse River followed by a glacier ascent on the west side. This route is only suitable for experienced mountaineers with glacier skills and strong fitness levels.

The area attracts geologists studying mountain-building processes and the complex layering visible in the rock formations. Despite its appeal to climbers, this summit remains less visited than other well-known peaks in Banff National Park.

Location: Alberta

Location: British Columbia

Elevation above the sea: 3,295 m

GPS coordinates: 51.81276,-116.68077

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:08