Fossil Mountain (Alberta)

For other uses, see Fossil Mountain (disambiguation).

Fossil Mountain is a mountain located south of Skoki Mountain in Banff National Park, Canada. The mountain was named in 1906 by M.P. Bridgland, of the first ascent party, after the numerous fossils that can be found on its slopes.^[1][4]

Fossil Mountain
Fossil Mountain to left in front
Highest point
Elevation	2,946 m (9,665 ft)[1][2][3]
Prominence	471 m (1,545 ft)[4]
Parent peak	Mount Richardson[4]
Listing	Mountains of Alberta
Coordinates	51°30′11″N 116°02′46″W[5]
Geography
Fossil Mountain Location in Alberta
Location	Alberta, Canada
Parent range	Slate Range
Topo map	NTS 82N9 Hector Lake[5]
Climbing
First ascent	1906
Easiest route	Easy scramble

Fossil Mountain is the site of the first known skiing fatality in the Canadian Rockies. On April 7, 1933, Raymond Paley died in a slab avalanche when he attempted to ski down the mountain after skiing almost to the top.^[1]

In February 1988, cousins Dan and Wayne Hugo (29 and 27 respectively) were hiking and skiing on Fossil Mountain when an avalanche, which they may have triggered, occurred. They both died.^[6]

Routes

The scrambling route ascends easy scree slopes from Deception Pass. Due to these easy slopes, the mountain is sometimes ascended in winter by skiers.^[2]

Gallery

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  Fossil Mountain seen from Ptarmigan Lake