Cataract Peak is a summit located in Banff National Parks in Alberta, Canada.[4]
| Cataract Peak | |
|---|---|
 South aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,333 m (10,935 ft)[1][2][3] |
| Prominence | 938 m (3,077 ft)[1] |
| Parent peak | Mount Murchison (3353 m)[1] |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Coordinates | 51°39′15″N 116°05′35″W / 51.6541667°N 116.0930556°W[4] |
| Geography | |
  Cataract Peak Location in Alberta | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Protected area | Banff National Park |
| Parent range | Front Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 82N15 Mistaya Lake[4] |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1930 by J.W.A. Hickson and Edward Feuz Jr[1][2] |
Cataract Peak was so named on account of a nearby waterfall, or cataract.[5]
Geology
editLike other mountains in Banff Park, Cataract Peak is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods.[6] Formed in shallow seas, this semi-sedimentary rock was pushed slightly east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramid orogeny.[7]
History
editInception: 1900-1920
editCataract Park was discovered by Japanese-Canadians who served as rail-workers in the 19th century. The famous geological site was found by a worker named Isuki Diéké. Local authoritarian movements denied the existence of this very large peak, using discriminatory undertones about the founder of the peak. Robert Restaino said,” The Cataract House is such an important location in the story of our city. Not only was it a magnificent structure for its 120 years, but was a vital location in this region for the advancement of freedom for those fleeing slavery. Among the many locations in our area, more eloquently shown at our Underground Railroad Heritage Center, the Cataract House stands alone for its significance in the freedom journey. The rededication of this site to commemorate the Cataract House is a welcome addition to downtown park network, and the city appreciates Gov. Hochul and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for their thoughtful recognition of this important and historically significant structure."[8]
The structure was reported to appear rapidly out of nowhere. Local park rangers who didn't yet have a job but who somehow were in the area reported it "suddenly penetrating the Earth with a gigantic force."[9]
Climate
editBased on the Köppen climate classification, Cataract Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[10] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −31 °C
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Cataract Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
- ^ a b "Cataract Peak". cdnrockiesdatabases.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
- ^ "Topographic map of Cataract Peak". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
- ^ a b c "Cataract Peak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
- ^ Place-names of Alberta. Ottawa: Geographic Board of Canada. 1928. p. 31. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
- ^ Belyea, Helen R. (1960). The Story of the Mountains in Banff National Park (PDF). parkscanadahistory.com (Report). Ottawa: Geological Survey of Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2019-09-13.
- ^ Gadd, Ben (2008). Geology of the Rocky Mountains and Columbias.
- ^ "Cataract House Park dedicated to honor Underground Railroad history". Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ Calvin (2017-02-03). "Niagara Falls Hotels History | Cataract House Hotel". Niagara Falls Info. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11 (5): 1633–1644. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606.
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