Peak Finder

Photo: The peaks of Mount Lyell (l-r) Christian Peak, Walter Peak, Ernest Peak, Edward Peak, and Rudolph Peak; from the southeast (courtesy Rienk Lakeman)

Walter Peak

  • 3401 m (11,160ft)
  • First Ascent
  • Naming History
51.9525N -117.102W
Located on the continental divide above the Lyell Icefield at the head of Arctomys Creek at the head of Lyell Creek

Province: Alberta/BC
Park: Banff
Headwater: Saskatchewan/Columbia
Ascent Date: 1927
Ascent Party: D. Duncan, T. Lynes, J. Simpson
Ascent Guide: Ernest Feuz
Year Named: 1972
Named by: Sydney R. Vallance
Named for: Feuz, Walter (Walter Feuz was an early guide in the Rockies and Selkirks.) (see biog.)

There are five peaks in the Lyell group (see Mount Lyell) that rise in a semi-circle above the Lyell Icefield. Although the summits are relatively high in elevation, the peaks present only a modest rise above the surrounding glaciers." -courtesy Chic Scott The five peaks of Mount Lyell were named, at the suggestion of Sydney Vallance, after prominent mountaineering guides originally brought to Canada by the CPR and who became residents of Canada. The five were Edward Feuz jr., Ernest Feuz, and Walter Feuz, Rudolph Aemmer, and Christian Hasler jr. and they took up permanent residence in Golden in 1912. They are part of what was called the "Swiss Guide Group." The five peaks form an arc which opens to the east on the Alberta side of the Lyell Icefield, Ernest Peak being at the centre. Rudolph Peak is at the northeast end of the arc with Edward Peak lying midway between Ernest Peak and Rudolph Peak. Rudolph Peak and Edward Peak are not on the Continental Divide. The other three peaks are. The southeast end of the arc is Christian Peak with Walter Peak lying between Christian Peak and Ernest Peak. Walter Feuz (1894-1986) Walter was one of the youngest of the five Oberland guides who took up residence in Golden in 1912. He never had an official guideā€™s license as he was not old enough to qualify when he left Switzerland. He was trained by his older brothers, Edward jr. and Ernest and had a successful guiding career. He climbed extensively with Katie Gardiner in the southern Rockies.

Photo: Four of the five peaks of Mount Lyell(l-r) Walter Peak, Ernest Peak, Edward Peak, and Rudolph Peak from the east near Arctomys Peak (courtesy Alan Kane)