Peak Finder

Photo: Ernest Peak (left) and Edward Peak from Rudolph Peak (courtesy Brad Harrison

Ernest Peak

  • 3511 m (11,520ft)
  • First Ascent
  • Naming History
51.9569N -117.104W
Located on the continental divide at the head of Lyell Creek and the head of Arctomys Creek; above the Lyell Icefield

Province: Alberta/BC
Park: Banff
Headwater: Saskatchewan/Columbia
Ascent Date: 1926
Ascent Party: Alfred Ostheimer, M.M. Strumia, J. Monroe Thorington
Ascent Guide: Edward Feuz jr.
Year Named: 1972
Named by: Sydney R. Vallance
Named for: Feuz, Ernest (Ernest Feuz was an early guide in the Rockies and Selkirks.)(see biog.)

"There are five peaks in the Lyell group (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 One of five peaks on Mount Lyell which, in 1972, were given names of the five guides who settled in Golden, BC in 1912. In this database there are similar entries for Mount Lyell and Ernest Peak which is the highest point of the Mount Lyell massif (3511 metres) on the Continental Divide. Edward Peak is reported to be 3514 metres and is entirely in Alberta. 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 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. Ernest Feuz (1889-1960) The third son of Edward Feuz sr, Ernest first came to Canada in 1909 and spent two winters at Glacier House in the Selkirks. He had a very successful guiding career but seemed relegated to always be in the shadow of his older brother Edward who was more outgoing and more in demand. Ernest, however was said to be the superior outdoorsman and hunter.

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)