It is believed that Lipalian Mountain may have been climbed by James Hector in 1859 and author Irene Spry believes that this was the mountain he named Observation. [Don Beers] It is also likely that this was the peak climbed by Arthur Coleman in 1884. He wrote, ". . . the next thought of course, was to climb the nearest mountain, for mountains can only be seen from a mountain. You cannot really see them from the valley, even a high valley like this at 5000 feet. The mountain nearest was to the east, and first we had to climb a swath of burnt woods, an abomination of desolation made up of black soil, black standing trunks, and black fallen logs under a glowing sun that tried our temper. Then came green timber and shade, with moss under foot, and a green-edged lake. . . Above the trees there was a lavish display of bright flowers. . . and I went on over rocks and a snowfield to the top. It was only a commonplace mountain about eight thousand feet high, without a name, so far as I am aware; but it belonged to the family of Rocky Mountains, and gave one an introduction to its stately neighbours."