Mount Edith Cavell

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 52.66640°N / 118.065°W
Activities Activities: Mountaineering
Seasons Season: Summer
Additional Information Elevation: 11034 ft / 3363 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Brief overview

Before the last long pitch.

This peak dominates the skyline south of the town of Jasper. Its is often photographed from this vantage point. Early explorers in the area were told by the natives this was the "White Ghost" The french voyageur explorers called it "La montagne de la grande traverse". Seems like this mountain has had many names over the years including. "Duke", "Fitzhugh" and at a later date "Geikie". Its name now comes from the British nurse who was executed by the Germans in WWI. She had been arrested and accused of helping Allied prisoners escape through Holland. The day she was arrested and executed, August 5th, 1915 was coincidentally the day this peak was first climbed. The peak was offically named "Edith Cavell" 5 months later.

Getting to the trailhead

West ridge view of Mt-Edith...

If coming from Calgary take the Trans-Canada highway to Lake Louise. From here take the 93 north. The Icefields Parkway. Past the Columbia Icefields and on past Sask Crossing continuing towards the Town of Jasper. 20 kms south of Jasper you will turn onto 93A at the Athabasca Falls turnoff. When you reach Edith Cavell road follow it up for 14 kms to where you will find parking at the road end.

From Jasper head south for 6.5 Km on the 93. At the Edith Cavell turnoff take 93A then turn on to Edith Cavell road. From here head for the same parking.

First Ascents

Climbing the steps

West Ridge
August 5th, 1915
A.J Gilmour and Edward Holway

East Ridge (complete)
August 1924
Conrad Kain (Guide) and Joseph Hickson

Winter ascent
February 1924
Ernie Neiderer (Swiss Guide) and Morris Taylor

Mountain Conditions and weather

  • Environment Canada WebsiteEnvironment Canada
    Complete weather reports, alerts, forecasts, satellite imaging, and more. An invaluable resource to anyone planning a trip to Mt. Edith Cavell or the Jasper area.
    Parks Canada
    Home page for Parks Canada, with links to all areas of Park Canada services and information
  • avalanche.org
    Home page for avalanche.org/ Avalanche reports, warnings and alerts, links, news
  • The Canadian Rockies.com
    The home page for The Canadian Rockies.com, with information on hiking, scrambling, trekking and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies

    Camping, legal stuff and fees

    Gervais leads the crux...
    Reserve a campsite up to three months in advance.
    Contact Parks Canada for more information.

    If you wish to do some backcountry camping a permit for 8CDN$/night (maximum of 30CDN$) plus a 10CDN$ reservation fee will be required. Under 16 travel for free. All fees are to be paid in advance. Annual wilderness passes are 42CDN$, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

    Contact the Jasper Parks Visitor Centre for more information: (780) 852-6176 or check out the Jasper National Park Home Page for trail reports and avalanche reports.

    A National Park Pass is required if you will be stopping anywhere in Jasper National Park. 8CDN$ per person or 16CDN$ per vehicle.

    Open campfires are not allowed anywhere in Jasper National Park, except at approved campsites.

    Guides and guiding services, and the Alpine Club of Canada

    There are a number of number of licensed guide services throughout the area.

    Joining or contacting the Alpine Club of Canada can be useful.
    There's also a Jasper/Hinton section of the ACC. They know of many great routes similar to Mt. Edith Cavell in the Jasper area.
    http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/jasperhinton/

    The Alpine Club's Edmonton Section
    The Alpine Club’s Calgary Section
    The Canadian Avalanche Association is an excellent source of current avalanche information.

    The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides can provide you with information regarding guide services.
    They include services from groups such as Yamnuska Mountaineering, Inc.

    James Blench of JB Alpine Services
    Excellent guide recommended for here, Mount Logan, Mt. Robson as well as other peaks in the region.
    Telephone: (403) 678-2576
    jbalpine@telusplanet.net

    Emergency contact numbers

    Emergency phone numbers for Jasper National Park

    Royal Canadian Mountain Police
    (780) 852-4848.
    P.O. Box 1800 600 Pyramid Lake Road, Jasper, AB.

    Jasper Hospital
    (780) 852-3344
    518 Robson St. Jasper, AB.

    Fire & Ambulance
    (780) 852-3100
    Jasper Firehall, Patricia St. Jasper, AB.

    Park Warden Office
    (780) 852-6155 / 56
    Maligne Rd. Jasper, AB. (km 2)

    Sunwapta Park Warden Station
    (780 )852-6181
    Mile 45, Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway)

    Pobotkan Creek Warden Station
    (780) 852-5383
    Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway)

    Search and Rescue
    (780) 852-3100
    Jasper, AB

    Emergency calls:
    Jasper Park Warden (780) 852-3100
    or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at (780) 852-4848.

    Links to other activites in the Jasper and Columbia Icefields area

    • Yamnuska Mountaineering, Inc.
      Yamnuska Mountaineering, Inc. Home Page - Added by climbwild on May 21, 2005
      A comprehensive list of serices, programs, instruction, guided trips, and information, provided by one of the most highly recommended guide services in Canada.
    • Rescue Dynamics
      Home page for Rescue Dynamics, an Edmonton, AB company specializing in high angle mountain rescue, guiding, weather reports and conditions, mountain first aid, courses, gear recall information and other links
    • current climbing conditions
      Up-to-date weather reports, climbing conditions and other valuable information for climbers, outdoor enthusiasists and backcountry users, By Rescue Dynamics of Edmonton, AB
    • Environment Canada Website
      # Complete weather reports, alerts, forecasts, satellite imaging, and more. An invaluable resource to anyone planning a trip to Mt. Athabasca or the Columbia Icefield area.
    • Parks Canada
      # Home page for Parks Canada, with links to all areas of Park Canada services and information
    • Jasper National Park Home Page
      The Home Page for Jasper National Park
    • Parks Canada Fee Page - Jasper National Park
      Parks Canada fees for National Park Access and Activities
    • Hostelling International
      # Home page for the Hostelling International organization in Alberta. Complete information on locations, services, prices and other information
    • The Canadian Rockies.com
      # The home page for The Canadian Rockies.com, with information on hiking, scrambling, trekking and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies
    • Backpacking Jasper National Park
      # This page gives information about backpacking areas and regulations in Jasper National Park.
    • Alpine Club of Canada
      Alpine Club of Canada Accidents report
    • Edmonton Section
      Alpine Club of Canada Edmonton Section - Added by climbwild on May 21, 2005
      Services, programs, trips, memberships, information
    • Calgary Section
      Services, programs,trips,memberships,information
    • Avalanche reports
      # Home page for avalanche.org/ Avalanche reports, warnings and alerts, links, news
    • Columbia Icefield Visitors' Centre
      Comprehensive listings, features, services and tourist information
    • Columbia Icefield Chalet
      # Located on the top floor of the Columbia Icefield Visitors" Centre, this well-appointed hotel offers all the comforts of a modern new hotel, in the austere surroundings of the Columbia Icefield and it's awesome surrounding peaks.
    • Columbia Icefield information
      Information page for the Columbia Icefield
    • glacier ski tours
      Ski touring on the Athabasca Glacier
    • www.colwest.ca
      Home page for Brad Harrison - Photographer, outdoorsman, ACC member. Images, ACC events, information
    • Alan Kane website
      Website for Alan Kane, Canadian author of the best-selling guide book "Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies"
    • Canadian Avalanche Association
      Website for the Canadian Avalanche Association. Avalanche forecasting, news, alerts, and other information
    • Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
      Home page for the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Information and links to services, news and related subjects
    • ACC Accident History
      ACC Mountaineering accident history in the Canadian Rockies.
    • Calgary Mountain Club
      Home page for the Calgary Mountain Club, a pioneer institution in the history of Canadian mountaineering
    • Dave's Alpine Climbing
      Website for climber and photographer Dave Stephens, with trip reports, images and more.
    • Weather Underground five day forecast for Jasper, AB.
      Weather Underground report and 5 day forecast and much more, for the Jasper area.

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Viewing: 1-2 of 2
caputaka

caputaka - Oct 18, 2007 2:39 pm - Hasn't voted

Alpine Club of Canada

There's also a Jasper/Hinton section of the ACC. We know of many great routes similar to Mt. Edith Cavell in the Jasper area, it would be nice if we were added along with the other sections listed: http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/jasperhinton/

William Marler

William Marler - Oct 23, 2007 2:43 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Alpine Club of Canada

sure good idea. Will do. Cheers William

Viewing: 1-2 of 2


Children

Children

Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. For example, the Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children.