What is the highest point in Canada?
The highest point in Canada is Mount Logan at 19,551 ft or 5,959 meters. Mount Logan is the highest Canadian mountain located in the
Yukon Territory and the second-highest on the North American continent. It is named after the Scottish-Canadian geologist William Edmond Logan and is found within Kluane National Park and Reserve.
The Mount Logan massif comprises a number of high peaks such as Philippe Peak at 5,925 meters, Logan East Peak at 5,898 meters, and Houston’s Peak at 5,740 meters. Mount Logan itself, the highest of all, was first climbed in 1925. A geologist turned to the Alpine Club of Canada with a suggestion for a team to be sent to Mount Logan and reach the summit. A team of American, British, and Canadian climbers initially planned the trip in 1924, but preparation delays and funding issues postponed it until 1925. In early May, the team of climbers crossed the mainland by train and after a 200-kilometers journey, they reached the Logan Glacier. The climbers established a base camp there and in June, Andy Taylor, N. Read, W.W. Foster, Albert H. MacCarthy (the leader of the expedition), Albert H. MacCarthy, and H.F. Lambart reached the peak for the first time. It took them 65 days to reach the mountain from McCarthy (the nearest town) and return. All climbers in the team were in good health and intact.
The climb to Mount Logan is not considered highly technical. However, the environment presents challenges, and these are related to the high altitude, temperature extremes, weather conditions, and glacier travel. A gradual and steady ascent is undertaken to ensure the proper acclimatization of all climbers. Expedition members should be familiar with different ice and snow techniques and should have previous glacier experience. Techniques climbers should be familiar with include roped glacier travel, cramponing, crevasse rescue systems, and self arrest. Before heading to the highest point in Canada, climbers should complete a mountaineering training seminar, for example, an IMG North Cascades Seminar or the Mt. Rainier Glacier Skills Seminar and Summit Climb. Climbers should have previous cold weather camping experience as well. An extended cold weather trip or previous expedition is recommended. It is important that climbers consider their health and endurance. The combination of heavy loads, high altitude, and fierce weather requires that expedition members are in good health and great shape. Climbers who undertake a journey to Mount Logan often go through a training program that emphasizes cardiovascular fitness. This is important to ensure a safe journey for the climber and the rest of the team.
Note that temperatures are very low near and on Mount Logan. The air temperature is around -49 °F or -45 °C at 5,000 meters in the winter. The median temperature is -17 °F or -27 °C and a minimal snow melt results in an ice cap of significant proportions. It can reach close to 984 ft or 300 meters in some places.