Howser Spire

Howser Spire, The Bugaboos
Highest point
Elevation 3,412 m (11,194 ft)
Prominence 1,299 m (4,262 ft)
Listing
Coordinates 50°43′47″N 116°48′48″W
Geography
Howser Spire is located in British Columbia
Howser Spire
Howser Spire
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
District Kootenay Land District
Protected area Bugaboo Provincial Park
Parent range Purcell Mountains, East Kootenay
Topo map NTS 82K10 Howser Creek
Geology
Mountain type Granite
Climbing
First ascent 1916
Conrad Kain
Albert MacCarthy
E. MacCarthy
J. Vincent
Henry Frind

Howser Spire, or Howser Spire Massif, is a group of three distinct granite peaks, and the highest mountain of the Canadian Bugaboo Spires. The mountain is located at the southwest corner of the Vowell Glacier, within the Bugaboo mountain range in the Purcell Mountains, a subrange of British Columbia's Columbia Mountains, The highest of the three spires is the North Tower at 3,412 m (11,194 ft), the Central Tower the lowest, and the South Tower is slightly lower than the North at 3,292 m (10,801 ft).

Howser Spire is named after the town of Howser on Duncan Lake and Howser Creek.

The first ascent of the North Tower was made in August 1916 by Conrad Kain, Albert MacCarthy, E. MacCarthy, J. Vincent and Henry Frind.

The Beckey-Chouinard/West Buttress route is recognized in the historic climbing text Fifty Classic Climbs of North America and considered a classic around the world.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Howser Spire is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Vowell Glacier on the peak's north slope.

Nearby

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