TheHomathko Icefield is anicefield inBritish Columbia,Canada. Officially named theHomathko Snowfield from 1950 until the current name was adopted in 1976,[1] it is one of the largest icefields in the southern half of theCoast Mountains, with an area of over 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi).[2] It is located betweenChilko Lake and theHomathko River, and lies across theGreat Canyon of that river to the east of theWaddington Range. Although adjacent toMount Queen Bess, the Homathko Icefield is largely an expanse of ice, about 30 km (19 mi) across, ringed by relatively minor peaks and distinguished, relative to the otherCoast Mountains icefields, by lack of any major ones. TheLillooet Icecap and theCompton Névé, both similar in size to the Homathko Icefield but much more peak-studded, lie to the Homathko Icefield's southeast across theSouthgate River which bends around the icefield-massif's southern flank to reach the head ofBute Inlet adjacent to the mouth of the Homathko River. The icefield is essentially one large ice-girt montane plateau between these two rivers.
The highest summit of the icefield isMount Grenville, located at its southern edge. Among its other peaks are Plateau Peak, Cambridge Peak, Cloister Peak, Galleon Peak and, on its northwest overlooking the site of the opening battle of theChilcotin War,Klattasine Peak, named for theTsilhqot'in leader of the war. Just northeast of the icefield isMount Queen Bess, the second-highest summit in thePacific Ranges, and to the icefield's east isMount Good Hope; near it, and within the icefield, are peaks whose names continue the Elizabethan theme - Burghley Peak,[3] Howard Peak,[4] and Walsingham Peak,[5] named after soldiers and statesmen of that era.
Homathko is a derivation of Homalco or Homalhco or Homalhko, who are a subgroup of theMainland Comox whose territory includes Bute and Toba Inlets.
"Homathko Icefield".BC Geographical Names.
51°07′N124°35′W / 51.117°N 124.583°W /51.117; -124.583 (Homathko Icefield)
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