| Wapta Glacier | |
|---|---|
| Wapta ice fields | |
 The Wapta Icefield from Mistaya Mountain | |
  Wapta Glacier  Wapta Glacier  Wapta Glacier | |
 Interactive map of Wapta Glacier | |
| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°38′22″N116°31′35″W / 51.63944°N 116.52639°W /51.63944; -116.52639 |
| Status | Receding |
TheWapta Icefield is a series of glaciers located on theContinental Divide in theWaputik Mountains of theCanadian Rockies, in the provinces ofBritish Columbia andAlberta,[1] inYoho National Park in theCanadianRockies.[2] The icefield is shared byBanff andYoho National Parks and numerous outlet glaciers extend from the icefield, including theVulture,Bow andPeyto Glaciers. Runoff from the icefields and outlet glaciers supply water to both theKicking Horse andBow Rivers, as well as numerous streams and lakes.
The icefield is one of the most studied in the Canadian Rockies. Currently, all evidence supports the conclusion that the icefield is shrinking in area, especially near the lowest altitudes of its outlet glaciers. This is including Peyto Glacier, as the glacier has become both shorter in length and thinner in thickness. In the 1980s the icefield covered an area of approximately 80 km2 (30 sq mi).[3]
The glaciers popular with climbers[4] accessible in both summer and winter. Both ski trips in the winter and glacier hiking trips in the summer often combine a traverse of this icefield with a trip across theWaputik Icefield directly to the south.
TheBurgess Shale animalWaptia takes its name from these features.[5] Their meltwater feeds the nearby Wapta falls.
These are the glaciers that are part of this icefield:
TheCrowfoot Glacier which was once connected to this icefield is no longer part of the Wapta Icefields.
There are five huts which provide accommodation to mountaineers on the Wapta Icefield that are operated by theAlpine Club of Canada.