Mount Arrowsmith – The Sleeping Maiden of Vancouver Island
For those that know me, it goes without saying that I am an alpine enthusiast. I feel most at home when I am in the embrace of the mountains, preferably right here on Vancouver Island. One of those peaks that I enjoy the most on the island would be Mount Arrowsmith.
I have shared my experiences on Mount Arrowsmith several times in past posts here on Mindful Explorer. From climbing the Snow Gully to scrambling Un-Judges Route the mountain offers so much to explore and appreciate.
Proof There Are Big Mountains on Vancouver Island
It would be no surprise then to say that I was extremely excited when editor Mike Berard of Coast Mountain Culture reached out to me to pen a story on the mountain. I have long been a fan of CMC and the publication they have crafted. As the description on their website states;
Coast Mountain Culture Magazine is an international-calibre biannual publication dedicated to the exploration and celebration of mountain culture as it exists throughout the vast coastal mountain ranges of western North America.
Pick up an issue for yourself, swing by their website to read the article (CMC Mount Arrowsmith) or continue reading my story below.
The Island’s Maiden Massif
When you stand before the jagged skyline of Mount Arrowsmith, it’s difficult to grasp how this impressive mountain on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, only became a protected regional park in 2008.
The tallest peak of the southern island ranges, it is easily accessible from nearby Highway 4, between Qualicum and Port Alberni, and it is often the first alpine summit attempted by Van Isle climbers, much as it was for me years ago.
With the day’s soft glowing light illuminating the peak, I hike through the forest of cedar and fir on a cold morning for my annual climb up Arrowsmith, this time to celebrate the park’s 10th anniversary. As I traverse the Bumps, a section below the peak, I begin to see stunning views to the southeast, with the Salish Sea opening up below.Few alpine climbs offer views of the ocean the way Arrowsmith does. On particularly vivid, clear mornings, Mt. Baker can even be seen in distant Washington State.
Arrowsmith’s park designation is all thanks to the hard work of Peter Rothermel, and appreciation for his efforts is pervasive in the small-but-burgeoning local alpinist community. Rothermel mounted a 12-year campaign—alongside other passionate islanders—to preserve this 1,300-hectare mountain playground.
Rothermel once told me the First Nations who called the west side of Arrowsmith home named it Kuth-Kah-Chulth, which translates to “that which has many pointed faces.” He says those from the east side called her the Sleeping Maiden. These names reflect two very different topographical sides of an iconic peak.
With a final grasp on a rocky outcropping, I pull myself to the level ground of the lower summit. I turn around to admire the view of the Bumps and the subsequent Nose route, which I just climbed and scrambled.
The massif, which features a jagged collection of peaks, was collectively named Mt. Arrowsmith in 1853 after English cartographers John and Aaron Arrowsmith. The first recorded ascent was by John Mahoun in July of 1887 with local Indigenous guide Qualicum Tom.The famous mountaineers Don and Phyllis Munday completed ascents in 1925. It was during these climbs that they first sighted Mt. Waddington, the highest peak in the Coast Range. Several of the Munday’s photos are in the BC Archives at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, British Columbia.
Qualicum Tom’s first ascent—and the area’s long history as home to several First Nations—probably means locals regularly summited Arrowsmith prior to colonization. I followed in their footsteps to gaze down at the protected land, the Sleeping Maiden and her many pointed faces finally at rest.
Chris Istace ~ as written for CMC in the “Wicked Issue”
A big thanks again to Coast Mountain Culture for the opportunity to share a story on Mount Arrowsmith. Please discover this great magazine for yourself, the imagery and the quality of writing within its pages will make you a loyal reader.
I will now leave you with a small selection of a few of the images from my past trips to Mount Arrowsmith. Let me know in the comments below if you have been to the mountain and if so what was your favourite memory.
Photo courtesy Insight Images taken during a climb of Mt Arrowsmith 
Descending Nose Route on Mt Arrowsmith ~ Vancouver Island 
Sunrise from the Saddle – Mt Arrowsmith Regional Park Vancouver Island 
A fine day of Mountaineering as I try my best Alpine pose 
A glorious view of the South Vancouver Island mountains 
Ice Axe high fives on the Main Summit 
Lunch break in the upper cirque soaking up the sunshine 
View of Mount Arrowsmith from the Upper Cirque
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Looks gorgeous, and having ocean views while climbing in the alpine is indeed unique!
On Vancouver Island that is one of the top perks in the alpine. If you get to the top of most of them and the conditions are right the views will include the Salish Sea and Pacific Ocean.