A British Columbian mountain is being named in memory of an expert mountain guide and long-time avalanche safety advocate, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

Mount Mathieson is about 20 kilometres northeast of Toba Inlet on B.C.’s west coast and reaches a height of 2,323 metres. The peak is named after Brent Mathieson, who passed away in 2002 after an exceptional career that included leadership roles with the Cypress Mountain ski patrol team and North Shore Rescue.

Mathieson was born and raised in Burnaby. He became an experienced mountain guide and Avalanche Safety Professional. He served as the West Coast director of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides before dying in a highway accident at the age of 32 years. He worked tirelessly to educate British Columbians about potential avalanche dangers and advise them how to travel safely while exploring the province’s spectacular wilderness areas.

Mathieson spearheaded the creation of the “North Shore Avalanche Advisory”, a safety bulletin that summarized winter mountain conditions, offered travel advice and provided up-to-date information about snowpack conditions, avalanche activity and current hazards in B.C.’s backcountry. This publication later reached a wider audience when it was incorporated into Avalanche Canada’s public bulletin on avalanche safety.

While working as a heli-ski guide, Mathieson was the first person to ski the 2,000-metre run from the top of his namesake mountain to Montrose Creek, a path that became known as Brent’s Run.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

“Naming this mountain after Brent Mathieson is a testament to his many contributions to educating backcountry enthusiasts about avalanche dangers and mountain safety issues in British Columbia. It is a fitting tribute to someone who was an accomplished outdoorsman, expert guide and respected community leader.”

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky -

“Many people who are involved in outdoor recreation in this area knew Brent and are familiar with his work to promote backcountry safety in British Columbia. I’m happy to see his efforts recognized today and I extend my best wishes to his family.”

Gilles Valade, executive director of Avalanche Canada -

“As Canada’s national public avalanche safety organization, Avalanche Canada is very pleased to see Brent Mathieson honoured in this way. He was truly dedicated to public avalanche safety and his work has left a lasting legacy.”

Quick Facts:

• Location of Mount Mathieson: about 20 km northeast of Toba Inlet and about 90 km north-northeast of Powell River (map co-ordinates: 50°36’50” -124°05’46”), on the watershed divide between Toba River and Montrose Creek
• Elevation: 2,323 metres
• Provincial Atlas 1:20,000 scale topographical map number: 92K.070
• Provincial Atlas 1:50,000 scale topographical map number: 92K/9

Learn More:

GeoBC: http://geobc.gov.bc.ca/base-mapping/atlas/bcnames/index.html

Information about Mount Mathieson on the BC Geographical Names website:
http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/67221.html

Emergency Management BC’s avalanche information page:
www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_preparedness/Avalanche_Information.html

Avalanche Canada: www.avalanche.ca

Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: www.acmg.ca

AdventureSmart (outdoor recreation advice): www.adventuresmart.ca  

Media Contacts:

Greig Bethel
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261