Final Spire, The

In 1934, four mountaineers from Manitoba piled into their Plymouth and pointed its headlights west to Tatlayoko Lake in British Columbia. Their goal? To conquer B.C.’s tallest mountain.

These young adventurers were following in the footsteps of the courageous, sometimes tragic, attempts made by other climbers to summit “Mystery Mountain.” But one tantalizing challenge remained: the main tower. This central spire was a nightmarish image for any climber; a sheer column of barren rock encased in ice. But the irresistible allure of “Mystery Mountain” electrified the public and the race was on.