| The Red Pillar | |
| Elevation M: | 2034 |
| Prominence M: | 571 |
| Location: | Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada |
| District: | Clayoquot Land District |
| Range: | Vancouver Island Ranges |
| Coordinates: | 49.5256°N -125.3892°W |
| Map: | Vancouver Island#Canada British Columbia |
The Red Pillar is a mountain on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, located southwest of Courtenay and south of Mount Albert Edward.
The Red Pillar is a member of the Vancouver Island Ranges which in turn form part of the Insular Mountains.[1]
The Red Pillar's name is descriptive, according to the BC Geographical Names Information System:[2]
The mountain was climbed in 1931 by local climbers Geoff Capes and Jack Gregson; they left a note in a cairn at the summit naming it "The Pillar". (Ruth Masters, Comox & District Mountaineering Club)
"...the highest peak in the glacier region, which was first climbed on August 1, 1931. The party of which I was one, did not wish to call the peak after one of our number so left the request in the cairn we erected that is should be called "The Pillar." There are many other Pillars so may I suggest that it be called The Red Pillar as it is of distinctly reddish rock." (July 1935 letter from Ben Hughes, publisher, Comox Argus)
The easiest access to The Red Pillar is from the south, via the Ash River Trail. The trail starts at the north-west end of Oshinow Lake. There are two ways to reach the trail head:
Alternatively, The Red Pillar can be accessed by from the Comox Glacier by traversing over, or going around, Argus Mountain.