Ha Ling Peak
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| Ha Ling Peak | |
|---|---|
 Ha Ling Peak viewed from the South with Canmore in the background (Sept. 2006) |
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| Elevation | 2407 metres (7897 feet) |
| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Range | ???? Range |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | NTS ?? |
| Easiest route | easy scramble |
Ha Ling Peak is a mountain located immediately south of the town of Canmore Alberta just east of the Spray Lakes road in the Canadian Rockies. It was originally named Chinaman's Peak but the name was changed to be more politically correct.
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[edit] Origin of the Name
The name of the mountain has been subject to much controversy. Originally, the mountain was referred to locally as The Beehive. In 1896 Ha Ling, a Chinese cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway (some say the Okaloosa Hotel in Canmore) was bet 50 dollars that he could not climb the peak and plant a flag on the summit in less than 10 hours. According to the Medicine Hat News of October 24, 1896, he started the ascent at 7:00 am the previous Saturday morning and was back in time for lunch. As nobody believed his story, he led a party of doubters to the summit where he planted a much larger flag beside the original, this one visible to the naked eye from Canmore. The townsfolk referred to the mountain as Chinaman's Peak in his honour.
The name Chinaman's Peak did not become official until 1980. Later, in 1997 it was controversially renamed Ha Ling Peak as many found the term Chinaman derogatory. Most locals, not of Chinese descent, opposed the name change, it being part of the region's heritage. The proponents cited the historical precedent of changing the name of Nigger John Ridge to John Ware Ridge.
[edit] Climbing
There is an easy scrambling route up the south side. There is also a technical climbing route up the north face.
