Ha Ling Peak

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Ha Ling Peak

Ha Ling Peak viewed from the South with Canmore in the background (Sept. 2006)
Elevation 2,407 metres (7,897 ft)
Location Flag of Alberta Alberta Flag of Canada Canada
Range Canadian Rockies
Coordinates 51°3′49″N 115°24′4″W / 51.06361, -115.40111
Topo map NTS ??
Easiest route easy scramble

Ha Ling Peak is a peak of Mount Lawrence Grassi--a mountain located immediately south of the town of Canmore just east of the Spray Lakes road in Alberta's Canadian Rockies. It was previously 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 are also several technical climbing routes up the north face.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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