Brian L
Well-known member
- Post score: 1
- #1
Ha Ling Peak, Canmore, Alberta.
The history of this peak is a good story. This distinctive peak, immediately east of the more famous Mt. Rundle, was originally named the Beehive (for obvious reasons). In 1896, a Chinese cook named Ha Ling made a bet with the locals - no doubt fuelled by plenty of adult beverages - that he could climb the peak and come back down within 10 hours. The bet was $50, a healthy sum of money in those days.
Ha Ling started climbing at 7 am on a Saturday morning and returned in time for lunch having planted a flag at the top. He was disbelieved because the flag couldn't be seen from the town. So the next day he took a much larger flag and with some witnesses trailing along, repeated his feat.
The locals were so impressed that he not only got his money, the peak was renamed "Chinaman's Peak" in his honour. Lest anybody think this was derogatory, it was instead a sign of respect. The name stood for 100 years until more sensitive souls lobbied that the peak be renamed yet again, in his name.
Its a beautiful peak at both sunrise and sunset and there's a well used but challenging trail to the top - should you wish to repeat Ha Ling's accomplishment. These 60-something legs have not tried it; I'm happy just taking its picture.
The history of this peak is a good story. This distinctive peak, immediately east of the more famous Mt. Rundle, was originally named the Beehive (for obvious reasons). In 1896, a Chinese cook named Ha Ling made a bet with the locals - no doubt fuelled by plenty of adult beverages - that he could climb the peak and come back down within 10 hours. The bet was $50, a healthy sum of money in those days.
Ha Ling started climbing at 7 am on a Saturday morning and returned in time for lunch having planted a flag at the top. He was disbelieved because the flag couldn't be seen from the town. So the next day he took a much larger flag and with some witnesses trailing along, repeated his feat.
The locals were so impressed that he not only got his money, the peak was renamed "Chinaman's Peak" in his honour. Lest anybody think this was derogatory, it was instead a sign of respect. The name stood for 100 years until more sensitive souls lobbied that the peak be renamed yet again, in his name.
Its a beautiful peak at both sunrise and sunset and there's a well used but challenging trail to the top - should you wish to repeat Ha Ling's accomplishment. These 60-something legs have not tried it; I'm happy just taking its picture.
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