Anûkathâ Îpa Explained

Anûkathâ Îpa
Other Name:Bald Eagle Peak
Translation:Bald Eagle Peak
Native Name Lang:nai
Elevation M:2514
Prominence M:34
Prominence Ref:[1]
Range:Fairholme Range
Listing:Mountains of Alberta
Region Type:Province
Region:Alberta
Map:Canada Alberta
Coordinates:51.1361°N -115.3378°W
Coordinates Ref:[2]
Easiest Route:Scramble

Anûkathâ Îpa (AH-noon-KUH-thə eem-PUH; Stoney Nakoda Anûkathâ Îpa pronounced as /ˌanũ'kʰaθã ĩ'pʰa/[3] [4], 'Bald Eagle Peak', sometimes written in English language sources as Anû Kathâ Îpa[5]) is an outlier of Mount Charles Stewart in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. It is one of the most prominent landmarks in the vicinity of Canmore, Alberta.

Anûkathâ Îpa is the official name for the high point of a ridge that lies southwest of the Mount Charles Stewart summit and northwest of Mount Lady Macdonald near Canmore.The peak was formerly known by a racist and misogynistic nickname, because of its resemblance to a woman's breast. It is part of a larger formation that has the appearance of a woman lying on her back, including a face, hair, and the general shape of a body, which adds to the resemblance.

On August 20, 2020 it was reported that the prominence would be renamed to avoid racist and misogynistic naming. The Stoney Nakoda people were asked to help select a culturally appropriate name and a request to support the initiative was brought to the Municipal District of Bighorn in September 2020.[6] It was officially renamed on September 29, 2020.

Belonging to the Fairholme Range in Kananaskis Provincial Park, Anûkathâ Îpa is 1200m (3,900feet) above the Bow River valley. It is 2km (01miles) northwest of Lady Macdonald, just east of the Banff National Park gates.

Routes

For climbers, a scrambling route is graded moderate but includes exposure, so the ascent is not recommended in wet conditions. Climbers are advised to follow the major drainage ditch behind Harvie Heights and stay close along the right (south) side of the ditch, and then to follow this up to the North West ridge all the way to the slabs just below the summit.

See also

Notes and References

  1. 49048. Anû Kathâ Îpa. 2021-07-11.
  2. IBAJY. Anû Kathâ Îpa (Bald Eagle Peak). 2023-09-10.
  3. Web site: entry for anûkathâ (bald eagle). Stoney Nakoda Dictionary Online. 2023-08-08. dictionary.stoneynakoda.org.
  4. Web site: entry for îpa (corner, peak). Stoney Nakoda Dictionary Online. 2023-08-08. dictionary.stoneynakoda.org.
  5. Web site: Beyond Local: Stoney Nakoda restores traditional name to peak with racist nickname. September 29, 2020. 2020-10-01. StAlbertToday.ca. en.
  6. News: Dulewich. Jenna. Moving Mountains: How Bow Valley is taking a stand against a peak with a racist name. Canmore, AB. rmotoday.com. 2020-08-20. 2020-08-20.