| The Three Sisters | |
|---|---|
Three Sisters above the rooftops of Canmore
| |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,936 m (9,633 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Coordinates | 51°01′29″N 115°19′50″W / 51.02472°N 115.33056°W / 51.02472; -115.33056[2] |
| Geography | |
  The Three Sisters
| |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Parent range | South Banff Range, Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82O3 Canmore[2] |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1887 by J.J. McArthur[1] |
The Three Sisters are a trio of peaks near Canmore, Alberta, Canada. They are known individually as Big Sister, Middle Sister and Little Sister.[3]
In the traditional language of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney) the peaks are also referred to as the three sisters. However, the name refers to a story of Ĩ-ktomnĩ, the old man or trickster, who would promise 'three sisters' in marriage whenever he was in trouble.[4]
This trio of peaks has a significant role in the town of Canmore, tourism, and hiking in the area. The Three Sisters may be the most recognized peaks in the Bow River Valley.[5]
In 1883, Albert Rogers, a nephew of Major A. B. Rogers, was the first settler to name the mountains when he saw the sides of the peaks covered in snow, resembling three praying nuns:[6][1]
There had been quite a heavy snowstorm in the night, and when we got up in the morning and looked out of the tent I noticed each of the three peaks had a heavy veil of snow on the north side and I said to the boys, 'Look at the Three Nuns'.
Initially called the Three Nuns, they were later renamed the Three Sisters. This last name first appeared on George Mercer Dawson's 1886 map, which apparently found the name, and was more appropriate in a spirit of Protestantism.[1]
Another story is that the first superintendent of Banff National Park, George Stewart, named it after his three daughters: Frances, Olive, and Grace.[7]
| Peak | metres | feet | Coordinates | First Ascent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sister (Faith) | 2,936 | 9,632 | 51°00′50″N 115°21′00″W / 51.01389°N 115.35000°W / 51.01389; -115.35000 (Big Sister) | 1887 |
| Middle Sister (Charity) | 2,769 | 9,084 | 51°01′00″N 115°20′00″W / 51.01667°N 115.33333°W / 51.01667; -115.33333 (Middle Sister) | 1920 |
| Little Sister (Hope) | 2,694 | 8,840 | 51°01′30″N 115°20′00″W / 51.02500°N 115.33333°W / 51.02500; -115.33333 (Little Sister) | 1925 |
Big Sister is a moderate scramble on southwestern slopes and is very steep while Middle Sister is an easy scramble from Stewart Creek. Little Sister is a more difficult ascent requiring technical climbing skills. The Three Sisters Traverse is an obscure and dangerous climb seldom done.[8][9]
Being located in the southern Canmore mountain area, there are several wildlife notorious for the area. Wildlife species include but are not limited to grizzly bears, wolverines, lynxes, wolves, cougars, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. In particular, the grizzly bear, lynx, and wolverine are considered endangered in this region.[10]
The Three Sisters mountain is located near Canmore, AB. Canmore is located within the region of Treaty 7, which exists in Southern Alberta. Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, Goodstoney First Nation, Tsuut’ina First Nation, and Blackfoot Confederacy exist within Treaty 7. These nations form the Stoney Nakoda. Canmore is also in Region 3, home of the Métis Nation of Alberta.[11]
This list contains different trails in Canmore and Banff Provincial Park to view the Three Sisters and other mountains known in Canmore.[12]
