The Three Sisters (Alberta) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Three Sisters
Three Sisters from Policeman Creek after sunrise reflected in the Bow River
Highest point
Elevation	2,936 m (9,633 ft)
Geography
The Three Sisters Location in Alberta
Parent range	South Banff Range, Canadian Rockies
Topo map	NTS 82O/03
Climbing
First ascent	1887 by J.J. McArthur

The Three Sisters are a trio of peaks near Canmore, Alberta, Canada. They are known individually as Big Sister, Middle Sister and Little Sister.

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.

History

In 1883, Albert Rogers, a nephew of Major A. B. Rogers, named the three summits for the first time:

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.

Peaks

Big Sister is a moderate scramble on southwestern slopes 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.

See also

In Spanish: Las tres hermanas (Canadá) para niños