This is a purely HYPOTHETICAL suggestion, relating to (unofficially) naming some of the 110 unnamed ranked Colorado 13’ers.
Ben (Supranihilest) had a strong negative reaction to the idea of any of these peaks being named, by anyone (even just as unofficial names to be used primarily by our Colorado peak-bagging community).
He is a respected member of said community, and after considering his stance, I came to realize that there are probably many people who would share his stance.
But now I am very interested in researching how many peak names can be established, that were used by Native Americans?
Please provide any that anyone is aware of and/or potential sources of additional information. This may involve many trips to many libraries, and conversations with Ute elders.
Perhaps the end result will only be a handful of traditional Ute peak names, that I can barely pronounce, and I doubt I will ever submit them through the official channels, but I will certainly add them to my own PERSONAL checklist.
Known Native American Peak Names?
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LifeIsGood
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LifeIsGood
- Posts: 107
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
ANY related info will be appreciated. I’ll start by quoting myself:
LifeIsGood wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2026 4:14 pm14’er Uncompahgre Peak is a Ute Indian word meaning “red water spring” (likely a reference to hot springs).
14’er Tabeguache Peak is named for a specific band of Ute Indians, and means “People of Sun Mountain” (their term for Pikes Peak, in their home area).
14’er Mt Shavano is named for a Ute Indian Chief.
14’er Mt Antero is named for a Ute Indian Chief.
Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
I've always liked the Ute name for Mount Sopris. "Wemagooah Kazuhchich,”(Ute) or “Ancient Mountain Heart Sits There.” (per Wikipedia)
I'm horrible with names...
But will never forget a mountain's face!
But will never forget a mountain's face!
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LifeIsGood
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
NICE!!!TakeMeToYourSummit wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2026 12:11 pm I've always liked the Ute name for Mount Sopris. "Wemagooah Kazuhchich,”(Ute) or “Ancient Mountain Heart Sits There.” (per Wikipedia)
Though Mt Sopris already has a name, and is also not quite over 13,000 feet, this is still very much the type of information that I am seeking.
I have only made one ascent of Mt Sopris, but have always intended to return. Now I will have this name in mind when I do.
Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
But did you hit both Sopris summits?LifeIsGood wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2026 12:31 pm
Though Mt Sopris already has a name, and is also not quite over 13,000 feet, this is still very much the type of information that I am seeking.
I have only made one ascent of Mt Sopris, but have always intended to return. Now I will have this name in mind when I do.
The four Navajo sacred mountains – Blanca Peak (Sis Naajiní), Mount Taylor (Tsoodził), San Francisco Peaks (Dook’o’oosłííd), and Hesperus Mountain (Dibé Nitsaa)
"A couple more shots of whiskey,
the women 'round here start looking good"
the women 'round here start looking good"
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LifeIsGood
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
Excellent contribution! And this illustrates the breadth of this project, in that many high Colorado peaks will have names from several different tribes (Arapaho, Cheyenne, Lakota, Kiowa, Navajo, Apache, Comanche,etc).
Last edited by LifeIsGood on Wed Aug 26, 2026 7:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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LifeIsGood
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
Next time I ascend the 14’ers Grays and Torreys Peaks (I only have 3 ascents of this combo), I will have in mind the original Arapaho Tribe name: “Heeniiyoowuu,” which hilariously translates to “Ant Hills.”
Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
According to Wikipedia, "The original indigenous name for [Wilson Peak] was Shandoka, which translates to "Storm Maker"
I'd be okay renaming it to Stormmaker Peak or something, that would be sick. I can't recall where I first read this info but I think it was ina guidebook somewhere
I'd be okay renaming it to Stormmaker Peak or something, that would be sick. I can't recall where I first read this info but I think it was ina guidebook somewhere
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LifeIsGood
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
“Shandoka” or “Storm Maker” would be fantastic names for this peak. In all seriousness, someone with enough determination should formally submit this change request, because we currently have a 14’er Mt Wilson and a 14’er Wilson Peak right NEXT TO EACH OTHER!
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LifeIsGood
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
A six-pack, at the very least, to anyone that can provide Native American names for the following:
LifeIsGood wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2026 6:12 pmSome of us just don’t want to end up with any more “Booby Prize,” “Lo Carb,” “Every Mtn,” “Yahoo Mtn,” “Baldy no es Cinco,” “Mt SoSo”, “Tigger,” or “Proposal” Peaks.
Also, 14’ers.com lists:
TWO peaks as UN 13,552
TWO peaks as UN 13,543
THREE peaks as UN 13,350
TWO peaks as UN 13,221
TWO peaks as UN 13,220
TWO peaks as UN 13,179
TWO peaks as UN 13,145
TWO peaks as UN 13,144
TWO peaks as UN 13,102
TWO peaks as UN 13,048
TWO peaks as UN 13,015
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jibler
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
Mount Humphrey in AZ has distinct Navajo and hopi names.
Neither of which I can type on a phone.
Will circle back.
Kachina power!
Neither of which I can type on a phone.
Will circle back.
Kachina power!
Keep looking up - Jack Horkheimer
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LifeIsGood
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Re: Known Native American Peak Names?
Because this mountain is visible from such a vast distance in every direction, I wasn’t surprised to find that numerous tribes had a name for it. Here are just a few of them:
Navajo: “Dook’o’oosliid”
Hopi: “Nuva’tukya’ovi”
Paiute: “Nuvaxatuh”
Havasupai: “Huassapatch”
Apache: “Dzil Tso”
I have only made one ascent of this mountain (highest peak in Arizona). On my next, the experience will be enriched by having a better understanding of what this mountain meant to the area tribes.
