Shiprock(Navajo:Tsé Bitʼaʼí,"rock with wings" or "winged rock"[4]) is amonadnockrising nearly 1,583 feet (482 m) above the high-desert plain of theNavajo NationinSan Juan County,New Mexico,United States. Its peak elevation is 7,177 feet (2,188 m) abovesea level.It is 10.75 miles (17.30 km) southwest of the town ofShiprock,which is named for the peak.
| Shiprock | |
|---|---|
| Tsé Bitʼaʼí | |
 Shiprock | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,177 ft (2,188 m) |
| Prominence | 1,583 ft (482 m) |
| Coordinates | 36°41′15″N108°50′11″W/ 36.68750°N 108.83639°W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Shiprock New Mexico | |
| Location | San Juan County,New Mexico, US |
| Topo map | USGSShip Rock Quadrangle |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | 27 million years |
| Mountain type(s) | Volcanic brecciaandminette |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | (First documented) 1939 byDavid Brower,Raffi Bedayn,Bestor Robinsonand John Dyer[2][3] |
| Designated | 1975 |
Governed by the Navajo Nation, the formation is in theFour Cornersregion and plays a significant role in Navajoreligion,myth,and tradition. Shiprock is a point of interest for rock climbers and photographers and has been featured in several film productions and novels. It is the most prominent landmark in northwestern New Mexico. In 1975, Shiprock was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.[5]
Name
editThe Navajo name for the peak,Tsé Bitʼaʼí,"rock with wings" or "winged rock", refers to the legend of the great bird that brought the Navajo from the north to their present lands.[6][7]The name "Shiprock" orShiprock PeakorShip Rockderives from the peak's resemblance to an enormous 19th-centuryclippership. Americans first called the peak "The Needle", a name given to the topmost pinnacle by Captain J. F. McComb in 1860.[7]United States Geological Surveymaps indicate that the name "Ship Rock" dates from the 1870s.[6][7]
Geology
editShiprock, an example of avolcanic neck,is composed of fracturedvolcanicbrecciaand blackdikesofigneousrock calledminette, a type of lamprophyre.It is the erosional remnant of the throat of a volcano, and thevolcanic brecciaformed in adiatreme.The rock probably was originally formed 2,500–3,000 feet (750–1,000 meters) below the Earth's surface, but it was exposed after millions of years of erosion.[8]Wall-like sheets of minette, known as dikes, radiate away from the central formation.Radiometric agedeterminations of the minette establish that these volcanic rocks solidified about 27 million years ago. Shiprock is in the northeastern part of theNavajo volcanic field—a field that includes intrusions and flows of minette and other unusual igneous rocks that formed about 30 million years ago.Agathla(El Capitan) inMonument Valleyis another prominent volcanic neck in this volcanic field.[9][10]
Climbing history and legal status
editThe recordedfirst ascentwas in 1939, by aSierra Clubparty includingDavid Brower,Raffi Bedayn,Bestor Robinsonand John Dyer.[2][3]This was the first climb in the United States to useexpansion boltsfor protection.Pitonswere used for direct aid. This first ascent route is featured in the 1979 bookFifty Classic Climbs of North America.
Since then at least seven routes have been climbed on the peak, all of them of great technical difficulty. A modification of the original route is recorded as the easiest, and it is rated asGrade IV,YDS 5.9, A1.[2]It was considered a great unsolved problem by the climbing community in the 1920s and 1930s. At that time there was a widespread rumor of a $1000 prize for climbing the peak, which inspired "dozens of attempts by the experienced and inexperienced alike".[2]
The idea of climbing Shiprock is repugnant to many Navajo people. Climbing has been illegal since 1970.[11][12][13]In spite of this, rock climbers continue to see Shiprock as an interesting place to climb.
Serious injuries to three climbers in March 1970 caused the Navajo Nation to ban rock climbing not only on Shiprock but all over the Navajo Nation on monoliths, spires and within tribal parks under the jurisdiction of Navajo Parks & Recreation. The Navajo Nation announced that the ban was "absolute, final and unconditional".[14]
According to reports from the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, which administers recreational activities on Navajo land, there have been false claims that the department allows rock climbing and cooperates with rock climbing organizations. A 2006 press release addressing Monument Valley, another area of monoliths within the Navajo Nation, states:
Reports of the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department allowing rock climbing are false. Yet several websites have postings on how to evade Navajo Nation regulations and proceed with dangerous and illegal rock climbs in [Monument Valley]. Even more serious than the possible physical harm illegal climbs could pose is the religious damage done to the Navajo people by these non-Navajo visitors. The Monuments are sacred to the Navajo people and any human interaction (by Navajo or non-Navajo) is strictly off limits. Please abide by the humble religious requests of the Navajo people and do not climb the Monuments. 'Navajo law will be strictly enforced on this issue,' Parks Department Manager Ray Russell also added.[15]
Permits are issued by the department to camp and hike in some areas, but not for sacred monuments such as Shiprock.
Religious and cultural significance
editShiprock and the surrounding land have religious and historical significance to theNavajo people.It is mentioned in many of their myths and legends. Foremost is the peak's role as the agent that brought the Navajo to the southwest. According to one legend, after being transported from another place, the Navajos lived on the monolith, "coming down only to plant their fields and get water."[7]One day, the peak was struck by lightning, obliterating the trail and leaving only a sheer cliff, and stranding the women and children on top to starve. The presence of people on the peak is forbidden "for fear they might stir up thechį́įdii(ghosts), or rob their corpses. "[7]
Navajo legend puts the peak in a larger geographic context. Shiprock is said to be either a medicine pouch or a bow carried by the "Goods of Value Mountain", a large mythic male figure comprising several mountain features throughout the region. TheChuska Mountainscomprise the body,Chuska Peakis the head, theCarrizo Mountainsare the legs, andBeautiful Mountainis the feet.[7]
Navajo legend has it that Bird Monsters (Tsé Ninájálééh) nested on the peak and fed on human flesh. AfterMonster Slayer,elder of the Warrior Twins, destroyedDééléédat Red Mesa, he killed two adult Bird Monsters at Shiprock and changed two young ones into an eagle and an owl.[7][16]The peak is mentioned in stories from the Enemy Side Ceremony and the Navajo Mountain Chant, and is associated with the Bead Chant and the Naayee'ee Ceremony.[7]
Climate
edit| Climate data for Shiprock, NM | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 66 (19) |
78 (26) |
83 (28) |
91 (33) |
99 (37) |
107 (42) |
109 (43) |
106 (41) |
99 (37) |
92 (33) |
78 (26) |
72 (22) |
109 (43) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 43.0 (6.1) |
50.6 (10.3) |
59.9 (15.5) |
70.0 (21.1) |
79.8 (26.6) |
90.1 (32.3) |
94.6 (34.8) |
91.9 (33.3) |
85.1 (29.5) |
72.4 (22.4) |
56.2 (13.4) |
44.1 (6.7) |
69.8 (21.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.7 (−9.1) |
21.5 (−5.8) |
27.5 (−2.5) |
34.9 (1.6) |
43.8 (6.6) |
51.2 (10.7) |
58.8 (14.9) |
57.3 (14.1) |
48.0 (8.9) |
36.0 (2.2) |
25.1 (−3.8) |
16.9 (−8.4) |
36.4 (2.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −18 (−28) |
−14 (−26) |
2 (−17) |
9 (−13) |
15 (−9) |
28 (−2) |
30 (−1) |
33 (1) |
21 (−6) |
10 (−12) |
0 (−18) |
−26 (−32) |
−26 (−32) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 0.46 (12) |
0.46 (12) |
0.54 (14) |
0.41 (10) |
0.51 (13) |
0.29 (7.4) |
0.66 (17) |
1.00 (25) |
0.80 (20) |
0.78 (20) |
0.52 (13) |
0.57 (14) |
7 (177.4) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.6 (4.1) |
0.7 (1.8) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
1.0 (2.5) |
4.1 (10.41) |
| Source:http:// wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?nm8284 | |||||||||||||
Gallery
edit-
Aerial view of Shiprock in true color -
Shiprock on a 1962 U.S.commemorative stamp -
Aerial view of Shiprock and Shiprock Dike, with theSan Juan Riverbehind -
Shiprock monochrome image (2021) -
Shiprock formation in New Mexico, USA showing the 5-mile-long dike radiating to the south. -
![Shiprock and associated dikes taken by NASA in 2006 with the Terra satellite. The colors shown represent infrared wavelengths: Lush vegetation appears bright red, while different kinds of rock with less vegetation appear in shades of gray, black, and tan.[17]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Ship_Rock_NASA.jpg/259px-Ship_Rock_NASA.jpg)
Shiprock and associated dikes taken byNASAin 2006 with theTerra satellite.The colors shown representinfraredwavelengths: Lush vegetation appears bright red, while different kinds of rock with less vegetation appear in shades of gray, black, and tan.[17]
![Shiprock and associated dikes taken by NASA in 2006 with the Terra satellite. The colors shown represent infrared wavelengths: Lush vegetation appears bright red, while different kinds of rock with less vegetation appear in shades of gray, black, and tan.[17]](/translate/en.m.wikipedia.org?u=https%3A%2F%2Fen.m.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AShip_Rock_NASA.jpg&t=vi)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Ship Rock".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.RetrievedNovember 30,2008.
- ^abcdAudrey Salkeld, editor,World Mountaineering,Bulfinch, 1998.
- ^abHerbert E. Ungnade,Guide to the New Mexico Mountains,Sage Books, 1965, pp. 170–172.
- ^Wall, Leon; William Morgan (1994) [1958].Navajo-English Dictionary.New York: Hippocrene.ISBN0-7818-0247-4.
- ^"National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)".nps.gov.RetrievedMarch 25,2019.
Year designated: 1975
- ^abButterfield, Mike, and Greene, Peter,Mike Butterfield's Guide to the Mountains of New Mexico,New Mexico Magazine Press, 2006,ISBN978-0-937206-88-1
- ^abcdefghLaurance D. Linford,Navajo Places: History, Legend, Landscape,University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 2000,ISBN0-87480-623-2,p. 264–265.
- ^Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980).Natural Wonders of the World.United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. pp.343.ISBN0-89577-087-3.
- ^Steven C. Semken,The Navajo Volcanic Field,inVolcanology in New Mexico,New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 18, p. 79–83, 2001.ISSN1524-4156
- ^Paul T. Delaney,Ship Rock, New Mexico: The vent of a violent volcanic eruption,Geological Society of America Centennial Field Guide—Rocky Mountain Section, pp. 411–415, 1987.
- ^Roper, Steve;Steck, Allen(1979).Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.ISBN0-87156-292-8.page 214
- ^"Navajo Parks and Recreation Department".Archived fromthe originalon May 30, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 20,2008.
- ^"Shiprock Chapter".Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 20,2008.
- ^""Shiprock and the Los Alamos Mountaineers"".RetrievedNovember 9,2020.
- ^2006 Press release about climbing in Monument Valley
- ^Shiprock on Dark Isle
- ^"Shiprock Formation, New Mexico".June 24, 2006.
External links
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