Here in the Eastern Sierra (or is it the Sierras?), we have plenty to argue about: land use, water rights, the definition of “shoulder season.” But perhaps no debate is more passionately—and passive-aggressively—fought than what to call our very own mountain range.
Is it The Sierra or The Sierras?
Some folks will jump down your throat the second you say “Sierras,”quickly reminding you that Sierra is already plural in Spanish, so adding an “s” is, quote, “grammatically incorrect.” Others grew up calling them “the Sierras” and couldn’t care less what you think.
Even John Muir, patron saint of granite worship, referred to the region as “the Sierra” in his writings. But language evolves, and so does regional slang—we tend to say “the Sierra” (and the the Inyo for that matter), but if you want to call them “the Sierras,” we’re not going to fight you. Probably.
Is it the Buttermilk or Buttermilks?
Some swear by “The Buttermilks,” arguing the name reflects the area’s many boulder fields, drainages, and scattered climbing zones. While others say “The Buttermilk,” pointing to official USGS maps that label it in the singular. Guidebooks, climbing blogs, Bishop Visitor, and the Bishop Climbing Coalition? All name it differently, and sometimes use both. Linguistic consensus? Nope.
We’re Not Here to Pick a Side (its def Sierra)
We want to know what you think—so we asked. Like, actually asked. We posted to Facebook, sent out a few DMs, and fired off a flurry of texts. The crew included folks from the BLM and USFS, a journalist, educator, author, activist, a climbing shop owner, photographer, pilot-mountaineer, rancher, a few born-and-raised locals under 30, a solid crew of old-timers—and of course, OGAF Doug Thompson.
Surprise, surprise… the answers were all over the place.
Almost all said “Sierra”—but one old timer held on to the “Sierras.”
The Alabama Hills? “The Hills” took the top spot. “The Bamas” showed up, while “The Alabama Hills” and “The Alabamas” ran neck and neck. This tracks for LP. We said LP not Lone Pine.
The Buttermilks? So messy. So we’ll just copy/paste the most common sentiment:
“While geographically incorrect… it’s the Buttermilks.”
That said, we’ll admit—this crew leaned a bit South County. And we’ve got a hunch that if you’re Bishop born-and-raised, it’s the Buttermilk. So, moving forward, that’s where we’re landing, until we hear otherwise. Ha.
So… what do you think? We welcome any and all comment rage. 🍿🍿🍿
Final Thoughts
LA vs. Los Angeles. SF, the Bay, and— I was told in my early 20’s to never say Frisco, but I was told last night from an SF native that old timers say Frisco but never say San Fran. Like everything on this planet, language evolves. Names shift, cultures adapt, and humans rebrand. It’s what we do. Nothing stays the same. That’s why debating whether it’s “the Sierra” or “the Sierras” isn’t just a grammar issue—it’s part of a bigger story.
Many would argue we should spend less time dissecting European naming conventions and instead focus on restoring Indigenous place names. But even those names can be contested, and it is definitely not our place to enter that conversation. What we instead acknowledge the complexity, respect the history, and always, keep learning.✌🏼
