Experience The Mountain Parks Blog

Your submissions to our 2012/2013 Photos/Videos Contest now unveiled!

Have a look here. More are uploaded every week. Please make sure to check but follow the rules; as an example, no captions provided then your submission(s) won't even be considered even though displayed.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink

Enrich your hiking experience, discover or re-discover these easy hikes in the Canadian Rockies

One of our newest contributors, Graeme Pole just released a new Canadian Rockies guide.

This 20^th Anniversary Edition (184 pages, softcover, $21.95) includes 151 outings in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Mt. Robson, Waterton Lakes, and Akamina-Kishinena Parks, as well as Kananaskis Country and Kootenay Plains Recreation Area!!

Hike descriptions are packed with comprehensive information on history, geology, wildlife, and wildflowers.Detailed maps and suggestion for the best time of day to visit, assist in planning itineraries. Colour photographs depict the principal features. Wildlife and wildflower guides, and tips on equipment, preparedness, trail etiquette, as well as bear safety.

This is definitely an indispensable resource we recommend. Since its first release, this title has sold more than 65,000 copies.

As an alternate, you might want to order it from Alpine Book Peddlers, 1-866-478-2280.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink

Our 2011/2012 Photos/Videos Contest is now over. All received submissions have been posted on our website.

Submissions to our grand 2011/2012 Photos/Videos Contest were accepted up to February 29, 2012, midnight MT.

We received a total of 396 photos;

- 224 photos in the "Landscape & Sunsets" category
- 103 photos in the "Flowers & Wildlife" category
- 69 photos in the "Friends & Family" category and
- 4 videos

Thank you all and good luck! 

Any new submissions will be entered in for the 2012/2013 Contest. You might want to wait a bit to know more about the exciting prizes Bob and our generous sponsors gathered for you.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink

Alberta designates grizzly bears a threatened species

Press release excerpt:

Alberta designates grizzly bears a threatened species

Population and habitat mapping provide key information

The designation is based on cutting-edge population research and habitat data, as well as a recommendation from the Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC), a group of stakeholders including ranchers, industry, academics, wildlife managers and conservation interests..."

Read the full press release here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Government of Alberta, Parks Division, concocted some short videos explaining how to avoid bear encounters and what to do in case of a bear encounter. Remember, Alberta and British Columbia are "bear countries" after all.

First video transcript:

"As park interpreters, we meet a lot of people who want to know what to do if a bear attacks.

But focusing on bear attacks really misses the point when we talk about bear and human safety. And it actually turns bears into something they aren't.

Bears aren't savage killers!...

About the only thing the bears in the Rocky Mountains viciously tear apart are wasps nests, ant hills and the roots of plants that make up their diet.

That's right! About 75 to 90% of a bear's diet is made up of plants--the rest being insects, ground squirrels, and the occasional dead animal.

By learning and practicing a few basic safety procedures while in bear country, your visit to the wilderness will be safe and enjoyable.

And by reducing conflicts with bears, you're also helping to protect them.

You'll also be protecting yourself and other wilderness visitors."

Second video transcript:

"The first and most important thing to remember about bears in the wild is that like any other wild animal they can be unpredictable. You've entered their home...

So when hiking, biking, or riding a horse it's important to let them know that you're there.

Make plenty of noise especially when you're near steams, hiking through dense bush or when approaching a blind corner. But bear bells aren't loud enough.

We recommend loud conversation, singing a song, or the good old-fashioned "Yo Bear!" at regular intervals.

When vehicle camping, make certain to keep your food locked in your vehicle -- even when you're only away from your site for a few minutes, or when you go

inside your tent or trailer. Remember bears can smell food that's in a cooler, so lock your cooler in your vehicle.

Dispose of your garbage and food scraps in sealed bags in a bear-proof bin.

And get rid off your dish or wash water by dumping it in a campground toilet.

In the backcountry, cooking and eat at least 100 metres from your tent. And never put any food, toilet article, candy, or anything else that has

a scent into your tent. Even toothpaste smells like food to a bear.

Store your pack in a backcountry locker, on a pack rack, or suspend it on a rope between two trees.

If you see a bear, the first thing to do is to give him some space.

Remember, this is the bear's home and you're just the visitor.

All you have to do is back away slowly, return the way you came, or take a wide detour around the area.

The bear doesn't want to be around you anymore than you want to be around the bear.

By the time you get back home, you'll have a really great story to embellish."

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink