Highline Magazine, Winter 2009

WINTER 2009 VOL.1 | ISSUE 2

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WINTER 2009 FEATURE STORIES Sean Isaac: Home Sweet Canmore Amenity Migration: The High Price of Life in Paradise Sunshine & Good Times at Amiskwi Lodge

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ESSENTIALS Nutrition Training Gear Review

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EXPOSURE Bear 71 Canmore Coop Harper Sisters

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CHATTER Mountain MacGyver When Pine Beetles Attack Grassi Lakes

8 10 35

SCENE + HEARD 44 Weekly Entertainment Guide SNAPSHOT

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STILL LIFE Photo Spread

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THE GUIDEBOOK Big Backyard Donuts and Dirtbags

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HIGHLINEONLINE.ca

LETTER

Winter 2009

FROM US...

Kristy Davison | Creative Director Erin Moroz | Editor

Growing up in Winnipeg, not many people actually looked forward to winter.

and, “It’s supposed to snow this week!” complete with a smile that shook my system of beliefs to the core. Winter equaled wind chill warnings and 6 a.m. ice time—it was to be tolerated and endured, not eagerly anticipated.

The minus 40-degree weather would blow in and park itself on the prairies and for at least 12 weeks we’d retreat into collective isolation, venturing outdoors only when utterly necessary—like to attend a second-cousin’s wedding social. We froze while tobogganing and jam-pail curling, and we wouldn’t dream of getting in a car that hadn’t been preheated. Every winter memory I recall is met with an involuntary shudder as my shoulders draw up to my ears.

But then I tried skiing somewhere other than Thunder Bay. And I bought a snowboard, followed by a splitboard. A new friend took me ice climbing. I drove the Icefields Parkway under a full moon in January and slept in a snow cave! Here in the valley, winter days start early at the Summit and end with a beer and a fireside recounting of the day’s escapades.

When I finally smartened up and moved somewhere with mountains, I was bewildered by exclamations of, “It’s almost winter!”

Just add snow and ice, and our mountains are transformed into a new world of adventure and good times.

What’s not to love?

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WINTER 2009 Volume 1 | Issue 2

EDITOR

Erin Moroz

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristy Davison

COPY EDITOR Paul Davison

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

Angie Castaldi + David Laxer | www.clichedesign.ca

ILLUSTRATOR Derek Carman

Ooo... you smell.

So…you think this magazine stinks do you? Well, at least some of you told us it does. The apparently lessthan-pleasant odour you smell is not actually Blue #36 or some other noxious chemical, but rather the 98% vegetable-based inks used in the printing process.

Don’t forget in inhale your vegetables!

CONTRIBUTORS

Keith Addy, Rob Alexander, Aaron Beardmore, Rachel Boekel, Cary Bohnet, Derek Carman, John Coleman, Craig and Kathy Copeland, Ryan Creary, Adina Currie, Andrew Hardingham, Adrian Marcoux, Alyson McAndrews, Chris Messervey, Brandon Pullan, Jill Roberts, Adam Robertson, Kelly Schovanek, Meghan Ward, Rich Weir, Andrew Wexler, J. Bradford White and Oliver Williamson.

SPECIAL THANKS

Frank Koutis, Derek Moroz, Ross Mailloux, Tanya Schatzmann, Magi Scallion, Rosanna Crawford, Eric Sethna, Bryce Shaw, The Banff Centre, Mark Ambler, Christie Michaud, Renee Hantelmann, Janine Thrale, Janis Lindal, Jill Juschka, Dung Nguyen and The Vsion, Marnie Dansereau, Brad Clute, Luc and Jasmine Allard, Avalanche Movie Co., Rusticana, Beamer’s Coffee Bar, Valhalla Pure Outfitters (Canmore), Fergies and Two Brothers Taxi.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Highline Magazine 317 8th Ave., Canmore, Alberta T1W 2E6 Phone 403.688.5103 Email info@highlineonline.ca Web www.highlineonline.ca

Highline Magazine is a free, quarterly publication.

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Avalanche Movie Co. Beamer's Coffee Bar communitea café Rusticana Fergie’s Valhalla Pure Outfitters Mountain Equipment Co-op Calgary

CELEBRATE THE ART OF LIFE

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CONTRIBUTORS

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Aaron Beardmore

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Cary Bohnet

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Jon Coleman

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Andrew Wexler

In 1996, Aaron Beardmore showed up in the Bow Valley from his native Revelstoke, and never left. He became an IFMGA mountain guide in 2003 and operated a small business guiding clients in Canada, Europe, and South America.

Currently, he works for Parks Canada as a Mountain Safety Programs Specialist for Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks and guides on a part-time basis. Aaron enjoys the ever-evolving cultural aspects of mountain living in the Bow Valley, as well as the abundance of outdoor recreation in the area…especially snowboarding!

Born and raised in Canmore, Cary is a personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. His company Pure Movement Training Systems was formed to provide comprehensive physical training combined with corrective framework to enhance the body’s natural function. Over the last 4 years his philosophy has drawn the attention of many clients from all walks of life.

Currently Cary is a professional member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and certified under the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Visit www.puremovement.ca for more information.

John Coleman is an avid Rubik’s cube player who had his sites set on the 2011 World Championships until he won $20 in a bowling tournament last weekend and lost his amateur status. He has since shifted his focus to creating new CPAST (Citizens Producing Antidotes for Seasonal Tribulations) initiatives. In addition he works for another CPAST organization, the Canadian Para-alpine Ski Team as a sport psychology consultant. In his spare time, John works on his PhD in kinesiology focusing on the experience of human movement.

Raised in North America’s finest city, Andrew left Montreal after high school and moved west. Since 1999, he has worked as a climbing guide and has led expeditions to Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Alaska, Kazakhstan and Nepal. He is currently an ACMG Assistant Alpine Guide and an intrepid writer and photographer. His work has appeared in various publications including Powder, Gripped, Backcountry, Kootenay Mountain Culture, MEC, Off-Piste, Black Diamond and Hustler (yeah right). To read more, check out www.globalalpine.com.

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Snowflakes were made by Jasmine +Luc Allard and Michaud Crafty.

'

Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park

winter newS 2009

2009 winter eventS January 2009 Jan. 2-6 Cross Country: Haywood NorAm Cup, World Junior & U23 Trials Jan. 17-18 Biathlon: North American Cup #4 Jan. 25-Feb. 3 IBU Biathlon Youth and Junior World Championship February 2009 Feb. 7 Cross Country: Bow Corridor Regional Race # 3 Feb. 19-22 Cross Country: Western Canadian Championships / Alberta Cup March 2009 March 7

Cross Country: Rocky Mountain Ski Challenge

April 2009 April 15

Rocky Mountain Soap Women’s Run 2009

Ski School ProgramS Drop in Lesson

2009 Trail passes

5 Week Skating Course

Day Passes (Valid from 9:00 am- 9:00 pm) Adult daily Senior (Ages 55+) daily Junior (Ages 12-17) daily Child daily Special Adult* daily Special Junior* daily * Special rates apply to handicapped skiers

$7.50 $6.00 $6.00 $4.50 $3.00 $3.00

$160.00 1.5 hour lesson each week to improve your skating technique.

Participants should have taken a skating drop in lesson.

2 to 3:30 p.m. (commences Jan. 10 or Feb. 15, 2009).

5 Week Classical Course

$160.00 1.5 hour lesson each week to improve your classical technique.

Participants should have taken a classical drop in lesson.

2 to 3:30 p.m. (commences Jan. 11 or Feb. 14, 2009).

C.A.N.S.I. Level 1 Certification Course

Night Skiing Passes (Valid from 5:00- 9:00 pm) Adult evening Senior (Ages 55+) evening Junior (Ages 12-17) evening Child evening

$40.00

(no booking required, register at Trail Sports by 9:45 a.m.)

1.5 hour group lesson Skating weekends and holidays at 10:00 a.m.

Classical weekends and holidays at 10:00 a.m.

$3.75 $3.00 $3.00 $2.25

$305.00 The CANSI Level 1 course is an exam course designed to develop your instructional skills so you could teach beginning skiers.

March 28 & 29, 2009. Price does not include $85.00 CANSI fee payable by cheque to CANSI. Register on line at www.cansi.ca at least one week prior to the course.

Seasons Passes (Valid from 9:00 am- 9:00 pm) Adult season Senior (Ages 55+) season Junior (Ages 12-17) season Child season Family of 2 season Family of 3+** season ** Maximum of 2 people over 18 and must reside at same residence

$108.00 $87.00 $87.00 $62.00 $166.00 $224.00

403.678.2400

Canmore.NordicCentre@gov.ab.ca www.Kananakis-Country.ca

GUIDEBOOK

Nineteen ninety-nine was not a particularly unusual year for Ecuador. The President was about to be thrown out of office, the country was defaulting on international loans, indigenous groups were rioting in the streets and the value of the local currency was falling faster than a ten-pound Loonie.

As a first-year guide with the Spanish verbal skills of a rock, the situation was not quite ideal for my South American debut.

“Mountains are mountains. It’ll be fine,” I reassured myself.

Of course, I was wrong. What I learned quickly enough was that in South America, guiding the peaks was the simple part.

Logistics, health and the reality of political and social chaos would end up presenting much greater challenges to a northern guide and his innocent flock.

DANCE MONKEY DANCE Story + Photos By Andrew Wexler

What skill-set best serves a guide when working in an environment as reactive as Chernobyl and as unpredictable as a harridan? How does one operate effectively in places where roadblocks pop-up like ground squirrels, where baggage disappears faster than a pickpocket, where every morsel of food is a potential time bomb, and where the answer to every question is ‘yes?’ Obviously, guiding clients to the summit of a 6,000-metre peak requires basic skills: glacier travel, crevasse rescue, short-roping, ice climbing, hazard assessment and good route selection are all part of the job. But a skill-set will only get you so far in South America. What the old textbook, The Freedom of the Hills, fails to mention, and what every guide new to the region soon learns, is of course, how to dance.

The Dance begins when the organized planner, the well intentioned, if naïve, guide meets the indifference of a continent that seems committed to a state of perpetual chaos. The Dance involves a curious and baffling mixture of improvisation, madness and demonic possession. It’s what you, as the guide, do when a roadblock pops up on the way to an intended mountain, and there are 10 clients looking at you with an expression of, “Okay. Now what, Genius?” The only appropriate response is to mirror the chaos that you wish didn’t exist.

The Dance can also happen when it’s midnight at high camp and you find yourself lying in the snow, curled in the fetal position, purging violently from both ends, and a client asks if you’re going to be ready for the summit in 20 minutes. “Aww, this is nothing, just a little uncooked meat in the system,” you say as you drift in and out of consciousness, determined to lead the group to the heights. And, finally, if it isn’t already clear, dancing like a monkey is the only response when the airline loses your bags, the hotel loses your reservation, the bank has no change, and the ATM machine eats your card all within the space of a few hours.

If I had to bet on one time and one place being particularly challenging, I would put my Bolivianos on Bolivia’s Festival de San Juan. This local celebration occurs in late June, and, like any

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noteworthy party, the shindig involves back-to-back days with a surfeit of fire and alcohol. Traditionally, the fires are lit outside, in the hills, in order to keep evil spirits away on the coldest day of the year. But in 2006, the rules of the game were suddenly changed. In that fateful year, the staff at the hotel we were staying at decided it would be prudent to light a massive bonfire in the hotel basement.

I have no idea how many evil spirits fled the establishment, but I do know that every hotel guest was successfully smoked out of the building. “Andrew, what the hell is this?” I was asked by more than one client as we huddled together in the street, fighting to stay warm. “What kind of a staff lights a fire in the basement of an occupied hotel? Why the hell are we staying here?” The Dance happens here, at the moment when the guide is confronted with the impossibility of translating the chaos into a coherent narrative.

There is no single word in the Spanish language that will get a guide’s attention faster than "Bloqueo," (roadblock). The mere thought of this word is enough to make a guide's back hair stand on end, for it embodies all that is out of the guide's control. Steep snow, hard ice, challenging clients—all these can be dealt with safely. But the Bolivian Bloqueo is a stubborn situation that often refuses to be tamed. So when our private bus rolled to a slow stop on the outskirts of La Paz one day, and our driver sent his son outside to scout, I didn't know what to think. When the scout returned moments later and climbed aboard, shaking his head and muttering "bloqueo, bloqueo..." I cleaned out my ears and asked him to repeat himself. "Roadblock," he said, "the bus drivers from Coroico are striking." At this moment, faced with only one choice, I stepped off the bus, put on my dancing shoes, and began to move to the beat of an imaginary tribal drum. In this lucid and flexible state, I spent the next hour gathering intelligence from various sources: the local ice-cream boy, the llama man, the soda lady, the chicken kid and other drivers, before formulating an ad hoc plan.

When it was determined that we could not [A] ram our bus through the road block or [B] take a side road around the obstacle, we decided on option [C]. Carrying nothing but our day packs and flanked by our local staff, we walked stealthily through the angry mob, around the roadblock, and hailed a cab on the other side. Of course, that cab ended up breaking down, but the next one we caught managed to work out.

You’ve got to be in the right frame of mind for South America.

If you’re hell bent on promptness and organization, you’re probably better off going to Switzerland or Germany where you can spend your Sundays marching around the local parks.

The Southern Continent has a unique ability to ratchet human folly up to the highest level, and the only surprising thing is that the locals never seem miffed.

Second flat tire of the day, Ecuador. Photo by Andrew Wexler.

Bolivian Burro. Photo by Andrew Wexler.

Don’t expect to manage the chaos. The best you can hope for is to ride it with grace. If you try to mould it or make it bend to your wishes, you will fail. Relax, enjoy the ride, and come ready to dance.

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The Banff Centre’s 2008 Mountain Idol Initiative

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Group photo by Adina Currie. LtoR: Eric Sethna, Rosanna Crawford and Bryce Shaw.

EXPOSURE

Group photo by Adina Currie. LtoR: Eric Sethna, Rosanna Crawford and Bryce Shaw.

ach year, the Banff Centre scours the valley for an inspirational and motivated young athlete to crown Mountain Idol. The individual must excel at a mountain sport, exhibit leadership and “exemplify the outdoor lifestyle.” The goal of the Mountain Idol initiative is to celebrate the vital bond between Bow Valley youth and nature, and to encourage a lifelong relationship between the two.

Props to finalists Bryce Shaw and Rosanna Crawford and 2008 Mountain Idol, Eric Sethna.

For more information on the initiative or to nominate a candidate for 2009 Mountain Idol, visit www.banffcentre.ca.

Of all his activities, he says climbing is the toughest.

“You have to make sure that you’re balanced, make sure that you’re saving as much energy as possible, and doing things as efficiently as you possibly can. There’s so much going on in your head, there could be pain, you could be getting tired, but you just need to keep pushing for it and get as far as you can on the route.”

While Sethna’s next challenge is to pursue another demanding route—a degree in civil engineering—this mountain athlete won’t stray too far from his first love. He plans to pursue climbing for the rest of his life.

“Climbing is a really hard sport, but if you put effort and determination into it, you can just go as far as you want to go.

It’s just basically about how much you want to do it.”

It’s just that simple. And just that hard.

Eric Sethna | Winner 2008 Mountain Idol

By Jill Roberts This year’s Mountain Idol winner, Eric Sethna, credits a climbing wall at the 2001 Banff Mountain Film Festival with giving him his start in the sport.

“I was there the whole day, doing the routes over and over again because I loved it so much. After that, I got into the climbing club at the Banff Centre and joined the climbing team, and just went from there.”

Seven years later, Banffite Sethna has attended three World Youth Climbing Championships, placed 1st (difficulty) and 2nd (speed) at the 2006 North American Continental Climbing Championships, and won 1st place at the 2007 and 2008 Canadian Youth National Climbing Championships.

He’s also a dedicated coach and mentor for young climbers in the valley.

“I really like to see kids I’ve helped coach get into the sport of climbing,” says Sethna. “They’ll grow and get to the point where they’re coming to nationals and regionals with the rest of us. Just knowing that you’ve inspired them to be where they are today, is a super, super good feeling.”

As a world-class climber, double black diamond skier, accomplished marathon runner, black belt in Hapkido, honour roll student and volunteer coach, Sethna is one busy 16 year old.

Rosanna Crawford | Finalist

By Alyson McAndrews Rosanna Crawford is driven. When asked to describe herself in three words, her selection echoes that statement: motivated, ambitious, inspired.

The Mountain Idol finalist has been cross-country skiing since she was four, started biathlon when she was 10 and now does everything she can to build biathlon’s profile. It was this desire to give back to the sport that she says has brought her so much good fortune that resulted in her Mountain Idol nomination.

“Yeah, it was really nice to be nominated,” says the 20-yearold Canmorite. “The nominations came from people who mean a lot to me so that in itself was important.” The multiple nominations she received were from her father, her sports psychologist and a few others.

Her activities include coaching girls in the Fast and Female program that focuses on bringing awareness to sports like biathlon and building young women’s self-esteem. She does the same for Girls with Guns and also helps to run a training camp in the summer for young biathletes.

However, for now, her efforts are focused on her own success in the sport. With the junior world championships taking place at home in January, all her energy is going into qualifying

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and doing well. It won’t be an easy task: by the time this article is published, she will have had heart surgery to correct an irregularity and will hopefully have recovered and returned to her training schedule.

But if anyone can overcome this added challenge, it’s Rosanna.

Conquering challenges runs in the family—Olympic gold medalist, Chandra Crawford, is her sister and one of her sources of inspiration.

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“She’s an amazing athlete and gives me strength,” she says.

“She’s done so much for being so young and I know she believes in me.”

Next major goal: Vancouver 2010.

Bryce Shaw - Finalist

By Alyson McAndrews Bryce Shaw is a quintessential Canmorite. The 18-yearold paddler spends his off-water time backcountry skiing with his family, telemarking with friends and climbing.

However, paddling of all kinds is this Mountain Idol finalist’s passion.

“I like slalom and freestyle,” he says.

“Right now I like slalom more. It changes though, depending on what I’m finding more challenging and exciting.”

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He recently attended junior nationals, adding to his list of accomplishments in the sport.

“That was pretty cool. It felt good to make it to that level,” he says. “It’s a pretty big jump from junior nationals to nationals, but that is the next thing I want to do.”

For the past couple of years he’s been translating his passion into coaching the younger paddlers on his team and it was the parent of one of his athletes who nominated him for the Mountain Idol contest.

“I coach 13 to 16-year-olds. I really like it,” Shaw says. “Teaching them to do something, watching them get it and then improve is a cool experience.”

However, for now the recently graduated teen is planning on developing some life skills with friends in South America.

“I’m going to South America with some buddies in the winter and I’ll be back in time to start training for next season,” he says.

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CHATTER

D[m c_n[Z YhW] h[^WX mWbb

By Brandon Pullan

Tucked away up Evan Thomas Creek in Kananaskis Country, sits the recently discovered Rehab Wall—a steep cliff smeared with drips of ice, curtains and daggers. Not unlike the other popular crags such as Haffner and Bear Spirit, the Rehab Wall is littered with mixed climbs, a few stellar waterfall ice climbs and no avalanche hazards.

Last season Kevin Barton and Jason Wilcox discovered three new ice climbs along Evan Thomas Creek ranging from 30 to 65 metres in length with grades of WI3+ to WI4+. After an 80-minute scenic approach through bush and a stunning meander in the creek, climbers arrive at Barton and Wilcox’s waterfall ice routes, which book-end the 200-metre-long mixed wall. Will Meinen and the author added two new ice routes: Aromatherapy (WI4, 40m) and Fun and Fitness (WI4, 40m) last winter and cleaned and bolted three new mixed routes: Acupuncture (M4, WI4, 20m), The Treatment (M5, WI4, 25m) and Yoga Monster (M5, WI4, 20m). These three routes are

perfect introductions to bolted mixed climbing. The real gem is Physiotherapy (M8, WI5, 40m) with small drips seeping from unique horizontal bands climbing a steep wall to a thin vein of ice that leads to an intimidating roof and onto the upper pillar. One can easily climb half a dozen routes in a day.

Outfit Your Adventure 726 Main Street | Canmore | 403.678.5610 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

EXPOSURE

A Dark Secret Your Friendly Neighbourhood Fall-out Shelter Photos + Story by Rob Alexander

At the height of the Cold War, a plot surfaced in the Bow Valley. The plan was to build a high-tech ultra-secure storage facility overlooking Lac des Arcs in the heart of Mt. McGillivray. It was an ambitious idea, and, given the paranoia about nuclear war, it probably made good sense. But today, it is simply an oddity.

The scheme failed but not before workers had dug a tunnel into the north-facing slope of McGillivray, along with a handful of chambers, as part of what was envisioned as an extensive network of vaults that would protect the most important documents of the day. Often believed to have been dug as a secure archive by the Canadian government, the cavern had, in fact, been opened by a private company, Rocky Mountain Vaults & Archives.

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According to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, the company obtained two licenses from the Alberta government in 1969—one for use of the caverns as a vault and the other for access—but it is believed that the tunneling began much earlier, although no firm date has yet been found.

Rocky Mountain Vaults & Archives saw Mt. McGillivray as the perfect location for an underground fortress as it promised to provide “absolute security for vital records,” according to a brochure promoting its idea. It was a hefty promise but a logical one given its location 500 feet beneath the mountain’s western slope.

“Here, deep inside a mountain, is the world’s near perfect archive. Physically perfect...functionally perfect, built for maximum protection from against any form of destructive vice, from mildew to hydrogen bomb.

“The remarkable limestone vaults have no security limitations. They are: Fireproof... floodproof... windproof... rodentproof...mildewproof...cave-inproof...bombproof... theftproof,” RMVA bragged in its brochure.

Along with the high-level of protection, the company also envisioned white-painted walls, fresh air piped in to provide ideal document-storage conditions, private vaults, an entrance portal, a lounge and a three-foot wide reinforced sliding concrete door along with 24-hour security personnel.

The company’s long-term goal was to offer a facility that would allow businesses and government to start over after the world had erupted into chaos.

itself edges towards the ridiculous with a simple childlike cutaway drawing of the proposed vault system and a second diagram of men in cardigan sweaters sitting in an underground reception room smoking cigars and pipes.

While the brochure provides much of the context, the only way to get a sense of the audaciousness of the plan is to walk through the cave opening and enter the tunnel carved into the gray limestone cliff.

Once inside and out of the wind, the air grows warmer, while further into the tunnel, the light and the hum of traffic on the TransCanada Highway, as it curves around Lac des Arcs, begins to fade.

Enough light, however, filters down the tunnel to reveal the end of the tunnel and where a new passage opens to the left. But turn and walk into the first chamber, and the light quickly vanishes becoming as dark as a mine shaft as only a cave can get.

But with a strong flashlight it’s easy to pierce the darkness and discover the first of two 80-foot by 25-foot caverns, along with what might have been the reception lounge. The floor is flat but not smooth, and the sound of water dripping onto stone can be heard somewhere in the blackness.

It’s big, it’s dark, but what does the cavern mean to us today?

“In the event of a catastrophic happening, whether localized or widespread, man-made or from natural perils, many of these data and documents must be protected and preserved in order for business in general to survive and successfully recover from any major disaster.

“With this in mind, Rocky Mountain Vaults & Archives Ltd. has planned a vault storage area designed to eliminate many of the problems associated with safekeeping and industry and government in the event of a catastrophe.”

It was an audacious and pessimistic plan that the brochure

When it was being constructed on the 127 acres of land leased from the Alberta government in what is believed the late-1950s, Bob Smith, a long-time local who now lives in Canmore, said that when locals heard what was going on 100 feet above Lac des Arcs, they laughed, shook their heads and carried on.

“It was in the late ‘50s, early ‘60s when the Cold War was really fizzy. When everybody was panicking and building bomb shelters and so on down in the States, and this guy thought it would be a just great to have this for all the banks and the government and so on to put all their important papers in,” Smith said in an interview.

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“I remember at the time everybody laughed, this is great we’re going to put all of our valuable documents in there and after we’re vaporized we’ll be safe. Everybody thought the whole thing was a farce.�

This grand farce was even featured on Canadian Learning Television when the vault appeared in a 2006 episode Underground, part of Exhibit Eh!, a series of programs produced by Delta, B.C.-based Big Red Barn Entertainment that sought out strange Canadian stories and mysteries.

Smith appeared in that episode alongside the vaults guiding the program’s hosts into the depths where four stumps sat around an old fire—a far cry from the illustration of the men in their cardigans.

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While it is easy to poke fun at the vault, Dene Cooper, an Exshaw resident and passionate historian, said it is an example of how the world was coping with the anxiety of living in a nuclear age.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a world coming to grips with the potential of nuclear conflict in North America for the first time,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve forgotten what the Cuban Missile Crisis was about. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now (the cavern) looks weird because it is no longer that time. It is hard to realize just how paranoid the social thinking was at that point.â&#x20AC;?

Cooper said he believes the vault failed because of a lack of financing and moisture in the caverns. Even though the enterprise did fail, what remains of the Rocky Mountain Vaults & Archives has left the Bow Valley with an indelible record of the Cold War. And it is a record that obviously has much appeal, given the number of visitors the vault appears to get and the quantity of modern-day artifacts left lying around.

A campfire marked by a circle of stones can still be found inside the cavern, while the flattened metal cups that hold tea candles litter the floor. On a smooth part of the limestone wall near the entrance, someone has traced their hand in pencil and then added an extra finger.

Below that, a fin-backed monster appears to be crushing or eating a stick man. Outside the cave mouth is another fire ring and a single beer can with the telltale puncture hole near the bottom of the can.

While all of these elements add another layer to what is already a strange story and a strange place, an odd melancholy arises upon seeing such a bold idea reduced to something weird and creepy.

But it certainly gives the Bow Valley a good story.

Locally Owned and Operated Chef Olivier Gouin 5A4B7 C0BCH 5>>3 2A40C8>=B 8= 0 5A84=3;H 4=E8A>=<4=C

Keep in mind that the vault is part of the Bow Valley Wildland Park, and, according to Steve Donelon, heritage protection team leader for Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation, it is protected under Albertaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Provincial Park Act. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why it is there is beyond me. I find it very odd,â&#x20AC;? he said.

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BOOK REVIEW

Expedition to the Edge: Stories of Worldwide Adventure

By Lynn Martel Reviewed By Meghan Ward

An inevitable aspect of adventure is its capacity to lead us into extreme situations situations, sometimes without

our intention. The adventures featured in Expedition to the Edge, by Lynn Martel, captivate the reader so intensely that, after 60 journeys to various corners of the world, even the least adventurous of readers feel as though they have paddled over a raging waterfall, climbed icebergs bobbing in frigid ocean waters, and hiked for thousands of kilometres.

Cleverly categorized by theme, each story also stands on its own, dividing the book into manageable segments.

The book’s cast is made up of paddlers, hikers, rock climbers, alpinists, and all-round adventure enthusiasts. And as though their activities were not thrilling enough, particularly gripping is the fact that these characters are not fictional. One may be a well-known adventure seeker; another may be the unassuming guy-next-door. Whatever their story, their experiences of life lived at the extreme is both inspiring and sobering. The choice to engage in this

lifestyle brings with it the unfortunate reality of facing dangers and losing friends along the way, a sacrifice for the fulfillment of walking, and hopefully surviving, that fine line between fear and exhilaration.

A prevalent thread running throughout the book is the shared experience of the adventurers, the most obvious being their connection to the Canadian Rockies, and more specifically, the communities of Canmore and Banff.

Through the voices and anecdotes of the adventurers themselves, Martel communicates their motivation to explore and test the limits, and depicts the indescribable moments that occur in their escapades. The question “Why am I doing this?” recurs in many of the stories, compelling the reader towards a deeper understanding of the enigmatic qualities of adventure seeking.

Martel’s first book is the epitome of armchair travel. But it might also rouse that desire within you to feel your heart race once again…for real.

Lynn Martel is a freelance writer based in Canmore. Originally from Montreal, she came to the Rockies in the early 1980s, and has never left, except to travel and explore. Lynn has written for various publications, including The Rocky Mountain Outlook, Calgary Herald, and explore.

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GUIDEBOOK

BACK COUNTRY BODY LANGUAGE A Message from Parks Canada Story by Aaron Beardmore

No matter what sport or activity they partake in, at some point in time backcountry users in Mountain National Parks may find themselves in need of assistance from a professional rescue team. Whether it’s a twisted ankle on a trail, or a bad fall on a rock climb, knowing a few simple procedures will get the patient the highest standard of medical care as soon as possible. Also, correctly signalling to rescuers is an important new concept that will mitigate confusion at times when one’s emotional and mental faculties are overloaded.

What the rescue service strives to provide is a service that extracts a person from the backcountry and delivers him or her to a higher level of medical care as safely and as efficiently as possible. Patient comfort is a high priority, but more important is reducing the amount of time that a victim has to spend in the backcountry. This increases the chance of preserving their well being. Knowing how to properly report an incident and signal to rescuers saves valuable time.

The following instructions and information pertain to Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.

Sending the Message If you find yourself in need of a rescue, the best thing to do, if possible, is to call Parks Canada. If you have a satellite phone, in Banff, Yoho or Kootenay National Park call 403-762-4506.

This number will connect you to the 24-hour Banff Park Dispatch Centre. If calling from a pay or cell phone, use 911 or 403-762-4506. If you call 911, make sure to tell the dispatcher that you have a mountain emergency in the national parks and need the assistance for the Park Rescue Service. The 911 dispatcher should then transfer you to the Banff Park Dispatch Center. If you do not specifically indicate to the 911 dispatcher that you need the Park Rescue Service, you may get a fire truck to the trailhead of your three-day climbing trip, and chances are the crane won’t reach you.

Once you are connected with Banff Dispatch, they will need a

small parcel of information that will help them locate, stabilize, and evacuate the injured person: • Where is the exact location of your emergency?

• What is the nature of your accident or emergency, including number of victims and seriousness and types of injuries?

• Who is calling and what is your call back number?

• When did the accident happen?

With this information, the Rescue Leader (RL) will have a good idea of how to implement the rescue. If calling is not an option, you will have to do it the old-fashioned way and send a runner from the scene of the accident.

After the initial information is collected from the dispatcher, you will be transferred directly to the RL. The RL is highly trained in rescue techniques and a fully certified mountain guide. They will ask more pointed questions if the situation calls for it.

Keep in mind that when the dispatcher transfers the call to the RL, the RL is informed of the situation, and a helicopter is called and the rescue team is notified at that time—don’t worry, the ball is already rolling when the caller is put in contact with the RL. When speaking with dispatch or with a Rescue Leader remain calm, and think before speaking. Also, only provide answers to questions that are asked. Both dispatchers and RLs have to process a lot of information, so try to avoid a verbal bombardment. They will always finish a conversation with, “Is there anything else I should know?” This is your opportunity to speak freely, and fill in any blanks.

That is why it is important to keep the information parcel short, concise, and to the point. Quite often dispatch and RLs get third-hand information, and if everyone involved follows a standard way of communicating this information, less of it is lost as it makes its way from person to person.

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Clip + Keep

Body Language From the ground, the correct way to signal to an approaching rescue helicopter is: Make a “Y” with your arms to signal: YES, come and get me; I need a rescue; Help; etc.

Make an “N” with your arms to signal: NO, go away; I do not need help; Everything is fine; etc.

By performing one or the other you will make your situation very clear.

When Signalling: • Remain still • Remain in position • Do not wave * For correct body positioning, refer to the graphic on this page.

When the rescue team physically arrives at your location, do not reach out; instead, stay where you are and let them make the decisions needed to evacuate the patient.

In steep terrain, reaching out to rescuers could cause problems if, at the last minute, the pilot has to pull away from the rescue site. Let the rescuers come to you.

From here on, try to be as cooperative as possible. You may be expected to participate in some techniques that you are not entirely familiar with, like heli-slinging.

Keep in mind that the rescuers are professionals and train in the use of these techniques on a regular basis.

Have confidence in their ability to get you off of the mountain and out of the backcountry.

The concept of signalling to rescue helicopters is new in North America. A number of incidents this past summer indicated that Parks Canada needed to establish a form of non-verbal communication that would decrease confusion in mountain rescue. We looked to Europe, and its many alpine nations, to see how they coped with

these situations. The European signalling concept is universal across their continent, and Parks Canada has adopted this as its own.

Rescues are very expensive, mostly because of the extensive use of helicopters; however, costs are recovered from park user fees, and park passes. Make sure you have a park pass that can be purchased at any park information center. Having one of these will act as your rescue insurance within the National Parks.

Overall, the Park Rescue Service always hopes that people have the capacity to be able to self-rescue, or, more importantly, to make safe decisions in the backcountry that avoid accidents in the first place. What is worth more than anything else is experience in your chosen activity. There is an abundance of information out there that can help you to make safe decisions. Get educated through courses, use common sense, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Most importantly get out there and enjoy the mountains!

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STILL LIFE

FROSTY WINDOW PHOTO BY Kristy Davison

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STILL LIFE

ALEX NADEAU skis The Edge, Mustang Powder Adventures, Monashees, B.C. PHOTO BY J. Bradford White

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STILL LIFE

FACE SHOT PHOTO BY Ryan Creary

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STILL LIFE

SELF PORTRAIT PHOTO BY Andrew Hardingham

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STILL LIFE

ICE CAVE Near Golden, B.C. PHOTO BY Chris Messervey

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STILL LIFE

VIEW OF HA LING from Policeman's Creek.

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Hot off the Press!

The 2009 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Biathlon Team Calendar is now available in the Bow Valley. The five Canmore based women, Zina Kocher, Megan Tandy, Rosanna Crawford, Megan Imrie and Sandra Keith, have stripped down to gain some much-needed exposure, producing a tastefully nude fundraising calendar that is being sold locally and online for $20. The calendar promotes the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dedication, strength, and power in their sport and on their path towards the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Check online at www.boldbeautifulbiathlon.com for local distributors.

Photography by Rachel Boekel + Adrian Marcoux.

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EXPOSURE

Story + Photos by Rachel Boekel

THE OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Tourists and professional athletes have been coming here for years to experience these tracks and the incredible conditions and trail system that we have in our backyard.

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The 1988 Olympics brought Canmore exposure, tourists, events and the Canmore Nordic Centre.

It is “the only Olympic facility in the past 20 years that still holds World Cup Nordic Events,” according to Magi Scallion, event coordinator at the Canmore Nordic Centre. “It really says something, not just in the facility, but also the volunteers and support that the sports get here.”

Yes, this world-class site is in our town. Our little Ol’ Canmore. But we can’t really call it that anymore, can we?

There have been a lot of changes to the Nordic Centre since 1988 and most noticeably this year to the trail maps, brochures and trail reports. These changes make it easier for you to find your way around the more than 65 kilometers of groomed and track-set trails in the winter time and the more than 100 kilometers of single and double track mountain bike and hiking trails in the summer.

There really is something up there for everybody. There are trails that have minimal elevation gain as well as World Cup tracks that make even the toughest sweat a little harder. These tracks are not just slapped together in the snow; Scallion would like you to know that “the feedback we get from the Federation Internationale De Ski (FIS) is that we have the best tracks in the world.” which might also be why the Chief Grooming Manager, Paul Ashton, and some of his staff at the Nordic Centre are headed to the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010 to lay the cross-country ski track.

Tourists and professional athletes have been coming here for years to experience these tracks and the incredible conditions and trail system that we have in our backyard. They also flock to the Nordic Centre for the world-class events that have been hosted in more recent years. This year, there are several notable events worth checking out including the 2009 IBC Biathlon Youth and Junior World Championships January 25 – February 3. Scallion describes biathlon as “far more exciting than cross country skiing,” and this event will offer head to head action in the stadium area and a chance to see what kind of a difference shooting abilities make at a professional level.

For those of you who may not know the difference between cross country skiing and biathlon, the main thing is that between laps, biathletes stop and shoot five targets, whereas cross country skiers never stop. If either of these sports sounds like something that is right up your alley, there are several local clubs that offer training and opportunities to learn. There is also Trail Sports, a great hub that offers drop in lessons, fiveweek courses as well as instructor training. For more information, check in at Trail Sports, across from the Day Lodge.

The Nordic Centre is home to a number of teams, clubs and facilities. This includes the well-known local Jackrabbits Ski Program (come on, raise your hand if you were a Jackrabbit).

As well, both the National Cross Country and Biathlon Teams use it as a base, which means Olympic athletes grow here like weeds…the good kind of course. The Canadian Olympic Development Association (CODA) uses the facilities for train-

ing on an ongoing basis. And don’t forget Tracks Café, because everyone needs a little après ski hot chocolate. It has been said that they serve up a mean soup too.

The Nordic Centre’s fees are manageable as it is the cheapest place to ski in Canada at $0.11/km, when everything is groomed. A season’s pass for adults is $108, and a family of three goes for $224. The best deal for sure is the ‘buy-10-getyour-11th-free voucher‘ vouchers for day or night skiing. There are 6.5 kilometres of lit trail at the centre and night skiing (5pm – 9pm) is discounted to $3.75 compared to the $7.50 day fee.

Little ol’ Canmore has grown up a lot since 1988, and through the years, the Nordic Centre has maintained itself as a staple in the community. Now with a face-lift, new trails, updated information and a great eating spot, there are more reasons to make the trip above Main Street and get to know it a little better.

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EXPOSURE

Story by John Coleman | Photos by Kristy Davison

Techniques for surviving cabin fever Defn: The claustrophobic reaction to extended periods of isolation.

Its roots have been traced back to Chamonix, France and Jean-Guy Rapatel’s innocent and humourous translation of the term cabin fever. Technically speaking, Cottage Nuts is the claustrophobic reaction of a person or group isolated or shut in for an extended period of time. During the short days and long dark nights of winter, cases of Cottage Nuts occur even more frequently than the common cold or flu. Luckily, this affliction is also the primary concern of a group of popular malady enthusiasts called Citizens Producing Antidotes for Seasonal Tribulations (C.P.A.S.T.), who dedicate their lives to providing relief for the symptoms of Cottage Nuts.

Picture this: it’s minus 30 and you’ve been snowed in for a week. The first 80 centimetres of snow brought excitement and had you getting your skis shined up and grabbing sticks of Juicy Fruit [cue sweet mental image of neon one-piece backscratchers and twister-twister-spreads]. But now you’ve been plowed in and you’re beginning to find yourself restless, irritable, forgetful, and you’ve been drinking and sleeping excessively (directly related). All of these are signs and symptoms that you’re going…Cottage Nuts (CN). But not to worry, Highline has teamed up with the folks at C.P.A.S.T. to teach you some ancient techniques that can protect you from the deadly effects of contracting CN. 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

1.Bottle Walking Place of Origin: Ireland Equipment: Both the creators of bottle walking and contemporary traditionalists are extremely strict about using only beer bottles.

Current: Ethnographers have reported underground movements of teen bottle walkers that use Dad’s Root Beer bottles!

Objective: 1. Create a start line.

2. Only your feet/toes and the bottles themselves can touch the ground at any point. Any other body part touching the ground results in immediate disqualification.

3. While keeping your toes behind the start line, walk forward with your arms balancing on the bottles in your hands.

4. Establish a balanced position and extend one bottle as far as you can.

5. Grab the other bottle with both hands and pull yourself back upright.

Tips from the Pros 1. Only perform bottle walking on ground with decent friction; otherwise you will be playing face-planting, which is another game altogether.

2. Different hand positions have been attempted, but wrapping one’s hands around the neck of the bottle is most popular amongst pros and seasoned veterans.

3. Rock-climbers and yogis pose the biggest challenge in any given bottle walking competition due to their body tension, strength, and flexibility. But my greatest adversary to date is a Ninja with supreme powers that goes by the name of Sven.

4. Although tall people have an obvious reach advantage, the old saying of “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” is often realized.

2.Doctor Place of Origin: The frigid planes of Siberia.

Equipment: Traditionally, the large intestine of the great Woolly Mammoth (chosen for its durability and smell).

Current: 1/2’’ to 1’ wide climbing webbing, about twelve feet long.

Objective: Cause your opponent to lose his/her balance.

1. Stand facing each other.

2. Each competitor loops the webbing behind his back and grips it tightly with one hand.

3. The slightest shuffle or step with one or both feet constitutes a victory for the other person. During Doctor, you cannot touch the chord with your free hand at any time.

Tips from the Pros 1. Pull the chord with your hand to take up the slack, and simultaneously flick your hip to pull your opponent forward out of balance.

2. Counter that aggressive offensive maneuver by creating slack in the line by putting your hand behind your back.

3. As with many games, the best offense is a good defense.

4. Be patient.

5. Have at ‘er.

3.Bum Darts Place of origin: Deep in the Amazon rainforest.

Equipment: Traditionally, a Brazil nut and a hole in the ground (target).

Current: A Canadian quarter and a coffee mug or a glass jar (target).

Objective: Successfully deposit quarter into designated receptacle or target.

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Feb 28, March 7, 14, 21, and 28th

1. Position yourself about ten feet away from the target.

2. Squeeze the quarter (or quarters as you progress) between your butt cheeks.

3. Keeping the quarter squeezed between your cheeks, shuffle backwards, stand over the target, relax your cheeks and drop er’ in!

Tips from the pros 1. Keeping a straight back helps immensely with aiming.

Straight back and trust!

2. Anything spandex is by far the best choice of attire because loose clothing can interfere with the intended trajectory of the quarter.

3. Use a tin or glass container as your target to produce a satisfying chime to signify a successfully thrown dart!

4.Going Bananas Watch for more on this little gem in future issues…

$2000 Grand Prize!

Entry Forms and Rules are Available at the Canmore Legion or by Calling Darlene at 403-678-4200

All these activities are adaptable to your environment, contributing to why they have helped combat the effects of CN for over 55, 000 years. The real key to successfully dealing with the phenomenon of going Cottage Nuts is to be creative, playful and adventurous. And being a little crazy doesn’t hurt either.

We at Highline are interested in any activities that you have used to avoid the Cottage Nuts plague, which sweeps through the Bow Valley every year. Please send us your thoughts at info@highlineonline.ca. If we publish your suggestions, you will receive a lifetime subscription to this free magazine!

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CHATTER

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By Jessica Tkachuk

Looking for new ways to go green this winter? Look no further than CBC’s new One Million Acts of Green project. This season, CBC and The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulus have taken steps towards environmental stability with an innovative mission—to motivate individuals to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, one act at a time. The idea behind the grass-roots initiative is that each Canadian, and one small act, can make a difference.

So what constitutes an act of green? Anything that helps the environment. It can be as simple as starting a composting system in your workplace, or something bigger, like installing solar panels for your house. “Today’s Green Act” can be found on the projects home page, along with a description of how many people have chosen to participate in the act, and the greenhouse gases it saves. However, if you don’t feel up to that day’s act, the website also splits general green acts into five categories: Transportation, Community, Everyday Habits, Home - Easy Projects, and Home - Big Projects, for the more ambitious.

Check it out at green.cbc.ca Total Acts of Green to Date: Greenhouse Gases Saved:

349,040 16,351,282 kg

Jessica Tkachuk is a senior at Bow Valley High School in Cochrane.

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By Kelly Schovanek

As a professional photojournalist, it is my duty to report the facts to the public, no matter how cruel or difficult those facts may be to accept. Over the past few years, we have seen increased censorship and misinformation spreading throughout the mainstream media outlets. For my complicity in this, I extend my sincere apologies to those affected by my dishonesty and I would like to set the record straight, once and for all: Jonas Guinn did, in fact, not capture the lake trout that were displayed on his meathooks in the centerfold of Highline’s October issue. They were skillfully caught by one Peter Kornacki, an experienced fisherman of Polish decent, and myself, Kelly Schovanek, a proud Czech-Canadian, and also an amazing fisherman. Jonas was there, however, and did gripe about the fact that Pete and I caught our fish in 20 minutes upon arrival, and he got squat. I apologize to anyone who suffered from this blatant abuse of journalistic integrity.

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FOOD 4 THOUGHT

NUTRITION

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GO WILD

By Rich Weir

HEALTH AT HIGH ALTITUDES Wild rice is indigenous to North America and is also known as water grass. What is not commonly known about this whole food, is that it isn’t a true rice but is more related to corn. This is not your typical rice and there are some great reasons why we should adapt more of this grain into our diet.

This long, dark grain has more protein than any other rice available and is very rich in B vitamins and minerals. This concentration of B vitamins gives wild rice a beneficial boost for the nervous system and can help relieve mental depression. We live in a geographical area that sees a substantial decrease in sunlight during the cold winter months which can lead to the winter blues, fatigue and loss of energy. Adding wild rice to your diet will definitely help combat these moods and symptoms.

Even though wild rice has a cooling effect for the superficial tissues of the body, it is a hardy whole food for our cold mountain climate as it concentrates warmth to the inner and lower body areas. Other beneficial properties that wild rice provide are: an earthy, sweet and bitter flavour, it can act as a diuretic, it benefits the kidneys and bladder, and provides a gluten-free protein for all that are sensitive to gluten.

YOU’VE GOT SOUL Your health is important to you.

But with so much to get done in a day, healthy eating habits are often one of the first things to slip through the cracks. Rich Weir and his new health food line, Absolute Soul, are here to help. Rich, a local of Canmore, has designed a number of boilin-the-bag whole food meals that are quick and easy to prepare so you can eat healthy on the go. Made from the highest quality whole foods available, these meals consist mainly of foods bought at local Farmers’ Markets and within Canada. No sodium or preservatives are added, just pure food the way the earth intended for us to eat.

These convenient meals are designed keeping active people in mind so they are light and easy to digest if you choose to eat before a workout and are also high in protein for muscle rebuilding if you eat dinner after a workout. Each package contains plenty of food for two. Sold for under $10 per package (that’s $5 per person), it’s a steal of a deal. Three tasty flavors are currently available: Earth Delight (a wild rice medley), Morrocan Stew (with garbanzo beans and charmoula zest), and Asian Quinoa (with red pepper, black beans, and mint). You can find them in the freezer section at Nutter’s.

Keep a couple in your freezer at home for those days when there just isn’t time to cook. Substitute them for your usual frozen pizza once a week, and you will literally feel the difference that whole foods can make to your overall well-being.

Wild rice is prepared using the same methods as you would use for other rices. It does take more water or broth during the cooking process, but that is the only difference.

So help get rid of those winter blues and do your body some good by adding a little wild rice to your diet. It is a great compliment to any meat dish or can add plenty of nutrition to a vegetarian meal.

Rich Weir, Absolute Soul

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CHATTER

Splitboarders rejoice! Will Ritter of Bozeman, Montana wants to shave 2 to 3 pounds off your set up.

Ritter, a mechanical engineer and founder of Spark R&D, has developed a new binding system that will undoubtedly force current manufacturers back to the drawing board. Ritter’s invention forgoes the heavy metal base plate that was, until now, necessary to attach a typical snowboard binding to a splitboard.

Spark R&D’s Ignition binding is designed to work with the Voile interface and attaches directly to the plastic pucks already mounted on a typical splitboard. Only a thin sheet of metal separates the rider’s boot from the surface of the board. The result, splitters are no longer perched on “their high heels,” as Ritter says, at an awkward distance from their board and the snow’s surface. Also gone are the eight bolts needed to attach the old base plate to a typical snowboard binding, by doing so Ritter has eliminated the entire frustrating process all together.

Only one Canadian retailer, Prior Snowboards in Whistler, is currently stocking Ignition bindings. The easiest way to get into a pair is to order

them online at sparkrandd.com. Spark also offers a binding specifically for smaller, narrower feet that hit the market in December.

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ESSENTIALS

THE WORD ON WAX

The ski season is well underway. Let Highline show you how to get the most out of your time out there with a waxing lesson straight from the pros.

By Adam Robertson, SBX Head Coach, COP Snowboard Team Photos By Kristy Davison

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Important Reminder Remember that sexy windbreaker you tried to iron in 1991? Don’t doom your equipment to the same fiery fate. You only want the iron to be hot enough to melt the wax, no hotter. And do not leave the iron in one place too long because you can actually burn your base.

As you know, it’s important to take care of your body in order to get the most out of your time in the mountains and to maximize performance. So you eat well, keep fit and flexible, and allow for rest and recovery. But how often do you think about taking the same care when it comes to maintaining the equipment that keeps you ripping and riding out there day after day?

Learning to maintain the base and edges of your own skis and snowboards will not only enhance your performance on the hill and prolong the life of your equipment, it will also save you the cost of paying for a tune-up.

In this issue, we’re going to focus on how to apply your wax.

What You Need

Before storing your equipment, apply a fresh layer of wax to the base and do not scrape it off.

The wax will act as a barrier to keep the base hydrated and protected when not in use.

will keep the bindings raised off the table to establish a flat waxing surface. Preferably, this table would be set up in your garage or in a room with an unfinished floor. The process of waxing and scraping can be messy and you probably want to avoid getting wax all over your castle.

Getting Started 1. Lay the ski or board face down on the table/vices.

2. Plug in your iron and let it heat up. It should be at a temperature that just melts the wax but does not burn it (if it’s smoking, it’s too hot!).

1. Waxing Iron | If you want to go pro, there are a number of companies such as Swix and Toko that make ski/board specific irons. These can be ordered through any shop that carries these brands (try Mountain Magic Equipment in Banff ). The less expensive option is to use a regular household iron. However, as a word of caution, using the same iron to wax your skis and your satin shirts does not bode well for your chances at scoring with the opposite sex.

3. Grab your wax (temperature applicable to snow conditions) and hold it against the base of your iron as you drip wax evenly but sparingly along the base.

2. Wax | There are many brands and different types of wax.

Some of the main brands that you will find are Swix, Toko, and Kuu. Wax can vary in price between a generic use wax and a High Performance race wax. Most people will be looking for CH (Hydrocarbon) or shop waxes. These are available in a range from hard to soft, so there is a wax for any condition that you might encounter.

5. When you have melted the wax through the whole base, let it sit and cool down (harden). This only takes a few minutes.

3. Wax Scraper | These are available in most of the local ski and snowboard shops and cost around five dollars.

Waxing your equipment consistently (every four to five times you use it) will prolong the life of your base by keeping it hydrated. And using the right wax for the right conditions will improve your performance and keep you fast and happy out there in the hills.

4. Table with Vices | Find a space where you can set up a table. Ski/board specific vices are attached in a manner that

4. Now lay the iron flat and melt the wax into the base starting at the nose and moving towards the tail. Make sure that you keep the iron moving (don’t ever let it sit in one place) so that the wax melts evenly across the whole base.

6. Grab your wax scraper and remove the excess wax from the base using even pressure along the width of the scraper. The goal is to get it all off, so don’t be shy.

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ESSENTIALS

PART 1 of 2

In-Season Maintenance for Snow Sports

By Cary Bohnet Model | Tanya Schatzmann Photos by Kristy Davison

and holding the stretch for a period of time, which allows the muscle to elongate. For maintenance and recovery purposes, it is best to stretch after exercise. Stretch with good overall posture, concentrating on progressively lengthening and allowing a gentle release of the muscle you are stretching.

Staying healthy throughout the season is of the highest priority for anyone who participates in winter sports. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, many snow sports are not the easiest thing on the body, and a good hard day on the hill can be a snow-induced beating.

This two part series will provide the snowbound reader with a basic flexibility program to help keep your body healthy for the winter season.

Efficient muscle function, injury prevention, and improved recovery are the foremost benefits of a maintenance flexibility program.

These benefits occur by improving tissue length and lengthtension relationships between muscles. Simply put, when your muscles are aligned and functioning properly, things work better, and you are less likely to be injured.

Static stretching is the staple technique for improving flexibility and should be performed by every active individual. This technique involves moving a muscle into a lengthened position

Make an investment into your longevity and take a few minutes after your next day in the snow to try the following stretching routine.

Instructions Warm up with light cardio (if possible) for 5-10 minutes.

Complete 1-3 sets of 45-60 second holds for each stretch.

1. Calves Set-up: Place both feet on an elevated platform (such as a stair) with the edge under the ball of the foot.

Performance: With straight legs, press heels down until stretch is felt in the calves (back of the lower leg).

2. Quads Set-up: From a hands and knees position, place one foot on a small exercise ball or object of comparable

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5. Piriformis height (couch, step, etc.). Place other foot beside hand, and raise torso upright. Add a cushion under knee if required.

e

Performance: For most people, a stretch will be felt immediately on the quad (front side of thigh) once in the upright position. To increase the stretch, pull belly button in, and push hips forward.

3. Hip Flexor Set-up: From hands and knees position, place one foot beside hand, and raise torso upright.

Add a cushion under knee if required.

Performance: Pull belly button in and tilt the pelvis (imagine tucking rear under torso).

Push hips forward, leaning onto forward leg to stretch hip flexor (high upper front side of thigh).

4. Hamstrings Set-up: Lying on back with both legs straight, raise a single leg towards head and loop a rope or towel around foot.

Performance: Using rope or bath towel, pull foot towards head whilekeepingleg straight to feel a stretch in the hamstring (backside of thigh).

Set-up: Lying on back with both feet flat on the floor and knees bent, cross ankle over opposing thigh.

Performance: With both hands, grab behind thigh of leg with foot on floor. Pull leg towards chest to stretch glute/hip area on the crossed over leg.

6. Adductors Set-up: Seated with back against wall in an upright position, bend knees and place soles of feet together in front of body.

Performance: Sit upright, pull feet towards body and press knees down to increase stretch in the adductors (inner thigh).

7. Pec circle Set-up: Lying on back, cross one leg over body (at 90 degrees). Place knee on support or floor. Lie upper body flat as possible and have arm straight at side with palm up (same arm as leg crossed over).

Performance: With a straight arm, circle arm through a full range of motion, keeping hand close to floor to stretch pec/shoulder.

Hand finishes above head. Keep knee pressed onto floor or support. Complete 8 reps each side, moving arm for 3 seconds in each direction.

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ESSENTIALS

Gear Review

By Keith Addy Photos By Kristy Davison

Local outdoorsman and guinea pig extraordinaire, Keith Addy shares the results from his first-hand assessments of this year’s newest snow gear.

Movement Goliath Skis

These skis are big and like to go fast. But don’t be fooled, they’re also agile in the trees and will lay ruts on corduroy, if you’re into that sorta thing. Stiff, straight cut tails won’t let you creep into the back seat, will help with stomping, and will keep you pointed downhill. Softer tips soak up chatter in crud and flow nicely through the soft stuff. They are the weapon of choice for anything big and mountain-y. They’re also ideal to truly enjoy the gravity-fueled part of day tours if you’ve got the legs to drag ’em up. Another plus is that their cores are fully sustainable! Read more at movementskis.com.

Hestra Seth Morrison Pro Model Glove

Hestra Seth

Seth’s signature glove sports a nice sized cuff (longer than a pipe Morrison Pro glove but shorter than a big mountain glove) that fits under jacket sleeves and keeps snow out. The leather and the lining are the only Model Glove soft features on these gloves. The construction is solid and the knuckle .00 7 8 and finger protection will give you an edge if you ever have to fight a $1 bear. They allow almost enough dexterity for those ski lodge piano jam sessions and chairlift texting. These babies will look great wrapped around the heated steering wheel of the vehicle that people who can afford them will be driving - $187...ouch.

Deuter EH Edge Pack

This pack, designed by local homeboy Eric Hjorleifson, comes in at 25L. It's very comfortable very comfortable and a great choice for quick day tours or slack-country adventures. It is snowboard and ski compatible, hydration system compatible, has a shovel/skin pocket and an outside goggle pocket. The only downside is the lack of a diagonal sling for skis. The pack uses a back access system, which is great for accessibility and packing but might leave you in a wee spot of trouble if the zipper blows far from civilization. Check out the EH Guide pack if you prefer a traditional top loader with equal steeze.

Rottefella NTN (New Telemark Norm) Bindings

Ever wonder what it would feel like to bolt the front of your tele boot to your ski? Well that’s what NTN feels like and let me tell you, it feels good. The easy flexing bellows and unparalleled lateral power transfer combined with spring adjustability, make these bindings adaptable to any skier in any conditions. Although if you’re used to skiing down low, with your butt to your heel, these will make you ski more upright. And hey, if you’re into saving some weight on long tours, you can use your NTN boots with Dynafit bindings! To save some dollars, the bindings mount on plates so you can use one pair of bindings for many skis. Just get an extra plate kit ($89.95). Scarpa and Crispi make boots for this system.

The system features a twist release mechanism that I haven’t been able to actually release yet…not for lack of trying.

BCA Snow Study Kit

If your current endeavors require you to draw snow profiles for work or leisure, check out the BCA snow study kit.

It includes a digital thermometer, a slope metre, a crystal card and a 6x loupe. This kit can be put together for about the same price and with a nicer calibratable digital thermometer ($27 from BCA) if you buy the pieces individually, but you won’t get the case.

Movement Goliath Skis $

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.00

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Deuter EH Edge Pack Rottefella NTN Bindings 5. $39

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SCENE + HEARD

OUT + ABOUT in the Bow Valley Winter 2009 To have your weekly event listed on this page, please contact info@highlineonline.ca CRC CCHS BCCG

Canmore Recreation Centre Canmore Collegiate High School Banff Centre Climbing Gym

*Some programs are subject to change + availability

CedZWo Evening Flow Yo ga…

6:30-8pm … CRC … $10 Toastmasters…

CRC Conference Room…

7-8:30pm… FREE , drop-ins welcome

M[Zd[iZWo Afternoon Flow Yoga…

3:35-4:35pm… CCHS (beside cafeteria)… $10 Half-Price Drop-In Climbing… Vision Climbing Gym… 4-10pm Evening Flow Yoga…

0 5:20-6:35pm... CRC… $1 Movie Night… Canmore Public Library… 7:30pm…

Donation

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Lux Cine es Showtim r o f k c e Ch ht…

Mic Nig n e p O Live Pub… aw Brew P ly z iz r G m…

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Flow Yog Morning … CRC… 9:30-11am $10

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<h_ZWo Fondue N ight…

Railway De li… 5-9pm …

Call for res ervations A Taste of Cli (Adult Beg mbing inner)…

BCCG… 8-9pm BINGO… Canmore L egion…

Early Bird 7pm Regular Ga mes 7:30p m…

Food Avail able Starting at 5pm

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Skatin on Lakes.. r o o d i ill Out r Verm o e k La FREE town eorge G … ic pen-M EE Live O 10pm… FR 5 lmost) Inn… a ( E E FR mom… r u o Call y

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SNAPSHOT

FOCUS | Luke McGurk during a midnight pre-race waxing session. Photo by Zak McGurk.

We want to publish your photo.

You can submit images for this page to info@highlineonline.ca.. If your photo is chosen for publication, you'll win the respect of your friends, a healthy lunch for two at the communitea cafĂŠ in Canmore and an Ambler hat.

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downtown mountain living

“I bought a home in Spring Creek

because of the neighbourhood – the friendly, relaxed genuine sense of community. Everything we love is close to home. We can walk along forested, streamside pathways to our favourite restaurants, pubs, shops and markets. As for my active mountain lifestyle – that begins right outside our doorstep!

It’s just awesome” ~ Walter Sekon, resident Experience it for yourself. Stunning architecture, unparalleled mountain views.

It’s simply better living here.

Visit the Discovery Centre at 634 Main St., Canmore or our Show Suite at 505 Spring Creek Drive, Canmore Phone (403) 678-7700 sales@springcreekmv.com www.springcreekmv.com