Free
SUMMER 2011
FIFTH ISSUE
Golden BC A Town With A Lot of Bicycles
K I C K I N G
M
A
G
A
Z
and many places to ride them.
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Grizzly Times Mountain Marathons
Interview with a Trail Builder
Getting Hitched in Horse Country
5 Stag(ette) Party Ideas Wedding Business Directory Locals Abroad // Howser Towers // IPPs // Western Cup // Runner Bikes // Farmer’s Markets
Photo: SoulExposure.com
My life is better than your vacation.
Your one-stop source for business and investment information.
www.goldenbritishcolumbia.com | 250.344.2420
Easy does it! D OW N H I L L M O U N TA I N B I K I N G F U N F O R E V E RYO N E !
Scott Thumlert
a fresh adventure awaits!
I T ’ S B I K E S E A S O N AT K I C K I N G H O R S E M O U N TA I N R E S O RT ! Saddle up and prepare to get down! Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has a biking experience for everyone. Hop aboard our gondola or take the Catamount chair to access our great intermediate and beginner terrain. (Our expert areas are legendary too!)
YO U N E E D TO K N OW. . .
D OW N H I L L B I K I N G 101
• Private guided bike tours: let us show you the best of the mountain!
Get comfy in the saddle! Build confidence, get better and have more fun!
• There’s no need to shake the dust off before eating. Stop in for lunch at the Eagle’s Eye and try the ‘Repack Special’ burger & a beer for just $15!
Get a 2 hour lift, lesson and rental package for just
• Tech shop located in the resort plaza for tune-ups, repairs and accessories.
Advanced booking required.
Call or book today! 1.866.SKI.KICK | www.KickingHorseResort.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
06/Editor’s Note 07/Radzones: Bugaboo Howser Towers 08/Farmer’s Market & River Surfing 09/GADSAR Moves 10/Independent Power Projects 12/Shredder Profile: James Roddick 13/Look Ma! No Training Wheels 14/Locals Abroad: China 16/Western Cup Bike Race
17/Gallery 22/A Town With A Lot Of Bicycles 25/Plan A Long Weekend On Your Bike 26/Interview with a Trail Builder 28/Grizzly Times: Story of Boo 30/Mountain Marathons 32/Getting Hitched in Horse Country 34/Wedding Business Directory 34/5 Ideas for a Stag(ette) Party
WHO WE ARE
LAYOUT, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND DESIGN: Summit Communications.ca
ART DIRECTION: Nick Marks DISTRIBUTION To distribute KH Magazine contact Jessica Grey sales@kickinghorsemagazine.com
EDITORS / PUBLISHERS Tim & Jessica Grey sales@kickinghorsemagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Steve Crowe CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Brazeau, Todd Craig, Steve Crowe, Tom Guerquin, Douglas Hurst, Ross Prather, Mike Rubenstein, Dave Tokaruk CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Best, Ryan Creary, Claire Dibble, Brian Goldstone, Jessica Grey, Shane Kroeger, Mike McPhee, Mel Rubenstein, Jon Walsh
CONTACT/ ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL Kicking Horse Magazine Box 1767 Golden BC, VOA 1H0 Tel 250 344 5586 www.kickinghorsemagazine.com sales@kickinghorsemagazine.com
KICKING HORSE COUNTRY is defined as extending north to Mt. Columbia, south to the Howser Towers, east to Mt. Stephen and west to Mt. Sir Donald. The Town of Golden is smack dab in the middle of this amazing mountain paradise. COVER: Al Massin & Chris Tuerlings bike on an alpine trail in the Purcell Mountians. Ryan Creary photo. CONTENTS: Riley Suhan high above Golden. Dave Best photo.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: KHmagazine LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FIND US ON THE WEB: www.kickinghorsemagazine.com
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Summer makes us shift gears. As the days get longer and
the snow melts we exchange our skis for pedals and parkas for wetsuits. It’s a constant dance choreographed by the emergence of dirt, rock, whitewater, warm temperatures and the activities that revolve around these elements. Of course, there’s always the need to make a living, but our sports demand so much dedication. It’s hard to serve two masters. For some, the pursuit of sport keeps life balanced and focused; for others, it’s a constant cause of imbalance, keeping us from more stable opportunities. The dream of chasing the ‘ride’ isn’t as easy as it may seem to those on the outside and it takes guts to keep seeing it through. The high returns from an investment in committing to a summit, or completing a stunt or running a river are measured by high fives and fist bumps. These are the currencies we value. Somehow in between all our activities we pay our bills, raise our families, advocate for a better life, and occasionally take a deep relaxing breath, all the while planning our next big adventure. That is what life in Golden is. I’d like to dedicate this first-ever summer issue to my former colleague at Tourism Golden, Miro McCovsky, who lost his battle with cancer this past spring. Miro was the embodiment of the toughness required to live, work and play in Golden. He was smart, ambitious, hard working, and when you got to know him, gracious. Miro always believed in Kicking Horse Magazine and supported us in our endeavours. He saw the advantage for Golden in what we were publishing and he made an effort to contribute what he could. I’ve thought about him a lot as we have forged ahead with this, our first ever summerspecific issue. I would have enjoyed to hash out some of my thoughts about this summer’s mag with him and he will be missed by many. This issue hasn’t come easily but nothing good in life usually does. Hopefully you like it and we’ll see you next winter with our ‘Good Call’ issue. Have a great and fulfilling summer.
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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Creary Photo
Tim Grey
zones
Bugaboos: Howser Towers
T
he Bugaboos are a unique collection of granite nunatucks two hours southwest of Golden. Their reputation in the climbing world is legendary. They have a mystique that comes from beautiful granite rock ascending out of ancient glaciers.
The most famous line in the Bugaboos is the Becky/Chouinard Route on the South tower, which offers roughly 800 m (2600‘) of technical 5.7 to 5.9 climbing with a short bit of 5.10a. It’s an ultra classic. If you are lucky enough to complete this objective, the experience will be unforgettable. Another of the classics is All Along the Watch Tower on the N Howser tower. This was originally climbed by Ward Robinson and J. Walseth in 1981. It was later freed (no aid climbing) at 5.12-. Many routes exist on the west side and this area is growing in popularity. There are always possibilities for new projects.
Ines Papert goin’ for it on the ‘ultra classic’’ Becky/Chouinard
Walsh Photo
The most outstanding features in this sub group of mountains in the Purcell range are the majestic Howser Towers. Rising to 3505 metres (11150’) these peaks dominate the landscape and command attention. These fine peaks see little traffic each year due to the commitment involved in getting to their bases. The three peaks that make up the Howsers are the North Howser, Central Howser and the South Howser Towers. The first of the Howser Towers to be climbed was the North Howser spire in 1916 by Conrad Kain and party. The East sides of the Towers offers a variety of climbing, from mixed ice routes to classic alpine routes. The prizes of the area however reside on the west sides of the towers. Here, you will be awed by massive granite walls of impeccable quality. You will truly be humbled in their presence.
Many people from all over the world come to climb in the Bugaboos but for many Golden climbers the Bugs are part of their own amazing backyard. When climbing in the Bugaboos bring along a healthy respect for the weather and the mountain conditions. Things can change rapidly and many parties that get late starts end up spending a cold night out. Have fun out there and play safe. Written by Todd Craig, a local IFMGA mountain guide who leads many trips into the Bugs each summer. Todd can be reached at 250.344.5599.
Goldstone Photo
Golden Farmers Market Visitors to the Golden Farmers’ Market will find a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables from several local growers, as well as artisans’ wares including pottery, soaps, jewellery, art photography, woodwork and more. Locally produced honey is a popular choice for marketgoers. Artisan breads and homemade pies are other favourites. The smell of hotdogs with fried onions in the air and the sounds of live music all add to the delicious-ness and fun of our Market every Wednesday in the summer. Come visit! Various stable, buoyant devices can be used, from surf-, kite-, wake- and windsurfing boards to plywood. A surfboard works best, though it’s pretty fun to attempt the other options, especially the plywood.
Golden Style We grab the rope with one hand, hold on to our surfboard with the other, place our feet on the board and roll up. Hopefully we’re up; if not—SPLASH! We are going for a cold, cold swim in a glacier-fed river. Obviously most of us, if not all, prefer warm water to surf in. Unfortunately that is a luxury Goldenizens do not have at our disposal. So we make due with what we have and love it. Welcome to river surfing in Golden, BC! River surfing is yet another summer activity that Golden residents have seen the potential in and have decided to try. I can definitely say locals are resourceful. We love the outdoors and have a passion for outdoor play and see the opportunity a simple, natural wave can produce. During high water, a natural wave is created on River ‘X’ allowing us to get our rad on. 08
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River surfing is not a replacement for surfing in Tofino or Australia, but it is great practice for that next surf trip and a quick fix for a fish out of water. Plus, who doesn’t want to surf in glacier-fed water during a hot summer day? I expect the same crew will be out there this summer, and as for everyone else—well, you’ll have to find your own River X. As to the location of ours, my lips are sealed. Blue, frozen and sealed. -by Tom Guerquin
Search
+ Rescue Moves
A
ccidents happen. Their occurrence is as sure a bet as death and taxes. Whether they happen because of poor planning or random acts of God, when an accident happens in the mountains a fun day turns serious really quickly. In Canada, the RCMP are the point organization for an emergency and, depending on the situation, these police will request Golden and District Search and Rescue’s (GADSAR) assistance. For basically all mountain terrain accidents around Golden, GADSAR is sure to be commissioned to assist. GADSAR is made up completely of volunteers, many of whom have professional safety training. It is also one of the most called upon search and rescue organizations in the country. Members, who carry pagers 24/7, meet weekly for training exercises and practices. They are also looking for more members to join. While they stress that joining GADSAR should be about what you can give, there are benefits to dedicated members in the form of subsidized training.
GADSAR has recently undergone an unfortunate housing transfer and only an interim housing solution has been found. While the new location, near the airport, could be a perfect home, things are not yet perfect there. The stability that comes with ownership of their own building and the needed infrastructure are lacking. GADSAR relies entirely on grants, the Town of Golden and its own fund-raising efforts to support itself. Donations usually take the form of gifts from grateful victims who have been assisted but these are usually not very large. While a high-profile, lost-skier incident in 2009 and the resulting on-going lawsuit have had many questioning policies surrounding GADSAR, the reality is that this organization serves a vital role in our mountain activities and if things ever go wrong for you in the mountains, you’ll be darn glad for the dedicated service of these volunteers. To donate, join or for more information about GADSAR and their activities visit http://www.goldensar.bc.ca/ -TG
GADSAR FACTS •
• •
Best Photo
• • •
Inventory: 1 Command Truck, 1 ground vehicle, 1 auto extrication truck, 2 mountain snowmobiles, 1 trail snowmobile, 1 zodiac jet boat 6 members are HETS (helicopter external transport system) certified Responded to 60 total calls (23 from the backcountry) in 2010 that affected 281 total people and 1100+ hrs of total response time Recently moved to a new location near the airport 25 active members Looking for new members
INDEPENDENT POWER PROJECT
R
un-of-river electricity generation is a contentious issue in Golden. On one hand, BC has an ability to generate almost all its power needs from a “renewable” energy source: water. These projects carry a lower carbon footprint than burning coal and significantly less risk than nuclear power. On the other hand, there are costs for diverting our rivers and creeks into generating stations. With an almost insatiable thirst for energy and an approaching saturation of current supply, British Columbians will have to either drastically change their consumption lifestyles or face the real issue of finding new ways to provide energy to their homes. The answers will not be easy. One of the solutions is run-of-river projects (also called independent power projects (IPPs)) which are funded, built and maintained by independent operators. Currently there are 600+ applications to the BC government for IPPs. Kicking Horse Country has a number of IPPs that have both strong proponents and opponents of them. We posed two questions to two respected people on either side of this issue:
1. Why do you believe that run-of-river projects are/are not the answer to BC’s energy demands? 2. Why are the IPP projects planned in the Ventigo and Cupola creek drainages good/bad for the residents and visitors of Golden BC? Here are their remarks.
PRO
CON
1. These projects are only one of the many solutions to energy issues facing BC. In a good water year, BC has just enough electrical energy within the province for its own needs. In a poor year, we will buy up to 15% of our electricity from our neighbours. Much of this outside energy comes with a significant carbon footprint.
In looking at the “green energy” debate in BC, questions arise as to who’s controlling our valued resources, and who’s really benefiting. While I believe that run-of-river projects could be a part of meeting our energy demands, a regional and provincial planning process is absent. This plan would need to weigh the social, environmental and financial costs of producing electricity. Historically our public utility has been very successful with balancing this equation. Profits of $700 million/year have flowed back to the Province to subsidize health care, education and other social services. This has been accomplished while maintaining one of the lowest electricity rates in North America and producing electricity that is 90% clean.
To state that we have enough energy now and we don’t need to develop any more totally misses the point. The reason that we have enough electricity now is the result of planning and development that happened 20 years ago. If it takes 7 to 10 years to move from thinking about solutions through to generating electricity, then we need to anticipate our energy needs and plan 10-20 years ahead. What happens when we start to shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy? Currently, BC gets 63% of its energy from carbon-based fuels; how will we cover this huge energy shortfall in the future? When peak oil occurs, will you be able to reduce your entire energy use by more than half, and cover off everything with renewable energy? Will we all have planned 10 years ahead to cover this energy shortfall? In order of importance, Selkirk Power is actively promoting several solutions to cover this probable shortfall: a) Energy conservation (Demand Side management): BC Hydro already spends $200 million a year on conservation efforts and has committed to aggressively pursuing conservation policies. The problem is that despite these huge expenditures, conservation is still difficult to sell. The best recent evidence of this is “Earth Hours” savings of only 1 or 2% despite extensive publicity. So this means that we can only save 1 to 2% when we consciously pursue voluntary conservation as a community. 10
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Conservation needs to play a stronger role in meeting our demands; and while we have a successful Power Smart program, more is possible. BC Hydro’s own report illustrates that within 20 years our expanding energy consumption can plateau and then decline back to today’s levels. Increased demand from things like electric vehicles and electronic devices will be offset by more efficient technologies, habits and homes. Buildings can be built to generate excess electricity that is put back into the grid. Ideas such as this would help reduce the need, size and scope of run-of-river projects, while encouraging the solar and geothermal industries. Another benefit of conservation is that excess power is sold to other jurisdictions for a profit, which is in turn invested back into the province. By pursuing private run-of-river power, BC Hydro is risking its historical legacy and financial viability. Our hydro rates are forecast to rise 32% in the next three years alone, partly due to IPPs. To date we’ve signed over $40 billion worth of energy purchase agreements over a 40-year time period guaranteeing long-term high prices in a fickle energy market. If forecast high market rates don’t come to fruition, the public will be left
PRO What will we do when we have to reduce our energy use by 50% or more? b) Build some New Capacity starting with the lowest carbon footprint technology. c) Actively promote and support new technology. 2. Run-of-river hydro has a very low carbon footprint and one of the lowest environmental impacts of any energy form. A hydro plant has no effluent, it returns the water to the creek and doesn’t consume it. Ventego, Cupola and Alder are areas of historic resource and recreation impact. The main CPR line crosses these creeks. All of them have been logged to various extents. Ventego has seen 15% of it logged, new impact from our project could be a further 10% and current recreation use of the drainage is the balance at 75%. Alder’s hydro plant will have 80% of it in old clearcuts. Virtually all of Cupola will be built in areas of old resource impact. The power line to Golden will follow the TransCanada Highway, a corridor with current significant impact. First Nations communities will benefit through impact benefit agreements which could include jobs, job training and potential equity participation in the projects. We are hoping to increase their capacity to participate in renewable energy projects on their territory. Looking to minimize impact, Selkirk Power chose hydro sites with no domestic water users in the drainage. Our intention was to reduce any overlap with other forms of water use. The renewable energy business is a truly sustainable business model. It will create a product that all of the residents of Golden use, electricity. All the energy is sold to BC Hydro, though most of it will never leave the Columbia Valley. Even though it will not cover all the needs of Golden, it makes the local grid system more resilient. Hydro plants generate high tax revenue with very little draw on regional government resources. In summary, small hydro will have its product consumed locally, will benefit First Nations, will create up to 4 permanent jobs, will create extra employment through contracting support, and will generate high tax revenue for the region. Finally it is an energy solution that has a very low carbon footprint, low impact and is a truly sustainable business model. Douglas Hurst is the chairman of Selkirk Power Company Limited, who’s posted mission statement is to: ‘Cultivate a positive legacy of renewable energy projects by seeking a balance among the environmental, community and financial conditions.’
CON holding the bill. Private interests also put into question the province’s longterm energy security. When these contracts come up for renewal, IPP operators are not obligated to sell their power to BC Hydro, leaving us to compete for energy with the highest bidder. The environmental standards are equally grim: projects under 15 MW need no environmental assessment and if under 50 MW, developers conduct their own environmental assessment. No cumulative environmental impact studies are conducted, even if there are multiple proposals on the same waterway. The collective consequence of damming and diverting 600 waterways, with the associated roads and transmission lines—some hundreds of kilometres long—needs accounting. Circumstances and stakeholders vary from area to area but the lack of a plan is ubiquitous. Locally, the new Columbia Valley Transmission Line will supply the region with a reliable source of power for 30+ years. We don’t need more power, especially during spring run-off when our demand is lowest. And even if energy from Selkirk Power’s projects is consumed locally, we will be paying more than nine times the price that BC Hydro can produce it for. Environmentally there is a multitude of problems with the Ventego/Alder/Cupola projects. They would involve 8.8 km of new roads—though the entrances of these drainages have been logged, both Alder and Ventego are unspoiled wildernesses. The proposed dam site for Ventego borders a pristine wetland, which borders Glacier National Park. The development is counter to Parks’ interest in creating buffer zones along park boundaries. The welfare of fish, grizzlies and other wildlife will be negatively impacted. Access issues have not been properly addressed. They will either increase recreational opportunities that will increase the projects’ impact, or, more likely , they will restrict access to our commons—an issue for all 600 proposals (27 in our backyard). Pristine watersheds should not be sacrificed for “green energy”, especially when options like geothermal are practical locally. The bottom line is, we do need to change our ways. We need a plan which includes meaningful public discourse, promotes conservation and truly benefits local populations. We are at a crucial point in directing how our resources are exploited; do we want our policy to be privately driven, or do we want our resources to remain in the public trust, building a culture of conservation that continues to provide social, environmental and financial stability?
Chris Brazeau is a local carpenter and self described ‘ski bum.’ He’s too humble to mention that he’s also a world class alpinst and ski mountaineer who has many first ascents and descents throughout Kicking Horse Country and beyond. KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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Shredder Profile: Name: James Roddick
[James just got invited to represent Canada at the Worlds -ed]
Scott Photo
Years Kayaking: 20 Sponsor: Endlessadventure.ca Starring In (movies/photos): not much recently.
Scott Photo
Age: 34
Gear of Choice: Playboat: Jackson Rock Star Creekboat: Pyranha Burn and my Dry Suit
specifically for the rivers and because of the great skiing there are world class rivers, from class 5 creeks to class in the winter. Within two or three hours in each direction of Golden run. With an unbelievable wave called Table Saw to local class 3 classic overnight paddle trips. The Kicking Horse is a world to paddle in lower water, and the Milk run the Lower secsurf on the Upper section in flood water, a class 5 Middle section rapids and a take-out right in downtown Golden. Whether the tion to paddle any time with incredible surf waves and great on the Horse, including bars within walking distance from water is high or low there is everything you could possibly want take-out.
Is the paddling around Golden world class? I moved to Golden in 2007
Where are some of your favorite areas in KH Country? (you can generalize)
have to be Yoho Canyon, the lower Other than the Kicking Horse, my favorite runs in the area would Seven Canyons run on Toby Creek.
Spillimacheen, and the
How has style changed or evolved in kayaking in the last few years?
over the course of my kayaking career. Boats are shorter and Similar to skiing and biking, the gear has evolved like crazy surf with the advancement in hull designs. Not only are they more user-friendly than they used to be and way more fun to ever used to be. easier to paddle but they are way more comfortable than they
Is Golden capable of holding a kayaking competition? Is there a possibility tures?
for something different than just a timed event with fea-
be a race through the class 5 Middle section which begins I would love to have a competition here in Golden. My idea would mile bridge at the Lower put-in. That section is incredifive at the Ten Mile rest area on the highway and finishes below the be awesome, getting people there to watch would be the biggest bly steep and fast finishing in two big class 5 rapids. It would issue. Who knows, maybe one day.
When is the best time to kayak in KHC?
the water is high in May and June the Horse is incredible, but The best time to paddle is any time there is good water. When are better to paddle in July, August and even into Septemas some of the local creeks are extremely steep and narrow they ber.
We know it’s dangerous, but are there any safety tips that are specific to Go with your gut feeling. If it looks really high it probably is. Always be on the look out for wood. And dress for the swim, not for the weather.
Words to live by?
Who cares? Paddle!
Props and Shoutouts?
The Golden Crew, Paul, Ali, Larry, Shane, Mark, Lisa, endlessadventure.ca and all the others that help me deal with my addiction.
Scott Photo
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Kroeger Photo
our region?
Look Ma!
Hiking Biking Camping Climbing Lifestyle Backcountry
No Training Wheels.
Best Photo
New and Experienced Gear for all Your Adventures
Less is more right? Well that seems to be the case with kids’ bikes these days. In a town where rolling on two wheels is as central to the enlightened life as sliding on snow is, most pre-schoolers have parents who take them on the trails from day one (or earlier). The instant, first-time, reaction to seeing a kids’ runner bike is ‘oh look, there are no pedals.’ And indeed there aren’t any. That’s the point, -it’s a runner bike. The pedals are removed so the kid has more time to concentrate on what it feels like to roll, cruise, and balance on two wheels.
www.goldengearstore.ca
420B 9th Ave North, Golden, BC
250-344-7980
What does it mean? It means your 2-year-old can tag along with you when you skateboard or take the dog for a walk. It means that by 3 years old, an ambitious kid will have enough experience balancing on two wheels to jump from a runner bike to a pedal bike with no training wheels! In Golden, that’s a revolution, because there’s a lot of terrain here where training wheels just aren’t conducive to where mom and dad want to go. As the kids get older, the runner bikes become pump track bikes and most end up using both well into kindergarten.
Best Photo
Who would’ve thought, that losing the pedals could mean foregoing the training wheels? But that’s the (de-)evolution of the bike game for kids. Check out the runner bike selection at The Gear Exchange and Derailed Sports. -TG
(250) 344-3693 thecanyonsedge.ca
Steakhouse Patio
Catering
Cycling China By Mike Rubenstein
In
the fall of 2010, my wife Melissa, our almost-3-yearold daughter Aziza and I traveled to Szechuan province in southwest China to circumnavigate a 7500 m peak, Gonga Shan, via bicycle and Chariot. It was an adventure that exceeded all our expectations; the people, the food, the landscape, the cultural experiences and the family bonding culminated in the trip of a lifetime. We initially flew into Beijing, a city of 22 million people, 3 of whom are friends who were great hosts. While enjoying their hospitality we saw some famous sites such as The Forbidden City and the Great Wall. We then flew to the city of Xi’an, home of the famous, mud-sculpted Terracotta Warriors and spent a day admiring these archaeological wonders. Then off to Chengdu, a small city of 11 million and the capital of Szechuan province. After regrouping, putting the bikes together and checking out the local Panda reserve, we hopped on a bus to the foothills where the true adventure began. While planning this trip, my only requirement was to be in the mountains. In our travels we have found that mountain people have wonderful qualities regardless of where they are on the globe. Our original thought for this trip was to return to India where we had cycled when Aziza was 10 months old. While searching for flights we noticed that all Delhi flights routed
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THE RUBENSTEINS SPENT FOUR WEEKS CYCLING ON REMOTE CHINEESE ROADS - WITH THEIR 3-YEAR OLD. through Beijing and so thought, “Why not try there?” As a vegetarian family, the famous Chinese meat-based cuisine had us a bit scared, but after a bit of research we realized that Szechuan doesn’t cook with pork fat, but instead with lots of chiles and canola. And so the decision was made. The journey on our bikes took us over 900 km on mostly paved roads up and over a few passes above 4000 m. Some of the high mountain passes were dirt and some mid-summer flooding had damaged part of our route but for the most part the roads were in great shape. We began cycling in the city of Kangding but soon were far off the beaten path. While cycling through the first valley it was easy to believe that no other tourist had traveled here before. Our proximity to Tibet was apparent in the dialect, the architecture and the attire of the locals. The buildings were beautiful—large homes of rock and wood where the livestock lived on the main floor. It was hard to explain to Aziza on the first night why we were sleeping in our tent in the rain while the yaks were sleeping in the house. As we continued to cycle south the landscape changed, progressively moving from the prayer flags and colour of the isolated Tibetan-influenced landscape to drabber, more populated Mao-influenced areas. The Communist government definitely has put an effort into bringing electricity to all areas
LOCALS ABROAD of their country. Even in the smallest villages and the most isolated valleys we would see lots of power lines carrying energy from immense rivers. We spent days on end in valleys with rolling hills and endless waterfalls, then passed through mountains via tunnels up to 4 km long to come out onto a brand new highway with no traffic in sight, then ride for days more and arrive suddenly in a densely populated city. This was the third big cycling trip we’ve done with our daughter and the logistics of traveling with a small child are actually pretty manageable. To spend over a month, 24/7 with my family with no laptops, cellphones or any other distractions was an amazing experience. It was 100% family time everyday. It was an easy routine day in and day out because we just took things as they came to us. Aziza would enjoy the scenery, look for animals and chat with me as we biked along. We would sing songs together and sometimes she would listen to her Dictaphone, which had recorded stories and messages from loved ones on it. Aziza took to the trip better than we thought she would. We were hoping for 4-6 hours a day on the bikes but it worked out so well that we would end up getting 6-8 hours most days. The family bonding that occurred was phenomenal and was certainly the gem of the trip. It was enhanced deeply by the cultural encounters we experienced. Quite often we were the main attraction of the villages we rolled through. It wasn’t uncommon to get flocked when we showed up to a new place. People in general were quite gracious and very curious; there are not a lot of westerners who go where we went, let alone a family on their bikes. There was one point where we had misjudged our route and ended up with a sparse supply of food. I think the people we met could sense our desperation and so they invited us in and cooked us a huge meal and then tried not to accept payment for it. Communication was one of the challenges of rural China. Melissa tried to learn a bit of Mandarin but the tonal differences of the dialects made it almost impossible to speak with the locals. We depended mostly on charades to communicate, and learned that Chinese people clearly aren’t skilled in interpreting my acting talents. For the most part, I was pointing at things and hoping for the best. There were times when we bought tea instead of fuel and were bartering to pay more instead of less for things. Overall, we would absolutely do it again. The Chinese people are friendly, welcoming hosts, the food that we tried was fabulous and the country beautiful. As for this fall, maybe Bhutan and maybe Vancouver Island. The choices are endless. - Mike Rubenstein is Safety Manager at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Apostoles Greek Restaurant
250-344-4906 Voted 2009 Golden Business of the Year & Culinary Excellence Award Winner
Apostoles Guest Apartment 2 Bedroom - 2 Double Beds Full Kitchen Satellite TV / Internet Connection
Located in Golden at 901 -10th Ave S Hwy 95 at the lights
www.apostoles.ca
of Golden
Bob Tegart Real Estate Team A progressive Real Estate Team with an unwavering commitment to provide the best results and most consistent service in the industry.
Specializing in recreational, residential, rural and commercial property.
Bob Tegart
Dan Veselic
bob@remaxgolden.com
dan@remaxgolden.com
250-272-4321
250-344-1435
bcmountainproperties.com
COMPETITION BIKING
Western Cup @ KHMR
Grey and Crowe Photos
This Year’s Event is August 6-7, 2011
Downhill biking in Golden was put on the map by the renowned Psychosis event that the Golden Cycling Club (GCC) hosted on Mt. 7. For 10 years in a row, starting in 1998, the GCC threw an increasingly sophisticated event that climaxed in a Red Bull sponsorship for the last few years. But the drain on the cycling club’s volunteer resources was severe and in 2008 the last Psychosis was held. The GCC decided to put its efforts into other projects like expanding and repairing the trails of the Moonraker cross-country network and other places—which has certainly resulted in joy for the many more riders who are regularly using the vastly improved trails. But the move to cancel Psychosis bummed out DH competitors, and its absence left a void in the local competitive bike scene. The solution evolved into Kicking Horse Mountain Resort hosting the ‘Western Cup,’ which is the firstever dual-sanctioned mountain bike race on both the Alberta and BC Cup circuits. KHMR is much more suited to hosting large scale events and was excited about the opportunity to host a big race. The first attempt to create this race was in 2009, but for various reasons it didn’t get the BC sanction. Still, an Alberta Cup race was held that summer (yes, KHMR is that close to the BC/AB boundary). In fact, a whole new trail built to improve the 16
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bottom of the race course was called “Wild Rose” (AB’s provincial flower) in honour of the group of Albertan volunteers who came to help scratch it in. So the real inaugural Western Open was held in late August 2010 and it left many participants and onlookers stoked about how this event will grow and prosper in its own right. Under rainy and snowy skies, the first weekend-long event brought competitors, company reps, media and spectators from all over Western Canada. This year’s event promises similar success but with a few tweaks added for improvement. The major adjustment is that the date has been moved up two weeks to August 7, 2011. This move will most likely improve the chances for good weather. Early August is typically a dry and hot time in the Dogtooth range and the chances of snow are greatly reduced. The other improvements for the event include a much more rounded happening, with activities for several different kinds of bikers. For 2011 there will be a Shimano Kids race for ages 4 through 12, a Learn to Race Clinic including a women-specific category, professional announcers and even bigger and better prizes from sponsors Specialized and Cranked. These are early days, and if Psychosis is any indicator, the Western Cup is going to get big. -Tim Grey, Steve Crowe
Barry Cox captures the Columbia Wetlands near Golden. These marshes are amongst the biggest, uninterrupted wetlands in the world.
Gallery
Golden at dusk from up high on Mt. 7. Photo by Dave Best.
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Gallery Traverses are often more scary than going straight up. This climber is way up high in the Bugaboos as day turns to evening. Photo by Jon Walsh. Climber: Ines Papert
Brian Goldstone snaps a pic of a hiker near the Bugaboos on an Arc’teryx product shoot
Gallery
Ryan Creary captures Al Massin enjoying a killer day for a cross country bike ride in the Purcells .
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ADVERTISEMENT
NEW IN 2011 IN THE TOWN OF GOLDEN The Rebirth of Golden’s Grand Dame Over 60 years ago, classic Golden volunteerism built our unique, quirky and much loved Civic Centre complete with hand poured “bunker style” foundations, massive timber beams and children’s footprints in the basement concrete. Over a half century of history and stories are getting a facelift both in and out this summer as we peel away the layers and rebuild our dear lady to make her lasting, safer, and beautiful again. Re-opening is several months away but the transformation will be visible way before then. Amazing grants from all levels of government and several private donations have propelled this project to a level we never thought possible. In 2012, come and join us for a completely new experience in performances and book your event in Golden’s funkiest authentic venue. Check the history and continuing story at http://goldenciviccentre.wordpress.com/
Golden Community Bike Share (GCBS) Spring is here, summer is fast approaching and our Golden Community Bike Program is underway. Two “Cycle Station” hubs are located at the Golden Municipal Campground and Spirit Square, where the bikes can be accessed with a swipe card available through membership packages. We’re the first community in British Columbia to have a third generation bike share system, with the Cycle Stations running on a solar-powered battery to keep bikes locked 24-hrs a day. Members who receive a swipe card can access the bikes by inserting their card, selecting a bike and riding away. Once a member is done their ride, they can return the bike back to the location they initially selected or place the bike in another Cycle Station at a different location. The bikes are all Kona Africa Threes – a super cool ride for around town and a perfect way to catch a lot of the trails or see a show down in the square this summer. Joining the program is easy and you can be a daily, monthly, or seasonal member. Forms are available at the Town of Golden office located at 810 9th Ave. S. And day passes are available at the Golden Municipal Campground and Dreamcatcher Hostel. For more information give us a call. http://www.town.golden.bc.ca 250-344-2271
Golden Green Gym There’s nothing like a street workout, and we’ve got the equipment for it. Come and check out our newly installed Green Gym outside the Mount 7 Rec Plex, an outdoor fitness centre available to our community. A great way to workout while enjoying the outdoors, this gym features an elliptical machine, abdomen waist stretcher, rowing machine, chest press push and more. Add this stop to a run along Rotary Trails to get a complete workout.
Summer Kicks - Down by the Bridge Concerts The World Comes to Play in Golden this summer as we present TEN, all-ages, FREE CONCERTS down by the covered bridge in Golden’s Spirit Square. Bring your lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the music, the mountain views and the Golden sunsets. Here’s a sneak peek at some shows this summer: • 7pm, Saturday, June 25: RETROFIED and THE BAD UGLIES (Golden) • 7pm, Wednesday, July 13: BRICKHOUSE (Vancouver) • 7pm, Wednesday, July 27: JENNY WHITELEY (Toronto) • 7pm. Friday, July 29: TI COCA & WANGA NÈGÈS (Haiti) • 7pm, Wednesday, Aug. 3: BAKA BEYOND (Cameroon/UK) • 7pm, Thursday, Aug. 18: OKA (Australia) Go to KickingHorseCulture.ca for complete line-ups, music, videos and more!
Photo Dave Best, Rider Jason Romani
BIKING
T
A TOWN WITH A LOT OF BICYCLES AND MANY PLACES TO RIDE THEM. Written By Steve Crowe
here is something to be said about a town with a lot of bicycles. Increasingly, Golden is one of those towns. This could mean a number of things. One, the price of gas is high. Two, the good people of Golden are using non-motorized conveyances to reduce their carbon footprint to stop the glaciers from melting. Three, Goldenizens want to get fit in order to ease the strain on our overburdened health care system. Four, riding bikes is super fun, addictive and euphoric. Perhaps the reason is a blend of all of them. But it might also be because Golden is evolving into the best place to ride a bike on the planet. Whoa, that is something to say about a town with a lot of bicycles. Best place to ride on the planet? That’s a bold, perhaps ludicrous, statement. Isn’t Golden just that little industry town off the side of the highway where people stop for gas and empty-calorie intake on their way to somewhere else? How can this podunk claim to be even in the same league as a place like Whistler, much less to exceed it? Four words, one comma: abundant diversity, no crowds. Yes, Golden is an unassuming, small, blue-collar hamlet tucked into a valley bottom off a bend in Highway 1. Often 22
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people don’t even notice it as they drive past because their eyes are drawn upward to the peaks of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains that frame the vista and demand attention. But Golden is indeed here and is the uncrowded home to some very fortunate people who appreciate two-wheeled, selfpropelled, wind-in-the-hair recreation. So consider the first two of those four audacious words: ‘abundant diversity’. As different bikes are built for different types of riding, so too are the trails around Kicking Horse Country. From smooth, lip-smacking cross-country networks to boney, teeth-chattering downhill descents to sublime, jaw-dropping road routes to most everything else, Golden has it. And if it doesn’t yet have it, it is probably on its way.
Downhill If Golden registers at all in the international biking conscience, it is probably due to Psychosis. Pyschosis, hosted by the Golden Cycling Club (GCC) for its 10-year existence and sponsored by Red Bull for the last four, was the longest, most-demented single-track downhill mountain bike race in the world that attracted some of the most talented racers on the planet. Compared to the standard World Cup race time of 2-5 minutes, Psychosis’ 12-20 minute, 1200 metre pulverizing descent into madness was extraordinary. From the top where the slope inclines so steeply that the course drops from view and seemingly into oblivion, to the menacing, endless spine
of dirt and rock that is the bulk of the course, to the 40-foot gap jump near the bottom—when fingers can barely hold the brakes any longer—the pace was relentless. The race may be gone (for reasons that will be explained in a moment), but the course and its sister trails still maintain their grip on the sides of Mt. 7 and on the minds of shuttlers. The 14-km access road feeds into numerous downhill trails all the way to the subpeak known as “The Launch” (Mt. 7 is also Canada’s premier para- and hang-gliding jump). For the adventurous with stamina, it is also possible to hike-a-bike another 300m to the true peak for a truly mind-blowing drop to the valley floor. And for those with more money than stamina, a helicopter can fly to the same access point.
trails now have a choice of shorter, easier trails upon which to shred. And the addition, probably in 2012, of a new highspeed jump trail will round out the appeal for the rippers. Full disclosure: I help with trail building at Kicking Horse Bike Park, so my obviously biased opinions can be taken with a grain of salt.
Creary Photo
Across the valley and upon the shoulders of the Dogtooth Range, beckoning as an alternative for those who don’t want to destroy their trucks endlessly shuttling, Kicking Horse Bike Park boasts the highest elevation and longest vertical descent of any bike park in Canada. Yes, even more than that other bike park. Immediately popular with the white-knuckle crowd when it opened 10 years ago, KHBP has undergone a metamorphosis of diversity in the past 4 years to become the leading bike park in the Kootenays. Its signature trail, the über-flowy Stickrock, was featured in a previous issue of Kicking Horse Magazine. With the recent opening of the Catamount chair on the lower mountain, beginner and intermediate riders too intimidated by the 1200 m gondola-accessed
Guerquin Photo
Cross-Country Like in most communities in BC, the cross-country trail network in Golden is growing at a phenomenal pace. The GCC specifically ended volunteer-intensive Psychosis so that efforts could be directed toward developing a more rounded biking scene in town. With access to funds from various development agencies (and almost from three donation boxes at the Moonraker Trails and at Mount 7, except they were broken into, twice), the long-lived Moonrakers have been retrofitted, retooled and expanded by a dedicated, paid trail crew into a smooth, rolling, high-speed (optional) bonanza. There are now about 60 km of trails (with 15 more waiting to be built or approved) including an extension to the valley bottom that opened an access point right beside town (meaning no car required—take that, fossil fuels). That trail, CBT Mainline (named for its primary funding source, the Columbia Basin Trust), provides bikers with a highly-entertaining, meandering climb combining bermed single-track and some disused forestry road to the Cedar Lake trailhead. That climb upon return metamorphosizes into a very long, KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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fast and tasty descent. Renegade trail builders have also been quietly busy creating ribbons of legal ambiguity elsewhere in the valley. These outlaw trails are more all-mountain in character, with sections having a coastal personality crafted from rocks, roots, climbs and descents. The GCC is currently studying the feasibility of pursuing legal recognition of The Noodle Bowl (a pseudonym), a tangled web of fantastic riding directly abutting town. Other more remote trails will never see the light of legal day, secretly existing to excite the lives of just small groups in the know.
Around Town For people seeking a shorter, easier ride, one that is fun to do with kids and low-tech bikes, the Rotary Trail circles the town for 7 km with numerous entrance and exit points and includes urban and forested single-track sections. This loop is perfect for the brand new Community Bike Share program. This first-of-its-kind-in-BC initiative provides free bicycle use for locals and visitors alike with a credit card security. Now it is possible to cruise around town, visit a pub and go for a dip in the river, and not even own a bike!
Road Biking The Golden Triangle is a legendary highway loop that circuits a large swath of the Rocky Mountains. Over 300 km long, and bisecting three national parks (Banff, Yoho and Kootenay), the Golden Triangle is a challenging, spirit-raising bucket-lister for road bikers. The three vertices of the triangle are Banff, Radium Hot Springs and, as the name might suggest, Golden. Unfortunately, one of the challenges of the loop has been the narrow shoulders in sections. In recent years, however, much of the butt-clenching between Lake Louise and Golden has been eased with the twinning of Hwy. 1. And more improvements are scheduled for the serpentine section through Kicking Horse Canyon just east of Golden. Also, in 2011, two significant upgrades that will incorporate wide shoulders specifically for bicycles will be completed on Hwy. 1 and Hwy. 95. These upgrades will be most significant for locals who use these routes for commuting. But, hey, it can’t hurt business to keep visitors safe and happy too. So what is missing? If there is one arrow absent from the trail quiver, it is an “epic” alpine ride—which is a bit glaring considering the sea of mountains Golden floats amidst. There are a number of possible solutions to this problem of omission, all of which require strategic partnerships, bureaucratic mud wrestling, and brow sweat. The most significant development would be the opening of National Park trails to mountain bike traffic, which is currently being considered by the federal government. As Golden is surrounded by 5 national parks, the addition of these trails would be a gold mine (pun intended). But there are nearer possibilities too. The top of Kicking Horse Bike Park, high in the alpine, is perfectly 24
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situated as a launching pad for forays to distant ridges and valleys. Certainty Mine trail is a very old, seldom-used hiking trail from the valley to the alpine that the cycling club is seeking funds to develop. For the bmx crowd, there is a small skate park (thirsting for expansion) but no bmx track. However, there is a private pump track or two to which you might be invited if you bat your eyelashes at or offer enough beer to the right person. And GCC is working toward funding for a future community pump track and skills area. Now let’s consider the other two words used to bolster Golden’s outrageous claim: ‘no crowds’. Firstly, the apparant contradiction between this and the opening sentence’s description of Golden as having “a lot of bicycles” can be explained away by adding “for its size”. With only 8,000 people in Kicking Horse Country, “a lot of bicycles” might mean only 200+ bikes. Secondly, as explained earlier, many people are unaware of Golden, much less its copious biking opportunities. And this suits the locals fine. What’s the point of having all these amazing trails if one has to stand in line for half an hour to access them or spend much of the ride trying to squeeze past a slower rider or, conversely, being scared out of one’s wits while being overtaken by faster riders? No point at all. This means for the locals and the few visitors who have discovered this open secret that they can enjoy hours of varied riding all the while thinking they are the masters of the universe with no one around to dispute that claim. It should be noted as well that in this town known for its abundance of males in the winter months, the growing biking population appears to be well-balanced between the genders. So even if it is unlikely you will see someone else out on a trail, if you do you have a 50% chance that it will be someone you don’t mind seeing. Let’s face it, one of the genders looks great in bike shorts. Perhaps that is yet another reason more people are biking in Golden. And that’s something to say about a town with a lot of bicycles.
Creary Photo
BIKING
For a long-weekend trip to Golden you will ideally want to bring at least three bikes. Seeing as this is unrealistic for most people, then a solid crosscountry or all-mountain bike is a must. To get your downhill on, you can rent a bike at KHBP. This saves on the cost of buying a DH rig, the trouble of transporting it, and lets you ride it like a rental. So here’s some beta on how to best approach a long weekend of biking in Golden.
Day 1:
Grey Photo
On the evening of your arrival, take your bike out on the Rotary Trail to get a sense of the town and to stretch out your legs that have been cramping in the car during the drive here. You can peddle to a restaurant and/or pub to power up for the weekend and to quaff the first celebratory ale of the weekend. If you don’t want to leave your expensive bike unattended, then take advantage of the Community Bike Share program.
Day 2:
Head directly to the Moonraker Trails where you can get your speed up and your yahoo on. You will also have the opportunity to meet some locals and squeeze them for information on how to access the nearby trails of questionable legality for later that day or the next day. Trailheads at Cedar Lake and Sanders Lake are convenient for post-ride refreshing dips. Pitcher Photo
Day 3:
Thumlert Photo
Drive the short distance from town to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, home of the Kicking Horse Bike Park. There you can rent a downhill bike and test your mettle against the 1200 m of gondola- and chairlift-accessed beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. Along with the requisite pump and patch kit or spare tube, be sure to pack a camera because the gondola disgorges you atop the highest elevation of any bike park in Canada. All the trails have different characters, but try Superberm first for a fun, rolling introduction. The others tend to get progressively more challenging.
Day 4:
Creary Photo
Rise early to get a lap in on one of Mt. 7’s trails. If you have a DH rig, go to the “Launch” and ride the old Pyschosis route including Dead Dog if the dirt is tacky and you’re a bit crazy. If you are on your XC/ AM bike, then try from 3K or 5K so as not to destroy your ride or body. On your way home, stop at one of the neigbouring national parks and sneak in a ride on one of the trails that has (hopefully) just opened up for the biking crowd. KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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INTERVIEW WITH TRAIL BUILDER Golden BC
It was carpentry. Well, I’m still self-employed as a carpenter, but this has evolved into a full-time job. I spend the winter writing proposals and applications and such.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOR ALL TYPES OF BIKES
How do you go about getting a legal trail built?
MEET WARD RICK SE
804 Park Drive
250.439.9959 DerailedSports.com
SUMMER Store Hours m 8:00toa pm 10:00 June 26 to September 3 1020 10th Avenue South Golden, BC
www.overwaitea.com
When I first started looking into it I was told it was a very simple process. As it turns out it isn’t really that simple. It starts with a concept of where we want to put a trail. It involves a lot of walking, flagging a route, GPSing and mapping. Then we apply for approval from the government to build. Then the bureaucracy involves all the relevant stakeholders, like property and woodlot owners. Once we get approval, then we have to figure out how to build the trail, so we apply to various funding sources. The Columbia Basin Trust is our major one. MEC has also helped. It is a long and drawn out process. But it is really good because it forces us to address other people’s concerns instead of having conflicts.
Interview by Steve Crowe
When will you know about funding for 2011?
Who are you?
The CBT and MEC applications are in and we should know by the end of May.
Rick Seward, Director of the Moonraker System for the Golden Cycling Club. How long have you been building trails? I’ve been helping out with the Moonrakers for about the last 10 years, but it’s only in the last two to three years that I began to take it seriously. It became a bit of an obsession, I guess. What’s your motivation? At first I was being selfish, but as it turns out I get a lot of really positive feedback from people I meet on the trail. And I enjoy the work and get a lot of satisfaction from seeing more and more young and old people out there. It’s a very positive experience for me, and I have the time to do it now. What’s your real job? 26
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Has the bureaucratic approach been worthwhile, rather than just building renegade trails? Ultimately yes because it allows us to seek funding to hire crews to build the trails. It takes a long time by yourself. The cycling club recently has been hiring crews to do the building while a core group of volunteers usually looks after the maintenance.
FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH Does the community understand how important biking could be to Golden? I think they are coming around. Golden is a BC Resort Municipality and there are people in local government who get it and are adding bike trails to town and regional plans. When I started here there were about 12 people with bikes in town. Now in the summer you see bikes on cars all over the place. Do you see many out-of-towners on the trails. I’d say it is about a 50/50 split. We check out licence plates and see a lot of Albertans, obviously. Many of them own property here, but a lot are visitors too. We see a lot of US plates now too. Just the numbers of cars in the parking lots have increased dramatically in the last couple years. What do you think the future holds for Golden biking? I feel very positive about it. I don’t think we’ll become a Whistler or Moab, and don’t think we want to, but Golden is really well-placed to become a cycling destination. I’d like to see it developed as a ride centre, like is happening the US, where the infrastructure is created to attract bikers. Then biking can be used to market Golden along with the skiing, snowmobiling, rafting and paragliding.
Can you use a couple words to define mountain biking in Golden? All over the map. Expanding. What’s the worst month for bugs? August I think is the worst because it’s the hottest as well. I remember coming to visit my trail crew and a really hot day and it was their lunch time. I see these guys lying on the trail covered in ponchos and hoodies and I felt so badly for them. There was a cloud of mosquitoes around them. They were just trying to stay sane, I guess. I almost sent them home. Don’t know how much work they got done that day. But my trail crew last year was phenomenal. What’s the funniest thing that has happened on the trail. That’s a tough question, because I don’t think of it as ‘fun’. It is really hard work. But I remember at one point I was working on a trail. I’m there with a pulaski and a shovel and I’m covered in dirt and sweat. And these three riders pull up and one of them says, “Are you working on the trails?” I don’t know, I chuckle when I think of that.
Rick and the GCC’s latest masterpiece, the CBT Mainline Trail
CBT Trail
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Moonraker Bike Trails
CBT Trailhead
Cedar Lake, Moonraker Trails Turnoff
Kicking
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Cedar Lake
Bear Aware! Map Legend Easiest Intermediate Highway Access Road Dashed Line is Road Solid Line is Singletrack Parking
CBT Trailhead
Elk Road
Confluence Park Trails Columbia River Bridge
Rotary Trails Kicking
Pedestrian Bridge
Spirit Square
Map provided by Tourism Golden for promotional use only.
ive
Horse Dr
Park for CBT trail on North side of Bridge
The Grizz GOLDEN BC, After five months spent in the snug darkness of his winter den, Boo decides that the time is right to leave. Whether it’s increased day length, warmer temperatures or the gnawing emptiness of his stomach, something in the genes of the nine-year-old grizzly bear prods him outward. With the claws of his front feet—extra long from disuse over the winter—he quickly digs through the snow covering his den’s exit. Emerging outside, Boo squints in the blinding brightness. His nostrils flare widely as his lungs fill with the fresh April air. It carries a flood of scents: snowshoe hare, ground squirrel, spruce grouse and skiers zipping past his home at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
RISE & SHINE
GOLDEN’S GRIZZLY BEAR AWAKENS TO ANOTHER YEAR AS AMBASSADOR-IN-RESIDENCE AT KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT.
In 2003, the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge was established as Boo’s new home. At this 20-acre mountainside habitat, Boo hunts, plays, forages and behaves just like his wild cousins. The goal of the refuge is to determine if orphaned grizzly bear cubs can develop enough skills to survive on their own without the guidance of their mother. It is hoped that this research will ultimately lead to an appropriate raise-and-release program for orphaned cubs. Outside his den, but still within his small transition enclosure to keep him separated from skiers, Boo sprawls on his stomach atop the still-deep snow. He detects the smell of voles and mice underneath, but for now he lacks the motivation to dig up the nearby snacks. He is content to merely soak up the warmth of the afternoon sun. After an hour or two, Boo returns to the comfortable familiarity of his den and drifts back to sleep. It takes a couple of weeks for Boo to waken completely from his winter dormancy. His body temperature, heart rate and metabolism drop significantly over the winter, but grizzly bears do not enter a nearly comatose state like true hibernators. Since he first went into his den in mid-November, Boo has not eaten, had a drink of water, urinated or defecated. “It’s an amazing physiological adaptation for bears to survive the long, cold, foodless winter,” says Jubilee Cacaci, Manager of the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge. “It takes time for their bodies to readjust.” 28
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Cacaci Photo
Grizzly bear cubs are born in their mother’s wintering den and typically spend the next two winters with her as well. Boo, however, was denied that luxury. When he was just five months old, his mother was shot and killed by a poacher.
Meanwhile, she and Boo’s other keepers have been preparing for his reappearance: bulldozing and shoveling snow away from the perimeter fence around his habitat, making numerous fence repairs and stockpiling supplemental foods—including roadkilled deer and hatchery-raised trout. To simulate avalanche-killed prey that grizzlies seek out in the spring, a dead lamb from Cacaci’s family farm is also buried in the snow. Contrary to what many people believe, however, meat is not the primary food of grizzly bears. In the Canadian Rockies, they are largely vegetarian with plants representing 80 percent of their diet. When the snow melts within his habitat, Boo will forage on the new spring growth. He grazes on succulent sedges and grass, digs up starch-rich bulbs and roots, and strips away the
thin bark of shrubs to chew on the nutritious cambium. Through trial and error, Boo discovered all of these food sources on his own, without the help of his mother. Boo also honed his hunting skills with no supervision. He digs up ground squirrels and other rodents with amazing speed. He is nimble enough to catch grouse on the wing. He once dispatched an entire family of weasels, a great protein source for a large omnivore. He rips apart decaying stumps for the insects and larvae inside. Most amazingly, he once killed and ate a yearling moose that blundered into his habitat. After years of observing Boo and documenting his development in her Master’s thesis, Cacaci is convinced that orphaned grizzly bear cubs can develop the skills they need to fend
zly Times
“Over the winter Boo typically loses more than 200 pounds.”
SUMMER 2011 for themselves. It may take longer than learning from their mother, but given the time and the opportunity, she believes it can happen.
Boo and his brother Cari (who died in 2004 were named after the Cariboo region of British Columbia where the cubs were born.
es his snout and slowly waves his head from side to side. Just 15 minutes after his release, Boo locates and digs up his buried lamb treat. The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge is one of the few places where it is possible to watch a grizzly bear in its natural environment safely and in close proximity. On a scale with wild bears at one end and zoo bears on the other, Boo is far closer to his wild relatives. Each summer thousands of visitors come to see Boo and to learn more about grizzly bears. He has proven to be a majestic ambassador for his magnificent species. Written by Ross Prather
Boo and Cari spent their first year at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife near Vancouver while the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge was built specifically for them. In 2006, Boo escaped from the Grizzly Bear Refuge but returned voluntarily 33 days later and nearly 100 pounds lighter. Boo hardly ever touches the electric fence that surrounds his habitat and when he does, it’s almost always by accident. Boo’s favorite supplemental food is grapes and he likes to eat them one at a time rather than gobbling a whole bunch. Boo has been known to bluff charge guests who stand in his line of sight, squat to shoot eye-level photos, or for the pure fun of being a teenage grizzly bear. Since he tends to take a nap to escape the heat of the day, the best time to see Boo is in the morning.
Photo courtesay of KHMR
When the big day arrives for Boo to be released into his greater habitat, he sprints eagerly through the opened gate. Cacaci and others gathered for the occasion grin widely, snap photos and share high-fives. Boo wallows in the sun-softened snow but he instinctively veers into the shade where it is firm enough to support his weight. At 550 pounds, he looks skinny compared to when he disappeared into his den. Over the winter Boo typically loses more than 200 pounds. Crossing a steep slope in the middle of his habitat, Boo can’t resist sliding downhill on his belly. When he comes to a stop he climbs back up and does it again. Boo’s playfulness is interrupted when he rais-
BOO FACTS
Cacaci Photo
On subsequent days Boo becomes more and more active each time he emerges from his den. He digs beneath the snow to investigate what lies beneath. Finding a stout spruce bough, he holds it firmly in his teeth while swinging his head wildly. Then, with an upward flick, he tosses the branch high into the air before chasing it down to repeat the process.
The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge is open daily from June 10 to September 26 with interpretive tours presented every hour on the hour from 9am until 5pm (except for 1pm when Boo is likely to be napping). Private Ranger Assistant tours are also available. For more information, visit KickingHorseResort.com. KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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TRAIL RUNNING
Mountain Marathons Arc’Teryx Photo
Not many people come to Golden for its pavement. That is why running in Golden turns from good to fantastic as soon as you’re willing to take your feet off the paved roads and onto the many hiking trails that abound. In our national parks, which for the most part don’t allow mountain biking, running may in fact be the best and quickest way to experience the trails. Trail running is enjoying a surge in popularity from enthusiasts who are ditching the heavy boots and backpacks of a 3-day hike for running shoes and hydration packs and getting it done in one day—one high-output day that is. Many of the best trails around have distances similar to or greater than a marathon. Add in the environmental aspects of the mountains such as altitude, snow, wildlife and remoteness and a trail run can turn in to an epic adventure that exceeds the satisfaction level of just crossing a finish line with hundreds or thousands of other people. Just like a marathon, tackling a big trail run requires training. Starting on the Rotary Trail that encircles town and graduating to the 60 kilometres of Moonraker 30
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trails is a good beginning. Once you have your gear and your fitness dialed, start looking through hiking books or pick up the Mountain Running in the Canadian Rockies guidebook at the Gear Exchange downtown. Typically, you’re looking for a trail that isn’t straight up and down but has rolling sections of varied terrain. Proper nutrition becomes very important on a trail run because you cannot just quit if you’re not feeling well; you have to get yourself out of where you got into. Gels, nuts and proper hydration are keys Things t to success. You also have o bring.. . to be willing to drink out 1 Food - gels, bars of a mountain stream, a 2 Spor ts Drin k s privilege which people 3 Map - GPS cross oceans for. The 4 Hat, Toque, rewards are high for gloves 5 Small 1st aid those willing to take the kit 6 Light Pants challenge, so get out (no co 7 Wind/ tton) rain res there! istent 8 Hydr ation P ack 9 Poles 10 Sun screen
jacket
5Stellar
Rockwall
Bugaboos
Skoki Lodge
Sentinel Pass
Moonraker
Trails in & around Kicking Horse Country
•15 kms approx
The Moonraker trails are often associated with mountain biking but they offer great running opportunities. They are close to home and in great shape for trail runners. Park a car at bottom of Sander Lake road and run through to Cedar Lake. Then take the CBT trail back to town and take another vehicle to retrieve the car.
A big day out in incredible terrain near Lake Louise. Park at the Paradise Valley trail head and loop to Morraine Lake via Sentinal Pass. This one is tough but the scenery will inspire you.
•30 kms
You’ll need to run in groups of 4 or more and pay attention to grizzly bear closures. Rain down low may mean snow up high.
Epic views and gorgeous scenery define this run. The trails are worn in from years of horse traffic and you can stop and get a scone and tea at the lodge mid run.
•35 kms
It’s best to bike to Temple Lodge from the Lake Louise parking lot and run from there.
The Cobalt Ridge trail is initially steep but leads to an amazing ridge run that towers above Colbalt and Vowell Creeks. This one is for pure scenery value as the amazing Bugaboo mountain range and it’s glaciers are across the way.
•25+kms
Check www.goldenhikes.ca for a good description of this trail.
Potentially one of the best runs around. This is the run you want to train all summer so you can do. On a beatiful sunny day in the fall you can pick huckleberries along the way.
•52 kms
Columbia River Treaty Learn about our past. Think about our future.
Several variations exists for this one but don’t miss Rockwall Pass.
Trail information and photos contributed from Meghan Molnar. Meghan is a registered dietitian specializing in sport nutrition and the organizer of the Golden Running Group. Reach her via email: meghan.molnar@gmail.com
Columbia basin TrusT’s primary roles wiTh respeCT To The Columbia river TreaTy (CrT) are to act as an information resource for basin residents on the CrT and to work with provincial and federal government agencies to provide advice on meaningful consultation processes with basin residents on any process to amend, renew or terminate the CrT or any of its related sub-agreements. For more information on the Columbia river Treaty visit www.cbt.org/crt Twitter Columbia Basin Trust works with communities and residents to strengthen the social, economic and Twitter environmental well-being of this region. Together, we are shaping our future; together, we are creating a legacy.
www.cbt.org • 1.800.505.8998
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Dibble Photo
written by Dave Tokaruk
S
o you’re getting hitched. This is going to be one of the most important days of your life. If you would like to mark this day at a sculpted cathedral in a large metropolitan centre surrounded by the noise of urban life, read no further. If you would rather a more unique ceremony, in a natural cathedral of majestic beauty, then this article might just suit you. Since Golden came onto the tourist scene, more visitors have ventured off the Trans Canada and discovered Kicking Horse Country’s charm. One of the benefits of this influx is a noticeable spike in the number of people interested in taking their vows here. So what is the attraction? Well, obviously the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding Rocky and Columbia mountain ranges is a major draw. Within the confines of the Columbia River valley there are a multitude of hidden visual oases with dramatic backdrops. Whether you prefer a mountaintop wedding or a stunning valley retreat at the end of a dirt road, Kicking Horse Country has got you covered. The forested hideaways and mountain locales will be able to provide you with a variety of options that run the gamut of desires from the most modest to truly decadent. The general mayhem that goes on during the days leading up to a wedding often makes it difficult for the bride and groom to entertain their guests adequately. In Golden this problem is taken care of for you. Visiting
guests will have the time of their lives discovering a variety of entertaining activities that are easily available. There is the obvious fun of outdoor pursuits such as hiking, biking, skiing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and golfing. These activities will take away your guests’ breath both physically due to the exertion, and figuratively due to their setting in a sublime, natural wonderland. For your guests who prefer less physicallydemanding activities there are alternatives. The quaint nature of this small mountain town will accommodate them. There are several shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, wildlife viewing opportunities, an art gallery and a museum where they can discover the hospitality of this town for themselves. For the ceremony there are some uniqe and memorable opportunities to choose from. The bride can arrive via helicopter or gondola to a mountaintop wedding. She can come in a horse and carriage to a barn ceremony at a lodge. Or, if you really want to be unique you can arrive via mountain bike descent or paraglider. If you’re more traditional, there are at least 10 churches in town that can accommodate a modest number of guests. The newly renovated civic centre is also an option for larger crowds. A bride will want to know that there are several options when it comes to hair and beauty treatments. She can choose one of the several salons in town or, if it’s simpler, many of these proprietors are used to coming to the location of the ceremony.
Now lets talk about the party. All romance aside, this is why everyone is travelling to celebrate with you. Locally it is known that there are a unusually high number of DJs, bands and musicians in this town. Many of them are veterans of the wedding scene and they can take care of you from the time the bride walks down the aisle until the end of the reception. Whether you prefer to hear the chicken dance or something a little more contemporary, they will be able to customize the sound for you. If it is a great party, then you may not remember the whole event. That’s why finding a good photographer is very important and there is no shortage of professionals here. The natural beauty of this place makes for a breeding ground of phenomenal photographers. There are also equally talented videographers available to animate your memories. And what’s a party without great food? The catering can be easily taken care of by one of the several reputable restaurants in the area. And that of course brings us to the booze. Many of the lodges are equipped with full bars; however, if you prefer to buy it yourself and run a toonie bar, the managers at many lodges will help you organize the liquor license, bartenders and other legal and convenience necessities. If you are planning on giving the stuff away, make sure to note the name of the author (and editor) of this article and invite him (them) to the reception. The bottom line is that Golden is a magical place to say ‘I do’. What may actually surprise you is that Golden can be an affordable place to have your wedding, even if your not from here. Prices for services are often less
expensive than the city. It is most likely that you will find competitive rates without sacrificing quality by any means. If I might be so bold as to interject with a personal anecdote, I got married here and had the time of my life. All the friends and family gathered together in this awesome place really made me realize how special Golden is. Everyone left with fond memories of the fantastic experiences they had and I got to stay here and enjoy it even more with my beautiful wife.
Ideas or
for a
stagette
Stag
Party
There are many important precursors to a wedding. Perhaps the most important and memorable (though never talked about in mixed company) are the stag and stagette. If you’re not being whisked away to Las Vegas for a weekend of consumptive debauchery your best man or maid of honour may want to consider Golden as a destination. Guys, we got what you want with the exception of a wide variety of high-class strippers (or any variety at all for that matter). Anything else to do with masculine expression is very accessible. The mountains have a way of bringing out the wild spirit that goes hand-in-hand with bravado and macho endeavours. Before any outdoor activity that you may choose to enjoy, make sure to parade the groom around town in some sort of effeminate costume and force him into menial tasks that will both embarrass him and entertain the locals.
Dibble Photo
“Golden is a magical place to say ‘I do’. “
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
33
Elite Sound and Light Elitesound.djintelligence.com 250.344.7212
The ladies can have just as good a time fulfilling the bride’s traditional stagette needs in this town. I’m no expert in this field as I am male, but it seems that a pillow fight in your underdrawers can occur almost anywhere! Also there are large numbers of young athletic males in this town who have no money at the end of a long ski season. There have been more than a few reports of these cavalier gents removing clothing items for groups of women for tips and maybe a few free drinks. Go to one of the local bars and ask for Danny, Eirik or Brian. All jokes aside here are five ideas you may want to consider for your party.
Flowers
1. Downhill Mountain Biking.
Catering and Lodging Kicking Horse River Lodge Kickinghorseriverlodge.com 250.439.1112
Dj’s & Sound
Flowers From Home debgudj@eastlink.ca 250.344.5855
Formal Wear Lori Baxendale Formals loribaxendaleformals.com 250.344.3111
Hair & Beauty Mary Kay Cosmetics Marykay.ca/ehatlevik 250.344.4799 Personal Touch Hair & Body Day Spa Personal-touch.ca 250.344.6413 Reflections Hair Studio lhuston_47@msn.com 250.344.5766 Shear Perfection Salon 250.344.7611 Vivid Hair Studio vividhairstudio@hotmail.ca 250.439.1001
Photographers Claire Dibble Photography Dibblephotography.com 250.290.0201 Sher’s Photography Shersphotography.net 250.344.2607
Cakes Jessica Grey Jess@summitcommunications.ca 250.290.0197 34
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
The adrenaline of DH biking is a great bonding activity. It’s a good sport where all can participate because you can rent gear for those who don’t have their own.
2. Whitewater Rafting. Rafting is the perfect activity for a stagette. It’s scary, fun, wet and safe all at the same time. And it’s also mostly run by males with bulging biceps. Photo by Glacier Rafting.
3. Rent a Mansion. If you have a lot of people coming for a party then there are many amazing properties that can be rented that can house everybody under the same roof.
4. Go Camping. If the mansion thing is not your style there’s tons of great camping spots throughout Kicking Horse Country.
5. Fly to a Lodge. If you really want to get away from it all and want to spend time in unspoiled wilderness there are several helicopter accessed lodges in Kicking Horse Country that can accomodate your party needs.
ONE INCREDIBLE MOUNTAIN TOWN
Alexa Chalets ~ Timber Inn & Restaurant Family run business since 1995. Relaxing country setting; spectacular mountain and river views. Lodge rooms, family cabins and group chalets. Fresh Canadian market cuisine and European specialties.
www.TimberInn.com 1.877.348.2228
starting at
$89
ENDLESS SUMMER ADVENTURES [
]
Kootenay River Runners
‘Four Rivers ~ Lots of Choices’. Whether it’s challenging whitewater, family rafting or wetland float trips. Kootenay River Runners will fulfill your spirit of adventure! starting at
www.RaftingTheRockies.com 1.800.599.4399
$35
Country Comfort Bed and Breakfast
Red Barn Petting Farm
Downtown, walk to restaurants. Seven rooms, twin and queen beds, private and shared baths, fireside lounge. Full breakfast included. Close to skiing and golf course.
Red barn is a family run farm open to the public. We have lots of friendly animals who would love to meet you and your family. : Admission $10 for adults, $8 for kids, under 1 year is free. Phone to book a visit.
www.CountryComfortBandB.com 1.877.644.6200
starting at
$65
Lush Mountain Accommodations Amenity filled log and timber vacation homes, condos, cabins and cottages available for nightly rental on private acreages. All with views and private hot tubs. starting at www.LushMountain.com $39-$119/pp 1.877.644.6200
www.RedBarnRareBreeds.ca 250.344.5888
Golden Municipal Campground Open Year Round! 32 serviced & 40 tent sites; 30 amp & 15 amp sani-dump, convenience store, RV supplies & parts, laundry, hot showers, fire pits. www.GoldenMunicipalCampground.com
1.866.538.6625
starting at
$24-$32
www.TourismGolden.com | 1.800.622.GOLD
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