The Jasper Local July 1, 2018

a lt e r n at i v e +

LOCAL + independent

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tthejasperlocal.com h e ja s p e r l o ca l .c o m

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may 15, 2015 // issue124 49 sunday, friday, july 1, 2018 // ISSUE

TOWER OF POWER // HIGH ABOVE THE FRYATT VALLEY RAIN TURNED TO SNOW AND CREATED A SURREAL, ETHEREAL EFFECT. // LAURENT BOLDUC

MPL adds Sawridge Inn to its suite of hotel properties

Mountain Park Lodges has acquired the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre.

On Friday, June 22, MPL senior management was finally cleared to discuss what had been rumoured about for weeks: the Mountain Park Lodges group had entered into a partnership with the Sawridge Corporation and Jasper’s largest in-town hotel would be jointly owned by the two corporations.

“They’ve got a really good reputation and an excellent clientele,” said MPL’s general manager, Kevin Henderson.

The 152-room Sawridge Inn now stands as MPL’s largest property, in terms of capacity. The deal included the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre in Peace River, but that hotel will continue to be managed by the Sawridge Corporation while the Jasper property will be managed by MPL.

Henderson said it was an emotional week. Personal friends of his were affected by the transaction, he said.

MPL’s first hotel—The Lobstick Lodge—opened in 1968 after seven families from Edmonton and Vancouver partnered in ownership shares. Today, MPL owns seven hotels, including the Lobstick, Marmot Lodge, Chateau Jasper, The Crimson, Pocahontas Cabins, Pyramid Lake Lodge and now the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre.

Henderson made a point of noting the group has invested in the local economy.

“We’re in it for the long haul,” he said. “We buy hotels, we don’t sell them.”

Food and beverage services at the Sawridge will remain under the Sawridge brand. b. covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, july 1, 2018

editorial //

Local Vocal POT IS GOING TO BE LEGAL THIS FALL. IS JASPER READY FOR THIS?

Clearly, some of us are not. If a local retailer can’t put up posters of a leaf and a green smiley face on her storefront window without generating gasps of horror, what does that say about our willingness to accept cannabis as a regulated substance?

Trust me, I get it. No really. I GET IT. Weed has a bad rap and it’s going to take a lot of effort—and not just from cannabis corporations looking to make big bucks—to start changing the conversation. Although the medicinal benefits still aren’t clearly understood, there’s enough anecdotal evidence out there to suggest that cannabis isn’t simply an evil force that does nothing but ruin the lives of all those who come in contact with it. However, if we continue to demonize cannabis by shirking away from the conversation—or running scared from a few funky posters—we’ll be sorely under-educated when the federal government green lights its recreational use in October.

Not only that, but dishonest, highly-emotional conversations about pot will exacerbate the problems the government is trying to nip in the bud by regulating it in the first place.

If communities create a total ban on public smoking, not only will visitors find themselves in hazy territory when they come to Canada to light up, but we’ll risk leaving the backbone of our service community—our seasonal staff who rent their accommodations—high and dry.

This is not a PSA declaring all the weed, all the time. Rather, this is a sober suggestion to start a conversation, so that when the hammer drops, we can mitigate the negative effects of what’s already being done illicitly in communities all over Alberta, every day.

So let’s talk openly about weed (or cannabis, if that’s easier to say in public). Let’s admit that it’s not a life-ruining substance and that many of our friends, family members, colleagues and local newspaper editors are able to conduct themselves professionally, responsibly and lead a fully-functioning, meaningful existence with cannabis as a part of their life.

If we’re able to admit that some of us regularly roll one up, we might just be ready for the regulatory roll out. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Wildfire perspective appreciated Dear Editor,

Kudos to you for a remarkable Local Vocal editorial, June 15.

I hope anyone in our valley feeling another ‘year of living anxiously’ learns from and finds comfort in your words.

Yes, we are surrounded by fuels; yes, we are seeing warmer summers; yes, the drying model after precipitation is shorter than it used to be; and yes, as fire chief Greg Van Tighem recommended, everyone should do what they can to reduce embertrapping hazards around their homes and businesses (here’s a start: clear away dead leaves and twigs loaded up in the hearts of your caragana hedges and lilac bushes).

And yes, worth noting, as a community in a national park, we are very fortunate to have federal backing in our neck of the woods. I cite the swift response to the 2015 Excelsior Creek wildland fire that included Parks Canada’s local and national resources, impressive air support and 20-pack provincial firefighting crews from as far away as Ontario.

With Western Canada seeing increasingly warmer summer weather and longer fire seasons, I hope your editorial serves to encourage people to be sensible, do what they can to protect their property, have a plan and feel somewhat less anxious.

- Su Young-Leslie, Jasper

The Jasper Local //

Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e 1e0

Published on the 1st and 15th of each month Editor / Publisher

Bob Covey.................................................................................... bob@thejasperlocal.com Art Director

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Email us today...........................................................................ads@thejasperlocal.com cartoonist

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// Local politics

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 // the jasper local// page A3

leanne stanko was ordered to remove her cannabissuggestive posters from the storefront at 618 patricia, where the entrepreneur plans to open a store when pot is legalized/ bc

Evocative pot posters snuffed by Parks ties, but they are vague at best, in Stanko’s opinion. Her posters did not, for example, “promote intoxication,” nor did they make claims or statements regarding beneficial health effects of cannabis.

Policy 3.4.5 denotes signage “must be in good taste and not depict a lifestyle, endorsement, person, character or animal.”

Leanne Stanko is keeping the interior (and Stanko said the subjective interpretation the name) of her freshly renovated 618 of these policies may cause headaches for Patricia Street shop a secret for now, but to retailers. pique people’s interest about the new retail “It seems that the people who are putting space—and to show that it’s not just another the regulations together don’t want [cannacoffee shop—she had postered the windows bis retail],” she suggested. with cannabis-suggestive signage.

A recent municipal survey suggested 80 Apparently, they were too suggestive. On per cent of respondents agreed or strongly June 26, Stanko received a message from agreed that cannabis retail stores should a local Parks Canada official informing her be permitted in the townsite, while nine that the posters had to go. per cent strongly disagreed. The survey, “This morning we received a complaint which had the highest response rate of any about your signage,” a voicemail said. engagement study the town has conducted, “Those signs that are alluding to cannabis… reported that most residents thought all of those signs have to be removed imconsumption should not be allowed in mediately. That’s not permissible, as you public, although the responses were split on know we’re still going though a regulatory whether consumption should be permitted process and those types of signs are not in national park spaces such as trails, day permitted. They must be removed today.” use areas and beaches.

Stanko complied—she doesn’t want to ruffle Stanko, who is excited to reveal her busifeathers before the permits are handed out, ness to the pot-curious public when the if and when that takes place. But she was time is right, says she isn’t allowing heralso a bit miffed as to the rationale behind self to get frustrated at the sleepy pace of the order. progress.

“Was it just one complaint?” she asked.

“I have to see the positive in everything,” The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commisshe said. sion, the regulatory body which will oversee As for her posters, she’ll find another way to the sale and distribution of cannabis across get the word out. the province, does have rules in place re“I’ll adapt as we go along,” she said. garding signage and marketing opportunibob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com A local entrepreneur looking to establish herself as a cannabis retailer in Jasper has been ordered to remove the posters from her soon-to-be-opened storefront.

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page B1 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

Celebrating 25 Years in Canadian Fine Art

WILD AND SACRED PLACES AN EXHIBITION & SALE OF NEW WORK BY TOP CANADIAN ARTISTS

FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE

Brent Lynch

Located in the Beauvert Promenade | Open Daily | 780.852.5378 Mounta in Ga lle r ie s a t the Fa ir m ont W W W . M O U N T A I N G A L L E R I E S . C O M Jasper Park Lodge | Banff Springs | Chateau Whistler

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local news //

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 // the jasper local// page B2

Jasper ultra-runner grieving fellow athlete's death A heartbreaking loss for the family of a man who died while running in Jasper National Park is also weighing heavily on the Jasper runner who was by his side when he passed.

On June 16, 46-year-old ultra runner Steve Sadownik, of Fort St. John, B.C., died of a heart attack while running approximately 20 kilometres east of Jasper. Sadownik, a widower, had two adult children who are now bereaved of their father.

On the day of his passing, Sadownik was running Jasper’s Overlander Trail. One of his running partners for the day was Jasper’s Jean-Yves Doucet.

Doucet had met Sadownik at the Blackfoot Ultra trail race east of Edmonton in May. Doucet, who had taken first place in the event in 2016, was impressed to learn that Sadownik beat his time this year by 10 minutes.

“He was really strong,” Doucet said.

He was also kind. When Sadownik ran up behind Doucet at kilometre 30 of that same race, the veteran athlete struck up a conversation.

The ultra community being fairly small, the two men recognized each other’s names. They ran together for half an hour, Doucet said, before Sadownik increased

jasper’s overlander trail runs east of town approximately 20 kms // supplied

his pace and ran ahead. But before he did, the two had made a plan to meet in Jasper sometime soon.

“I said ‘if you come I’d be happy to show you some trails,’” Doucet recalled.

That opportunity happened ultra-runner Steve Sadownik passed away while running jasper’s overlander trail june 16, less than 2018 // supplied a month laugh,” Doucet said. “We were still an hour since they called for help. later.

Doucet called 9-1-1 back and asked Sadownik called Doucet to let him feeling good.”

The group ran without talking for whether or not a helicopter was on know he was staying at the Faira short time, after which Doucet the way. Dispatchers said it would mont Jasper Park Lodge. Sadownik heard his friend speak up again. arrive shortly. wondered if Doucet would be But this time it wasn’t the kind of Finally, after approximately two up for showing he and a friend affable chatter Doucet had become hours, emergency officials landed a that trail run. Doucet said he’d accustomed to from Sadownik. helicopter. Two paramedics arrived love to and decided to introduce When Sadownik spoke up this on bikes.

Sadownik and his friend to a local time from the back of the pack, he “It was the longest two hours of my classic. did so much more softly. life,” Doucet said.

“I knew his reputation, he wanted “We heard him say ‘boys,’” Doucet Doucet and Sadownik’s friend were to do a big run,” Doucet said. said.

“His voice was very calm.” in shock. They were airlifted off the Doucet chose the Overlander Trail. trail and dropped off at Doucet’s The plan was to park at 6th Bridge, When Doucet looked over his car. The pair went to Doucet’s run to Morro Peak, go up and back shoulder, he saw Sadownik fall.

Doucet’s first home, not knowing what to do or down Morro, run back thought was if RCMP had notified Sadownik’s along the Overlander that Sadownik girlfriend, who would have been then finish with Old “They instructed us to fainted. waiting at her hotel room.

Man Mountain (Roche roll him on his back “If you’re an Eventually, they received word that Bonhomme). Doucet ultra runner, you and start CPR.” Sadownik’s girlfriend was getting knew the 50 kilometre see that someassistance from the Jasper Vicouting would be an times,” he said. tims Services Unit. Doucet offered adventure, but was Running back his condolences to the grieving confident the group to assist Sadownik, Doucet saw his woman, something he said he felt could push through. On Saturday he had to do. morning, Doucet picked up the two friend was struggling to breathe.

His breathing was laboured and “I felt that this was the only thing I runners in his car and the group heavy.

Right away he and Sadcould do for Steve,” Doucet said. got to know each other better. ownik’s friend called 9-1-1.

Since then, Doucet has had time to “They were both super nice, we “I was thinking he’s just passed out reflect. He said he is still surprised were all laughing and making from the heat,” Doucet said. at how everything took place. jokes,” Doucet said.

But Doucet also knew Sadownik “All the places I go where I could The energy was jovial when the was the type of experienced athlete break my leg or fall off a cliff, I men began their run. Sadownik to stay on top of his blood sugar never thought this would be somehad done the Overlander years and hydration. Meanwhile, 9-1-1 thing that could happen,” he said. ago, but had never been up Morro dispatchers were guiding the men He’s also reflected on his friendPeak. The day had started out rainy through emergency first aid. ship with Sadownik, as short-lived but as they arrived at Morro it “They instructed us to roll him on as it was. started to clear. Spirits were high. his back and start CPR,” Doucet “He was such an amazing runner.

“They really liked it,” Doucet said. said.

He was super cool, super down “They were taking pictures at the As they attended to Sadownik, the to earth. I didn’t know him much top.” women they had passed shortly but it sounded like everybody who As they descended Morro Peak before came upon the scene. When knew him, loved him.” and returned to the Overlander they saw Sadownik on the ground, Doucet has been trying to process Trail, everyone was still in good the women explained that they had his feelings about the incident. shape. Sadownik exclaimed as their first aid certification. Between He’s talked extensively to Victims much. Doucet remembers vividly Doucet, Sadownik’s friend and the Services, a group of volunteers for Sadownik jogging along and extwo mountain bikers, the group whom he has newfound respect pressing his pleasure with the day. took turns performing CPR. Sadand admiration. And he is back on “I remember him saying ‘Hey boys, ownik, however, showed no signs the trails. Trail running, he says, is I don’t know about you but I’ feelof recovery. one of the only things that’s made ing great right now!’” Doucet said.

Meanwhile, more trail users arsense for him in the weeks since Twenty minutes later, the trio rived.

Doucet estimated that by the the accident. passed two female mountain bikend of the ordeal, up to 15 people “What I saw was scary, I don’t want ers, going in the same direction. came through, each of them trying it to happen to me, but I don’t want Doucet recalls Sadownik offering to help. One of them was a doctor. to stop running.” them a friendly greeting.

By now it had been approximately “We said hi, and Steve made them Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page B3 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

local community //

Happy birthday to Verne Clarridge

who turned 105 years young on June 19.

Verne, the oldest of 13 siblings, was born outside of Theodore, Saskatchewan, and moved to Jasper in 1996 after her husband passed away. She now lives at the Designated Assisted Living facility at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge, but Verne lived on her own until she was 90, according to her daughter, Connie Bowen.

Verne is still sharp witted and can happily carry on a conversation. The only remaining original resident at DAL reads the newspaper everyday and loves watching Turner Classic Movies.

“She still remembers most of the actors,” Connie said.

Asked the tired but necessary age-old question “What’s the secret to a long life?”

Verne said she has no secrets to share.

“I just live right and go to church,” she smiled.

Connie suggested a daily rum and coke at happy hour may have something to do with it, although we suspect the prairie genes are at play too: her “younger” brother is 102!

Happy birthday to Jasper’s eldest resident. We hope that Jasperites take note and also read the newspaper everyday!

Cannabis session smokes out weed worries adopt responsible, sensible bylaws which take into account the realities of the forthcoming legal landscape.

“If the primary tenant of legalization is to remove the black market then we need to ensure it’s open, accessible and easily acquirable,” Parchoma said.

Shawn Parchoma and David Howe from Aurora CanThe general tone of the sparsely-attended forum was nabis were invited by the Jasper Park Chamber of supportive of progressive cannabis laws, but at least Commerce to help attendees of an information sesone local hotel manager was concerned that employsion understand some of the implications the impend- ers may have no way to enforce staff codes of conduct. ing legalization of recreational cannabis may have for “I’m concerned when it’s legal some staff won’t just go businesses and residents in this community. out for a smoke break but will be going out for a pot Cannabis is due to become legal on break,” an attendee said.

October 17.

Parchoma said impairment is The discussion centred around the impairment. Just like landlords will “Why legalize if we’re rationalization of government policy, still be able to tell their tenants not going to criminalize the dispelling of myths surrounding to smoke any kind of substance a sector of the the substance and the potential conin their rental units, employers population?” sequences of putting in place local will still have tools to enforce legislation which may further isolate workplace regulations. Further, he marginalized demographics and put suggested the legalization process children’s health at risk. will take the microscope off of cannabis use and apply “If I have children in my house and you’re telling me it to harder, more dangerous substances. the only place I can consume is in my house, well “Because it is cleared from one’s system much quicker, that’s not safe,” Parchoma said. we know workers in some sectors trend toward more Parchoma said Aurora is pushing municipalities to dangerous drugs such as cocaine,” he said.

Representatives from Canada’s largest medical marijuana producer were in Jasper June 26 to talk pot.

In the Jasper context, a community which puts up strict anti-consumption barriers could be problematic for the visiting public who won’t know the minutia of local municipal bylaws.

“It would be difficult to tell a tourist who’s heard they can consume cannabis in Canada that they can’t consume it in certain municipalities,” he said.

Aurora is lobbying for safe consumption areas, without which, certain groups could be criminalized for consuming cannabis in public. Renters would be particularly vulnerable, he suggested.

“Why legalize if we’re going to criminalize a sector of the population?”

Aurora, which currently produces 450,000 kg of cannabis annually, said the consumer market for cannabis is estimated at $8 billion in Canada. Despite this, the company’s main focus is the global medical opportunity. The company is looking to become the largest cannabis company in the world and is waiting on shareholder and regulator approval for a planned take over of MedReleaf, an Ontario-based company which sells dried cannabis and pot-based oils and capsules.

“This is a new frontier,” Parchoma said.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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local business //

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 // the jasper local// page B4

Sundowners for rising stars of the Alberta craft beer scene THE JASPER BREWING COMPANY IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD.

Thanks to the enormously successful launch of their Crisp Pils lager, which is selling out across Alberta every two weeks, the group that opened up Canada’s first national park brewery 13 years ago is feeling pretty good these days.

To toast the brand’s success and to help officially ring in summer, on June 18, together with the Jasper Skytram and Dana Foods, the Jasper Brewing Company hosted a “Crisp Pils Celebration” on Canada’s highest patio. Dozens of friends, family and well wishers congregated on the deck of the Jasper Skytram under a vermillion sunset.

It was a chance to “get a little loose,” as

“People make decisions with their wallet.”

co-founder Alex Derksen put it. Crisp Pils has taken the craft beer market by storm, finding a nice niche for itself in between the premium (read: expensive) brands and the more accessible (read: mass produced swill) domestic categories in Alberta’s booming beer scene.

“It comes down to economics,” said

Sandy Lugar, the marketing specialist for Bear Hill Brewing (Jasper Brewing Co’s parent company). “People make decisions with their wallet.”

Not that designer Leah Schwantz’s snazzy new swag doesn’t have anything to do with it. Or the fact that the Bearhill boys locked down the trademark on the uber-hooky Albeerta label several years ago. The fact remains, however, when a buyer is comparing six-packs in the store and sees Crisp Pils for up to three dollars less, the decision is easy.

“Most craft beer has a 25 per cent markup. Domestic is between 12 and 25 per cent. Our beer can be marked up appropriately,” Lugar says.

Same goes for the company’s newest product line: the summer mix pack, which contains the flagship brews from Bearhill’s three original locations (Jasper, Banff and Wood Buffalo). When Sobeys put Bearhill’s Hot Alberta Summer Mix Pack in their weekly liquor flyer, Luger knew the company was about to have a very good problem on their hands.

“Let’s say we’ll be working hard to make sure we aren’t selling out,” he said.

In Alberta, two of the province’s most well-known breweries—Wild Rose out of Calgary and Edmonton’s Alley Cat—are still considered small batch

jasper brewing’s alex derksen, leah schwantz and sandy lugar were looking crisp june 18. // bob covey

operations. They produce approximately 20,000 hectolitres annually.

But Bearhill Brewing is starting to gain ground.

“We’d love to be half of that,” Luger says.

In 13 years, it’s hard to argue that the

Jasper Brewing Company has taken flight.

And if there was any lingering doubt about that fact, it was drowned out on June 18 in a cacophony of crackedopen cold ones at 2,277 metres.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

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page B5 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

local wildlife //

Big, brown and bizarrely

Simone Heinrich photos

Moose are big.

Really big. Like, the biggest.

OK not bison big, but they’re the second largest naturally occurring land mammals in North America (nice try, horses, you’re imported).

Distinguished by their broad, flat antlers of the males, moose are brown— dark brown on their undersides—and therefore can be hard to spot. Although they have a much harder time spotting you! Their

eyes ain’t so good, is what we’re trying to say.

Jasper photographer Simone Heinrich has a pretty darn good eye, however!

Heinrich found this young moosling ( just kidding, they’re called calves) at the other end of her zoom lens. Good thing, because mama moose are very protective of their babes.

Ben Gadd’s Handbook of the Canadian Rockies (where we found all this moost useful info) suggests giving these cranky cows plenty of room after

a calf is born. The calf, on the other hand, hardly gives its mom any space at all. Even at a month old, calves will follow their mothers across raging rivers and into deep lakes.

They’ll stick around until the next offspring pops out, at which time mom chases the yearling away.

Once on their own, these little gaffers can make for an easy wolf meal. But if they survive this critical time period, they might live another 20 years.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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local wildlife//

sunday, July 1, 2018 // issue 124 // the jasper local// page B6

beautiful: moose on the loose

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 //

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local literature //

page b7 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

The ACC’s 2018 State of the Mountains Report Makes for Sobering Reading “Our mountains… are experiencing a variety of rapid and worrying changes.”

This observation will come as little surprise to Jasperites peering out of their windows at the ever more crimson-hued slopes surrounding the townsite.

Nor will it shock long-tenured residents who remember when the toe of the Athabasca Glacier reached to within 50 feet of the old parking lot. But the variety of changes afoot in these mountains are more varied and the consequences even more alarming than dying pines and shrinking glaciers.

This is the key takeaway from

“All told, the report presents an alarming view of the threats posed by climate change to our mountains and mountain communities.”

the Alpine Club of Canada’s “State of the Mountains Report: Changing Glaciers, Changing Rivers.” The report, released in May of this year, paints a sobering picture of climate change-driven

transformations in the geography, ecology and communities that make up Canada’s mountain landscapes.

As Canada’s national mountaineering organization, the ACC embraces a responsibility to “act as a steward of our mountains.” To that end, the organization began publishing “State of the NEVER SUMMER // NOAH BANGLE SKIING ON TEKARRA MOUNTAIN IN EARLY JUNE. //TRISTAN NISSEN Mountains” reports in 2011. That first and athletes, the 2011 report the alarming rate of melting on report was presented as a sort made a convincing case that Canada’s glaciers. Included in of dialogue between prominent climate change was beginning the latter essay is the arresting environmental scientists and to produce substantial changes observation that, in 2017, many respected mountain guides and in mountain landscapes, of Canada’s glaciers and icefields athletes, including the likes of ecosystems and human activities. “lost all of the accumulated Barry Blanchard, Jen Olson and The 2018 report dispenses firn pack in the upper reaches” Will Gadd. By counterbalancing with the anecdotal accounts of (In other words, no new ice the precise but limited evidence mountaineering professionals was formed). A report on the collected by scientists with the and focuses instead on allowing conservation of mountain breadth of anecdotal evidence mountain-oriented scientists ungulates (mountain goats, conveyed by mountain guides to communicate the state of bighorn sheep and thinhorn knowledge in their respective disciplines. It begins with a feature essay examining the potential for receding glaciers to transform watersheds and radically alter the flow of rivers.

Such drastic and potentially rapid changes – seen most recently in the case of the Slims River in southwest Yukon – threaten severe consequences for both natural ecosystems and human activities.

The remainder of the report is broken up in to three sections, each containing several short essays. The first, “People and Mountains”, should be of immediate interest to communities like our own. An essay on “community resilience” examines climate changedriven risks like wildfire, severe weather events, and changing avalanche dynamics. Another essay explores the challenges that will likely face ski resorts and weather patterns change, while a third explores the state of knowledge in snow avalanche science. All three point to the need for adaptability in the face of changes that will be extremely difficult to predict.

The second and third subsections cover “Physical Mountains” and “Life in the Mountains.” They include an examinations of changing mountain landscapes and of

sheep) stresses the need for a quota system for sheep hunting, while another details the importance of mountain habitats for migratory bird species. A final pair of essays examine the phenomenon of shifting tree lines and explore threats to endangered tree species like the whitebark pine and limber pine.

All told, the report presents an alarming view of the threats posed by climate change to our mountains and mountain communities. It offers very few remedies to the problem of climate change itself, but instead suggest the need to prepare for and adapt to consequences that are already emerging. This call to adaptive action is particularly relevant to communities like our own, where threats like wildfire are already foremost on residents’ minds and are unlikely to diminish any time soon. It is also a call for us to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of Canada’s mountains: landscapes blessed with “bonus water” locked up in ancient ice that will not be with us forever.

The ACC has committed to publishing State of the Mountains Reports on an annual basis going forward. The reports can be accessed through the ACC website at: www.alpineclubofcanada.ca

doug olthof // info@thejasperlocal.com

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local culture //

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 // page b8 // the jasper local /

National Indigenous Peoples Day

PHYLLIS BAIRD HELPS BOB O’CHIESE WITH HIS TRADITIONAL COSTUME WHILE DELAINEE O’CHIESE WATCHES FOR MISSED DETAILS. // BOB COVEY

TYLEEN BIGCHILD FROM THE SUNCHILD FIRST NATION NEAR ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE EN ROUTE TO THE DRESSING ROOM FOR LAST MINUTE TOUCH UPS BEFORE DANCING.// BOB COVEY

WARRIOR WOMEN MATRICIA AND MACKENZIE BROWN LED PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A COMMUNITY CIRCLE./ BC

THE LINEUP WAS LONG AT FAEDRA STEINHAUER’S BANNOCK BOOTH ON NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY JUNE 21.// BOB COVEY

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page B9 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

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local photography // send your summer snaps to thejasperlocal@gmail.com

Elijah Mwaniki and his feathered and furry friends at jon’s funny farm/petting zoo. // Bob Covey

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 //the jasper local// page B10

ryan from hixon falls cracker co. at the first farmers market of the season. // bob Covey

biking around >waiting for construction // bob covey

Summer Snapshots

//Drew Kovacs getting cagey at ball practice. // bc

after deadline Day, Jasper Local staff go fishing // doug olthof

Logan urie checking out some sick whips / bob covey

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page B11 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

local paddling //

Jasper Rafting Olympics: Paddle Oar Bust

For the paddling community, summer solstice in Jasper means one thing: The Annual Jasper Pentathlon. Those who found themselves at Old Fort Point on June 19 were treated to stellar weather and superb entertainment as local rafting companies vied for the Mark Oddy Memorial Golden Paddle.

Last year’s (back to back) winners, Grande Cache’s Wild Blue Yonder, organized the suite of events which included a sprint from Alpine Village to Old Fort Point; a “flip” event, wherein five participants are required to dunk themselves before righting and getting back into their overturned raft; a slalom course; a rope throw event; and a beverage enjoying event.

The eventual winners were the rubber pushers from Jasper Raft Tours. Maligne Rafting took second while Jasper Rafting Adventures grabbed the bronze.

Veteran wetsuit wearer Eddie Wong said to enhance the competition, next year the loser, rather than the winner, will have to organize the Pentathlon.

Let the splash back begin! - BC

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local riding //

jasper’s most sadistic soloist andrew bovard took home first place in the golden 24 transrockies race june 16, 2018. // john gibson photography

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 // the jasper local// page B12

meg staneland was one half of the husband and wife team that placed first in the 8 hr mixed race. // john gibson photography

Marathon cyclist missing the open road.

Snakes and hail storms? Not so much!

was missing the open road.

Shop in Kansas, a milestone that she’d so punishing is not just the huge dis“For me it was the unknown,” she said. flagged early in the race. But with an tances, the never ending hills, the unre“And the amazing people I met along impending work commitment loomlenting headwinds and the ramshackle the way.” ing and her body breaking down, she accommodations, but the pressure of made the call to end her Trans Am 2018 But you can be sure Arcand’s marathon continuing. Often it’s self-applied, but bike days are just beginning. She’s got experience. just incase there’s not enough motiva“I cried,” she said. “But I knew it was just her eyes on Europe, and she’ll be back at tion from within, the Trans Am has an the Trans Am one day. She’s got unfingoing to get worse.” entire community of arm chair enthuished business to attend to, after all.

Back in Jasper a week later, Arcand’s siasts who are not only keen to cheer From the deep purple sky above, ping knees were still swollen, her hands were “I don’t feel like I’m done with that on cyclists as they track their progress pong ball sized hail stones rained down via GPS, but ready and willing to post still numb and her back was still bother- adventure.” and mercilessly pounded the decrepit on social media when they think a rider ing her. Despite all that, she said she Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com roof over her head. may be gaining an unfair advantage.

Arcand had considered laying out her When Arcand’s tracker showed sleeping bag, but remembered that she was doing 10 km loops around at her last pitstop along the 6,700 km her place of rest instead of pushing Trans America Bike Race—of which she straight on through to the next town, had at that point completed approxione of the “dot watchers,” as they’re mately half the distance over 18 days—a known, was quick to comment. local woman named Cookie warned her “Is there a story behind Geneviève it was rattlesnake season.

Arcand’s ride around Larned, Kan“You don’t go into that kind of shelter,” sas this afternoon?” a dot watcher Cookie had said. queried.

And so, caught in the middle of a flash In fact there was. Arcand was atflood with the strong possibility of tempting to make up for the miles snakes under the very floor on which she was forced to skip thanks to the she stood, Arcand did what any sane snakes and the storm. She didn’t person want to go back to the would flood zone, and she have was also wary of that “I don’t feel like done: stretch of highway’s she I’m done with that dangerously narrow flagged shoulders. If that wasn’t adventure.” down a good enough for the dot passing watchers, so be it. truck “That was the choice I and made,” she said. hitched a ride to the nearest hotel.

Looking back, that decision was But would any sane person be involving easy. What was hard was the decithemselves in the world’s longest selfsion she made a few days later. On supported bike race?

June 22, after nearly three weeks of The Trans Am takes participants from riding up to 14 hours per day, ArGeneviève Arcand is back in jasper after completing more than coast to coast—from Oregon to Virginia. cand decided to pack it in. She had half of the trans am race, a 6,700 km coast to coast cycling Typically only half of the participants made it to the famous Newton Bike event in the u.s.// bob covey finish. Part of what makes the Trans Am

On June 19, Geneviève Arcand peeked her head out of an abandoned shack along a desolate stretch of highway in the middle of the state of Kansas.

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page B13 // the jasper local // issue 124 // sunday, July 1, 2018

local dining/

Pacing yourself on a culinary cruise around Jasper Jasper foodies, start your appetites.

With the launch of Jasper Food Tours earlier this spring, owner and entrepreneur Estelle Blanchette is waving the green flag for the commencement of culinary cruising in Jasper.

Blanchette is hoping a unique combination of tasty treats, tantalizing tipple and the fun of restaurant hopping to unknown dining destinations will ignite the senses of gastro-explorers.

“Part of the adventure is not knowing what’s on the menu,” she winked, revving her guests’ ravenousness as the three-hour Downtown Foodie Tour began.

On that afternoon, Blanchette was in pole position to guide her diners to the food tour’s first pit-stop: the Jasper Brewpub. An elk meatloaf with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, washed down with a glass of Jasper the Bear Ale had Arizona’s Marc and Tricia Leach licking their lips—and filming the experience for their 100,000-subscriber strong Youtube Channel, Keep Your Daydream.

“You know what this calls for? More research!” the fulltime RVers laughed, clinking glasses.

As Blanchette ushered the group towards their next food terminus, it quickly became clear she’d done her own fact finding. Part of the better benefit of dining with Jasper Food Tours is the dash of local history Blanchette sprinkles tastefully between courses.

Whether fusing Jasper’s railroad foundations to our modern day community dinners or finding connections between what was on the table in front of us and what First Nations diets might have looked like in these parts 200 years ago, Blanchette was making an effort to combine great food and great conversation.

“Breaking bread together brings people together,” she said.

Or in this case, breaking open a savoury, feta-stuffed

estelle blanchette (middle) served up a sweet bc wine to go with the astoria hotel’s rich history. guests tricia leach and jordynn bob were enjoying the pairing. // bob covey

and Chef Jean Louis’ sublime maple-glazed sockeye falafel paired with a zippy New Zealand Sauvignon salmon, Blanchette considers the Astoria a must-do Blanc, brings people together. Our second stopover was the Mediterranean-themed Raven Bistro, a fitting for her food tour. As a bonus, the sweet British Columbia Ehrenfelser Blanchette place to chat about Jasper’s brought out for the site visit history of eclectic entrepreneurship and melting pot of contrasted perfectly with the salty “Our population is made up history of the next door D’ed Dog international cuisine. from people all over the world pub.

“Jasper has a global food and so we really do have all the With rosy cheeks and relishscene,” Blanchette told her flavours of the world here, if ing in fast-formed friendships, guests. “Our population is you know where to find them.” we spilled into the last dining made up from people all over destination for dessert. Owners the world and so we really do Stephanie Kalamoutsos and Darryl Hucaluk opened have all the flavours of the world here, if you know the Olive Bistro seven years ago, and as Blanchette dewhere to find them.” scribed the venue as one of Jasper’s premier lounges In 1925 it was Greek pioto catch live music, our youngest diner interrupted the neers like Papa George chatter when he saw what was being presented.

Andrew—who opened “Churros!” Caleb Leach cried out in glee. “We’re havthe Astoria Hotel at that On July 1, Jasper Celebrates ing churros!” time—who were putServed alongside an exquisite dark chocolate dipping ting food on the plates sauce and and a coffee-infused vodka aperitif, this of Jasper’s first visitors. most impressive ending was to represent the checkNearly 100 years later, ered flag of our culinary cruise. Some of us would have his great grand-daughter www.jaspercanadaday.com loved a victory lap, but until Blanchette commences Stepha runs the dining her Le Poutine Tour, we will have to defer to her as our room named in Papa G’s PANCAKE BREAKFAST // 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Centennial Park pace car of cuisine. honour.

Sponsored by the Municipality of Jasper. This is a Toward Zero Waste Event.

Thanks in part to the • $5.00 (kids under 5 free) Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com building’s rich history,

2018

CANADA DAY COAST TO COAST

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY // 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Information Centre Lawn, Connaught Drive

Birthday cake will be served. This is a Toward Zero Waste Event.

PARADE // 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Begins at the Activity Centre and winds through town.

No parking downtown between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR // 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Information Centre

Register at the Friends of Jasper National Park gift shop in the Information Centre.

FREE!

PARTY IN THE PARK // 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Centennial Park • • • •

BBQ 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Family Fun Activities 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Live music and Entertainment 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Beer Garden 6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

SINGING OF O’CANADA // Approximately 11:00 p.m.

Centennial Park

Due to the fire ban in Jasper National Park there will be no fireworks.

Cheers for churros // the grand finale of a food frenzy courtesy of jasper food tours’ downtown foodie tour. // bob covey

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local climbing //

sunday, july 1, 2018 // issue 124 // THe jasper local// page B14

LEARNING THE ROPES: Is a lighter rope necessarily better?

I remember being pretty overwhelmed getting into climbing as a teenager in the late 80’s. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some knowledgeable partners and good mentors. More than 30 years into my career I still have lots of questions, and I’m sure Jasper’s blossoming climbing community does, too.

If you’ve ever found yourself taking multiple lead falls while working a hard problem, you may be losing performance out of your rope. With each successive fall, your rope gets less stretchy. This means a rougher catch. Your rope actually needs time to recover and shrink back to its original size. My advice: lower off and tie into the other end and you’ll be back to soft catches.

Rope manufacturers don’t have it easy. The modern day climbing rope is a pretty slick design, but innovation is far from over. Climbing ropes are so strong these days that they simply don’t break. However, they do cut. Make me a rope that can withstand a sharp edge and I’ll buy two of them! Just ask Bob and Nicole right here at the Jasper Local how easy it is for ropes to get cut. On pitch two of 17 on Mt Colin’s SW face, our 70m rope suddenly turned into a 40m rope. Those original 17 pitches turned into… well… a lot more pitches and a pretty long day! I wonder if the push for light ropes is actually a step backwards?

Lighter means less material, which means easier to cut… and so the wait for the perfect rope continues.

Climbing ropes are designed with the human body in mind. If the rope catches and we stop too suddenly it’s going to hurt. Think about falling while attached to a steel cable—ouch! To cushion the fall, we need something more like a bungee cord, but if we make it too stretchy we’re going to hit the deck. That means we want something stretchy… but not too stretchy!

Every rope has its own fine balance, which is what you should be looking at when you buy one. What’s the Maximum Impact Force? And what’s the Elongation? In other words, how soft will the catches be and how much will it stretch? Some ropes can stretch 30 to 40 per cent in a lead fall (dynamic elongation), and close to 10 per cent by just hanging on it, such as in top-roping situations (static elongation). Oh yeah, and if you happen to be a heavier climber (manufacturers use an 80 kg test mass), the rope will stretch

frank laplante climbing a new route on syncline ridge. // Tristan nissen

even more than what the packaging says. If you have a stretchy rope with a soft catch for top roping, you may hit the deck on those first few moves—until you’re six to seven metres up. When lead climbing with a stretchy rope, it can get even more interesting. Let’s say you’re 25m up and you take a short, four metre fall. That can actually turn into a 10 metre whipper with rope stretch. It’s a soft catch, but watch those ledges!

stone country, look into getting a rope that stretches less, and is a bit more robust. It will handle sharp edges better, which is certainly your bigger concern up there.

Remember: less material and more stretch is easier to cut and lighter is not always better! You probably don’t need my expertise for this piece of advice, but sometimes it’s simply best not to fall. matt reynolds // info@thejasperlocal.com

Heavier climbers should pay closer attention to how stretchy a rope is, and maybe accept a rougher catch in favour of less stretch. A lighter climber can more easily get away with stretchy rope in favour the soft catch. Likewise, a heavier climber with a stretchy rope has a higher likelihood of grounding out on those first two to three bolts. Stick-clip anyone? If you’re taking that rope into sharp, multi-pitch lime-

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Matt Reynolds is a Jasper based ACMG certified Mountain Guide. Matt specializes in custom mountain adventures for small groups in alpine terrain.