The Jasper Local May 15, 2015

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49

WALK-TA TRAVERSE // THERESA WESTHAVER HOOFS IT UP PEYTO CREEK CANYON ON HER WAY TO THE WAPTA ICEFIELDS TRAVERSE// NICOLE GABOURY

Sawed-off sheep horns prompts Parks probe THE DISCOVERY OF A LARGE SET OF SHEEP HORNS HAS PARKS CANADA ASKING EWE DONE IT? In late April a dog walker found the horns, which appear to have been intentionally cut from the skull of an animal. The discovery was made on a popular trail near the Miette River.

“There are no sheep naturally found near this location,” a Parks Canada

release stated. The horns are believed to be from a winter kill animal that must have been picked up elsewhere and placed in the area, the statement said.

The animal is not believed to have been poached.

Parks Canada is seeking the public’s assistance into the investigation.

Under the Canada National Parks Act it is considered a very serious offence to possess any part of an

animal in a national park.

Parks Canada is urging anyone with information about the horns to contact Jasper National Park wardens.

Members of the public can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Sheep horns are prized by trophy hunters. They can weigh upwards of 30 pounds. Ewes (females) have smaller, less-curved horns.

Local Staff // info@thejasperlocal.com

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page A2 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

editorial //

Local Vocal HEY, LOOK AT US! WE’RE TWO!

How children (and newspapers) play, learn, speak and act offer important clues about their development.

Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

While not totally applicable to the evolution of a newspaper, some of these milestones are useful to gauge where we’re at and, possibly, what to expect next.

Looking back at The Jasper Local’s development, we can see that when we were born, we were a bit of an ugly duckling. No one likes to admit it at the time, but in retrospect it is pretty plain to see. That front page was busy alright, with teasers and headlines and mastheads all competing for attention. Were our eyes crossed too, or was that just the readers’ from trying to make out our eight point font?

As well, you might remember, we were pretty tiny.

No one can say what the proper gestation period is for a newspaper but we’re pretty sure we were premature. When we finally did blast from the womb, there was a lot of crying, which is normal.

They were mostly tears of joy but we darn well know the waterworks were at least partly out of relief that no one died in childbirth.

By our fourth issue (two months), like a happy baby, we were beginning to smile at people from newsstands. We were able to briefly calm ourselves, too, perhaps a result of having a feature story that we actually planned. At this point our movement was getting smoother, but overall we were still mostly flailing.

At six months, we admit it, we really just wanted to look at ourselves in the mirror, perhaps evidenced by a Local Vocal column the editor wrote (secretly titled) “election lessons.” Lesson number one, if you don’t have a hope in hell in being able to juggle the job of a newspaperman and a councilman, don’t put your name in for municipal election (thank you Helen KelleherEmpey supporters).

At one year, most children can stand up by themselves and yes, we were plodding along nicely in that regard. Our press might dispute that we could follow simple directions (like “get your press order in on time”) but hey, every kid’s different.

Certainly after 24 issues we knew how to bang two things together and poke with our index finger. Deke was particularly adept at the

latter. As a result of his speedy development, one of the first phrases baby Local spoke was ‘uh-oh!’

Eighteen months is a common time for temper tantrums, which was the case when MP Rob Merrifield quit and we had to endure a pitifully lob-sided federal by-election. “No one is interested! We’re bored! Whaa!” Then again, that’s pretty much how we thought the provincial election would play out a week before the Orange Crush rolled over Alberta at the beginning of this month.

We’re still figuring things out, people! Cut us some slack!

Today, on our second birthday, like most two-year-old babies, we’re showing more and more independence, the occasional spurt of defiant behaviour and we can find things—even when they’re hidden between two or three covers (we seeee you, library disfunction!). We’ve been able to walk on our own enough to get around without fear of falling into stuff (that and our head is getting harder) and we’re starting to stand on our tiptoes, mostly because we’re excited about what lies ahead.

Some call it the terrible twos, but we think we’re a pretty good kid (after all, you raised us). Just watch out…because now we’re learning to run! bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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

Nicole Gaboury........................................................................nicole@thejasperlocal.com

Advertising + sales

rachel bailey.............................................................................rachel@thejasperlocal.com

cartoonist

deke......................................................................................................deke@thejasperlocal.com

reporter

brittany carl.........................................................................brittany@thejasperlocal.com facebook.com/thejasperlocal

@thejasperlocal

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Local politics//

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49 // the jasper local// page A3

NDP MLA's RnR to be MIA ERIC ROSENDAHL’S LIFE JUST GOT BUSY. REALLY BUSY.

So busy, in fact, that West Yellowhead’s new MLA was barely able to take a five minute phone call on May 12 to tell The Jasper Local what he’s been up to since the NDP swept to power in the May 5 election.

Rosendahl beat out finance minister and PC “old boy” Robin Campbell by a decisive 708 votes.

“It’s exciting,” Rosendahl said, when asked about the past seven days. “And very busy.”

Rosendahl, a local labour activist and former NDP riding president, had been in Edmonton for the past two days “responding to phone calls, meeting requests and trying to clear my calendar.”

Like all newly elected MLAs, he was taking part in orientation, learning the

// MLA ERIC ROSENDAHL// SUPPLIED

ropes of the legislature and figuring out how to set up his constituency office.

“We’re making sure everything’s done right. It all has to do with running a proper office,” he said.

West Yellowhead NDP members are likely familiar with Rosendahl; he’s worked on campaigns for Jerry Doyle, Glenn Taylor, Barry Madsen and Noel

Lapierre. Doyle sat as MLA from 1989 to 1993.

“I’ve been active with the NDP forever,” Rosendahl said when asked how most voters know him.

“Plus my involvement in the community covers various things…fish and game, search and rescue, volunteering, helping out with community events.”

A life long Hintonite, Rosendahl doesn’t yet know if NDP leader Rachel Notley will have a portfolio for him to manage or if he’ll be relegated to the backbench.

“It’s too early to tell, he said. “We’ll see what happens when we get into discussion with caucus.”

What he does know, is that he’s not going to have any down time anytime soon.

“I’m going to have to go here right away,” he said, hanging up the phone. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Tracks across their trail // Steven Song poses on a snow machine on top of Snow Dome.

Song, whose group was camped on the Columbia Icefields on their way to summiting 3,747m Mount Columbia on April 18, met a group of four sledders from Golden who had accessed the area via Bryce Creek, in British Columbia. “The sudden appearance of four snowmobiles to the south shocked us,” he said. Song, who runs the blog Steven’s PeakBagging Journey (stevensong.com) said the sledders stayed on the British Columbia side of the provincial boundary, which bisects Snow Dome. After a brief conversation the sledders headed back the way they came, punching in a perfect track, which Song’s group followed to the east face of their objective. // Supplied

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page B1 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

Local community //

Rebuilding Nepal from Canada...while he can

Nepali Raj Ghimire has been in Jasper since 2014. He is appealing to supporters to help him raise money for his village, which was destroyed by recent earthquakes. On May 4, Syrahs of Jasper held an “after Dark” fundraiser to bring support to Raj’s village. // bob covey

ANYONE WHO HAS GONE INTO MAC’S CONVENIENCE STORE LATE AT NIGHT HAS MET RAJ.

Raj is unfailingly polite, he works hard and he never complains, no matter how obnoxious the after-bar crowds become.

“Everybody knows Raj,” says Jonathan Ashton, who shares his Geikie Street apartment with the 27-year-old. “He’s the best.”

Lately, however, Raj Ghimire has not been feeling the best. His home country of Nepal has been devastated by two earthquakes. His village, where his mother and father still farm, is in shambles.

“Most of the houses are collapsed,” Ghimire said.

After the April 25 quake, those buildings which did not fall down were severely compromised.

When the May 11 tremors shook the ground again, the final damage was done.

“My mother was pulled out from under a wall that had fallen,” he said. “Now [my family is] living under a tent.”

As soon as the first disaster struck, Ghimire

began raising money. But despite his mother and father’s dire need, he wasn’t raising funds for them. Ghimire felt it would be wrong to ask for money for his immediate family. Instead, he pledged to support his village (to do so, he sends the money he raises to his father, who distributes it to those in need. With help from his cousin, Ghimire ensures that he documents every rupee given. His father takes photos of the survivors receiving the money).

“I support my family [by my own wages]. Not a single penny [of what I raise] will go toward them,” he told supporters.

Putting out a jar at his place of work and sending out an appeal to his friends via Facebook, Ghimire was soon overwhelmed by the generosity pouring in. Since he started collecting, he has raised nearly $5,000.

“I had so many locals helping me raise the money,” he said.

What many locals don’t realize, however, is that Raj’s efforts to raise money in Canada—both in terms of disaster relief and terms of general

support for his family—will eventually be cut off. He, like many foreign workers in Canada, is watching the calendar creep ever closer to the day his visa expires. Working in what’s deemed by the Canadian government to be an unskilled job, Ghimire knows his chances of securing another work visa are low.

In 2013, Ghimire had been working in Abu Dhabi.

Although he was working for royalty, he did not have a green card; there was no security in the United Arab Emirates. He felt like he could lose everything at a moment’s notice—or a master’s whim.

To find a more stable life, he paid an agency to find him work in Canada. It cost him $2,000, plus $5,500 for a visa, but he got his LMO with Mac’s.

The job, while not skilled, has been a fortuitous one for Ghimire. Not only did it help him find his current roommate, but it enabled him to meet a large portion of the community.

“I really feel secure. The RCMP are friendly and helpful, the locals are very supportive. I meet good people from all over the world,” he said.

Now, Raj is trying to help the good people of Nepal from Canada—while he still can.

Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com

Raj Ghimire’s father delivering aid, raised in Jasper, to earthquake survivors.// supplied

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Thinking Mountains //

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49// the jasper local// page B2

Support a variety of user groups in hut proposals, says expert A study which heaps praise on the Alpine Club of Canada’s backcountry huts has potential lessons for a Jasper ski cabin proposal.

“The [ACC] hut system received rave reviews from key informants…all over the world,” said Mary Benjamin, a specialist in environmental management and visitor experience.

Benjamin was a presenter at the recent Thinking Mountains conference, held over four days at the Sawridge Inn. The University of Albertaled symposium brought mountain experts from all over the world to promote dialogue about how mountains, and those who interact in them, are understood.

Benjamin’s paper viewed Canada’s mountain parks through the lenses of mountaineers and ski tourers. The rich repository of mountaineer literature and the fact that most mountaineers spend days at a time experiencing the parks they visit gave Benjamin a strong, qualitative data set, she said.

“Mountaineers generally have really protracted experiences with the environment,” she said. “It makes it interesting to manage for them.”

Benjamin’s paper made 31 recommendations to management bodies such as the ACC and Parks Canada. With respect to alpine huts in mountain parks she believes there is room for limited expansion—but not just because mountaineers benefit from them. “[The ACC hut system] seems to support the experience of a variety of user groups,” she said.

Compared to other systems in the world, The Alpine Club of Canada’s hut system was favoured by mountaineers, according to a recent study. The system offers potential lessons for a Jasper proposal.. The Balfour hut, in Banff National Park, is available year round. // Nicole Gaboury

In January, The Jasper Local reported on two

form a coalition with the ACC.

local skiers’ proposal to build a new ski cabin

Benjamin, however, considered it a potential

near Rink Lake, in the northwest corner of Jas-

way forward.

per National Park. Since then, Dana Ruddy and

“I wonder if the best way to get another hut

Sean Elliott have formed a non-for-profit club to

approved would be to make sure other people—

help execute that plan.

hikers, skiers, climbers—can use it and access it

Last week, the club submitted a revised propos-

relatively easily,” she said.

al to Parks Canada. The new version updated the proposed cabin’s location and acknowledged the group is talking about an area which could lie in critical caribou habitat.

Benjamin, who hadn’t heard details of the proposal, offered that apart from wildlife concerns, the proponents ought to be considering a broader base of users than skiers alone. Despite growing numbers of backcountry skiers in the mountain parks, shrinking budgets at Parks Canada has meant that the federal agency can’t afford to manage for one small user group.

“Financial restrictions dictate they focus on more common user groups—hikers, bikers, tent campers and snowshoers,” she said.

Moreover, Parks Canada is more likely to partner with a group with whom they are already meeting their mandates, Benjamin said. At

Visitor experience design specialist Mary Benjamin says appealing to a broad base of users can only be seen favorably by Parks Canada. // Bob Covey

the February 26 Rink Lake presentation, the proponents were resistant to the suggestion that they

Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page B3 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

local legends //

HIS MOUNTAIN PATH Chic Scott’s business card is printed on plain white stock.

It has no graphical elements. His name, mailing address, phone number and hotmail address are in Arial font. The card is single sided, black and white.

In spite of the fact that his climbing resume is among the most varied and impressive of any mountaineer in Canada, despite the fact he’s authored more than 10 books which straddle the worlds of skiing, guiding, mountaineering and history and have introduced thousands of people to the alpine, Scott’s business card bears no mention of a profession, or even a job title.

Perhaps that’s because one of the mantras the 69-year-old Scott has lived by is “Get a life, not a job.”

Or maybe it’s because, even after all of those books, all those first ascents and all of the honours bestowed on him, he’s never really considered himself a professional.

“I’m an amateur—in the literal sense of the word,” he said.

The word amateur, he pointed out, comes from the Latin verb amāre, which means to love. A professional, on the other hand, is someone who does something for money.

“I never really had that side to me,” he said. “I love the mountains and I love the experience.”

Fifty-three years ago this Victoria Day Long Weekend, that love was first ignited. In 1962, an 18-year-old Chic Scott could see the mountains from the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, where his father was a member and where Chic washed clubs between rounds. He was from a well-off family and was expected to be a doctor or a lawyer, if he didn’t go pro in golf.

“I was a better golfer than I ever was a climber,” he said. “I was shooting in the mid-70s when I was 15-years-old.”

The mountains, however, were beckoning. A fellow he knew told him if he was really interested in visiting the Rockies, he should sign on for one of the local youth hostel association’s trips. He did. The group he carpooled with drove to Parker’s Ridge and stayed at the first incarnation of the Hilda Creek hostel.

There, Scott put skins on his skis and went ski touring for the first time.

“That was the end of golf,” he laughed.

More than that, it was the beginning of his storied path in the mountains, one which, later in life, in times of confusion and duress, he would occasionally lose sight of. In the mid 1960s, however, his obsession was full blown.

He and his climbing partners formed life-long bonds on the rock routes of Yamnuska Mountain in Canmore and on the high snow slopes of 11,000 foot peaks. Rock climbing and ski mountaineering, for Scott, were always synonymous.

“I just loved the beauty—the spiritual, emotional, literary and artistic experience of the

Chic Scott was in Jasper as part of the U of A’s Thinking Mountains conference// bob covey

Chic gets exposed on the Eiger Wall during filming with Universal studios in 1974. // Chic Scott collection

Chic scott (r) with climbing pioneer Bernie Schiesser in 1970// Joanna Sandkuhl

mountains,” Scott said. “The record keeping, the first to do this or that really doesn’t interest me much,” he said.

Ironically, the romanticism which eschewed the braggadocio ended up placing Scott securely in the record books. It was 1965. He was at postsecondary in Vancouver, during a particularly dreary autumn, and he was yearning for the hills.

“It rained for months on end,” Scott recalled.

“I was getting really depressed and I thought I needed a dream to get through university. I wrote a letter to Charlie Locke and said ‘let’s do the Great Divide Traverse.’”

Locke, who would go on to found the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies empire, was, along with ski pioneers Don Gardner and Neil Liske, up for the challenge. The four had been inspired by stories of Hans Gmoser’s failed GDT attempt in 1954, but instead of going south to north like Gmoser had tried, they planned to ski from Jasper to Lake Louise.

“The most difficult question to answer was whether to go on cross country skis or on [alpine touring] gear,” Scott said.

Eventually they chose the lighter set up, using wax, not skins, to grip the snow during the 350 km expedition. It took them 21 days to complete the first ever Great Divide Traverse but, as was their wont, the group hardly told anybody about their journey. It wasn’t until Scott pioneered two other huge ski traverses—the 120 km Rogers Pass to Bugaboos Traverse and the 200 km Northern Selkirks Traverse—that he decided to record the 1967 feat in the Canadian Alpine Journal.

“We didn’t write it up up for 10 years, we just went home,” Scott said. “There was no press to meet us, no fanfare…it just evaporated.”

A significant portion of Scott’s recorded memories suffered a similar vaporization—for different reasons, however. In 1969, in-step with the counter-culture revolution, yet out of his element, Scott plumbed the dangerous depths of drug use, a period in his life he describes as “confused and depressed.” In the midst of his experimentation, he said he did something he will always regret: “I was getting into eastern mysticism and Buddha and overcoming the ego and all that sort of stuff,” he said. “For some reason I got it in my mind that taking photographs of yourself and your friends was egotism so I burned all my photos.”

Everything pre-1969 was destroyed. All of his shots documenting his learning to climb on Yam, his early ski mountaineering, his adventures with various Rockies legends, his season of climbing in the Alps …incinerated.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

local legends //

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49// the jasper local// page B4

Mountaineer and author Chic Scott has lived by the mantra

Get a Life, Not a Job Don Gardner, Neil Liske, Charlie Locke and Chic Scott were the first to ski the Great Divide Traverse from Jasper to Lake Louise in 1967.

After the epic trip, the four went back to their lives. “It just evaporated,” Scott said. It wasn’t until 10 years later that he wrote about the trip for the Canadian Alpine Journal. // Don Gardner

“What a shame,” he said, shaking his head.

Otherwise, regrets are very few and far between for Scott. For example, he doesn’t regret his atypical path to securing his place in the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, which saw him walk out on the examiners in 1970 (“I was young, quite talented and had a big ego”); suffer a breakdown during the test in 1975 (“my drug experience, a tragic expedition in to the Himalayas and a broken heart caught up with me”); pass the assistant ski guide exam in 1990 but subsequently fail the full guide’s exam (“I’m not a very pretty skier”); and be denied honorary membership even after founder and thenpresident of the ACMG Hans Gmoser put that motion forward (“certain components of the ACMG didn’t like me at all”). In fact, Scott, who would eventually be “allowed” into the ACMG, enjoys telling the story of how he responded to the news that he wasn’t going to be grandfathered into the association.

“I walked out of that meeting and I said ‘I’ll show those f***ers who the ski guide is. I’ll write the guidebook,’” he laughed.

And he did. The first edition of Summits and Icefields was published in 1994. Since then, its two volumes have become the obligatory companions for ski tourers and mountaineers in the Rockies and Columbia ranges.

“I was planning on being a guide…but when I failed the exams…what that did was turn me into a writer,” he said.

It also turned a whole bunch of resort skiers into backcountry enthusiasts. With Summits and Icefields, Scott opened adventurers’ eyes to new, wintery, wild worlds. As he was writing it, he admits he was conflicted as to whether he should be “giving the secrets away,” but for the sake of the places them-

selves, he decided it was better to promote what he knew rather than guard that information.

“These parks and our mountain wilderness will not be appreciated unless you have people out there,” he said. “And if it’s only a few people that go out there there won’t be any political will [to protect them].”

Moreover, he felt that there’s more than enough wilderness to go around—especially compared to the Alps.

“In Europe the snowy Alps are the same size, approximately, as the Columbia Ranges— from McBride down to Nelson, that’s it. But there are 500 million people within a weekend’s experience [of the Alps].

“I felt that there was just so much space in our mountains and so few people that it would be so hard to overcrowd it.”

Today, even though Scott doesn’t climb anymore, and he didn’t ski much this past winter, he still believes that Canada’s Rocky Mountains are unspoilt (“you can still have the same adventure today we did on the Great Divide Traverse”). He still feels that the mountains offer the most pure human experience, as long as you’re getting yourself up by your own steam (“real men and women ski uphill”). He

still would rather share stories about the magic of the mountains than boast about his accomplishments (“following my mountain path has always pulled me back from hard times in life”).

While his values haven’t changed too much, Scott knows the place his mountain path traversed 50-odd years ago is occupied by a new group of upstart climbers. These days, he is happy to be the story-teller, historian and mentor.

“I remember how thrilled I was when I met Hans Gmoser,” he said.“I’m enjoying the role, now that I’m the older guy.”

Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page B5 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

local recreation //

Love At First Flight 780.883.0773

swilson.jasper@gmail.com

Past Canadian paragliding champion Martina Lang gets lifted on Whistlers’ mountain.

Paragliding was recently approved as an activity in JNP for a trial period. // bob covey

Will Gadd knows something about firsts.

The athlete, author, broadcaster and former Jasperite has been part of his fair share of historical exploits when it comes to adventure in the wilderness.

ing, but Gadd, whose father, Ben, was a strong activist for the environment during his 20 years in Jasper, is adamant that paragliding is light on the land, and points to studies done in Europe which demonstrate that point.

“I think out of all the things I do in the national park this has the lowest impact,” he said. “I guess the worst environmental impact is if you hit the ground really hard you might leave a mark!”

The group was certainly leaving a mark on visitors. As the pilots laid their wings out on the ground, curious people gathered ‘round, snapping photos of the unusual user group.

“How long until they jump?” one tourist asked.

“Please don’t use that term,” Alan Polster, a pilot from Revelstoke Paragliding, laughed.

Besides racking up ice climbing championships, he’s set distance records in paragliding and put up first ascents on ice and rock routes all over the world, including on the hardest mixed climb in the world, the 200m Helmcken Falls in B.C. Gadd has scaled ice bergs in the Atlantic, kayaked huge waves all over the Rockies and in January, became the first person to climb a frozen Niagara Falls. The former Jasperite was named National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year earlier this year.

However, before May 9, he had never paraglided in Jasper National Park.

“We’re making history today,” he hooted as he stepped off the Jasper Skytram and realized the conditions were ripe for flying.

In fact, no one had ever paraglided in a Canadian Mountain Park. Until April 23, when Parks Canada approved a new suite of guidelines for recreational activities, paragliding was not allowed.

“It’s exciting, with this inaugural flight we can show how little impact we have on the environment,” said Martina Lang, a Canadian national paragliding champion and a pilot who normally flies out of Chiliwack, B.C. Some environmental groups have Calgary’s Bruce Busby getting ready for liftoff // said evidence of that claim is lackbob covey

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

local recreation//

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49// the jasper local// page B6

Inaugural paragliding flights take off in Jasper National Park Five Questions for Will Gadd The Jasper Local: Where does paragliding rank in terms of pursuits for you?

1

Will Gadd: It’s is an obsession for me. It’s such a cool way to see the landscape. It’s silent, you’re like a bird, you can go places and get to understand how and why the thermals and the terrain work like they do.

It just gives you a really different appreciation of the geography of the place.

JL: If you had to choose just one sport, what would it be?

2

Former Jasperite and eternal rad dude Will Gadd claimed another first: paragliding in JNP // b covey

The terms, when it comes to paragliding in Jasper, are important to note. Not so much the colloquialisms of pilot-speak, rather, the rules of the current agreement between Parks Canada and the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada. Prospective pilots must be registered with HPAC, must subscribe to the association’s best practices and avoid all environmentally sensitive areas.

As the group of inaugural paragliders rode the Skytram to the top of Whistlers’ Mountain on May 9, Gadd pointed out some of the nofly zones.

“You can’t land in the townsite, on the ski hill or at Cavell Meadows as it’s a caribou area,” he said.

Other areas deemed offlimits include roads, the Maligne Lake outlet, Sur-

prise Valley, Jasper House and within 1,000 m of active raptor nests and known mineral licks.

“Those are places we wouldn’t fly anyway,” Gadd said.

As he straightened the lines that ran from his harness to his wing, checked his instruments and secured his Red Bull helmet, Gadd let out a whoop of delight. Because the sport is so weather dependent, it’s best for pilots not to get their hopes up for the high likelihood of not being able to launch.

“Feel that nice little breeze!” he said before lifting his wing into the wind, running off the west side of the mountain and disappearing into the air.

Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com

WG: If I had to choose one sport it’d probably be kayaking. I learned to kayak on the rivers here in Jasper when I was 14. I spent hundreds of days of my life paddling on the Whirlpool, the Maligne, the Athabasca, Astoria, Sunwapta, Miette, Meadow Creek, all over here. Even though kayaking is the sport I do the least of these days, I still love it.

JL: You spent a good part of your youth in Jasper but the Gadd a lot of people know here is your dad [author and naturalist Ben Gadd]. What is his legacy, in your eyes?

3

WG: My dad helped educate a huge slice of people about the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. He introduced the flora and fauna of the Rockies to more people than probably anybody else in history. That’s a pretty powerful legacy. He also gave sh** to a lot of people who probably needed to hear it. It wasn’t always easy being his son growing up here but I think he left this place better than he found it. Not a lot of people can say that.

JL: What would you be doing if you weren’t an adventurist?

4

WG: I’d probably be doing something similar to what you’re doing! I’d be in writing and publishing. I’m still writing a regular column for Explore [Magazine] and writing one or two features a year.

JL: What does creativity in the mountains mean to you?

5

Gadd surveying his former stomping grounds from above // bob covey

WG: It means getting out there and doing it. It means making the time to do the things you want to do, whether that’s a mountain bike ride or a run, because that’s not always easy.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page b7+B8 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

LOCAL FEATURE // ANNUAL BACK PAT

It takes a community to r LOOKING BACK ON TWO YEARS OF DREAMS, DEBUTS AND DEADLINES

Folky face off // musicians vie for festival spot

Spreading the words //

Story time // celebrating

page turners turning up

seniors week

BIKING SEASON HAS ARRIVED // BOB COVEY

Robb wins Award of Excellence Adam Robb has won the 2013 Alberta’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

The 32-year-old Jasper Jr./Sr. High School teacher was one of 120 semifinalists from across the province. Last year, 23 finalists were honoured by the Minister of Education.

Robb, whose Sustainability class has been the conduit for various studentled community initiatives, including

the forthcoming self-sustaining modular classroom, said his success has been the product of his surroundings.

“I’m in an extraordinary environment,” he said. “We have strong role models, we’re in a national park and I’ve had a lot of creative freedom to teach.”

Robb credited fellow teachers, James Bartram and Sandy Cox, with blazing new trails in local education.

“They showed how students can en-

gage with their community,” he said.

Parent Magda Mahler has witnessed the impact Robb has made on his students and told as much to the award selection committee.

“Adam encourages students to work outside their personal comfort zone and as a result they come out with confidence and skills they didn’t even know they had,” she wrote. robb wins // continued page 3

// x-canada for cancer

Pump running dry// Jasper Cavell Reopens// Last one Jumping through hoops/ shell will close in October

Elk calves dropping, risk of conflicts rising Elk babies are on the move.

Every spring, even as grizzly bears satiate their massive appetites in the valley bottom, it’s Jasper’s ubiquitous ungulates which pose the greatest safety risk, as pregnant cow elk move into areas populated by humans to birth their young. The townsite, area campgrounds and the Jasper Park Lodge property are prime places for mother elk to turn squirrelly.

“They want to be near people but they become overly protective and very aggressive,” said Grant Peregoodoff, Parks Canada’s humanwildlife conflict specialist.

To mitigate the risk, resource

management and public safety personnel often move the newborn babies out of high human traffic areas.

The tactic requires a bit of finesse.

After the calf is discovered, a designated “calf carrier” picks up the 40 pound bundle while three other hockey stick-wielding personnel “defend.” Having selected a safe place to drop the baby, the group moves in a way that will keep the mother at bay, but still interested in its young. Often that means producing a baby elk squeak, either with an imitation call or by giving the calf a pinch to achieve the

real McCoy. “The call will re-engage the mother,” Peregoodoff said. “Then we re-unite them in a safer location.”

Parks staff can’t always come to the rescue, however. On May 28, a cinnamon bear was spotted feeding on a newborn calf approximately 50 m behind the Catholic Church.

Peregoodoff said the baby elk are scentless when they’re born, so the bear likely discovered the calf by accident.

Resource management staff hazed the bear into the forest and moved the carcass. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

bob covey //

bob@thejasperlocal.com

STAYING COOL // DARCY RUDDY CARVES UP THE COULOIR ON THE EAST SIDE OF MOUNT TEKARRA DURING THE SUMMER SOLSTICE. PHOTOGRAPHER RON WOROBEC AND RUDDY, WHO IS RIDING A SPLITBOARD, ASCENDED THE SIGNAL MOUNTAIN FIRE ROAD WITH THEIR SKIS STRAPPED TO THEIR BIKES. “THE SKIING WAS REALLY GOOD,” WOROBEC SAID. “THE STEEP CORN WAS SURPRISINGLY PLEASANT TO SKI ON.” // RON WOROBEC

Recent conversations between business leaders, Parks Canada and the Jasper Community Housing Committee (JCHC) have spurred new ideas in the vein of addressing Jasper’s housing needs. At a recent JCHC “conversation café,” businesses in Jasper were looking at the residential co-op models and asking how they could create something similar for staff accommodations.

“We’re hoping that with all this discussion someone sees an opportunity,” said Leanne Pelletier, administration officer for the JCHC. Together with Parks Canada, the JCHC is making it clear that proposals to develop new accommodations on available parcels of land in Jasper are being actively welcomed.

“No one is going to stand in your way as long as it meets the needs of the community,” Pelletier said.

Those proposals could come from a private developer, or they could come from a group of businesses.

The problem with the former is that the community’s needs (more low-cost housing) and a potential developer’s needs (to make a profit) don’t mesh. Rent caps and other revenue-neutralizing restrictions that

potential developers to alleviate Jasper’s housing crisis out of the goodness of their hearts.

“No one has come to us or to Parks Canada at this point,” Pelletier said.

As for the latter—a group of businesses collaborating to develop affordable housing— there are murmurs of hope.

Cathy Jenkins, Municipal and Realty Manager for Jasper National Park, said her office is hoping the business community will come forward with a proposal, knowing the value in having quality accommodations for their staff.

“We’re hoping that even though they won’t make a profit they’ll be willing to engage,” Jenkins said.

Jasper Tramway’s Todd Noble attended the last JCHC meeting and was pleased with the tone and the idea-sharing.

“Parks Canada is taking suggestions and participating and asking ‘how can we make this work,’” Noble said. “There might be a light at the end of this long dark tunnel we’ve been going through for a long time.”

Gotcha!

The Jasper local prank patrol

Pot bellied pet // Piglet not porking it in

RAINBOW COUNTRY // AS WATER LEVELS ON MEDICINE LAKE FALLS, FISH RISE. // BOB COVEY

Shangrila sanctioned for skiing Shangrila, the ski cabin operated by the Maligne Lake Ski Club, has been granted a renewed license of occupation, signaling the future of skiing is healthy in the Maligne Valley.

The new license contains a clause which states that, should the caribou situation so dictate, access to the cabin can be closed out or restricted.

“We can live with that,” said Maligne Lake Ski Club Vice President, Chris Garnham.

Garnham said earlier this year, based on Parks Canada’s evolving strategies to ensure caribou protection in the park and specifically, the Maligne Valley, members weren’t sure if there would be a 2013/14 ski season,.

“There was a lot of room for doubt,” he said.

The Maligne Lake Ski Club has approximately 50 members. Shangrila is a unique shelter in the park in that it is neither a governmental nor commercial building. The new lease completes a 10-year license of occupation, expiring in 2022.

“Our occupation would have timed out in October,” Garnham said. “We would have had to, in theory, tear down the cabin.”

Shangrila is located in the Jeffery’s Creek drainage, between Little Shovel and Big Shovel passes, in the Maligne Range. Built in 1936 by Curly Phillips, Doug Jeffery and Willard Jeffery, Shangrila was originally created to answer the first demands in western Canada for a backcountry skiing experience.

“We work hard to be respectful of our history,” Garnham said.

Sheba, a black lab from Jasper, was rescued from a precarious ledge by helicopter sling after her owner dialed 911 with a unique distress call at 2 p.m. The report said the dog was “cliffed-out” on Morro Peak.

“The caller had downclimbed the limestone terrain but the dog had given up,” said Visitor Safety Technician Deryl Kelly. “The climber kept moving down until the point where the dog decided it couldn’t go any further.”

Public safety officials approached the area below where the dog had become trapped—near the mountaineer’s route on Mount Morro. After consulting with the dog’s owner, a Jasper local, Kelly said the team agreed to call in a Bell 407 rescue helicopter.

“The reporting person agreed to pay for the helicopter rescue,” Kelly said.

One rescuer slung in above the stranded pup and down-climbed to the he ledge, which, according to Kelly, was “as wide as your boots” and approximately 100 metres high.

Concerns that the dog would be panicked or aggressive were quickly curtailed.

“The dog was a perfect patient,” Kelly said.

Using a harness made for rescue animals, the technician secured Sheba to an anchor.

Another visitor safety specialist slung in via helicopter. The canine and its rescuer were slung to safety.

Helicopter rescue expenses can total up to $5,000.

“The dog is obviously well-loved,” Kelly said.

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Jasper's Hidden Gems //

// First annual jasper fondo

interview with ex-flame

Whistlin’ while you walk

N w

Former administrator speaking out against erosion of policy

Helicopter fetches dog from cliff If you needed proof a dog is a man’s best friend, you could have looked skyward September 10.

Big wheels keep turning

Fleury fury// Exclusive

Online features

sod turns for new shelter

A retired Jasper National Park administrator is calling Parks Canada’s consideration of a hotel at Maligne Lake a direct violation of its guiding principles.

THE SEASON IS FALL FROM OVER // IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN CHILLY TEMPERATURES TEMPT YOU INTO HIBERNATION, BUT THERE IS STILL A CORNUCOPIA OF COLOURS OUT THE BACK DOOR. TAKE IT FROM MELISSA CARROLL, WHO SPENT AN EVENING ON HER MOUNTAIN BIKE ON THE PYRAMID BENCH LAST WEEK: IT AIN’T WINTER YET! // NICOLE GABOURY

Grant Potter, who worked as Jasper National Park’s Business Liaison Officer from 19952012, is speaking out against what he calls an exclusion of policy and the dilution of important directions in the federal agency’s management plan.

“Changing a few words here, deleting a phrase there [has] the result that long standing policies have been changed significantly without the appropriate explanation to the public of the implications,” Potter said in a letter to JNP Superintendent, Greg Fenton. “It has not been a transparent process.”

Potter went on to say that by considering a proposal for a hotel at Maligne Lake, the government is undermining the 1998 Redevelopment Guidelines for Outlying Commercial Accommodations and Hostels in the Mountain National Parks (OCA), which Parks Canada committed to in 2000. That document directed that there would be no new outlying commercial accommodations in mountain parks.

“Releasing lands for commercial development and undermining the OCA guidelines are huge pry bars that will guarantee more and more pressure for development,” Potter said, referring to the new license of occupation that Brewster Canada was granted to erect a glass-floored observation platform on the Icefields Parkway.

Potter pointed to the Guiding Principles and

Broadening our shoulders?// festival under the telescope

Think global act local // Making a difference in Myanmar

Coyote, smugly // Matt Mays’ album tour

cruise for shutterbugs

Silver linings// blog: angler angst & tricky trout

Splash down// photos from paddlers past

W

N

w

w

m h

B

Trail users on the Pyramid Bench will no longer be saddled with having to go through commercial horse territory.

p

w nd

Mobile users and computer operators will soon be able to experience Jasper via the comfort of their devices.

Parks Canada and Google have teamed up to bring Jasper National Park, as well as other natural and cultural sites in Canada, to the virtual world of Google Street View.

In the future, anyone with an internet connection will be able to have a panoramic view of not just Jasper’s primary and secondary roads, but of backcountry trails, hiking paths

nv

A newly-minted route will allow bikers, hikers and private horse riders to bypass commercial horse trails, reducing potential conflicts and increasing loop options on the highly-used network.

Up to 100 horses per day use the trails around the Jasper Riding Stables

u

and campgrounds.

“We can help people with trip planning who want a sense of what they’re in for,” said Sean Nardella of Parks Canada’s Visitor Experience team.

To capture Jasper roadway images, Google’s Street View car was zipping around the park last week with cameras rolling. To record trail shots, Google brought out the Trekker—a backpack-mounted, 15-lens camera system that shoots a photograph every 2.5 seconds.

Google’s Street View software allows users to visually explore and navigate

neighbourhoods through street-level photographs. For the last year, users of the program have been able to take a virtual tour of the Icefields Parkway as well as Jasper’s primary streets and avenues. Now, pending the uploading of the data, users will be able to explore Highway 93A, the Marmot Basin Road and Cavell Road.

“As Jasper locals we take navigating a lot of our roads for granted,” Nardella said. “It’s nice to have this for people travelling with smart phones, tablets or GPS.”

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

From dusk til dog-gone // Dark skies at dog park

Ma gn h d down o v a bou

Caribou ensnared in cables

w

Operational Guidelines (GPOP), which is posted on the agency’s website. He said important directions laid out in that policy document are clear that preference will be given to basic visitor accommodation (i.e. camping) and only activities that promote appreciation of a park’s purpose will be considered, requiring a minimum of built facilities.

The Glacier Discovery Walk, Potter said, “flies in the face of GPOP.” Accommodation at Maligne Lake would also violate this policy, Potter said.

“If you really want to reach more visitors, you’d put in a campground,” he said.

Jasper Park Superintendent Greg Fenton stressed nothing has been decided.

“Parks Canada has not given any approvals for redevelopment to Maligne Tours, nor have Maligne Tours advanced a formal proposal,” Fenton said.

Potter said his retirement has allowed him to speak out.

“I saw it all going to hell [but] I couldn’t speak,” he said.

Potter says he’s hoping Canadians take up the rally call.

“I think everyone should write a letter to the Minister,” he said. “If the government starts to see the threat that they might not get re-elected, maybe they’ll change.”

A caribou which had its antlers caught in the near where they were tethered to the ground. The animal imwire cables from a backcountry campsite pole was still not freed from its constrictions mediately took up the slack, but although the wires were freed 11 days after it became entangled.

CROSS OVER // AS AREA LAKES BEGIN TO FREEZE, JASPER LOCALS WILL BE ANXIOUS TO GET ON THE ICE BEFORE THE SNOW FLIES. JOCELYN NADEAU WAS SURELY ONE OF THE FIRST OUTDOOR SKATERS OF THE WINTER WHEN HE BROUGHT HIS BLADES TO THE FRYATT VALLEY LAST MONTH. THE ICE ON THIS TARN, LOCATED ABOUT TWO KILOMETRES WEST OF THE ACC’S SYDNEY VALLANCE HUT, AT 2,000 METRES, WAS JUST THICK ENOUGH TO SUPPORT A GAME OF SHINNY. // NICOLE GABOURY

from the bear pole, they were still tangled around the caribou’s antlers.

“It ran off,” Albrecht said.

Reporting the incident to JNP, Albrecht hoped experts could track the animal and free it from its trap and for several days last week, that’s what Parks Canada resource conservation personnel tried to do. However, after multiple failed attempts, Wilmshurst said the costs were too high.

“We just can’t afford to be flying in there all the time,” Wilmshurst said.

The caribou is estimated to be three years old. Wilmshurst said young males typically drop their antlers sometime in February but with the heavy burden of the cables, that process could be sped up.

“That may be its saviour,” he said.

Biologists who tracked the animal reported that while it was still dragging the cables around, the caribou seemed to be coping reasonably well.

Wilmshurst emphasized the importance for visitors to use the backcountry campsites properly.

“The key here is we want people to be conscientious of reconnecting those cables,” he said.

For a link to Albrecht’s video, visit www.thejasperlocal.com

On October 30, biologists had tracked the animal but were unable to free it from its accidental snare.

“We found the animal but we couldn’t get it into the open where it would be possible to net it or dart it,” Parks Canada’s Resource Conservation Manager, John Wilmshurst, said.

Eleven days earlier, on Oct 19, Edmontonian Dean Albrecht and his wife were hiking towards Amethyst Lake in the Tonquin Valley when they saw an unusual site at Surprise Point Campground.

“We could see something thrashing around in the trees,” Albrecht said.

That something was a caribou—a male individual from the threatened population in Jasper National Park’s Tonquin herd. Albrecht and his wife could see that the animal had become trapped in the wire cables which are normally used to hang food out of the reach of animals.

“Its antler was firmly snared around one of the food cables,” he said. “And then when it saw us, it panicked.”

After snapping a few photos and a short video, Albrecht and his wife backed off, not wanting to further stress the animal. The following morning, they returned with tools. To their dismay, the caribou’s thrashing had twisted the wires around the other bear pole cables, tensing and tangling the system until the caribou was hoisted in the air, eventually only supporting itself on its hind legs.

“It looked like it hung itself,” Albrecht said.

When Albrecht approached the caribou it sprang to life, but its movement was restricted for the tangle of wires. Using a hacksaw, Albrecht cut away the wires

m

Mun

pu a p

n

u

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

RUFF TERRAIN // PARKS CANADA

Camera geeks only// New

friday, november 1, 2013 // issue 12 thejasperlocal.com

ACC hut at Robson Pass

Jasper’s Hidden Gems//

You need a horseshoe to find it

Online features

// hiker takes fatal fall

tuesday, october 1, 2013 // issue 10 thejasperlocal.com

Online features

thejasperlocal.com

Parker Ridge accident

headed, not big headed

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

trailblazers // cont page 3

sunday, september 15, 2013 // issue 9

SNFU at the Shoe // pig

There is a faint light at the end of would allow Parks Canada the dark tunnel known as Jasper’s to release the land at an affordable price mean there housing crisis. isn’t exactly a line-up of

The Jasper Trail Alliance (JTA) and Parks Canada are certifying trail users to perform basic upkeep on Jasper’s network of trails.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Marci DeWandel, who works in Parks Canada’s Visitor Experience office.

Once certified, individuals are permitted to carry small hand saws and trimmers to clear small trees and branches which impede the trails for hikers, bikers and horse riders.

Until this spring, Parks Canada did not allow trail users to clear trails, although DeWandel admitted the practice was known to be fairly commonplace. Now, with Parks’ support, 17 people have attained their Basic Sight Line and Trail Clearing Level 1.

“The interest has been great,” she said.

Don Pilger was one of those certified. On May 26 the avid hiker was setting out for the Pyramid bench with his hiking poles, water and a lunch. Strapped to his pack was a hand saw.

“There were 76 trees down on the Saturday Night Lake Loop last week,” he said. “I had my

MATERNITY WARDEN// PARKS CANADA EMPLOYEE BARB SHARP TRANSPORTS A CALF TO SAFETY // NICOLE GABOURY

trampoline trials

to the top is a frozen berg

Business co-ops on the table

Local trailblazers can finally own up to their name.

Public feedback in light of proposed winter closures in Jasper National Park has been overwhelmingly

in favour of caribou conservation, according to Parks Canada officials.

“We got a lot more support than we anticipated,” said John Wilmshurst, Resource Conservation Manager for Jasper National Park.

On February 28, almost 170 park users crammed into the Amethyst Lodge to provide input on the proposed closures. At that time, Parks Canada said the decision would be announced in May. On May 7, Wilmshurst said the significant amount of public feedback received, plus a spike in interest in the issue by bureaucrats in Ottawa, had delayed the announcement.

“The national office has asked to be briefed on this,” Wilmshurst said.

Parks Canada spokesperson Allison Ogle said the agency hopes to have an announcement by June.

Long board, long ride

He p wan ed

Parks gives users OK to clear trails

Online features

Grizzly images // gord trenholm shoots & Scores

Save the 'bou, Parks told

Monday, July 15, 2013 // issue 5 thejasperlocal.com

dancing breaks out

Pass from 3000m

Online features

WiL // Strings break,

Air up there // Athabasca

Yogis get down

thejasperlocal.com

You’re grounded //

peaceful protest

Online features

Tree plea // Locals stage

thejasperlocal.com

Online features

thejasperlocal.com

Monday, July 1, 2013 // issue 4

BY BOB

hurry up!

// Shane Philip, tonight!

Stuart the steward // vinyl café host, uncut

Taking the stage// Rail riders// Young filmmakers dial it in Jibbing in jasper in January

Power outage risk in Jasper transformed

SLASH AND BURN // OFF-DUTY SKI PATROLLER MARSHALL DEMPSTER FINDS A STASH IN MARMOT BASIN’S PARADISE BOWL. ALREADY THIS MONTH MORE SNOW HAS FALLEN THAN IN ANY JANUARY IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. // BOB COVEY

High speed pursuit ends safely

A high speed pursuit on January 1 ended near Jasper after RCMP members chased a stolen vehicle traveling in excess of 150 km/hr.

A 1999 Chevy Malibu had been reported as stolen in Calgary and being dangerously driven near Canmore.

“Members in Lake Louise attempted to stop the car at the south end of the Icefields Parkway but the suspect side-swiped the police cruiser and continued north,” said Cpl Ryan Gardiner of the Jasper RCMP. Meanwhile, Gardiner headed south from

Serendipity sailor // meet Margo the magical

Cool Runnings// To Antarctica...and beyond!

Athena's World // Film focuses on rare condition

Breaking Trail// Every day I’m shovellin’

Cross Country Kids//

Jackrabbit photo gallery

Fire likely caused by torch

IF THE SNOWSHOE FITS: RYAN VERGE’S EXPANDED FOOTPRINT WASN’T ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM FROM SINKING IN THE SNOW WHILE TOURING THE MOSQUITO CREEK AREA JANUARY 19.

WEAK LAYERS AT THE BOTTOM OF A DEEP SNOWPACK HAVE KEPT MANY WOULD-BE ALPINE EXPLORERS IN THE VALLEY BOTTOM THIS WINTER. // BOB COVEY

Investigators are focussing on the propaneburning tool as the most likely source of fire after determining that the blaze started in a cabinet in the Zamboni room.

“In these types of situations we don’t always find out exactly what happened,” said Deputy Fire Chief Don Smith. “But evidence supports that the fire started in the cabinet.”

Smith said the torches, which have an adjustable flame control and trigger start mechanism, have been known to malfunction.

“They don’t always close right down,” he said. “The knob is finicky. That could be an issue.”

The torch was used earlier that day, Smith said.

At approximately 2 a.m. Sunday morning, Smith received a dispatched call, alerting him that the heat detector in the arena had been triggered. Four minutes later he was at the Activity Centre, where a control panel told him the alarm was coming from the arena.

Unfortunately, his master key wouldn’t unlock the doors to the rink. He could smell acrid smoke and called in the rest of the fire brigade.

“Even through the windows in the door I could see it was a little hazy,” he said.

Eight minutes after he sent the alert, 12 members arrived on-scene. The team forced open the side exit doors (across from the daycare entrance) to gain access to the arena. The smell of burning plastic was apparent, and the crew could see the

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

room,” he said. “We could see a bit of fire under the seal.”

Dragging a hose from the fire truck through the back exit doors, Smith said members doused the fire, which had heated the room to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plastics, cellophane and other petroleum-based products were burning a “very hot, messy and toxic” fire, Smith said.

“Plastic burns almost like a fuel,” he said.

Fortunately, the fire was suppressed before the gasoline in the Zamboni could ignite.

“Everybody was happy it didn’t end up blowing up that end of the arena,” Smith said.

Though it wasn’t a huge blaze, the smoke and heat damage was significant. The Activity Centre was closed that day and because of potential damage to hydraulic lines and heating units—plus damage to the Zamboni, which is being serviced in Edmonton—the arena is out of commission until the week of February 3, according to manager Peter Bridge.

In an ironic twist, the next hockey event was the Jasper Fire and Ice Tournament, a weekend exhibition between regional fire departments.

Bk

Extent of flood damage still soaking in

A hand-held blowtorch is thought to be haze turning into smoke near the cause of an early morning fire in the the Zamboni room.

“We ended up forcing the Jasper arena January 26. garage door on the Zamboni

Upgrades to the community’s electrical transmission lines will help mitigate the risk of Jasper’s infamous power outages in the future.

ATCO Electric has been trenching a utility line which connects the community’s south hydro station, near the Astoria River, to the main plant, near the Transfer Station.

“We’re putting underground about 20 miles of line that Jasper and arranged for any south-bound has given us some problems traffic to be diverted off of Highway 93. over the years,” said ATCO’s “Our concern at that point was to try to get district manager, Rod the vehicle stopped before it got to Highway Carrothers.

16,” Gardiner said.

Decades-old overhead lines Gardiner met the suspect vehicle at Jonas currently feed power to Marmot Basin and several Creek, 75 km south of Jasper. He pursued outlying commercial the vehicle but had to back off when the accommodations. The driver pushed the vehicle over 150 km/hr.

RCMP members deployed a spike belt near new lines will perform the same function, but with less the Highway 93A turnoff to Marmot Basin. exposure to the elements, The driver, a 29-year-old female from Carrothers said.

Calgary, will face mulitiple charges.

Wind-blown trees have knocked out Jasper’s power supply in the past.

“With this work there’s an increase in view of future capacity and improved reliability,” Carrothers said.

Caribou takes fatal fall // puzzling plunge from precipice

Online features

The missile approach // And other teaching methods

Didgeridoo-ya!

saturday, march 1, 2014 // issue 20 thejasperlocal.com

Winter Cross// fat bikes unite, jan 19

saturday, february 1, 2014 // issue 18

Online features

Online features

Wednesday, January 15, 2014 // issue 17

k w

Two local businesses are still reeling from the effects of flood damage after a power outage caused a pipe to burst in the Venchiarutti Building.

The Soft Rock Café and More than Mail suffered major water damage when a sprinkler system ruptured in the upstairs hallway at 632 Connaught Drive. On February 25, Soft Rock was still closed while More Than Mail was operating its courier services out of the front of the cleared out space.

“It’s been devastating,” said Council will not facilitate a request to “As the bylaw currently stands this falls More Than Mail’s Jenny smack in the middle of it,” CAO Peter relocate the Jasper Farmer’s Market to Hatto. “We lost a third of our Waterworth told the group. space near the McCready Centre, despite JLFS says the parking lot near the McCready inventory.” being supportive of the idea.

On February 5 at 4:30 a.m., with Centre has more space, options for indoor A request from the Jasper Local Food Society temperatures hovering around markets and is more centrally-located than to allow the weekly summer market to take minus 30 degrees Celsius, place on a municipal parking lot was discussed that of the privately-owned Jasper Legion. power was knocked out in Mayor Richard Ireland recognized the Jasper. Pipes in the building’s at the February 25 committee of the whole benefits of moving the market, but also the sprinkler system froze, then meeting. There, council was reminded that potential to create a difficult precedent. burst. First responder Fire they are bound by a bylaw which dictates no “This wouldn’t be the only thing people ask for.” Chief Greg Van Tighem said business license shall be granted to a street water was cascading down the bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com vendor. back stairwell.

“There was five inches of water on the hall floor,” he said.

Water pooled from the hall into the building’s apartment suites, but the real damage was below.

“It’s a disaster,” said building owner Lena Venchiarutti.

ON TRACK// ISABELLA HEINAMANN, JAKE KERTESZ-KNIGHT AND KEELY RALF ZIP AROUND WHISTLERS’ CAMPGROUND. THE JACKRABBITS CROSS COUNTRY SKI CLUB MEETS ONCE A WEEK TO PRACTICE SKILLS IN A FUN SETTING.// BOB COVEY

Town gh n ng b

on budg

Farmers' market won't uproot

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

N w ho

p opo

d n L g on bu d ng

Boozy bureaucracy

Trail tinkering// Re-routing rooty rides

Rescue me//

Stretched to the max scenario

SUNDAY, June 1, 2014 // issue 26

S. HEINRICH

Spooning grizzlies// Things that make you go ‘aww’

The running man// Bc to sask for africa

Rolling along// bike park concept gets support

This community is ultra responsive.

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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

monday, september 15, 2014 // issue 33

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

We don't need no water// RCMP investigates fire

TuesAY, July 1, 2014 // issue 28

Chaco tans galore// Raft olympics photo gallery

World Cup Fever// Fan-demonium in Jasper

The Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives needs a new way of doing business, councillors say.

THIS BABY BLACK BEAR WAS SPOTTED BY LOCAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER SIMONE HEINRICH JUST BEFORE IT LAUNCHED FROM ITS PRECARIOUS PERCH. “THEY CAUSED QUITE A TRAFFIC JAM,” HEINRICH SAID. “THEY WERE ADORABLE TO WATCH. PLAYFUL LITTLE ACROBATS.”// SIMONE HEINRICH

New proposal cooking for Legion

The Jasper Legion is reviewing a proposal for a culinary arts network in space currently occupied by Ecole Desrochers.

“There is so much potential,” said Marianne Garrah, a local arts promotor who has presented a business plan to the Jasper Legion’s board, which is also considering the merits of a proposal for a transitional workers accommodation in the same space.

Garrah, who emphasized she was not attempting to upstage any other potential projects, was inspired to pair food with education after being involved in a culinary program with local chef John Riedler. “The program got a standing ovation, people were thrilled,” she said.

Her vision includes partnering with an established culinary school. She has drummed up interest from top administrators at NAIT.

The goals of the project would include augmenting Jasper cooks’ culinary education, utilizing the knowledge of local chefs and ultimately, helping fill the gaps in Jasper’s workforce.

“I think it’s a great idea. I think it has the potential to solve a lot of staffing issues and make Jasper more of a culinary destination,” said Clayton Anderson, a local food and beverage outlets manager.

Ecole Desrochers will vacate in September when the francophone school will join the Jasper Jr./Sr. High School in Jasper’s new joint school facility.

Jasper Legion president Ken Kuzminski could not comment directly on either proposal.

“We are looking at all proposals presented to us,” Kuzminski said. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

“We’re still at the point where when we get the financials they’re absolutely dismal,” said Gilbert Wall during the May 27 committee-of-the-whole meeting.

On May 20, museum manager Karen Byers presented the museum’s three year plan to council. In it, she outlined the cold, hard truth: the museum can expect an average deficit of $45,000 over the next three financial years.

“This is untenable, it’s not going to work,” Wall said to mayor and council.

While Byers was required to crunch red numbers, she also reminded council that the museum is not like other businesses.

“It’s an incredible resource, not a liability,” she said. “Perhaps that gets missed when people look at the financials.”

The museum has budgeted for a $46,302 municipal contribution for 2014. Parks Canada will contribute to the tune of $15,000. Fundraising makes up a projected $19,995; donations are forecast at $20,000.

“There’s a concept that it’s a pet project. It’s the town’s history for pete’s sake,” Byers said.

ALL ABOARD! SIMON GOLLA PADDLES HIS BROTHER SEBASTIAN AND THEIR FRIENDS JOSH LEE AND OWEN KEARNAN AROUND LAKE EDITH’S PLACID WATERS. THE SUN HAS BECKONED MANY JASPERITES TO LOCAL BEACHES. // BOB COVEY

Bu n

ud

D a p

Deliman has had enough clucking

u

“I didn’t want anyone to control our destiny,” he The Patricia Street Deli, an institution in Jasper and the most popular eatery in town said.

As of August 1, the Deli will move to 610 Patricia for five years running, is relocating.

And while owner Glen Leitch could be focusing on the idea that he was strong-armed out of his 606 Patricia Street location by his corporate neighbour, The Deliman, as he’s known to loyal patrons, is choosing to focus on the positives as he moves his small business four doors west.

“One door closes, another one opens up,” he said after putting in a nine hour, 130-plus sandwich shift on June 26.

After years of hearing complaints via lawyers’ letters that the smell of his roasting chicken was permeating the building next door, in 2008 Leitch upgraded his ventilation system, at a significant expense. As his lease approached its July 31 renewal date this year, however, he learned that the issue was still alive. Instead of engaging in battle, Leitch chose to seek out an alternative location.

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

St., next to Jasper Motorcycle Tours, in the space once occupied by the successful Tasty Meats, among other businesses. Leitch has high hopes for his new digs.

“I’m excited, I’m enthusiastic,” he said. “We’ll have better flow, two sandwich [stations] and a patio. It’s going to be better for people I’m working with and better for people we’re serving.”

The Patricia Street Deli has come a long way since it opened in 2004. Leitch estimates they’ve pumped out more than 100,000 sandwiches and roasted more than 32,000 chickens. Until the Raven Bistro surpassed it last week, The Patricia Street Deli occupied the number one restaurant spot in Jasper on the popular user-review site, Trip Advisor, for five years.

“We’re so grateful for the support,” Leitch said. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

and council discussed what options they might have regarding the exempting of an organization’s tax duty. Notwithstanding the political will that may or may not be there, councillor Brian Nesbitt said the fact-finding mission is still ongoing.

“It’s far more complicated than we thought,” Nesbitt said.

The Municipal Government Act indicates that benevolent societies such as veterans clubs can be exempted from taxes.

Complicating the issue, however, is the fact that part of the Jasper Legion operates as a licensed commercial venue. The Jasper Legion has won accolades for promoting live music and it was Kuzminski who helped push the foundering club to re-imagine the space as a unique community hub which would welcome touring musical acts.

But without another major overhaul in the way it operates, The Jasper Legion will soon have no choice but to shut its doors.

Kuzminski has applied to Parks Canada for a demolition permit, to at least reduce overhead expenses by razing the space formerly occupied by the school. Exempting the club from taxes would be another stop-gap measure. “We’re looking for all levels of government to help make this Legion viable,” Kuzminski said. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 // issue 41

Despite having met their initial target, the group is asking the community to help with a new fundraising goal which will help them purchase technology that has only recently become available.

“We think if we are going to make the effort to bring this equipment to Jasper, it should be the best possible,” said Dr. Declan Unsworth, who spearheaded the cause. The machine that local medical professionals originally sought was worth $60,0000. Soon after the committee announced they had reached that goal, an improved version of the machine was released in Canada. “We’re hoping Jasper will understand we want the best for the community,” Unsworth said.

Lorraine Wilkinson, a registered nurse who has raised more than $5,000 for the cause, agreed.

“It will make for faster, betterquality diagnoses,” she said. “I hope the community will agree it’s justified.”

The new ultrasound machine is a leap forward in image quality.

The price tag is $85,000.

“We’re looking to raise $25,000 more,” Unsworth said.

To lend your fundraising ideas to the Ultrasound Cause, contact Unsworth at the Cottage Medical Clinic, 780-852-4885.

Pa k

o

d od

oy p ob m b a

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

wednesday, october 1, 2014 // issue 34

saturday, november 1, 2014 // issue 36

Fenton takes leave, hints at changes

N w d n

d

n p d n

n

b

GREG FENTON HAS TAKEN AN EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM HIS DUTIES AS SUPERINTENDENT OF JASPER NATIONAL PARK DURING A TIME WHEN PARKS CANADA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS WHICH COULD AFFECT WINTER RECREATION USE IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK.

THE PINES, THEY ARE-A CHANGIN’// FALL COLOURS ARE LIGHTING UP LOCAL BIKE RIDES. GET IT WHILE THE WEATHER’S WARM. // VALERIE DOMAINE

Wardens seeking help to nab poacher PARKS CANADA IS SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE WITH AN ILLEGAL HUNTING INVESTIGATION IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK.

On September 5, a large bull elk was discovered having been shot and killed with a crossbow. The animal was found just off Highway 16, approximately 10 kilometres east of Jasper near the Palisades/Snaring Road area.

“Parks Canada considers this a very serious occurrence,” said Alisson Ogle, Public Relations and Communications officer, in a press release. “Elk have special protections and killing these animals can lead to significant fines up to $750,000 and five years in jail.”

The federal agency is gathering information that may lead to the arrest of a suspect. Park wardens are looking for

Body d cove ed n A haba ca R ve

anyone who was in the area of the Palisades Picnic Site or Snaring Road from Wednesday, September 3 to Friday, September 5.

“Anyone who may have noticed parked vehicles, people in the area, people photographing elk or any suspicious or unusual activity [are asked to come forward],” Ogle said.

People who may have taken photos of large bull elk in the area during that time are also asked to contact authorities.

Individuals who may have relevant information are asked to contact Jasper National Park wardens toll-free at 1-877-8523100 or email jasper.warden@pc.gc.ca. Anonymous tips can be directed to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestoppers.ab.ca

DRY RUN: DERYL KELLY IS BELAYED BY STEVE BLAGBOROUGH DURING A DRY TOOLING SESSION AT JASPER’S BS CANYON. DRY TOOLING IS CLIMBING ROCK WITH ICE AXES AND CRAMPONS. SOME CLIMBERS JUST CAN’T WAIT FOR THE ICE TO FORM. // TIM MCALLISTER

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Fenton, who will take five months off to spend time with his family, indicated in an interview October 29 that winter users in the Maligne Valley could be affected by forthcoming caribou conservation measures.

“We’re sorting out implications of that, then we’ll position ourselves for announcing decisions on what it is we need to do that might impact—or not—winter recreation users in the Maligne Valley,” he said.

“Certainly the Maligne Valley is one we need to move on, we’re just figuring out exactly what we need to move on.”

Fenton is taking five months off to help his parents perform humanitarian work in Rwanda. Acting in his stead will be Alan Fehr, a former manager and superintendent from Parks Canada’s Western Arctic and Northern Prairies Field Units.

C g

Z

n

b ub

d ng p g m

continued on page A3

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

y d wn

p w

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

WHAT A RACK-ET // THIS TIME OF YEAR BULL ELK ARE CHALLENGING EACH OTHER AND BUGLING THEIR HEARTS OUT. TWO LEGGED ANIMALS ARE REMINDED TO GIVE THESE BIG BEASTS PLENTY OF ROOM DURING THE RUT, WHEN THEY CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE. // VALERIE DOMAINE

At the same time, the Legion’s board is expressing frustration that other institutionally-zoned facilities are able to operate and earn revenues in ways not permitted at the Legion.

“This is a huge financial burden for the Legion,” said Jasper Legion president, Ken Kuzminski. “It jeopardizes our very existence.”

With its main tenant from the last seven years, École Desrochers, vacating the building for digs in the newly built joint-school facility, The Jasper Legion’s revenue stream has all but dried up.

Kuzminski has pointed to other institutionally-zoned lands in Jasper—namely local churches and the Jasper Activity Centre— where tenants earn revenue by operating sports camps. He contends there exists an uneven playing field—and the Legion is dribbling uphill, against the wind.

“We don’t have the same opportunities as a commercial zoning but we pay taxes like a commercial zoning,” he said.

At the September 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, mayor

a p p an

The Ultrasound Committee is not done yet.

Jasper Legion pleads for tax-free status THE JASPER LEGION HAS ASKED TOWN COUNCIL TO EXEMPT THE CLUB FROM PAYING MUNICIPAL TAXES.

Taste the rainbow//

Farmers market debuts

Ultrasound Cause sets new goal

Council frets for museum's finances

Jasper reaches fundraising goal

PDAC approves workers accom

In case you missed it//

biker describes bear attack

Ultra proud:

A committee of volunteers raising money for a portable ultrasound machine has reached their goal of $60,000, paving the way for the purchase of the specialized medical equipment.

“I’m just amazed,” said Lorraine Wilkinson, a local nurse.

Dr. Declan Unsworth first proposed the fundraising GREAT GALLOPING GLACIERS// DANA RUDDY MARCHES UP 3,500M MT. BRAZEAU, campaign in November. A AT THE SOUTH END OF MALIGNE LAKE APRIL portable ultrasound machine, 30. THE 70 KM “DAY TRIP” INVOLVED BIKING he said, would give medical TO THE MOUNTAIN OVER THE FROZEN LAKE. staff at Jasper’s Seton // REINER THONI Healtchcare Centre a valuable tool for assessing internal trauma.

“This is the tool that would most improve patient care,” he said. building located in a parcel zoned industrial.

Jasper’s planning and development advisory The campaign struck a chord board has conditionally approved a proposal for “As usual we did raise a few of our concerns,” board with Jasperites. Wine tastings were planned, beer was a Transitional Workers Accommodation in the member John Ogilvy said. “But these require answering in the future, as they proceed.” brewed, raffles were launched.

Jasper Legion building.

Those concerns revolve mainly around how a Auctions, luncheons and live The Planning and Development Advisory transitional workers’ accommodation would be music events were organized.

Committee (PDAC) agreed that new Jasperites regulated. The board would like reassurance that Quilts were sewn, paintings looking for work need temporary housing while guests would be utilizing the accommodation for were created and elaborate they search for their job. On May 12 they gave their its intended purpose: i.e., to give job-seekers a culinary evenings were stamp of approval to a variance which would allow temporary place to stay while they look for work. celebrated. for staff accommodations to be constructed in a bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com “People were stopping us on the street, businesses were organizing fundraisers on their own,” Unsworth said.

The committee has placed the order for the potentially lifesaving technology.

“I can’t wait to get it in here,” Wilkinson said.

Online features

Hoppy hoop jumping //

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

thejasperlocal.com

What’s one more km? // Brewster claims climbers’ lot

thursday, may 15, 2014 // issue 25

Online features

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

thejasperlocal.com

Online features

thejasperlocal.com

forward Paddle!

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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

sunDAY, february 1, 2015 // issue 42

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

sunDAY, march 1, 2015 // issue 44

Tour of Alberta creates mountain stage in Jasper

THE LOCAL

THE TOUR OF ALBERTA WILL BRING 120 OF THE WORLD’S BEST CYCLISTS TO JASPER NATIONAL PARK THIS SEPTEMBER 5.

UPPER GNARLY’S // AVALANCHE CONTROL STAFF MEMBER, MARSHALL DEMPSTER, LAYS INTO A CARVE ABOVE CHARLIE’S BOWL AT MARMOT BASIN JANUARY 2. // BOB COVEY

Jasper’s steep hills will play host to the event’s fourth stage, said Duane Vienneau, Executive Director of the tour. “[The Jasper stage] will mark the first time we’ve been to the mountains,” Vienna said.

There are six stages in the race, set for September 2-7. The starting stage will be in Grande Prairie while the finish will be in Edmonton.

The exact route through Jasper National Park is still in the vetting process, but Vienneau confirmed that it will start in the townsite and finish at the top of Marmot Basin Road.

“We’re thrilled,” he said. “We’ll have a mountaintop finish.”

In November, council committed $60,000 to bringing the tour to Jasper, with hopes that other local stakeholders could also contribute to the race’s rights fees. On January 14 Parks Canada and Tourism Jasper confirmed their support.

The Tour of Alberta features the top cyclists in the world.

“Half of the guys in our race will be in the Tour de France this year,” Villeneau said.

The average race stage is between 140 and 160 km. The Tour of Alberta features a “rolling closure,” meaning only a small portion of the highways and roads on which the peloton of cyclists and caravan of support vehicles race will be closed at any one time. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

NOT CRAMPON HER STYLE // JENNIFER RUSSELL LEADS THE WAY UP THE FINAL PITCH OF KERKESLIN FALLS. // NICOLE GABOURY

Venturing Beyond Wonderful, By Nature JASPER’S NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN IS VENTURE BEYOND.

The tagline will replace Wonderful, By Nature.

Tourism Jasper rolled out the new strategy at a stakeholder workshop on January 27.

“It’s powerful because it can be used in so many contexts,” said strategist Charlie Easton of C&B Marketing. “Venture Beyond your comfort zone, tourist traps, the highway.”

The Calgary-based advertising firm was hired on last April to help put Jasper’s story into words. Together with Stormy Lake consulting, the agency conducted more than 230 interviews to get an idea of what visitors, locals, journalists and key stakeholders had to say about Jasper.

“We’re selling the concept that Jasper is the base for adventure,” Easton said. “It’s what’s outside the town that makes this destination really special.”

The closely-guarded campaign was announced in conjunction

with the revealing of a logo for Jasper’s new visual language (see inset). The logo draws inspiration from glacial couloirs, skiing and nature, said consultant Byron Edwards.

“We wanted the logo to live in an outdoor world as opposed to a tourism world,” he said, noting its potential for merchandizing opportunities.

Tourism Jasper’s CEO, Mary Darling, said the campaign speaks to the relative adventure that anyone can have in Jasper.

“For some people, driving up the Icefields Parkway and not having cell reception is an adventure,” she said.

Darling is proud of the final product.

“I love it, I believe in it so much,” she said.

Not everyone at the workshop was convinced, however. The Municipality of Jasper’s director of finance, Alice Lettner had some warming up to do.

“I’m not a marketing person, I just know what I like. I’m not sure about Venture Beyond. To where? Valemount?” bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Sk

ub o app y o

umm

op a on

STORM TROOPERS // JEANYVES DOUCET AND ALAIN LAJOIE WERE ROLLIN’ ON THE ATHABASCA RIVER FEBRUARY 24. THE RUN WAS ONE SECTION OF A THREE-PART PUSH FROM MILE 5 BRIDGE TO ATHABASCA FALLS. // JOE URIE

Mush on! Dogsledding operation fetches permit CANADA’S OLDEST FORM OF WINTER TRANSPORTATION IS MAKING NEW TRACKS IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK.

Cold Fire Creek Dogsledding has been granted a permit by Parks Canada to operate at Pyramid Lake. Owner-operator Amanda Sinclair had proposed several locations for the service but due to caribou corridors, grasslands conservation initiatives and other habitat protection concerns, only the area at Pyramid Lake was approved as a location for sled tours.

Sinclair, who runs her company out of Valemount, B.C., is the first operator to apply for such a permit.

“It’s not that dogsledding has never been allowed in the Park,” she said. “It’s that no one else has applied for a permit to operate within the park.”

The new permit allows Cold Fire Creek to operate throughout the winter season. One-off permits had seen the company create dogsledding adventures during Jasper in January festivities; now, thanks in part to the success of those events, Parks Canada has approved Cold Fire Creek to offer a wider spectrum of services.

Still, those services will be limited by demand. For now, Cold Fire Creek will offer dogsledding to Jasper visitors who book ahead, and only on weekends. Sinclair predicts she will be primarily serving high volume customers, such as corporate outings and special events.

The tour at Pyramid Lake makes a large loop of the lake. The duration of the tour is approximately 12 minutes.

Brittany carl // brittany@thejasperlocal.com

Ga

a ng p p

n bu n h

and a

M

m

B

n

b

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

feature //

We're Two Years Old T oday !

raise a newspaper COVEY

// R. Bray

Shower power//

slinging safety specialists outta-this-world Timelapse

sunday, september 1, 2013 // issue 8

// boreal nature photos

Tenters won't bear it//

Hidden Gems//

kerkeslin closed to camping

locals’ favourite locales

Online features

// V. domaine

Rock ridge rescues //

thejasperlocal.com

Online features

thejasperlocal.com

thursday, august 15, 2013 // issue 7

ACC Camp //

Exploring Robson Marathon// The Lake o’Hara high country ups & downs of trail running

Fatality on Mt. Redoubt//

Brewster pooh-poohs sewage spill A broken sewage pipe leaked more than 5,000 litres of raw effluent at the Columbia Icefields Centre but Brewster Travel Canada, the leaseholder near the hydrological apex of the continent, isn’t making a big stink about it.

EXTRA CELESTIAL // THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER GAVE LOCALS LOTS OF REASONS TO STAY UP LATE AND GAZE AT THE HEAVENLY BODIES. PRETTY PERCHES SUCH AS OLD FORT POINT AFFORDED A UNIQUE VIEW OF THE LIGHTSHOW. // NICOLE GABOURY

clean-up effort commenced.

“The spill was controlled within minutes, contained and cleaned up following the high standards set by Parks Canada. There were never any concerns of the spill reaching waterways or any other environmentally sensitive areas,” said the statement from Brewster.

The spill took place at the east end of the parking lots, adjacent to the paved “Moraine Path.”

While a vacuum truck was on its way from Jasper, it was determined that a blockage had restricted the sewage flow, causing a small access port valve to blow out. Brewster ensured the spill was vacuumed, the area hosed off, then vacuumed up again. The company estimated the spill was 5,000 litres.

“It’s not an at-fault thing,” Deagle said about future risk mitigation. “It’s routine maintenance they could maybe do more frequently.”

Deagle said because it’s comprised of organic materials, even though it smells bad, sewage is “transitory waste.”

“Nature is used to breaking it down,” he said.

The Columbia Icefields Centre can process up to 100,000 litres of waste per day during the summer.

“This event was in kind with what households and businesses experience every day,” a spokesperson said.

On the afternoon of July 31, Parks Canada received a call from Brewster staff who reported there was an ongoing sewage release from the main line leading from the Icefields Centre to the building’s nearby Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“There was sewage bubbling up from one of the pipes... sewage was being released onto the ground,” said Jurgen Deagle, Environmental Management Specialist.

To mitigate any further spillage, flow was shut off from the Icefields Centre and public washrooms were closed. Visitors were directed away from the spill and a

Closing time// Syrahs to serve last supper

experienced soloist falls

Man dies of heart attack at campsite A 56-year-old man is dead following a heart attack, despite heroic efforts from fellow campers to alert rescue officials.

SAIL AWAY WITH ME // GUSTY CONDITIONS ON TALBOT LAKE ARE WHAT WIND SURFERS LIKE JEFF ANDREWS ARE AFTER. ANDREWS CAUGHT THIS PUFF OF AIR SATURDAY, AUGUST 24. // BOB COVEY

On August 19, at 10:45 p.m., Parks Canada dispatchers received a call from Maligne Lake that a camper was in distress at Fisherman’s Bay. The victim, who had earlier that evening arrived at the campsite by canoe with his 15-year-old son, had been complaining of chest pains and difficulty breathing.

“We had several reports of difficult paddling on the lake that day,” said Rupert Wedgwood, public safety specialist for Parks Canada.

High winds and stormy skies had made for a long, tiresome journey to Fisherman’s Bay. The trip would have been even longer than the posted 13 kilometres, considering boaters were hugging the

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

shoreline as they tried to avoid the worst of the waves.

The father and son arrived at 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., when the victim’s signs of distress were not abating, a visitor from Spain volunteered to paddle to Home Bay, where he could send for help. He paddled back in less than 2 hours. In the meantime, campers continued to perform emergency CPR. After the alarm was raised with Jasper paramedics, Maligne Lake visitor safety specialist Mike Westbrook sped out to Fisherman’s Bay in a jet boat. Westbrook arrived at 11:30 p.m. with an Automatic External Defibrillator while paramedics arrived later in a Maligne Tours boat.

At 12:25 a.m., paramedics informed Parks Canada that CPR could be discontinued.

Wedgwood noted the son of the victim was stoic in the face of tragedy.

“By all accounts everyone was impressed with how stoic the boy was, how he was determined to stand by his father,” Wedgwood said. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

y Happ Year New

ry Mer as stm Chri

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 // issue 16

Creeping up // Budget calls for tax hike

Keeping up // Ski patrol livin’ the dream

Backed up //

Jasper’s biosolids burden

Online features

Shaping up // Maligne Canyon ice crawl

thejasperlocal.com

Online features

thejasperlocal.com

sunday, december 15, 2013 // issue 15

Moose tales// A story for the holidays

THE GLIDE AND THE GROOM: GILLIAN AND JEFFREY WILSON WERE GLEEFULLY GLIDING THE FRESH GROOMERS NEAR PYRAMID LAKE ON DECEMBER 11. THE CLASSIC AND SKATE SKIING SEASON HAS ARRIVED IN JASPER. FOR CURRENT TRAIL INFORMATION, VISIT THE PARKS CANADA WEBSITE. // BOB COVEY

it’s not black and white

new campaign to shop local

Hostel creating hostility?

A booming hostel business at 106 Patri- basement contained one cia Street has its neighbours wondering six-bed dorm room and one double-bed suite, plus a kitchen WTF.

West Yellowhead MLA Robin Campbell fishing guide.

“I get both sides,” he said. “If is Alberta’s new Environment and you’re going to mine minerals Sustainable Resources Minister.

or cut down trees you have an The appointment was part of a significant obligation to return it back. cabinet shuffle in the Alberta government “Part of my job will be to hold on December 6. As Premier Alison Redford industry accountable.” delivered the news to Campbell, she also told Mason suggested the new the former Minister of Aboriginal Relations Environment and SRD that he was replacing Dave Hancock as Minister focus on pipeline House Leader. safety, tailings ponds and “In case I was bored,” Campbell laughed. threats to the Athabasca Campbell, who calls Jasper home, was elected River. to the legislative assembly in 2008. His work “He needs to ensure our as deputy house leader, as well as chair of water courses are better a ministerial working group that included protected, existing legislation ministers and deputy ministers from the energy, is enforced and something environment and treasury board portfolios, will is done to clean up tailings have relevance to his new posts. ponds,” Mason said.

“I’m familiar with the policies of Environment Campbell told the Jasper and SRD,” he said.

Local his top priorities Some critics are questioning if Campbell is will include getting too familiar with resource development.

Alberta’s environmental Provincial NDP leader Brian Mason said he’s monitoring agency up and worried Campbell will have a pro-energy running. Creating a thirdperspective, considering the MLA’s party agency to oversee background as a coal miner. environmental monitoring “I’m concerned of his objectivity when it comes across the province was a key to regulating the environmental impact of the recommendation from a 2012 coal industry,” Mason said. report.

For his part, Campbell pointed out that besides He added he’s hoping to build being a miner, he also spent 30 years as a relationships and promote

Selective spending //

Managing depression //

Fire and ice // do the shinny shimmy

Local MLA made Alberta Environment Minister

HORSING AROUND: NANETTE MOSELEY AND HER CLIENTS GET SOME HAULING POWER FROM DAN AND DIESEL, TWO BELGIAN DRAFT HORSES THAT WORK WITH JASPER RIDING STABLES. SLEIGH RIDES WERE A HOT TICKET ITEM DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AT PYRAMID LAKE. // BOB COVEY

area and two shared bathrooms.

“We spent $20,000 to renovate, we weren’t taking chances,” Kliewer said. “I have two years worth of emails with Parks Canada letting them know what was happening.”

His dream of owning a hostel goes back much further. A globetrotter who’s visited more than 60 countries, Kliewer said all his adult life he’s wanted to own a place where visitors from around the world could fraternize and share their experiences in a fun, relaxed setting. He looked into opening a hostel in Jasper’s commercial business district, but it was unfeasible. Next he inquired about opening a hostel in the residential area, but according to Parks Canada’s land use regulations, a home-based hostel business would have to be run out of the main floor, which wasn’t tenable either.

The solution—and one which Kliewer claims came at Parks’ suggestion—was to operate as a guesthouse with no more than eight beds.

“Whether you say I’ve ingeniously read between the lines or cheated the system... we’re the first of our kind,” he said. “But it’s legit.”

Meanwhile, owners of the World Travellers’ Fraternity hostel insist their eight-bed guesthouse is not only within Parks Canada’s guidelines of appropriate use, but that their neighbours’ complaints are misinformed.

“I think there are some misconceptions about problems associated with the hostel,” said Mike Kliewer, the 30-year-old homeowner who, along with his wife, Ashley, started the WTF guesthouse in June.

While visitors have showered nothing but compliments on the entrepreneurial couple (WTF rates an impressive 92 per cent on hostelworld. com), not everyone is singing their praises. Parks Canada has received letters of complaint from neighbours of 106 Patricia Street, with concerns ranging from disturbances due to noise, to parking issues, to the fact that plans for an eightbed guesthouse were never revealed during the approval process.

“I’m not sure they were completely honest [in their application],” said Marie-France Miron, who lives next door.

This past spring, while renting out their basement to six of his employees from Earl’s in the Rockies (“that was where the noise complaints came from,” Kliewer says), the Kliewers obtained permission from Parks Canada to renovate. When the modifications were complete, consistent with what they were told they were allowed, the Kliewers’

collaboration.

“As the province continues to grow it will face more challenges...all stakeholders will be looking for resolve rather than win or lose.”

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

continued on page 2

I’ll never forget the first time I received the first edition of The Jasper Local. It had been delivered to my house by Purolator after being printed in Edmonton.

I opened up the cardboard box which held all 1,000

lights on and the press running.

copies and stared at its contents. There it was, just as

Looking back at the 48 covers that we put out

we had built it on our computers the night before.

since we debuted on May 15, 2013, it became

It had been a long night, a huge week and a very

apparent to me that we’ve had a lot of help creating

exciting few months. Nicole and I had decided to dive

content, too. In this town we have wonderfully

into the independent newspaper business while we

creative photographers, whip-smart writers, sassy

were taking some time out of Jasper with a school

columnists, diligent reporters, thoughtful essayists

building project in Myanmar.

and community-minded commentators. Some of our

As the project wound down, I reflected on what we had been a part of for those

The Jasper Local team is...

three weeks in Southeast Asia. The good work I witnessed in those villages

Last call// night club unplugged

Zoning woes // Hostel proponents backing off

Powder possibilities//

Tres hombres on the radar

Online features

Opening soon// Entrepreneurs go gourmet

thejasperlocal.com

Online features

thejasperlocal.com

helped solidify my resolve tuesday, april 15, 2014 // issue 23

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

End of an era// 18 years, a renter no-more

thursday, may 1, 2014 // issue 24

Hand-made road ride// that’s some next level DIY

Sparkle and shine// first annual J9 Sparkle Run

Secure your summer ride// Lions bike auction may 10, 10 a.m.

Parks approves new overnight accommodations on Maligne Lake

SPRING HAS SPRUNG...AND THAT’S NO BULL! // JO NADEAU HOLDS UP HIS FIRST FISH OF THE NEW SEASON, A HEALTHY BULL TROUT CAUGHT IN THE ATHABASCA RIVER. WARM WINDS OF CHANGE HAVE BEEN BLOWING LATELY, THAWING THE LANDSCAPE AND MELTING THE RIVER ICE AFTER THE LONG LOCK OF WINTER. // BOB COVEY

Marketing body dusting off Jasper's brand In the future, Jasper may not be Wonderful, By Jasper, will attempt to gain a better understanding of the needs and wants of not only tourists, but locals as Nature after all.

A new initiative to articulate Jasper’s brand to the world is being rolled out by Tourism Jasper. The end result could replace the tagline that, since 2001, has graced Jasper’s welcome signs, municipal vehicle fleet and mayoral lapels.

“We’d like to figure out the best way to tell Jasper’s story,” said Philip Coppard of Stormy Lake Consulting, the firm subcontracted to put Jasper’s unique draw into words for visitors.

To do that, Coppard’s team, with the support of Tourism

brand refresh. “Tourism Jasper hasn’t gone through this process. We’ve mostly adopted stuff that was already existing.”

Jasper’s destination marketing organization, which is in its fifth year, wants the community to help articulate its story. On May 8 Tourism Jasper is welcoming all community members to take part in a consultation, to contribute to the message that will eventually be broadcast to the world.

“This is about the community, not just about Tourism Jasper,” Abra said.

well.

“We want to find that sweet spot between how the community sees itself and how visitors see the destination,” Coppard said.

Thirteen years ago, Jasper decided it was Wonderful, By Nature. While that brand was the right one for the time, the world of marketing has changed, said Leigh Abra, Tourism Jasper’s director of marketing and brand development.

“I would say it’s overdue,” Abra said about the

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Families visiting Jasper National Park this summer will have another overnight option at the iconic Maligne Lake.

A four-pad, paddle-only campground will be installed at Deep Cove, five kilometers down the lake.

Communications officer HEY LADIES// THE SIXTH ANNUAL SPRING FEVER LADIES GALA, HELD AT THE JASPER INN RESTAURANT, ROLLED OUT THE Kim Weir said the new RED CARPET FOR 120 GLAMOROUS GALS. THE FUNDRAISER GOT THE DANCEFLOOR SWIRLING. // BRIAN VAN TIGHEM campground is designed with first-time paddlers in mind.

“Hidden Cove provides a relatively short paddle for beginners and families, along shorelines with little wind and wave exposure,” said Weir.

The suspension of the federal government’s the program. But Pavlov said the broad stroke is “The cove has shallow water Temporary Foreign Worker program will hurt harmful to tourism communities which rely on and can easily be accessed in Temporary Foreign Workers to staff their kitchens, one to two hours.”

Jasper, business advocates say. bakeries and dining rooms.

The project is part of Parks “Jasper relies on Temporary Foreign Workers,” “To penalize the many for the guilt of the few is Canada’s attempt to renew said Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce general disconcerting,” Pavlov said. and refresh park visitors’ manager, Pattie Pavlov.

As the busy tourism season approaches, the timing experiences; it was included The JPCC is drafting a letter on behalf of its is particularly poor, Pavlov suggested. in consultations leading up to members to condemn the recent cancellation of “I really hope everybody has their workers in the approval of the 2010 park Canada’s Labour Market Opinions for food-sector place,” she said.

“God forbid you’ve got applications management plan. businesses. processing or you have permits that run out in July, Along with the tent pads, “The decision is short-sighted,” Pavlov said. because they’re not getting renewed.”

Hidden Cove will have an On April 24, Federal Employment Minister Jason Pavlov is hoping for more clarity in the coming outhouse, a fire-pit and a cook Kenney announced a moratorium on the fast days as to what businesses will be affected. shelter. food industry’s access to the program after it was “There’s been no discussion, no timeline,” she said. The campground, which after discovered that some businesses were abusing bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com wages and materials will cost approximately $50,000 to build, will be off limits to boaters using electric motors.

What...you thought we were talking about a different proposal for overnight accommodations?

Suspension of worker program will hit Jasper hard: Chamber

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

to pursue something I thought would make me happy, and maybe make a small difference in the lives of some of the people I shared my community with.

bob covey // Our fishy editor + publisher

nicole gaboury // our wild creative director

agent rachel bailey // our fit and fierce ad sales rep

deke // our ace-in-the-hole cartoonist

I knew a bit about the newspaper business. I’d been a reporter and an

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

Friday, august 15, 2014 // issue 31

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

monday, september 1, 2014 // issue 32

Jasper in extreme fire danger rating

THE AIR UP THERE // WITH JASPER’S CONTINUED WARM SPELL, LOCAL RECREATIONALISTS ARE FINDING THEIR WAY TO THE TOPS OF AREA PEAKS SUCH AS PYRAMID MOUNTAIN. // NICOLE GABOURY

JASPER’S DRY SUMMER HAS CREATED WILDFIRE DANGER IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK AS HIGH AS IT’S BEEN IN 10 YEARS. “In the last 43 days we’ve had 30 days of high or extreme fire danger,” said Parks Canada’s fire and vegetation specialist, Dave Smith. “That’s huge.”

As a consequence, JNP’s initial attack fire crew has been on high alert almost every day this summer.

A helicopter has been on standby and backfill crews from Yoho, Lake Louise and Kootenay National Parks have been called in to assist with personnel coverage.

On August 6 fire officials snubbed two separate fires—one near Celestine Lake, in the east part of the park and another in the Maligne Valley. Both were ignited by lightning; the former took three hours to extinguish.

Crews responded to the hot spots with buckets of water

dropped from a helicopter while simultaneously hand-tooling the area— using chainsaws and other implements to cut away fuels, including trees, stumps and vegetation.

In cases such as these, following the fire being stamped out, Smith’s team will return to the site to ensure nothing is still smouldering, Smith said.

The Spreading Creek wildfire, which burned more than 8,000 hectares (the equivalent of 16,000 football fields) in Banff National Park, is mostly extinguished in the park. However, over the provincial boundary it continues to burn, albeit as a controlled burn.

“That fire shows the potential of this summer,” Smith said.

As of August 12 Jasper National Park’s fire danger remained extreme. Smith asks that members of the public report any suspected fire activity immediately. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

editor. What was clear to me was that there were stories to tell in Jasper.

TOURIST TRAP // JASPER’S MEGAFAUNA IS A DRAW FOR VISITORS BUT FOR SAFETY REASONS AND TO AVOID STRESSING WILDLIFE, PARK OFFICIALS ASK PHOTOGRAPHERS TO GIVE ANIMALS AT LEAST 30 METRES OF ROOM. // VALERIE DOMAINE

Enviro groups file suit against Parks CONSERVATION GROUPS ARE TAKING PARKS CANADA TO COURT OVER THE AGENCY’S DECISION TO CONSIDER TENT CABINS AT MALIGNE LAKE. Ecojustice lawyers representing the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the Jasper Environmental Association (JEA) have filed a federal court case in an effort to strike down the approval to advance a proposal for new overnight commercial accommodations (OCAs) in Jasper National Park.

“This concept goes against the management plan,” said the JEA’s Jill Seaton. “In our view that’s against the law.”

In 2013, Maligne Tours proposed building a 66-room hotel and 15 tent cabins at Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most-visited destinations. This past July, Parks Canada rejected the hotel concept but agreed to the idea of allowing the tent cabins, if Maligne Tours could pass a more detailed review.

While some saw the decision as a compromise, critics warned that the advancement of the tent cabins would trigger a Parks Canada management plan amendment to allow for the release of necessary lands. The JEA and CPAWS said the amendment would open up a horrendous precedent.

“Because somebody wants to make a bit more money up at Maligne Lake they’re opening it up. That doesn’t seem right.”

The 2010 management plan for Jasper National Park prohibits new land being released for OCAs outside of the Jasper town site and quotes the 2007 park guidelines which says there shall be no new OCAs in national parks.

“The policies prohibiting new commercial accommodations outside park town sites were put in place specifically to limit commercial development and protect our parks’ ecological integrity,” said Alison Ronson, executive director of CPAWS’ Northern Alberta chapter.

When Parks Canada released its decision on the hotel in July, Jasper National Park Superintendent Greg Fenton said the the amendment to park policy would not necessarily set a precedent for development in Jasper and other parks.

“It doesn’t have direct applicability in terms of other management plans for Parks Canada because we don’t take a cookie cutter approach to management plans,” he said.

The court case will be heard in Calgary. There has been no date set yet. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I knew if a newspaper could tap into our rich mountain culture, diverse community and unique history, readers—and advertisers—would come along for the ride.

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

monday, december 15, 2014 // issue 39

KATE RYAN SPORTS A ROPEAND-FLAG NECKLACE DURING AVALANCHE CONTROL DUTIES NEAR MARMOT BASIN’S KNOB CHAIR RETURN. THE KNOB OPENED ON DECEMBER 5. SEE PAGE B3 FOR OUR STORY ON MARMOT BASIN’S SNOW CAT OPERATORS. // BOB COVEY

Culinary school concept teasing Jasper’s palate A FACT-FINDING MISSION FOR A NEW CULINARY ARTS SCHOOL IN JASPER HAS WHETTED STAKEHOLDERS’ APPETITES FOR THE PROJECT’S POTENTIAL.

Representatives from Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) were in Jasper December 10. GPRC president Don Gnatiuk was impressed by the interest he saw.

“The enthusiasm was really strong,” he said. “We’re feeling pretty encouraged.” Delegates met with municipal council, the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, the local hotel association, Parks Canada, Jasper’s Habitat for the Arts and the Jasper Legion. The latter organization is struggling with operating costs now that École Desrochers has vacated the building. Ken Kuzminski, president of the Jasper Legion, said the Legion is willing to put anything on the table to make the concept move forward.

“It comes down to ensuring the Legion survives, but it’s also an excellent opportunity for the community [and] the province,” Kuzminski said.

While GPRC has a hospitality program, it does not currently have a culinary school. The main thrust of the project would be to address the provincial labour shortage in the food service industry. After that, sky’s the limit, Gnatiuk said.

“Imagination could take this in all kinds of directions,” he said, stressing that there have been no decisions made.

“We don’t want to create any false expectations,” he said. “We want to see where the numbers land.” GPRC will submit a report to the province on its findings in January. Gnatiuk encouraged Jasperites to voice their support or suggestions through the college’s website.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2015 // issue 40

SHADES OF GREY // ON DECEMBER 22, THE MALIGNE VALLEY WAS CLOSED TO WINTER USERS UNTIL MARCH 1. SKIERS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE DELAYED ANNOUNCEMENT TO SNEAK IN A FEW LAST WINTER TURNS IN THE AREA. // N. GABOURY

Parks Canada calling for art proposals PARKS CANADA HAS PUT OUT A CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO CREATE A PERMANENT ART INSTALLATION IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK.

The initiative is part of Parks Canada’s ongoing reconciliation process with Indigenous communities who have a historical connection to the area. Aboriginal Liaison officer Sherrill Meropoulis said the project will help share a complex part of Jasper’s history which is relatively unknown to the public.

“It’s a way for us to honour Indigenous Peoples who were here,” she said. “They have a long historical and cultural connection to these lands,” she said.

The budget for the public art installation is $100,000.

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Parks Canada has collaborated with First Nations groups so that native communities can offer input into park management decisions. A cultural committee, struck from that forum, has created a guiding concept which the eventual artist will follow.

“The hope is that [the art installment] is going to share an Aboriginal worldview of this place,” Meropoulis said.

“Once we have that symbol, it’s going to be one more element that’s going to instill a sense of place and pride for Indigenous People who now can see themselves here again.” A five-member panel will comprise the adjudication committee.

The anticipated timeline has the completion date pegged for the summer of 2016. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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

wednesday, april 15, 2015 // issue 47

t h e ja s p e r l o c a l .c o m

FIRST OF THE YEAR? THIS FURRY BEAST WAS SPOTTED ON THE PYRAMID BENCH APRIL 12. IT HAD A PONDEROUS GAIT AND A LUSTROUS COAT. SEE PAGE A3 FOR A CLOSER ENCOUNTER WITH THIS CURIOUS CRITTER// BOB COVEY

JAG to return to Old Firehall location THE JASPER ARTISTS’ GUILD IS MOVING BACK HOME. The local artists’ collective will move back into the Long Bay in the Old Firehall in May. JAG’s current president, Diana Ward, said the members are excited to be returning.

“It means a lot,” she said. “It’s very exciting. We’re going back to our home.”

JAG has been without a permanent space since moving out of the Old Firehall in October 2013. At that time, the guild was anticipating moving into the new Library and Cultural Centre in just a few months. However, that project has been rife with cost overruns and delays. The move-in date is pegged for September.

In the meantime, JAG has bounced around from various locations.

Ward said the group is grateful to all who took them in.

“We’re so thankful to the people and businesses of Jasper who helped keep us going,” she said.

Parks Canada owns the Old Firehall building. Interpretive programming and visitor outreach will be offered out of the neighbouring bay.

“We’re excited to be beside their display,” Ward said.

It’s not certain how long JAG—and Parks Canada—will stay in the building this summer. A restoration of the building is tentatively scheduled for August but Ward said that hinges on budget planning which is out of the guild’s control.

“We’re hoping we can stay longer,” she said. “It’s a lot of work to be faced with mid-season.

JAG will have a soft opening in early May with a grand opening scheduled for the May Long Weekend. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

friday, may 1, 2015 // issue 48

A CHAMBER, MADE. // THIS ICE CAVE HAS FORMED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE MORAINE ON THE ATHABASCA GLACIER. FOR SAFETY REASONS, PARKS CANADA ASKS THE PUBLIC TO KEEP THEIR DISTANCE. // VALERIE DOMAINE

Parks Canada approves new recreational guidelines PARAGLIDERS AND HANG GLIDERS WILL SOON BE FLYING HIGH ABOVE JASPER NATIONAL PARK. Parks Canada recently approved the Guidelines for New Recreational Activities in the park. Under the guidelines, paragliding and hang gliding will be permitted on a trial basis.

“We’ve been working on this [with Parks Canada] for close to nine years,” said Bruce Busby, vice president of the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada (HPAC). Busby, who lives in Calgary, said the decision is exciting news for pilots, as well as Jasper businesses.

Parks Canada has said that the agency recognizes that visitors are seeking a connection to their national parks through a diverse range of recreational activities.

“The guidelines ensure that the new…activities meet environmental protection goals,” Parks Canada has said.

In 2010, Parks Canada conducted national assessments of guided via ferrata tours and other activities in Banff and Yoho national parks. Based on feedback from that assessment, the mountain national parks developed guidelines for activities including mountain biking, hang gliding, paragliding and traction kiting. The guidelines were released for public comment in 2011 Jasperite Meg Arn is a kiter. It was news to her that the activity was officially approved; she’s never been approached by officials when kiting at various locations in Jasper. Nevertheless, the welcomes the endorsement.

“I’m thrilled,” she said.

Hang gliding and paragliding pilots will need to be vetted through HPAC. The group is in the process of scouting potential launch and landing sites. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

However, there was another crucial ingredient: Deke.

freelancers’ stints have been short and sweet, others

A handshake over pints at the Whistle Stop and

who came on board many months ago continue to

Jasper’s favourite political cartoonist was on board.

this very issue. To each of you: thank you for making

But still, even the richest content needs advertising

our voice more diverse.

support. Printing presses cost money. Nicole, Deke

On the topic of diverse voices, please help me

and I loved the idea of working at something we

welcome The Jasper Local’s latest accented addition

loved, but not if it was going to break the bank.

to the team: advertising go-getter, Agent Rachel

Although sales was not my strong point, I made

Bailey. Rachel has quickly integrated herself as a local

appointments with all the folks I knew needed to

here in Jasper and we’re so happy to have her energy,

promote their business in one way or another. I asked

sense of humour, passion and playfulness swirling

them, one-by-one, if they thought they’d be interested

around the office.

in being part of a new media outlet in Jasper.

Finally, thanks to you dear reader. The Jasper Local

Incredibly, every one of those people said yes.

may not be the biggest newspaper in the world (yet),

Advertisers have always been critical to our success,

but our hearts swell every time we see you perusing

and to all of those who have bought space in the past,

our pages. As always, let us know if you think we

advertise with us presently and are thinking about

could be doing something different. If you like what

a partnership in the future: thank you. You keep the

we’re putting down, let us know you’re picking it up!

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page B9 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

local lakes //

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49// the jasper local// page B10

Let the fish stories begin!

This long weekend, the first of Jasper National Park’s lakes open for the fishing season.

what to use when you get there.

Luckily, The Jasper Local knows a guy.

load Tremel’s 300-pound fishing vessel onto his trailer, stepping in marine epoxy and making sure his

Georges Tremel has worked as a fishing guide in Jasper for many years. He is a fount of fishy wisdom and holds a freighter-canoe full of experience. If you can catch him

one-eyed cat didn’t get out of the house, The Jasper Local got a peek into Tremel’s fly box. Although it was a quick look, and he was doing some sleight-of-hand so that the

It’s an exciting time for anglers who all winter long have been dreaming of feeling a trout’s tug.

It’s been a long winter for the fish, too. When the ice comes off the lakes, trout, pike and mountain whitefish are hungry; some of the best action of the year comes in late May and early June, before the water in the lakes turn The contents of Georges tremel’s flybox is a closely-guarded secret, but he will show you how to tie a stimulator pattern. // bob covey over and the fish disperse up on a good day, he might impart a secrets to his success wouldn’t be and down the water column. secret or two—or at least let you fully revealed, Tremel was kind This time of year, prospecting fishthink that’s what he’s doing. enough to share with our readers erfolk don’t usually have a tough Although Tremel isn’t above five “must have” flies for fly fishing time answering the question of Jasper’s lakes and rivers. where to go—a copy of the 2015 na- chucking a big shiny spoon to a hungry pike on Talbot Lake, his Tremel ties his own flies, but most tional park fishing regulations will of these lures—or variations of show there aren’t too many options first love is fly-fishing for trout.

His stomping waters are Maligne them—are available at your local before all lakes (except closed Lake, home to some of the largest fly shop. waters) open July 1. But whether rainbow and brook trout around.

To anglers young and old, experiyou’re headed to Pyramid to fish If you pry, Tremel will tell you he’s enced and green: tight lines in 2015! for large, elusive lakers or Beaver for eager baby brookies, it’s always had 60-fish days on Maligne.

Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com On May 3, in between helping nice to have a couple of hints on

Georges’ Flybox Five Stimulator The Stimulator is designed to do just what it says: stimulate trout into eating it. Tied to imitate a caddis fly—a large family of flies which have large, tent-like wings—most of its success comes on rivers and small lakes (Beaver, Mona, Moab). A dry fly (meaning it is fished on the surface of the water), a stimulator is one of the best flies to use when prospecting for trout when there is no active insect hatch.

Beadhead Nymph There are hundreds of variations of beadheads, a term which refers to a small bead attached to the top of a nymph imitation. Typically the bead is for practical purposes: its relatively heavy weight sinks the fly to where the fish are, useful in the fast-flowing rivers common to Jasper. But the white bead on Tremel’s bloodworm imitation— which could also be referred to as a chironomid imitation—has a dual purpose. It imitates the bubble of air in which nymphs rise to the surface after hatching. Use it on all lakes where you see tiny worm-like insects (chironomids) rising to the surface.

Double Shrimp The double shrimp is a Jasper-specific pattern that most Maligne fisherfolk, including Tremel, will always have at the ready if nothing else is working.

The “wet” fly imitates the fish’s favourite and most prolific food. Typically trolled on a sinking line, the local technique is to “rip” (or jig—you gotta see Tremel do it to really get the rhythm right) the fly to entice a strike. Don’t leave home without it!

Streamer There are lots of different streamers, some big and bright, some small and dark. Usually a streamer imitates a baitfish, leech or scud. Streamers are all-purpose: you can fish for Athabasca bull trout in early spring, Patricia lakers in the fall and everything in between. Hard to cast because of their heft and bulk, streamers are usually employed much like a spinner or a spoon—stripped back into shore or to the boat. Steamers are worth their weight in gold on a big backcountry fishing expedition to Ameythst Lake!

Pike fly

SUP-set// Dusk on Lake Annette. Stand-Up Paddleboarding season has arrived. // nicole gaboury

Sort of like a streamer, but bigger, pike flies are designed to be flashy and attractive to those prehistoric beasts which inhabit the warm waters of Talbot Lake. Most folks fish Talbot with spoons, flatfish or (gasp!) plastic frogs but for the discerning angler, getting a 10 pound pike to smash a fly is worth the risk of hooking yourself in the hat on your backcast. Always wear eye protection!

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page B11 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

local education //

Students learn the beat of a different drum The nervous, excited chatter of the Jasper Elementary School’s Grade Three classroom faded into silence. The drumming was mesmerizing and the children knew that soon, they each would have one of their own.

In a specially-facilitated class, AnneMarie MacDonald’s students were led through the experience of lacing their own authentic deerskin drums and learning of the First Nations traditions behind the drums and the music they would be making with them.

“First and foremost our mandate is education,” Brown says.

As a First Nation Drum Keeper, singer/songwriter, artist and educator, Brown has been sharing her culture with students at schools in throughout the Yellowhead region for more than 15 years.

In a class organized by longtime alternative education advocate Ursula Winkler, the students were shown step by step how to use lace—cut from deerskin— to bind a deerskin hide to a wooden ring. They were taught how to honour the drum with respect. After learning how to weave the lace through the WEAVING CONNECTIONS // FIRST NATION DRUM KEEPER MATRICIA BROWN loopholes of the deerskin, the HELPS STUDENTS OF THE JASPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S GRADE THREE CLASS students were engaged in callCREATE DEERSKIN DRUMS. // BRITTANY CARL

THE BEAT OF MATRICIA BROWN’S DRUM RESONATED THOUGHOUT THE CLASSROOM.

and-answer and singalongs, with Brown guiding the way.

It’s a familiar stage for Brown. She is half of the Warrior Women performance duo through which she educates and entertains groups about First Nation culture. Her daughter, Mackenzie, is the other half. Among other engagements, the Warrior Women perform throughout the summer at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for groups like the Australian Pacific Tour Group.

“We’re called ‘Warrior Women’ because it’s not that traditional for us to play on the Big Drum,” Brown said. “We forge a path, do something a little bit different.”

The pair are breaking ground in their own culture while honouring time-held traditions and teaching them to a growing audience.

Brown says that her journey to become a First Nations educator started with a desire to share her knowledge with her own children. From there, her skills as a beading artist and hand drummer led to opportunities to teach on a broader scale.

She is happy to have the chance to work with the Grade Three students and share the First Nations traditions and knowledge of the drum.

“One day they’re going to be moving and that drum is going to fall out of a box. And they’ll be like, I remember the heart beat (drumbeat)!

“I think that the drum will always give them a way back to the important things.”

The students’ drums will receive a blessing at the Palisades Centre by the First Nation Metis in a traditional ceremony.

Brittany Carl //brittany@thejasperlocal.com

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

local literature//

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49// the jasper local// page B12

Bouldering problems, writers’ block Last week, Helen Mort was stunned by Jasper.

The award-winning British poet, climber and creative writing professor from Sheffield, England was sufficiently awed by the snow-capped peaks and cobalt blue rivers of the Athabasca Valley, but what really left her reeling took place at Jasper’s south park gate. There, just before waving us through so we could visit the area known as Buffalo Prairie, where Ojibway elder Jim O’Chiese was giving a Medicine Walk as part of the May 5-8 Thinking Mountains conference, gate attendant Sylvie McKenzie offered us each a muffin. Mort was delighted.

“That would never happen in the UK,” she exclaimed.

Just as Jasper’s friendliness charmed Mort, the poet’s unique presentation at Thinking Mountains captivated those who caught it. With From Summit to Stanza: The Trouble with Mountaineering Poetry, Mort argued that the act or art of climbing is incredibly difficult to put into words.

“There are a lot of poems about mountains and how beautiful they are but there’s not much about what it feels like to climb,” she said. “My paper was about thinking of reasons why perhaps that might be.”

She encountered the dilemma firsthand while writing for her forthcoming book No Map Could Show Them, a collection of poems which centre on women and mountaineering. As she attempted to put some of her own experiences about what it feels like to be on a rock, she found she couldn’t quite find the right words.

“Like a poem, a climb can’t be paraphrased,” she said.

In her short career, Mort already has an impressive

number of accolades. The 30-year-old, who has been named “among the brightest stars in the sparkling new

“She’s bringing the form back,” Slemon said.

For her part, although she admits it can sometimes

constellation of young British poets,” has been shortlisted for various awards including the TS Elliot Prize and the Costa Prize.

In 2014 Mort won the celebrated Fenton Aldeburgh Prize, which garnered her $5,000 and a week-long writing retreat on the east cost of England.

Closer to Jasper, Mort has also taken part in a writing retreat at the Banff Centre, where she worked on poems that were first published in Rock Paper Fire, The Best of Mountain and Wilderness Writing (Banff Centre Press, 2013). In that volume, her works celebrate the women climbers who have endured not only the mountain, but // Poet helen mort climbed in jasper while visiting as the sexist undertones which can seep into part of Thinking mountains// NIcole gaboury the sport.

“Ode to Bob,” a sonnet inspired by the women climbers tired of hearing unsolicited advice have a reputation for being high brow, Mort thinks all from male passerby, hails the imaginary character Bob, poetry should connect with its audience. who “never steals the morning/with a story of a pitch “You get a lot of people who say ‘I don’t understand he climbed/one-handed, wearing boxing gloves/and poetry,’” she said. “I think that’s the poet’s fault. The never casts his shadow/on the path, dark as a winter more complicated our ideas are the more of a duty we coat,/nor whistles like a postman/from his belay have to make them understandable and accessible.” stance.”

Which is why she isn’t going to stop trying to describe Mort’s descriptive yet approachable poetry is what has her climbing. helped turned so many heads towards her collections, “Just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean we shouldn’t according to Stephen Slemon, professor of English and try,” she said.

Film Studies at the University of Alberta and member Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com of the Thinking Mountains steering committee.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

page B13 // the jasper local // issue 49 // friday, may 15, 2015

local leisure//

That’s all folks! // The ski season came to an end for resort riders in Jasper on May 3. As per local custom, skiers and snowboarders (and snowbikers) donned their wackiest gear to celebrate the passing of another winter. The season was by all accounts fantastic, with Marmot Basin being blessed with powder while other resorts in Alberta and B.C. were forced to close early because of warm temperatures.// bob covey

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

your natural path //

friday, may 15, 2015 // issue 49// the jasper local// page B14

Phhft! What’s the deal with Phthalates, anyway?

Spring is in the air, and so is the pollen, which means dealing with sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, congestion and fatigue for many children and adults like.

But why are some affected by allergies and others aren’t?

There is a connection between phthalate exposure and childhood conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergies. Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds commonly found in cosmetics, nail polish, lotions and shampoos, perfumes, adhesives and plastics, some food packaging, vinyl flooring, dust, medications, and even pesticides and our food.

So what’s the deal with phthalates?

Some phthalates seem to act as endocrine disruptors, with animal studies showing anti-androgenic properties. Phthalates, such as DEHP and BBzP, are also associated with allergic conditions, with exposure increasing the likelihood of allergy, asthma, rhinitis, and wheezing symptoms by up to 2.7 times in children.

Still, other studies are reporting an association between increased urinary DEHP metabolite concentrations in children and autism spectrum disorders, and between increased in utero exposure to DEP and DBP and ADHD-like behaviours in 4 to 7 year olds.

Exposure during fetal development and infancy is of particular concern because the typical infant’s diet exceeds the reference dose by double as set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Infants and toddlers will inevitably be more prone to higher phthalate levels because of greater dietary requirements to body mass ratio, hand-to-mouth activity, and respiratory rate, but the growing use of convenience foods and

Service Directory

the north american diet also plays a large role. Based on studies, diets heavy in dairy, meat, and cooking oils seem to contribute the greatest phthalate body burden when compared to vegetables. To add to the pool of exposure, phthalates are ubiquitous in many women’s cosmetic and personal hygiene products which may be used throughout pregnancy.

To reduce you and your child’s phthalate body burden: CLEAN your floors, windowsills, and

pollen is a stinger in the spring // Valerie domaine

furniture with vinegar and water or other organic cleaner to remove phthalates found in the dust that you inhale. Take your shoes off at the front-door while you’re at it!

hardwood floors and glass, stainless steel, and silicone cookware, containers, and bottles.

FILTER YOUR WATER with a nano-filEAT ORGANIC & FRESH

home-cooked meals made from wholesome, un-processed ingredients whenever possible. Consult the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists for the worst and best produce when it comes to pesticide content and therefore phthalate exposure.

AVOID perfumes, lotions, shampoos, deodorants, and other products that list fragrance as an ingredient, because phthalates are rarely listed as an ingredient.

Use the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Website and App to find out how safe your products are. Try coconut oil, hempseed oil, jojoba oil, or seabuckthorn oil as your moisturizer and experiment with essential oil blends instead of perfume.

THROW AWAY & REPLACE vinyl flooring, vinyl shower curtains, vinyl anything for that matter, and plastic containers and cookware with

tration system, reverse osmosis, or granular activated carbon filter.

Although research is uncovering growing concerns over phthalate exposure, regulations are not yet 100 per cent in place to ensure the public is being protected and so we don’t always know if a product contains phthalates are not. While we can’t completely eliminate exposure during the key developmental years, we can be proactive in making lifestyle changes to reduce exposure.

After practicing in Jasper for two years, Jaclyn Graham ND has begun a new life chapter, having relocated to Burlington, Ontario. Readers and former patients are invited to get in touch with her via email, jaspernaturopath@gmail.com.