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Alberta The Backcountry
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to The Backcountry in Alberta, Canada.
This article will assist those planning on partaking in fairly
hard adventure experiences in the Canadian Rockies. This is not intended to
replace participation in certified survival and first aid courses which are
essential before undertaking any backcountry adventure.
Avalanches are one of the greatest hazards facing winter travellers in the mountains. Every year too many people are killed, usually triggering the avalanche that buries them.
Summer - Hope for the best, plan for the worst. A pair of shorts, or
bathing suit maximizes sun tanning potential. (Remember though, that a tan is
merely an indication of damage to your skin.) In combination with this bring
light pants and a shirt to protect against excessive sun and for when it begins
to cool down. In the event of poor weather or cold nights, a fleece jacket and
pants are a must as is rain gear. The weather can change very quickly in the
Canadian Rockies........
For
hikers and sightseers, Lake
Louise is a good base for a visit to the
Canadian Rockies. It is central
to three main hiking areas: the Lake Louise area itself, Yoho
National Park and the first 50 kilometers (30 miles) of the Icefields
Parkway. Despite their high elevation, these three hiking areas offer
trails ranging from flat lakeside strolls, to invigorating workouts that ascend
to passes or promontories.
Kananaskis, also known as Kananaskis Country, is a destination where year round activities, adventures and inspiring natural beauty make an indelible impression on those who visit. In the summer alpine meadows spill down the craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Campers, hikers and bikers drawn into the rugged peaceful surroundings are met by countryside bejeweled with crystal icy rivers, fresh alpine air, and meadows that teem with brilliant wild flowers. Winter brings skiers and other adventurers who derive great pleasure in the white frozen beauty of the Rockies.
When travelling in unfamiliar terrain or when there are no visible reference points it is useful if not essential to use basic navigation skills to continue. There are two basic tools for navigating, the compass and the map.
Cold and fast boulder-strewn streams and rivers certainly help keep things
interesting. Most of the backcountry trails have well made bridges to eliminate
the barriers created by rivers, but a few remain in their natural state - without
bridges, and the more adventurous will sooner or later find a river that needs
crossing. As with any potential hazard look it over, and decide if it is worth
the risk.
Did you ever imagine you would be going on a horse pack trip? Let alone by yourself? The outfitter said anyone with good balance and a better sense of humor could do these trips.
Snow can fall in many different forms, but in general it is usually some variation
of the classic six arm flake. It usually snows in fairly mild temperatures which
helps promote settlement. Snow changes over time through a process called sublimation.
Sublimation is the change of a solid directly into a gas without first becoming
a liquid. With mild temperatures water vapor travels from the arms of the crystal
to refreeze at the center.
Every spring ticks come out, adding to the list of fauna that can be experienced
in the Canadian Rockies. Ticks look like a small flattened spider, they have
eight legs and two body segments. One tick can fit quite comfortably on a dime.
The pests appear harmless enough and usually are, but they can transmit disease
- albeit very rare ones.
Many of us watch and listen to wildlife as a means of re-establishing contact with the natural world, to escape the noise and hectic pace of our busy life styles. The sight and sound of migrating geese, a glimpse of a deer, or the call of a loon are special experiences that highlight our memories, marking our passage. Without such experiences, our world would be a much less interesting place...........The two species in the Canadian
Rockies that hold the most interest are bear and elk. The former because of
their power and amazing character, and the latter because they are so prolific
within the area.
Canada
