by Brian Patton | Sep 28, 2018 | gear, hiking, review
When Mark’s suddenly released a line of permethrin-treated clothing under its WindRiver label this past spring, it came as a huge, personal surprise. For several years, I had been questioning why Canada was reluctant to approve insect-repellent clothing while it...
by Brian Patton | Jul 1, 2018 | backpacking, Canadian Rockies, hiking, Home page News, Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park
Last July 1st, blog correspondent Jim Shipley and his buddy Frank hiked to the top of The Nub in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park to celebrate Canada 150. As Jim’s photo attests, it was a little bit snowy backpacking into the park via Bryant Creek and Wonder...
by Brian Patton | May 31, 2018 | hiking, Waterton Lakes National Park, Wildfire
Update July 1, 2018—Parks Canada trail crews have been hard at work in Waterton, and several trails have reopened west of the townsite in the wake of the Kenow Fire. These trails include Bertha Lake, the Waterton Lakeshore to the U.S. boundary, Crandell Lake from Red...
by Brian Patton | May 11, 2018 | hiking, Lake O'Hara, Yoho National Park
“Welcoming visitors since 1925 to what is certainly one of the singularly most stunning alpine locations on earth.” This description on the Lake O’Hara Lodge website is certainly no exaggeration. Lake O’Hara’s scenic reputation and...
by Brian Patton | Jan 4, 2018 | government, hiking
Parks and wilderness recreation managers across North America are increasingly turning to volunteer trail crews to help maintain backcountry facilities. With the exception of the Jasper Trail Alliance, Parks Canada has rejected volunteer help, despite a steady...
by Brian Patton | Nov 9, 2017 | hiking, Waterton Lakes National Park, Wildfire
It is estimated that 30% of Waterton Lakes National Park was burned by the Kenow wildfire that swept through the park in mid-September. The scenes of charred forest and buildings left park fans, including hikers, wondering what the future holds. For many who spent...
