It is now full on winter in the Rocky Mountains.  Everything in Banff was covered in snow when I woke up, so I decided to take a hike!  Peaks were out of the question, so I headed up to Kootenay for some lake action.  At the day’s highpoint, around 2300 M, there was about one foot of snow on the ground!  It is incredible how quickly and dramatically the landscape changed.

Looking West from Vista Lake

Storm Mountain in the clouds

Arnica Lake

Lower Twin Lake

Arnica Lake from the highpoint

Mount Whymper, named after Edward Whymper known for the first ascent of The Matterhorn (1865) is located 30 minutes Northwest of Banff in Kootenay Park.  Despite its moderate scramble rating, much of the ascent is on downsloping slabs covered in loose rock, and requires much routefinding.  At two points I found myself far off route, the first necessitating a downclimb, but on the second I found a great piece of history.  While contemplating my bad spot, I found at my feet an antique food tin.  I like to think it was from Whymper’s first ascent.

The route as seen from the Stanley Glacier trail parking lot

Looking West from the summit

Snow is flying

Looking South towards Storm Mountain and Mount Stanley

Whymper's food tin

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I love summer camp and I’m a big believer in encouraging kids and teens to experience at least one week of Camp each year! 

Recently I joined a whole bunch of teens for Kootenay Teen Camp at Pines Bible Camp in Grand forks.  Devan Sylvester and I drove up to be with everyone for three days of fun, sun and all that goes with a great camp experience!  It was a powerful and fun week in God.  Nevan Sawler from San Diego was the speaker and worship was lead by Andrew Marcus and the guys from the revolution band in Langley.   God moved powerfully during  the services. I was so impacted and encouraged as young people where saved and filled with the Holy Spirit.  God did a deep work of healing and refreshment in all who attended.  I was speaking to two young guys after the service one night and with tears in their eyes told me  how God spoke to them and they felt a strong calling to go in to full time ministry!   I’m looking forward to partnering with Pastor Shane, Pastor John and others to see this camp continue to grow and impact the Kootenay region for God’s kingdom! 

Ben

About 40 km south of the Rocky Mountain adventure paradise of Fernie, British Columbia, lies the small, non-descript town of Elko. The town is like many others in southeastern B.C. – a sawmill, a gas station, and a stand selling fresh B.C. cherries. What makes Elko special is it’s setting in the midst of some of the finest mountains in all of the Rockies, surrounded by lakes that feed into the winding Elk River. While Fernie attracts hordes of visitors from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and everywhere between, Elko is known mostly by locals from Elko, Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford for the deep, crystal clear waters of Silver Spring Lake and the cliffs that tower above it.

In the winter, people in this area can be found gliding down the slopes or flying through the air in the snowboard park at the Fernie Ski and Snowboard Resort. Backcountry riding and cross country skiing keep the locals busy in the mountains. In the summer, mountain biking and hiking are popular activities in Fernie, but lacking beaches in the area, a way of enjoying the summer Sun, which regularly supplies 30º heat in July and August, was needed. What better way to cool off and enjoy the sunshine than by plummeting 50 feet from the top of a sheer cliff into clear, blue mountain water?

Silver Spring Lake is only a few minutes drive and a 15 minute hike to the top of  a small stream. Here, the highest cliff can be seen for the first time. A flat rock face emerging straight vertically from the surface of the shimmering water meets those who think they can handle it, and those who know they can’t. Prospective jumpers stand at the top, cursing the heavens, pacing back and forth to the rhythm of “just do it,” and “come on, it’s easy,” coming from the onlookers, and foolishly peeking over the cliff’s edge to see the precise spot where the hope they won’t meet their untimely end. Finally, the crowd at the top and bottom watches as the jumper finally summons the courage and leaps over the edge. A second or two of flailing arms and legs finishes with a slap, a bang, or a crash, depending on how tight and straight the jumper could get their body before meeting the surface of the water. 

At the top of the hill, there are smaller cliffs lining the edge of the lake where groups can set up their camp for the day or overnight and take the plunge from a less daunting 20 feet. With the Sun baking the rocks and all life dwelling upon them, the smaller cliffs can be conquered by anyone who spends enough time at Silver Spring Lake. Entering the water after overcoming the initial doubt and fear is both refreshing and rewarding. Fernie locals who make this their Summer hangout will try to impress the crowd and outdo each other by performing stunts like hand-stand backflips, gainers, and corkscrew flips. For a less terrifying experience than cliff jumping, there is a rope swing hanging from a tree and launching people 10-15 feet through the air and into the water. Daredevils of all levels can find something here that will challenge them and allow them to walk away triumphant over their fears.

If jumping from the lower cliffs and rope swing doesn’t satisfy the adrenaline pallet, then it’s up to the higher cliff. Standing at the top, even the most extreme jumper can not help but think twice or several more times before taking that final step. The edge is a clear 15 feet higher than a 10 m Olympic diving platform. The water is clear to the bottom, and peeking over the edge reveals a cluster of rocks and fallen trees that lie at the depths of Silver Spring. As others jump, the heart pounds. Approaching the edge, scenarios of disaster run through the mind, and challenges are heard echoing from the survivors at the bottom. Which foot do I plant with? How many steps do I take? A running start? What if I over rotate? And then, silence envelops the Kootenays as one foot plants on the edge and thrusts the body out into empty space. The water comes closer for an instant as you fall towards certain doom before the water rushes around the body, jarring any body part that is not safely tucked into the pencil dive. The upward force of the water pounds the feet, arms, and face. Upon surfacing, fear is vanquished by exhilaration. The triumph of having looked fear and death in the face can match few others, and is best enjoyed on a hot summer day in southeastern B.C. with good friends and a cold beer.

Elko is only a short drive from the adventure mecca of Fernie, but offers quite possibly the most rewarding summer adventure in the East Kootenays. Flying through the hot summer air and landing in a clear, shimmering lake is a great way to spend a day or a weekend of camping. It is a rewarding, exciting way to relax, get some quality exercise, and enjoy the splendor of the Rocky Mountains.

Last day in Lake Louise and we decided to try their in-room breakfast since we had much space to spare in the suite. Having tried in-room breakfast before at several hotels, I found them preferable to buffet breakfasts at the hotel’s restaurant. For the breakfast, we ordered Mile High Pancakes, a plate of usual Breakfast set comprising of Sausages, Eggs and Hash Browns, Waffles with Berries Compote and Alberta Steak and Eggs. Yes, indeed the Albertans love their beef so much so that steaks are actually served on the menu. The sets comes with toasts, fruit salads, juices and coffee/tea which meant that even these 4 sets was more than enough for us. Breakfast was pretty good and delicious, and the cranberry juice served for breakfast was nice! This was a good breakfast and while having it in-room, we could also enjoy the view of Lake Louise!

Our order of In-room Breakfast at Lake Louise

As our next 2 nights of lodging will be at Banff, which is a 1-hour drive away from Lake Louise we didn’t proceed to visit Banff immediately, choosing instead to explore Kootenay National Park which is the 2nd park to be located in BC rather than Alberta. First stop just after crossing the Vermillion Pass into Kootenay National Park is the Continental Divide, which marks the dividing line between the water flowing into the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A nice scenery of the mountains can be seen from the viewpoint at the Continental Divide.

Mountain in the Vermillion Pass

After passing the Continental Divide, the scenery of the area turns drastically showing barren trees as the Tokumm Creek Fire in 2003 destroyed much of the vegetation around here. According to Parks Canada, the fire was controlled to allow regeneration within the National Park, allowing the growth of new habitats as dead dried up trees provide places where insects thrive, increasing the food source for much of the wildlife around the 4 Rocky Mountain National Parks. Thus the scenery in the Marble Canyon area was starkly different from the greenery of Jasper, Yoho and Banff.

Scenery around the Marble Canyon in Kootenay

Result of the Fire in Kootenay near the North Entrance of the Park

As Kootenay wasn’t filled with much other interesting stuff, what we did was to travel throughout the park until the southern end of the park where we reach Sinclair Canyon, a dramatic entrance archway to the southern end of the park. From there, it was out towards the city of Radium in British Columbia. The town of Radium is famous for its hot springs pool and its herd of Bighorn Sheep. It was also in this town where we had our late lunch at. Even though it was a relatively medium sized town, we had Subway for lunch, as it was fast, convenient and safe to say, an easy choice. The meal was wrapped up with Haagen Dazs bar and ice creams!

Close up on the Bighorn Ram (Male of the Sheep)

Ewes (Female Bighorn Sheep) grazing near Radium Hot Springs

To make the return trip to Banff, we had to drive back up north crossing Kootenay National Park once again. On the way back, we stopped by the Kootenay Valley Viewpoint, which provides a small information plank about the change in the state of the Kootenay Valley over the last century. The view from there makes it worth stopping by.

Sinclair Pass as viewed from Kootenay Valley Viewpoint

After Sinclair Pass near McLeod Meadows, there was a waypoint with a bridge leading to an island in the middle of the Vermillion River. Wildlife is naturally abundant in the Kootenay National Parks and we got to see a wild goose in the vicinity of where we stopped. In addition, on our return trip we got to see a mother Black Bear and her 2 cubs grazing close by the highway!

Mother Black Bear and her Cub grazing along the Highway for Berries

While driving along the National Parks, keep a look out for cars stopping by the roadsides as these may signal the presence of some wildlife, particularly bears in the vicinity.

Waypoint near Sinclair Pass in Kootenay National Park

After passing by Sinclair Pass, it was time to move ahead and on the way towards Paint Pots, a sign leading to Numa Falls attracted us. While the Falls wasn’t a huge attraction, it was a nice easy walk towards it from the parking lot. And since the waterfalls of the Rockies have captivated us throughout the journey, we chose to stop for a visit. It wasn’t as grand and majestic as the other waterfalls we have seen so far, but the area had lots of round pools of water at the sides of the valley as a result of the force of the waterfall.

Numa Falls at Kootenay Valley

From Numa Falls, it was another short drive towards Paint Pots, an area within the Kootenay Valley where cold, iron-rich mineral springs rise up through small pools giving a deep orange-red tinge to the earth. In the past, First Nations people used to use these for painting and ceremonial purposes. The paint pots isn’t anything spectacular and there is a roughly 20 minute walk from the parking area to get there.

Iron-rich mineral springs bubble out of the ground, creating the Paint Pots

While the place isn’t of much interest, the area was nice for an afternoon stroll with the Vermillion River flowing around the area. We also had fun picking up pebbles by the riverside along the area and building an Inukshuk structure. For those who aren’t familiar with the inukshuk, it is actually a man made structure for markers and landmarks used built by the Inuits. In Canada, there have been many use of such structures and one was even used as the symbol for the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics to signify friendship and welcome.

Vermillion River Landscape near the Paint Pots with a Suspension Bridge in the distance

Inukshuk Structure to signify a marker used by the Inuits

The walk along the Vermillion River marks the end of our tour around Kootenay National Park as we headed to the largest townsite amongst the 4 National Parks – Banff. The town of Banff is much larger than Jasper and is also the base point for many visitors travelling to the Canadian Rockies. It is not difficult to see why. The townsite is one of the most charming and beautiful I have seen and it had a lot of amenities from shopping, supermarkets and museums for those keen to know more on the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Springs Hotel, another Faimont Property isn’t exactly located within the town centre but it’s perhaps one of the most famous landmark in Banff and is considered one of the places of tourist’s interest in the area. The front of the hotel looks like a Scottish Castle in the middle of the forested area. We were checked into 2 Executive Suites in the hotel which also meant an upgrade as I had a booking for Deluxe Rooms in the hotel. Overall another nice touch by the hotel. The only downside was that they did not have a connecting room, though both rooms were on the same floor, which was good enough, I guess. After check in, we went back to the Town Centre for some shopping and finding a place for dinner. As we enjoyed our Korean meal at Jasper, we went to search for Korean food, and found one – Seoul Country Korean Restaurant at Sundance Mall right in the centre of town. The Kimchi seafood and tofu soup here is good though the Gahl Bi doesn’t manage to be as good as the one in Jasper. Another satisfying meal in the Canadian Rockies, nonetheless! To end this post, I have added one of the nicest mountain range on the way towards Banff – Castle Mountains.

Grandeous Castle Mountains on the way to Banff

It’s Friday and Terry is doing well, my job is done, so I’m homeward bound.  Did the chores this morning, packed, stoked the fire one last time, and said my goodbyes, and was on the road by 11:30.  It was an uneventful but pleasant sunny nine hour drive home.

I listened to mostly podcasts along the way including TWIT-TV and one of my favorites, NPR’s Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

The weather got gloomy just as I started to cross the Cascade Mountains, which are also the most windy section of the drive.  Left hairpin, right hairpin, up, down, left again; it’s maddening I tell you.

No problems at the border and I was home at 8:30.  Now, what to do, what to do.

My buddy Ed and I had a blast all morning. No boarding with a little Burton snowboard (095cm to be exact).

Thanks to my cellphone and Ed’s camera skills, here’s a quick edit of the day ‘youtubed’.  Don’t miss the wipeouts after the credit screen. Enjoy.

Ok so The Panel and I decided this had to be like the best game. Ever. Of all time. Where do I begin with the utter awesomeness? Ok welllllll I thought Ondrej Roman was going to punch someone. He was getting feisty. I laiiiike it. I laiiiiike it a lot. So many goals scored by the Chiefs and Dustin Tokarski was flawless. Again. 6-0, thanks for coming out Kootenay. The Ice started to show their frustrations in the second when the fights started breaking out. Levko Koper fought again. You know what? Here is your penalty summary;

whoa.

At one point the Ice decided to get all up in Tokarski’s Kool Aid which he never takes kindly to. There was smack talk with the Ice goalie. I was hoping with my heart of hearts for a goalie fight. But he knew better. Instead he popped his jersey and pointed at the scoreboard. I sure do pick the good ones.

Anyways I could probably go on about how the Chiefs were great and fighting the bounciness of the puck in the first and the passing was quite lovely. I mean Tyler Johnson had two goals and Bowman, Donaghy, Spurgeon and Wahl put some points up. But instead, let’s do a picture post.

Wahl and Spurgalicious observe fisticuffs.

"I said your mom is a real classy lady!"

the awesome mask. until I come up with a better name than the girlie mask.

Andddddd Luke Schenn continues to be on my top list of hockey boyfriends. I mean I am a sucker for defenseman and goalies…and fowards….shit. Oh I am off task. Yes, Schenngasms. He just shows undending enthusiasm that reminds me of Scrappy Doo. His “lemme at em”-ness is just charming and endearing. I am quite aware I am not the only one swooning. I think The Vesa is too;

they laiiiike each other. they laiiiike each other a lot. no that joke doesn't get old.

What really sealed the deal was this video clip. YOU GOT SCHENN’D, PENS!

Schenn call me? You can email me too. Or facebook me. Or IM me. Really. I luff you.

Oh shit, I forgot to do cupcakes. Uhm I’d give a bunch to Toka for being studly. And then some for everyone else. Extra for Jared Cow Cow as he is out injured. Get better, kitten! Your other half misses you. I mean, you two are The Jareds.

I love Teddy Bear Toss Night. Because the boys always deliver. Just who was responsible for unleashing the 4,067 plushies? Why it was Mitch Wahl, early in the first. Thanks for coming out, Kootenay. And thanks for getting us Chalupas before the end of the first. Final damage, 6-2 Chiefs.

Dear Brett Bartman,
You have been a bit under the radar but you showed up tonight. And by showing up I mean, thanks for the fight in the first and the two assists on the night.

Cookie for you!
Love,
Wrap

Eye candy after the jump

ladies....

See, this is why I love hockey. Teddy bears and goalies! All it needs is a Lisa Frank sparkle pen.

Levkoooooo Koperrrrrr

I picked him to get the first goal. I was wrong. As all my predictions are.

plush round up.

Seriously, how cute is that?

On my hott list;
Drayson Bowman for having 2 goals and 3 assists on the night
Brett Bartman for making an impression
Dustin Tokarski for redeeming his stud status

Unrelated injured reserve hott list;
Luke Schenn. Babycakes. Ovechkin is a bit of a beast. But I applaud your effort darling. I will tend to your injured state.

B.C. Energy Minister Richard Neufeld says exploration work will be bound by some of the toughest regulations for unconventional gas development in North America.(Chuck Stoody/Canadian Press)

Environmentalists are upset over the B.C. government’s approval of a contentious coalbed methane project in the East Kootenay.

BP Canada has been awarded tenure for its Mist Mountain project near Fernie, Energy Minister Richard Neufeld announced Friday.

Neufeld said BP will be bound by some of the toughest regulations for unconventional gas development in North America.

But the exploration work will pose a threat to the natural habitat in the region, said Casey Brennan of Wildsight, an environmental group that advocates the protection of biodiversity and encourages sustainable communities.

“We are concerned about the impact to everything from grizzly bears to trout and all sorts of species in between,” Brennan said.

Fernie city council passed a resolution earlier this year condemning the project, saying BP Canada did not build a sufficient dialogue with the community or fully consider the short-term and long-term environmental impacts.

Allan Chabot, council’s chief administrative officer, said Friday the community is also concerned about the project’s economic and social effects.

“The city was looking for baseline inventory data, socioeconomic impact analysis and environmental prior to the grant of tenure,” Chabot said.

Klappan project halted

Meanwhile, another controversial coalbed methane project in northwestern B.C. has been put on hold.

Shell Canada will halt its exploration activity in the Klappan and carry out more discussions with First Nations and the community, Neufeld said.

Shell was awarded tenure for the Klappan Coalbed Methane Exploration Program in 2004.

“Government is facilitating this by specifying no activity for two years,” Neufeld said.

“I commend both Shell Canada for showing leadership in making this decision and the Tahltan [First Nation], who have expressed their concerns and their interest in having more information.”

With files from the Canadian Press

Bridgestone restructures, renames unit

Watch this new 11-min short documentary, “Rivers at Risk: Glacier & Howser Creeks,” by POWERPLAY producer Damien Gillis on the battle to protect a treasured piece of Kootenay wilderness from private power development.

This video is the second installment in Save Our Rivers Society’s new “Rivers at Risk” series, which profiles different rivers around BC threatened by private power development – told in the words of the local citizens batting to protect them.  Featuring stunning high definition footage of this spectacular BC wilderness, revered by outdoor enthusiasts.

Watch video – high resolution
Having trouble streaming the high-res version?  Watch video – medium resolution

Five pristine rivers around Duncan Lake – near Kaslo in the spectacular West Kootenays – are threatened by a 120 MW private river power proposal by Axor Corp.  The plan is to divert up to 90% of each of these rivers, including beloved Glacier and Howser Creeks, into a 4.5 metre-wide 16 KM tunnel to generate electricity and private profits for Axor Corp. and its investors.  As the water will never return to the original creeks from which it is diverted (instead dumping it into the Lake below) this cannot be rightly called “run of river” power.

The impacts on the local environment – including further degradation from the 25 roads and 250,000 cubic metres of waste-rock muck generated by project – will further endanger resident blue-listed bull trout and other important ecological values.

One of the most environmentally troubling aspects of the proposal is the plan to get the power out of the valley by way of a 100 metre-wide 91KM transmission corridor carved out of old growth forests through the pristine Purcell mountain range.  But perhaps opponents’ biggest concern is the erosion of democratic values and loss of public control over our resources, especially our watersheds.

In a time of climate change and shrinking natural resources, it’s imperative that we hang onto our water and energy security – two values that are directly undermined by the BC Liberal government’s secretive agenda to privatize our rivers and public power system under the false guise of “energy self-sufficiency” and “green power.”  As this video and the situation around the Glacier/Howser proposal illustrate, there is nothing in this private river power scheme that benefits the public or the environment.

Source

Privatization also drives up the cost for consumers. Have to pay owners and dividends to investors.

This of course drives up the price of hydro. We all remember Enron Right?

There are other companies like Enron out there and who wants to be stuck with that.

What private Corporations do to land is everyone’s concern.

Environmental concerns are extremely important.

Here is a report about Free Trade and how it has affected a few things.

NAFTA rights arising from private sector hydroelectric generation in British Columbia

By Wendy R. Holm P.Ag.

Friday, 26 September 2008

It is a commonly held belief that the greatest risks to Canada’s water resources under NAFTA are related to exports. In fact, the more immediate area of public policy concern is not water exports but water use in Canada by firms that are American or have US investors.

Private sector firms issued water licenses by government – be it for hydroelectric generation or for snowmaking – hold NAFTA rights far superior to any rights held by Canadians if those firms are American or have American investors.

Investment Provisions of the NAFTA

Investor rights – which trump conflicting provincial legislation – include the right to national treatment and compensation for losses to investment, profits, markets and goodwill if those rights are expropriated by the Government of Canada or any province

For many years, I and others have held up Alberta’s oil patch as the clearest example of water rights arising from domestic takings. Whether by water flooding (conventional oil and gas drilling) or by deep steam injection (extracting bitumen from the oil sands), water used by US firms (or firms with American investors) for energy extraction in Alberta’s oil patch is covered by NAFTA.

In a paper published in The University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review March 9, 2007, Joseph Cumming and Robert Froehlich examine in detail the effect of NAFTA on Alberta’s ability to use regulation as a public policy measures to protect its water resources.

Assuming a cutback in water use due to extended drought mandated under the Alberta Water Act, the authors present a case law review of relevant NAFTA Chapter XI Tribunals (Ethyl Corporation, SunBelt, Pope and Talbot, Metalclad, SD Meyers and Methanex) then go on to look at the success of a potential compensation claim by American firms whose investments in energy extraction suffer as a result of reduced access to the province’s water resources. Their conclusion:

“… the Government of Alberta, and therefore the Government of Canada, may face difficult financial consequences if the Director suspends or cancels a water license for environmental protection purposes. There are strong arguments available to a US investor that support the position that a cancellation or suspension of a water license is an indirect expropriation, or a measure tantamount to an expropriation, thereby resulting in substantial compensation being payable. In the case of an oil sands operation that is shut down as a result of a loss of its water license… a successful Chapter XI claim could be exceptionally high. Consider the loss of capital expenditures, the nullification of past expenditures, and the lost marketability of the future oil production.”

And while Canada could attempt to “settle” such suits before they reach a NAFTA panel, this “may allow environmental legislation and regulation to survive, but would do so at a tremendous cost” requiring Canada to, in effect, “purchase its environmental sovereignty by settling its way out of Chapter XI claims.”

Arguing the presence of external pressure by foreign investors undoubtedly constrains Canada’s ability to enforce its environmental policy, the authors go on to note:

“the implications for Canadian environmental sovereignty in this circumstance are clear. A private investor could essential force the hand of a Canadian legislative body. A US investor, who is not accountable to the Canadian public and who may have no concern for the Canadian environment, could potentially influence how internal Canadian environmental policy and legislation is treated. As a result of the potential for a significant compensation award to be issued, a single US investor, through the threat of use of a Chapter XI claim, may be able to cause Canadian legislation to be altered or even repealed.”

To read the full review, click on this link: Cumming, Joseph and Robert Froehlich. NAFTA Chapter XI and Canada’s Environmental Sovereignty: Investment Flows, Article 1110 and Alberta’s Water Act, The University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review March 9, 2007.

It also contains a few cases, previously litigated. Very enlightening indeed.

Implications of NAFTA Investment Provisions on Hydro Privatization in BC

There is no difference between water used for bitumen extraction, water used for hydroelectric production, or water used to make snow for a ski hill. When the entity holding rights to Canada’s water is American or has American investors, all such takings are covered by NAFTA.

NAFTA investment defenses would trump (and, experts fear, eventually influence the direction of) provincial and federal environmental laws. Even when water licenses are reduced or canceled on a non-discriminatory basis, for a public purpose, and pursuant to provincial legislation, they give rise to NAFTA claims for compensation under Chapter 11.

The result is an erosion of Canadian policy sovereignty and a denigration of the rights of Canadian communities vis a vis foreign investors.

This risk is unacceptably high when the commodity in question is water.

Source

This affects all countries not just Canada, but this is a good example of things that have and are being done around the world.

Water is also used in mining operations. Contamination from mining is quite devastating.

Many of the problems with Free Trade is also applied to air pollution.

If a Government tries to stop air pollution the Corporations can also sue for lost profits and probably win.

However are we to stop climate change, as long as Trade agreements do nothing to protect the environment?

Read the Review and think about the implications to water and air pollution.

Moving and entire water way is not something we should allow. It would destroy the eco system around it.

Are one of these companies in your neighborhood?

Many are in other countries around the world and they pollute there as well as in the US.

Pollution Reports including Top 100 Corporate Air Polluters 2007 in US

Kootenay farms are disappearing