Category Archives: Uncategorized
Fish Creek Snowshoe Adventure
Written on February 14, 2023 at 1:09 pm, by Lindsey Wallis
The first week of February 2023 was a frigid one. But a weekend chinook brought clear, sunny skies and temperatures above freezing for February 4, 2023. This was a good thing for snowshoeing for newcomers adventure, led by Lindsey Wallis. Participants were introduced to the activity with the great combination of fresh snow and a Continue Reading »
Waiparous Ice Walk Adventure
Written on February 14, 2023 at 1:07 pm, by Lindsey Wallis
The prospects weren’t good: It was rather warm for January, there was little snow left and we were concerned the ice bridges were weakening. Then things got worse: it snowed quite a bit, the roads got rather treacherous and some seriously cold temperatures were in the forecast for the day of the hike on Waiparous Continue Reading »
What Happens with Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells: A Field Trip with Tako Koning
Written on November 15, 2022 at 4:40 pm, by Sean Nichols
The day was cool, the sky cloudy with the distant threat of rain on the horizon. Not far from Frank Lake, cars were pulling up and people gathering for a road trip that would take us to eight stops in Southern Alberta, focusing needed attention on the abandonment of oil wells and the development of Continue Reading »
In memory of Margaret Main and Gus Yaki: Hunting for Crocuses on Nose Hill
Written on October 26, 2022 at 11:28 pm, by Sean Nichols
In springtimes past, former AWA Executive Director Christyann Olson would compete with longtime AWA friend and volunteer Margaret Main to find the first crocus blooms around Calgary. At the same time naturalist Gus Yaki, with his incredible talent for spotting even the most obscure buds or changes in his surroundings, was hunting crocus buds too. Continue Reading »
Dinosaurs in White Rock Coulee: A Fall Hike in Southeast Alberta’s White Rock Coulee
Written on September 22, 2022 at 5:32 pm, by Sean Nichols
A glorious day in the coulees along the South Saskatchewan River! Despite the oppressive heat, a spectacular discovery of dinosaur bones, a refreshing river dip, and the spectacular landscapes of Southeastern Alberta’s badlands made for a day to remember. Lindsey Wallis recounts this fascinating adventure, coordinated by Heinz and Kris Unger on September 3: There Continue Reading »
Beaver Dams in the Ghost: Hiking the Headwaters of Meadow Creek
Written on August 19, 2022 at 4:34 pm, by Sean Nichols
On August 17, Heinz and Kris Unger coordinated an adventure in to the headwaters of Meadow Creek in the Ghost wilderness areas north of Kananaskis. The group was small but the day memorable: A small group of five started out with fording Waiparous Creek and walked through cool aspen and pine groves, at times along Continue Reading »
Flowers and Strawberries in the sub-Alpine: A Hike to Tryst Lake in late Flower Season
Written on August 8, 2022 at 3:41 pm, by Sean Nichols
After a few weather-related reschedulings, we were happy to finally be able to hold our long-awaited hike to Tryst Lake in the Kananaskis sub-alpine. Despite concerns that the flowers might no longer be in bloom, it turned out to be the perfect day with the year’s earlier moisture leading to an elongated season. Coordinator Chris Continue Reading »
A Paleolontogical Treasure Hunt in our own Back Yard: Discovering Ordovician-Age 450 Million Years Old Fossils in the Tyndall Stone Downtown and Inner- City Calgary
Written on August 5, 2022 at 3:10 pm, by Sean Nichols
Senior Petroleum Geologist Tako Koning has many passions in life, and it is fair to say that paleontology is one of them. This expert in many things is one of the finest guides one could imagine when it comes to discovering signs of prehistoric life… even embedded into the façade of a neighbourhood Safeway! On Continue Reading »
The Oldman River: A New World Next Door
Written on July 19, 2022 at 4:58 pm, by Sean Nichols
Adventure, natural beauty, and key moments in Canadian history. What a great combination. AWA President Jim Campbell, member Bob Patterson, and Conservation Specialist Phillip Meintzer found it all on the Oldman River between Fort MacLeod and Lethbridge. Marking Jim’s 70th birthday, the three of them set out on July 11th on a Paddling Adventure down Continue Reading »
Then and now: Change and continuity in Banff’s Cascade Valley
Written on July 4, 2022 at 3:54 pm, by Sean Nichols
Despite a grim weather forecast, a group of intrepid adventurers spent the day with author Kevin Van Tighem, who recounted stories from his past adventures up the Cascade Valley and how things have changed over the past half-century. Devon Earl, AWA Conservation Specialist shares the day’s discoveries: On the rainy morning of June 24th, 2022, Continue Reading »
