Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Gem of Southern Alberta: Fall Whaleback Exploration
Written on September 22, 2020 at 4:22 pm, by Sean Nichols
Conservation Specialist Nissa Petterson writes of taking a fall adventure with Nick Pink to the Whaleback on September 11, 2020: Whether it is spring or fall, the Whaleback never disappoints. With golden prairies accenting the undulating montane wilderness to the west, the Whaleback is a picturesque gem of southern Alberta and I welcome any opportunity Continue Reading »
Beautiful grasslands and spectacular views: a ramble around the Milk River Ridge
Written on September 13, 2020 at 1:05 pm, by Sean Nichols
What does sustainable ranching look like among one of Alberta’s largest remaining blocks of native fescue grassland? Chris Saunders and several other adventurers took a field trip down to the Milk River Ridge to find out: At about 9.30 am on September 9, 2020, 11 hikers assembled on the top of the Milk River Ridge Continue Reading »
Field Tripping Southern Alberta
Written on September 13, 2020 at 12:59 pm, by Sean Nichols
Adventure coordinator Tako Koning recounts a field trip to see orphan gas wells in southwestern Alberta: The group consisted of 14 participants and as we drove towards the bird blind at Frank Lake, five km east of High River, we saw over 200 beautiful white pelicans resting on a small island near the western edge Continue Reading »
Trivia in the Garden: A war of wits in support of wilderness
Written on August 24, 2020 at 3:57 am, by Sean Nichols
Adventure coordinator Sean Nichols talks about hosting a charity trivia event in the AWA garden during the times of Covid: For most of the ten days leading up to AWA’s Trivia for the Wild adventure on August 15, the weather was looking to be pretty miserable. Our otherwise splendid August notwithstanding, the forecast was predicting Continue Reading »
Hiking Southern Alberta’s Porcupine Hills
Written on August 24, 2020 at 12:57 am, by Sean Nichols
Among those who know of them, southern Alberta’s Porcupine Hills are renowned for their fantastical bouquet of wildflowers that paint the landscape every summer. Joel Van Riper went on AWA’s adventure to visit them earlier this July and recounts his trip: The morning of the adventure everyone made their way through thick fog to meet Continue Reading »
In Memoriam – Margaret Main: the Heart of the Climb for Wilderness and AWA Events
Written on August 4, 2020 at 9:47 pm, by Sean Nichols
It is with great sadness and fond memories that we say goodbye to longtime volunteer and dear friend to AWA, Margaret Main. Those of us who have participated in AWA events in and around Calgary over past several decades will surely recall on numerous occasions being greeted by her warm smile and helped by her Continue Reading »
High on the Mountain of Love: a Weekend for Wilderness in the Castle Wildland
Written on July 29, 2020 at 5:28 am, by Sean Nichols
Adventure coordinator Grace Wark shares her story about a weekend away from it all in the Castle: It’s 6:34 a.m. and I’m searching for my car keys. I need to pick up Joanna by 7.a.m. so we have enough time to load 50 to 60 lbs of gear, snacks and water into the car, hit Continue Reading »
Camping on Mount Tecumseh: an adventure among the wildflowers
Written on July 22, 2020 at 3:49 pm, by Sean Nichols
Adventure coordinator Carol Ostrom shares her story about an overnight camping trip and hike up the slopes of Mount Tecumseh in the Crowsnest Pass: On June 8th the clouds spent the day pressing up the western slopes of the mountains that denote the border between B.C. and Alberta. Just as the first campers arrived, as Continue Reading »
Dinosaurs and Badlands – a fun “double-header” presentation/hike combining education and exploration!
Written on July 22, 2020 at 2:00 am, by Sean Nichols
Adventure coordinators Rob and Tjarda share their story about the fun outing they organized in early July: AWA’s two-part adventure, “Dinosaurs and Badlands”, was held on July 2nd and 3rd, 2020. The first part of this event was an evening slideshow presentation on “The Palaeontological Wonders of Alberta” delivered on-line via Zoom by one of Continue Reading »
Jumping Pound Mountain Circuit
Written on June 27, 2020 at 9:59 am, by Sean Nichols
With Chris Saunders, on June 27th, 2020 Spectacular views and forest issues At about 10 am on June 27, 2020 14 hikers assembled on the Powderface Trail ready to start on the path up Jumping Pound Mountain from the west. The weather was warm and sunny, contrary to the day’s weather forecast for Calgary. We Continue Reading »
