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Carol Patterson

INSPIRING EVERYDAY EXPLORERS Through wildlife tales and trails

Carol Patterson

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Ivvavik National Park

July 20, 2019 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

You might not be able to pronounce it or may never have heard of it, but Ivvavik National Park should be on your bucket list if you like nature and outdoor adventure. Tucked into the northwest corner of Canada’s Yukon territory the park is bordered by Alaska on the west and the Beaufort Sea on the north.

Canada’s Ivvavik National Park

Why Should You Go?

For the hiking, the cultural programs and the wildlife. To learn more, listen to my interview with Randy Sharman on The Informed Traveler from July 28.

Hiking Inspiration Point will leave you feeling inspired

Will you see caribou?

Maybe. They aren’t usually near base camp in great numbers while visitors are around but as I discovered, caribou are unpredictable.

My video of  Caribou galore is what it looks like when tens of thousands wander by.

Porcupine Caribou Herd on the move

Will you be comfortable?

Yup. Parks Canada offers a glamping experience at its base camp. You bring your sleeping bag, they provide the tent, heater and warm showers. Food is tasty and prepared for you. Book in early June for best chance of seeing caribou, late June for green slopes and wildflowers.

Ivvavik base camp offers comfortable prospector tents

Imagine yourself in the chair

How do you get there?

To get there you need to get yourself to Inuvik (First Air and Air North offer departures from Vancouver and Edmonton) and then Parks Canada flies you into the Imniarvik base camp for a comfortable arctic clamping experience.

Yukon’s famed Firth River

Filed Under: Yukon Tagged With: caribou, hiking, Ivvavik, wildlife

Make your alpine hiking easier at Sunshine Village

October 11, 2016 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

Alberta HikingThe last time I visited the Banff National Park’s Sunshine Meadows I wanted to murder my backpack. The clear blue waters of Egypt Lake and the ragged edges of Pharaoh Peaks hadn’t been enough to take my mind off the leather boots chewing my ankles and I was convinced hiking elves added rocks to my pack with every step. Once back at Sunshine Village parking lot I dropped my pack on the pavement, gave it a kick, and swore I would never backpack again.

Three decades later I still abstain from backpacking but was I missing some of the Rockies best views? When Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort announced they were opening their Standish chairlift for the first time in twenty years for summer hikers I was ready to revisit the site of my earlier pain.

I arrived at Sunshine Village winded only by the climb up the gondola stairs and headed to Trapper’s restaurant to shore up my energy levels. The chicken wrap and fries was a luxurious change from the crushed bagel and cheese I’d feasted on during my previous trip. Recharged, I headed for the Standish chairlift and an open-air ride to the hiking trails.

Stepping off the chair I was sorry I’d stayed away for so long. Rock Isle Lake glittered in the distance among stacked peaks of the Continental Divide. Mount Assiniboine – the Matterhorn of the Rockies – was clearly visible and I could see into British Columbia while standing in Alberta.

The best part? Most of the hiking from that viewpoint is downhill! I moved slower than when I’d been here before. Partly because my knees were older but mainly because last time, the smartphone hadn’t been invented and I didn’t have a social media addiction. With Wi-Fi at the top of the mountain I stopped for a few minutes of Facebook Live before hitting my hiking stride. I met several people puffing their way back up the trail making me wonder if they were slaves to their Fitbit or didn’t read the map.

Gravel crunched under my shoes and the calls of nervous ground squirrels rang in my ears as a hawk patrolled above. This is also bear country and I saw several recent digs, evidence grizzlies had been looking for lunch nearby.

A Sunshine Meadows employee tended the trail making sure human impact on this sensitive environment is minimal. “Sunshine trail managers also walk around to make sure people are staying on the trail, obeying all the signs. This is a big focus of our marketing efforts as well,” explained Lindsay Gallagher, Sunshine Village’s Media & Marketing Coordinator.

A brazen red fox circled several hikers before trotting back down the trail. He appeared more curious than dangerous and soon I was hiking after him. Without a heavy backpack I was able to reach Sunshine Village with enough energy to pick up an ice cream. As I swallowed the chocolaty goodness, I placed my pack gently on the picnic table, happy it had brought me back for a do-over and a renewed love for alpine places.

If you go:

Sunshine Village will be running their summer gondola and chairlift in 2017. Look for opening dates at http://www.skibanff.com/sunshine-village/summer-hours-of-operation/

TWEETABLES

How to avoid suffering on your next alpine hike. Click to Tweet.

My friend, @reinventure, recently visited @SunshineVillage & she’s got all the to-do’s: Click to Tweet.

If you’re looking for an amazing hike discover why my friend, @reinventure, recommends @SunshineVillage, Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Alberta Tagged With: alberta, banff, hiking

How to sex a marmot from 100 meters

August 6, 2016 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

“Stop!” I screeched at my husband as he scrambled over granite rocks looking for the perfect place to rest. “There’s a marmot right above you!” Colin looked up at golden-mantled ground squirrel and kept walking, knowing he was far enough away not to startle the squirrel.

Hoary Marmot
Hoary Marmots are often heard but seldom seen by hikers at high elevation

 

My mind started its internal commentary. He can’t possibly think that squirrel is the marmot. Why isn’t he listening to me? I tried again. “The marmot is right above you!” I whispered as loudly as I dared, trying to get my camera out before Colin scared the marmot off.

Riders say a horse is dead-sided when it ignores your leg cues. I was watching the human version of this phenomenon as Colin ignored my verbal cues and proceeded to walk within ten meters of the marmot before finally finding the perfect rock for his rest. I clicked off several pictures of the marmot that surprisingly hadn’t moved from his perch and I sprinted up to Colin.

Paintbrush on Stanley Glacier trail
Paintbrush on Stanley Glacier trail

“Did you see THE marmot?” I squealed, “Why didn’t you stop when I told you to?” Colin

The hoary marmot is the largest of North American marmots
The hoary marmot is the largest of North American marmots

looked up and caught the gaze of the dog-sized squirrel looking down at him. “Oh that marmot!” he shrugged, “I never heard you.”

I wasn’t sure I believed him but I’m pretty sure that marmot was a male following the guy code of having each other’s back. I had my picture, Colin got his rest, and the marmot got a little human drama.

 

The hike into Stanley Glacier provides stunning views at all elevations
The hike into Stanley Glacier provides stunning views at all elevations

If you go:

The Stanley Glacier hike in Kootenay National Park is an outing that gives maximum value for your time outdoors. From the time you step out of your car in the crowded parking lot until you crest the rock scree below the receding glacier there are dozens of eye-popping views worthy of an Instagram post. There is also a good chance of seeing hoary marmots, the largest species of North American marmot. It is found above tree line which means you have to work for your sightings but at Stanley Glacier you can reach marmot habitat within a couple of hours.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/kootenay/activ/randonnee-hike/jour-day.aspx

Filed Under: British Columbia Tagged With: hiking, marmot, national parks, parks canada, squirrel, wildlife

Book Review: Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures by Leigh McAdam

March 9, 2016 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

Discover CanadaLeigh McAdam encourages people to get out and explore Canada with this guide to self-locomotion. Covering the country from coast to coast and every season she offers choices for hiking, biking, skating, rafting and paddling. Each adventure includes main attractions, time needed, cost, and guided options. This isn’t just a book for daydreaming. McAdam has selected activities and destinations that are affordable for the average traveller. Her difficulty ratings may not match your abilities so read the criteria carefully. If hiking 18 kilometers in a day sounds like more than moderate exercise, peruse the easy options. But get moving. This book will have you hankering for outdoor adventure!
TWEETABLES
Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures. Click to Tweet.

Get outside and explore Canada with this guide to self-locomotion: Click to Tweet.

From coast to coast @hikebiketravel has you covered with her new guide to outdoor adventure: Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Interesting People Tagged With: adventure travel, biking, canada, hiking, leigh mcadam, paddling, rafting, skating, travel, travel canada

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