Willmore Wilderness Foundation 2013 Newsletter
Photo by Arthur Veitch Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 2 Page 3 Annual Edition - 2013
2012 Grizzly Bear Survey President’s Report
Alberta Bowhunters Hi Everyone: Rockies Tourism Alliance (ANRTA), which is forming a not-for-profit society. Association There were many changes this ANRTA is looking to develop a regional
past year, and the Foundation turned marketing strategy. Alberta Fish & Game a milestone in December 2012, Association celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Foundation has also been busy Many exciting developments included in the film production end of things, Alberta Wild Sheep the formation of the first ever through People & Peaks Productions. Foundation Northeastern Slopes Operator’s Susan is mentoring four youth in Steering Committee (NESOSC). In multimedia. They include Bailey Cheyenne Rig Repair September 2012, Laura Vinson was Storrie, Stephen McDonald, Morgan & Supply Ltd elected the Chairperson of the Sapach, and Thomas Houlihan. “Wild group—and we haven’t looked back Alberta: The Willmore Legacy” under her leadership. NESOSC hired (46 min) was premiered at the People AM Consulting & Joe Pavelka, the President of Planvision & Peaks Film Fest on Friday April 13, Maurice Nadeau Management Consulting Ltd. and his 2012, at the Jan Cinema in Grande partner Laura Ells as a consultant Prairie. A movie called Women of Bazil Leonard: North Eastern for ecotourism marketing. Both Willmore Wilderness (48 min) Photo by Sue Feddema-Leonard Fish & Game: Zone #5 have proven to be a great fit for our and an accompanying book will be traditional eastern slopes operations premiered/launched at the Whyte Willmore Wilderness Museum of the Canadian Rockies on Joe is an Associate Professor, Forgotten Trails is Photo by Joe Sonnenberg Foundation April 4, 2013 at 7 p.m. and an Eco Tourism / Outdoor in the pre-production Leadership Program Coordinator at Forgotten Trails is in the Mount Royal College in Calgary. He pre-production phase. This movie will phase. This movie has been conducting field schools in feature the 1940s Carnegie Institute will feature the 1940s Peru along the Salkantay trail, which footage of Willmore Wilderness Park Inside This Edition is emerging as a popular secondary shot by cinematographer the late Art Carnegie Institute trail for reaching Machu Picchu. Joe Twomey. This documentary reflects footage of and his partner Laura Ells were also the history and the culture of true facilitators at the 2012 Travel Alberta mountain men, where the “measure Willmore Wilderness President’s Report 3 Youth Report 16 Industry Conference in Banff. Joe of a man was his ability on the trail.” Park shot by and Laura have prepared a Draft It is a rare glimpse into the lives of a Retirement of an Auctioneer 5 Financial Report 18 Short-Term Marketing Strategy for few that still practice these traditions cinematographer the February 2013 Willmore Wilderness Foundation the NESOSC Marketing Plan Project. today. We would sincerley like to thank late Art Twomey. Annual Newsletter Moccasin Telegraph 6 Women of NESOSC is in the process of starting Margie Jamieson for her generous © Willmore Wilderness Foundation Willmore Wilderness 20 the next phase of its new tourism donation of this footage. no portion of this newsletter may be re- Social Media 8 strategy and developing a marketing printed without written permission. We also have one more film, which Membership 22 strategy with the help of Joe, Laura Registered Charitable Organization is in the pre-production stages and #89655 0308 RR0001 Tall Tales 10 and Don Wilson, a Travel Alberta Team Member for Industry Relations. in the negotiation stages, which will Veitch’s Views 23 share a historic story of this region 2013 Grizzly Bear Survey 13 The Willmore Wilderness of the Rockies. This and four teaching Foundation is developing many vignettes are in the works. Northeastern Slopes Operators relationships within the region. For Steering Committee 14 example, the Foundation is an active Susan Feddema-Leonard has been elected to the Board of Directors of member of the Alberta Northern ... continued on page 4 Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 4 Page 5 Annual Edition - 2013 ... continued from page 3 Retirement of a Great Auctioneer “Women in Film and Television Alberta” book called Women of Willmore geological surveys in Willmore …. (WIFTA). She has attended the Banff Wilderness, with the ongoing and more World Media Festival and the Impact support of editor Estella Cheverie. Media Festival in New York. She is This publication will be launched on All in all, 2012 and 2013 has making a lot of contact in the film and April 4, 2013 at the Whyte Museum of produced a lot of work that will television world. the Canadian Rockies in Banff. help keep the legends of Willmore Wilderness Park alive for future I would be remiss if I forgot Our last book People & Peaks generations to enjoy. Understanding our to mention the 2012 Larry Nelles of Willmore Wilderness Park past ... determines our ability to shape Horsemanship. Six trainers and 11 will also be launched in the fall of our present and influence our future. two helpers, for a total of eighteen 2013. Those interviewed include: participants, took the Mountain Last but not least, we would like to Horsemanship Clinic. Participants • Bill Anderson about his father thank Conoco Phillips for their support gleaned many tips from Master Harold Anderson’s long relationship of our auctions and horsemanship horseman Larry Nelles. The eighteen with Willmore; clinic in 2012. The MD of Greenview horses were trained and auctioned off. has provided financial support for the • Frank Coggins and his story publishing of Women of Willmore The revenue generated on the colt about growing up in Brule and the auction was in excess of $14,000. Wilderness and for trail support construction of the Adam’s Creek in 2013. The Alberta Conservation We had sixteen young people Tower in Willmore Wilderness Park Association has been a big support on participate in a six-day Larry Nelles by his father with a team and wagon; the 2012 trail clearing initiative. Gordon & Maxine Murison, Youth Horsemanship Program. There • Trail hand Dan Hallock Email From: Gordon Murison
by Susan Feddema-Leonard The Moccasin Telegraph People & Peaks of the Panther River People & Peaks of the Cochrane, and talked Bazil into driving & Eastern Slopes Panther River & Eastern Slopes me to Bud and Annette Brewster’s in Banff. We had a late start, and I didn’t available at the Willmore It took four years to write and factor in the shortness of daylight Wilderness Foundation, design People & Peaks of Willmore in February. We left Grande Cache Wilderness Park and it was certainly at 3:00 p.m. and made good time to at 4600 Pine Plaza. a labour of love. I don’t know what the Cadomin Mine. We stopped, and E-mail us at jenn@ possessed me to think I could script I had a chance to film several trophy and graphically design a book. Luckily Bighorn sheep. It only took us an hour willmorewilderness.com I had the support of my long-time and a half to drive from the mine to or phone 780-827-2696 friend Estella Cheverie, who is an Nordegg. I couldn’t imagine that Banff to get your copy! amazing editor. Neither Estella nor I would be much farther, as the overall had ever done anything like this before distance looked the same on the map. and were both pleased at the success Boy, was I wrong! Debit, Visa, Mastercard, of the publication. cheque, cash. We left Nordegg at 9:00 p.m. and I was astonished when Bobby headed south on the Trunk Road. Turner of Sundre, Alberta phoned It was dark and the road was icy in and asked me to write about the places. We were most surprised when The Moccasin Telegraph ... continued from page 6 Susan Feddema-Leonard early trappers, outfitters and the we reached Cutoff Creek, sixty- early geological survey parties eight kilometers west of Caroline, in the Panther River and eastern It was a long haul resulting in a Rockies. Experience the first person tenacious people. This untold story Experience the and found that the road was not of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains will slopes area of Alberta. I was initially ploughed during the winter months. six-hour crawl to Banff. We arrived at accounts of trail men like Bud first person accounts uncomfortable, as I normally only Brewster’s Mountain Lodge at 3:00 Brewster, Rex Logan, Dewy Browning, be a hard book to put down. The It seemed to be a long way back to publication is illustrated with stunning of trail men like write about subjects that I know. I had pavement, so we decided to press a.m. exhausted but very thankful for a Phil Temple, Ray Legace, Stan Burrell, never been to the Panther River area safe journey. Glen Kilgour, Bob Kjos, and more. The images and supplemented with Bud Brewster, on. Baz popped the truck into four- archival photos. or the southern Rockies. I thought wheel drive, and we proceeded very tales of mountain women are revealed long and hard and finally came to All in all, I have a much better as well. Linda Rose is a trail hand and Rex Logan, slowly over Corkscrew Mountain understanding of the lay of Alberta’s For more information on the terms with the fact that I understood in the pitch-black night. We drove expert horsewoman who will inspire Willmore Wilderness Foundation or Dewy Browning, both trapping and outfitting from a eastern slopes and its drainages. I ladies that have a passion to be one around hairpin turns, and I held my loved travelling south and found a People & Peaks Productions go to: Phil Temple, soul level. Bazil, my husband had been breath in prayerful reverence. There with the land. Her frank, matter-of- on a one-hundred-day geological cultural way of life that is interwoven fact accounts will leave the readers www.WillmoreWilderness.com Ray Legace, was not a soul in sight, and we had into the northern Rockies. It has taken survey trip back in 1959, so I not seen another vehicle for hours. enthralled and laughing. Stan Burrell, undertook to write the manuscript. Estella and me four years to finish www.PeopleandPeaks.com We were totally alone in the starlight. the People & Peaks of the Panther Share in the history of some Glen Kilgour, My biggest challenge was to try to We were relieved to find two icy River. I am happy to share that we of the biggest Bighorn Sheep taken Facebook.com/WillmoreWilderness ruts in the road, which we gratefully have just had the first book launch of on Alberta’s eastern slopes. This Bob Kjos, understand the lay of the land that I Facebook.com/PeopleandPeaks was writing about. As I drove south to followed. Baz muttered something the publication at the 2013 Alberta publication outlines the saga of Mac Elder and more. interview Rex Logan, Dewey Browning, saying, “This would have been a lot Outfitter’s Convention in Red Deer, some of the Wardens, Rangers, early Vimeo.com/PeopleandPeaks Pinky and Bruce Temple, I took different better in the daylight.” I agreed, but Alberta. outfitters, trappers, and mountain routes. One time I took the Banff-Jasper reassured him that I had a much men and women. It describes the @WillmoreTweets Highway. The next time I drove the better understanding of the lay of the People & Peaks of the Panther River early geological survey expeditions on Trunk Road south to Nordegg, and then land as a result of his careful driving. & Eastern Slopes shares an exposé of horseback, which opened the oil and east to the Cowboy Highway, and south. He didn’t seem too impressed with twenty colourful mountain men and gas sector. This book will open the my wry remarks. women, whose stories are woven reader’s eyes to how our mountain I had always wanted to travel the into the very fabric of the Canadian regions were first explored by rugged, Trunk Road from Grande Cache to ... continued on page 7 Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 8 Page 9 Annual Edition - 2013
Social Media by Fabienne Mooser-Kolly My name is Fabienne Mooser-Kolly, My Adventures in the I am 33 years old. I moved with my Willmore Wilderness Park….. husband from Switzerland to Canada in May 2011. Through my husband’s I jumped up high when I found job opportunity, we moved to Grande out that my husband and I could go Cache at the end of February 2012. on a two-day horseback trip into the Willmore Wilderness Park with I am lucky to have met many great Sue and Bazil. It was a gorgeous fall people in this mountain community. weekend in mid-September 2012. We As much as I can, I love to explore met at the staging area of Sulphur Gates the great outdoor opportunities in together with Lisa Steciuk, Richard and around Grande Cache by hiking, Thompson and my cousin Karin (visiting mountainbiking, horseback riding, from Switzerland). I was so excited to snowshoeing, skiing or climbing. spend a weekend with this group and I am the newest staff member of the horses in the Willmore Wilderness the Willmore Wilderness Foundation Park. We watched how to pack the and started working on November horses. Whew…..a lot of work until 1, 2012, as a Social & Multimedia everybody was ready. We enjoyed Pictured above: Coordinator. the fantastic ride to the cabin in Kvass Fabienne Mooser-Kolly Flats. We helped with the horses and Social Media Coordinaor for the I am extremely excited and set up the tents. Susan spoiled us with Willmore Wilderness Foundation motivated about this job opportunity. a great lunch. We spent the afternoon In this short time, I have learned many checking out the pristine area and spent Pictured on right page: new things and am eager to learn much some time at the Smoky River. Back at Fabienne and her husband more. It’s great to work together with the cabin, we enjoyed some reading or Ivan Mosser on a the staff as a team and help each other chatting. We enjoyed a great dinner, trail ride at Kvass Flats to achieve our goals. I am certain that and before we went to sleep, we sat at 2012 I will gain many valuable experiences, the warm campfire. After a good sleep, both personally and professionally. we heard the calls of an elk. The smell of coffee, bacon, French Toast enticed Don’t hesitate to contact me at us to crawl out of the sleeping bags. [email protected] if you have any questions. ... continued on page 9
... continued from page 8 everything went smoothly. It was such glaciers, mountain peaks after mountain Thanks to an amazing weekend, and I hope this peaks, wildlife, waterfalls, the river Bazil brought in the horses, and we was not my last horseback trip in the curling through the valley, lot of trees! Alberta Conservation Association heard from far away the bells and felt Willmore Wilderness Park. Again, “Goosebump” moments…… the ground shaking from their canter. for supporting the 2012 WOW…. “Goosebump” moment! I I was very lucky to join my These are just some highlights…. remember I said to Sue: this is like a husband for a helicopter flight from Looking forward for more trail clearing paradise …… Everybody helped to Prince George, B.C. to Grande Cache, adventures…. catch the horses and slowly get them Alberta! This was a totally different & campsite cleanup program ready for the ride back to Sulphur experience to see the Willmore Gates. Again we enjoyed the ride and Wilderness Park from the air. You get a bigger idea of how big this park is: Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 10 Page 11 Annual Edition - 2013
Brian McKirdy only went one way ... continued from page 10 TALL TALES on the expedition and left us at Mount by Ed Regnier Big Shale is to the east and Little Sir Alexander, as he wasn’t needed Shale is to the west when you travel anymore. RJ (Robert James) Kingston downstream on Pauline Creek, so you joined our crew on the return trip Ed Regnier shared the following story with me about his travels over are basically between the two hills. as Dale Portman had booked an There was a lot of the Continental Divide in 1994. The weather can change in a hurry, turning Boy, there was a lot of boggy ground expedition heading back the same boggy ground in a romantic trip into a dangerous trek. I was originally going to print this in between Big Shale and Little Shale! way we had come. RJ, had worked story in the Women of Willmore Wilderness book, but pulled it for lack of We were in a cloud when we crossed for Tom McCready and knew Dale between Big Shale and space. I believe it is a good story and decided to print Ed Regnier’s account Big Shale and you could only see Portman prior to the trip. RJ joined Little Shale! in the 2013 Newsletter. - Susan Feddema-Leonard maybe 100 feet. It was a bit stressful the trip on short notice and only until Brian came across an obvious had about a day’s notice to throw his We were in a cloud We went on an expedition in Jasper became a National Park. Tom’s horse trail in the soft shale. The hikers affairs in order before he joined us. when we crossed 1994 from McBride, B.C. to Mount mother Myrtle was Jack Hargreaves’ got separated on the ridge and caused He was hired as a wrangler and was Sir Alexander, north along the twin sister, so it’s no surprise that Tom us a lot of worry. There were many some extra “muscle” for the trip back. Big Shale and you Continental Divide. Dale Portman was on the trail from an early age. He extra miles that Dale hiked looking Guest Duke Watson and some of his of Greenhorse Adventures booked became a guide and outfitter from for the lost travelers, so it was a friends also decided to hike back on could only see maybe the trip. He used to be a Warden and 1945 to 1972 and purchased his Uncle big relief when everyone wound up the return pack trip. 100 feet. search-dog handler in Jasper National Jack’s outfit in the mid-1950s. in the same camp that afternoon. RJ rode with us. He took some Park. His wife Cathy cooked, and We travelled next over Big Shale time to ride down to George It was a bit stressful! they hired Brian McKirdy who had I trucked my horses from Niton on the old pack trail to the Morkill Hargreaves’ grave and spent half a day an outfitting business in Valemount, Junction up the Holmes River Road Camp, then on to Casket Lake. Tom cleaning it out. Everything went well B.C. Brian knew the country and the and five kilometres up the Chalco and I took a day ride to George until we hit Morkill Camp when we trails in B.C. where we started our road. We camped there and in the Hargreaves’ grave at the confluence of were having some bad weather. It was Ed Regnier - Aug 2011 trip. There were an awful lot of alders morning, ponied the horses up Casket Creek and Sheep Creek. Tom Photo by Susan Feddema-Leonard raining a lot and even snowed some blocking our way, which had to be cut Chalco road and then packed up. Tom wanted to spend some time paying of the time. Tom McCready wasn’t during the beginning of the trek. Brian McCready, Brian McKirdy and I packed respect to his Uncle George. feeling well, and I was quite worried told me that he had to slash the brush supplies and food for the party of ten We moved camp from Casket and about him. Dale Portman had a radio, every year, as there was a lot of annual older hikers who were over the age headed down the trail to George’s so Jasper National Park brought in growth on that trail. of fifty. Brian McKirdy was recovering from a bout of arrhythmia, so Tom, grave and followed the west fork a helicopter to Morkill Pass. The I was responsible for bringing the Dale, Cathy, and I pulled a little extra. of the trail to upper Sheep Creek. whole group decided to pack it in horses and camp, so I hired long-time We were a short day’s travel from We kept on moving and set up at and headed out on the helicopter, outfitter Tom McCready as a packer. Renshaw Creek to Beaverdam Pass, Broadview Lake, then headed west of including Tom. They “choppered” out Tom was born and raised in Jasper and which was new terrain to Brian. the Kakwa to Mariel Lake. We camped a lot of the packboxes and extra food. I was an accomplished mountain man. He led the packhorses along what there in sight of Mount Sir Alexander kept back some steak, eggs and bread for I worked for him during the1960s appeared to be a shortcut and got for a while and then the hikers were the rest of our trip right until he sold his outfit to Jim into a big muskeg up on a ridge. We met by vehicles that were able to Simpson in 1972. I guided for Jim were moving the outfit, knee deep in drive up to Buchanan Creek. ... continued on page 12 for the next 18 years. I also started the bog when we caught up with the my own outfitting business called hikers. We decided to tie the horses THANKS Miette Trail Rides and had the name up while Dale scouted the area on changed to Saracen Head Outfitters foot. We got out of the marshy ground MD of Greenview later.Tom McCready was a second- and back onto the main trail, which generation Jasper family whose father was also full of bog holes. We travelled moved to the new tent community through Beaver Dam Pass into Pauline for helping publish the book after he gained employment with the Creek and followed it downstream. railroad in 1910, the same year that the Moberly family and others were ... continued on page 11 Women of Willmore Wilderness forced to leave their homeland after Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 12 Page 13 Annual Edition - 2013
TALL TALES ... Ed Regnier continued from Page 11 Grizzly Bear Survey Report 2012 by Jenn Houlihan We were short-handed after we was on the wrong side of the hill and The Willmore Wilderness Jenn’s data is sent to Nate Webb and left Morkill. I was basically on my had lost the trail. I saw him down Foundation started the Grizzly Bear placed into the Provincial Database. Jenn own with the help of RJ, looking after below and wondered where he was Survey in 2008 to help study the is very enthusiastic about working with the horses. To complicate matters, we going. I kept on the path and got range and distribution of the grizzly Nate and the public will be getting a went over Big Shale in a snowstorm. down to the bottom ahead of Dale population in Alberta. It is co-sponsored much more comprehensive grizzly bear My horses went This is a high pass that is about 6500- and hollered to him, “The trail is over by the following: census as a result of this cooperation . over to the left (east) to-7000 feet in altitude. It’s a pretty here!” Dale heard me and was able to Alberta Fish and Game Association The Willmore Wilderness rough climb on a good day travelling follow the packhorses’ tracks. If you Foundation collected 288 Grizzly Bear on the summit. over Big Shale, but it was snowing like get off the trail, you will get buggered A.M. Consulting - Maurice Nadeau sightings from April 1, 2012 – December hell. It started sleeting, and we couldn’t up as you won’t know where you’re at. 31, 2012. The 2011 survey gathered Cheyenne Rig Repair and Supply By the time I got see a thing. My horses went over to 710 sightings. She is still collecting data The trail was tough, exceptionally around them, they the left (east) on the summit. By the Alberta Bowhunters Association from Local Fish & Wildlife Officers and time I got around them, they almost muddy and we were travelling through Outfitters. Jenn has collected a large almost went over a went over a 1000-foot drop because very soft ground. The horses were Wild Sheep Foundation: Alberta Chapter image database which helps differentiate they couldn’t see. We were above tree thrashing through the deep muskeg the reported Grizzly Bear sightings. Willmore Wilderness Foundation. 1000-foot drop line and there was no place to hide and at times were up to their bellies in the bog. We decided to get off and Some bears were spotted in and on from the storm. The packhorses put Because of the partnership, we because they walk, leading our horses to keep the the outskirts of small towns in Alberta. their hind ends against the blizzard, as were able to advertise full-page and full- On May 18, 2012 there was a single couldn’t see. they didn’t want to head into the wind. weight to a minimum. It was a good color ads in every issue of Alberta Bow Grizzly Bear spotted in the north side I got around and turned them just in thing that we only had one tent, a Hunter’s Association (ABA), Alberta of Grande Cache near residences and stove and a set of food boxes. The rest Trapper’s Association (ATA), and the time and got them moving in the right the Golf Course, and again spotted a Jenn Houlihan of the horses were running empty. Alberta Fish and Game Association Photo by Susan Feddema-Leonard direction. RJ stayed in the rear and kept couple of days later. (AFGA). We were able to advertise the packhorses moving behind me. We We were making fairly good time half-page full-color ads in Alberta sure could have used Tom, but the big and we only camped one more night There were fewer sightings Jenn has Outdoorsmen Magazine. reported this year, which could be due storm would have caused him more on the trail. We finally ended up at a health problems. Tom was pretty sick. to a number of reasons. Apathy and farm at the base of the Holmes River Five years ago some of the collected a large a sense of resignation on the part of where I had left my truck and trailer. scientists were reporting as few as Dale Portman was hiking down those who spend time in the wilderness image database thirty bears north of Highway 16. Our Big Shale and was ahead of me. He There I left the horses and ended my areas could be one deciding factor. We staff couldn’t believe this unbelievably trip. believe that our on-the-ground survey which helps low count. In the Grande Cache area, sightings has consistently shown that grizzlies were live-trapped in the differentiate there is a substantial number of grizzlies school yard at Susa Creek. They were in the province and that in some areas the reported also reported to Fish and Wildlife as a limited hunt would be beneficial. The Thanks to ConocoPhillips being on the Muskeg Co-op, Joachim cancellation of hunting opportunities Grizzly Bear Enterprises Co-op, and many other local was a political decision, and sad to say, locations. The bears were becoming sightings. for supporting the it still is. more brazen and were coming into 2012 Edson Shindig many of the local outfitter camps. The We would like to thank our Foundation decided to “take the bull by sponsors: Alberta Fish and Game the horns” and conduct a survey. Association, Alberta Wild Sheep & Grande Cache Gala Foundation North Eastern Fish & Jenn Houlihan has spent the Game: Zone 5, Alberta Bowhunters entire year working on the Grizzly Association, Cheyenne Rig Repair and & 2012 Larry Nelles Clinic Bear Survey. She works closely with Supply Ltd, A.M. Consulting - Maurice Nate Webb, the Provincial Carnivore Nadeau for their ongoing support. Specialist with Alberta Sustainable
Resources Development (ASRD). All of Bazil Leonard & Jenn Houlihan Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 14 Page 15 Annual Edition - 2013
Northeastern Slopes Operator’s Steering Committee By Laura Vinson, Chairman
Pictured above: Hello everyone: Slopes. We all feel we have something special to offer tourists, not only with Laura Vinson, Chairman of the The Northeastern Slopes the beauty of the mountains here, but Northeastern Slopes Operators Operators Steering Committee also the history of the fur trade and Steering Committee. (NESOSC) met Sept. 21, 2012 and was Aboriginal culture. All the operators ... continued from page 14
reformed due to resignations. are hands-on and have historical and Pictured below on left-hand of table: family connections to the area. They of tourism and provide a basis for a to see how the marketing campaign Pictured above: Laura Ell, Consultant for PlanVision, The members of the committee are: brand name. It was a very productive plays out and how it impacts our Bazil Leonard, Hillary Shannon, all wrote letters of support for a grant Joe Pavelka is the President of to fund a marketing campaign and and enthusiastic meeting, and we are individual businesses. We will keep you Larry Delorme, Mary Luger, Ed Regnier, now in the process of choosing a all posted. Planvision Management Consulting Ltd., Peter Witlow, Laura Rutter - Rocky Mountain Escape, the grant was successful. We received brand name. Amber Hayward. Mary Lugar – Old Entrance B and B, funding to hire a consultant and which consults with clients, including Hillary Shannon – Black Cat Ranch, Laura Vinson produce marketing tools. We will meet again on Feb. 4, Parks Canada, on issues of leisure and Pictured on right hand-side of table: Ed Reigner – Saracen Head Outfitters, 2013, to decide how to develop our Editor’s Note: Perry Hayward, Laura Rutter and Sue Feddema-Leonard – Willmore The committee was successful in recreation, community development and marketing campaign, what tools will Joe Pavelka President of PlanVision. Wilderness Foundation, procuring the services of Planvision As of Februay 5, 2013, the name projects relating to tourism. Bazil Leonard – High Country Vacations, Consulting in November. Joe Pavalka be created and what media will be of this group has been changed to Joe received his master’s degree in Nannette Mosely – Rock Lake Lodge and Laura Ell have a great deal of used. We have been invited to submit a Alberta Rockies Adventure. A and myself, Laura Vinson, Chairman experience in ecotourism marketing proposal to Alberta Travel for matching new website is being created at www. Recreation Administration from the funding to augment this campaign. of Blue Diamond Mountain B and B. and have proven to be a great fit for AlbertaRockiesAdventures.com. The University of Alberta. our kind of operations. On Nov 26, group has entered into a marketing We represent a group of tourism It seems that a lot has happened 2012, the group as a whole met with in a short time, and it is very satisfying phase and is moving ahead with the operators in the Hinton, Grand Cache Joe and Laura to develop a theme help Chairman Laura Vinson, and and Edson area who all have a similar to be part of a group that is able to do that was representative of our type something positive for the operators consultants Joe Palvelka, and Laura Ells. vision of the kind of tourism that Don Wilson of Travel Alberta has also make us unique here on the Eastern ... continued on page 15 of the Willmore Wilderness and surrounding area. It will be exciting provided invaluable assistance. Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 16 Page 17 Annual Edition - 2013 Youth Report by Stephen McDonald
Stephen McDonald is one of the four young people that the Willmore Wilderness Foundation is mentoring during the winter months. I asked Stephen to write a short article for you 2013 Annual Newsletter. - Susan Feddema-Leonard
Hello, my name is Stephen houses had no floors, so they had to McDonald. I was born in 1996, in use Spruce bows as matting for the the small town of Grande Cache, floor. She said Balsam tree branches Alberta. Grande Cache is located in were the best, because they lasted west central Alberta in the beautiful about three days. One of their old Canadian Rocky Mountains. houses is still standing today. When I first saw it I could not believe what I was asked by the Willmore it was like, but it was all they had at Wilderness Foundation to write a the time. Eventually, they moved into brief story for this newsletter. When a newer, safer, warmer house. It just I realized this article was going to be got running water about two years read by an international audience, ago, but the water quality is poor and I was both excited, and nervous. I unsafe to drink. realized I could write about anything; This is the bad Elk that Stephen was talking about in his article. Stephen McDonald many ideas came to mind… hunting My father was born in the Photo courtesy of Stephen McDonald Photo by Susan Feddema-Leonard stories, stories passed down from my Grande Cache area, before the town continued from page 16 that wasn’t exactly a comfortable were there this fall my dad introduced family, past experiences, what I did was built. There was no hospital at the ... encounter. We were taking pictures of me to Mike, the owner of Pine this summer, school trips, etc. I asked time. I was born in Grande Cache We usually stay were evicted from the area which is elk that were on the side of the road. Bungalows. He is a very kind person, my Principal what he thought I should Hospital. My mother says I was one at the Pine Bungalows now known as Jasper National Park. A cow elk started to come towards and we have agreed to conduct write about, and he said, “You live in a of the last children to be born in our Some of the people came here because our direction with a big bull elk not Aboriginal culture presentations next cabins, located just beautiful place. I think other parts of local community hospital. The people they wanted to be left alone. My dad far behind. We could tell the bull elk year for his European clients. the world are envious about where in our community have to travel to outside of Jasper. is regularly asked to do presentations was not in a good mood because he you live, so I think you should write Hinton or Grande Prairie if they about the local Aboriginal community had just won a fight over another I currently live in town; I am It is very relaxing about where you live.” My teacher need an emergency doctor now. My history from an Aboriginal traditional bull elk not even ten minutes earlier. actively learning and enjoying practicing agreed with him. I thought it was a ancestry on my father’s side has been there because there perspective. Sometimes he’ll ask me to We were afraid of the big bull, and my family’s traditions as much as I can. good idea and have decided to do so. in this area since time immemorial. accompany him to his presentations. he started to come towards us, so are no telephones Our family has strong Rocky Mountain I am fortunate that I get to go with we got behind our vehicle. This only Grande Cache was established Cree traditions and values. We or televisions in the him most times. I find it interesting to lasted a couple minutes, but it was in 1969. Fortunately my Aboriginal depend on the land for things such as see the pictures in the presentation, not a good feeling to be stalked by cabins. While we were family has always been here, and still medicines, food, clothing, and shelter. I because they tell a story about the an angry bull elk. It sure is a different is to this day. I have a lot of things to like to hunt, participate in our cultural there this fall my dad Rocky Mountain Cree People. feeling when you have a small camera learn about my Aboriginal history and ceremonies, and visit with family and instead of a rifle. introduced me to the local community. When I visit my friends. Jasper is still an important grandparents they tell me about what Mike, the owner of place to us. We often go there to We usually stay at the Pine it was like before the town was here. We have a unique community photograph the wildlife, and harvest Bungalows cabins, located just outside Pine Bungalows. He is My grandma says there were no roads, history. Some of my dad’s relatives medicinal plants. This year, my dad of Jasper. It is very relaxing there only trails. They told me about some a very kind person, and I were in Jasper taking pictures of because there are no telephones or of the houses they have lived in. The continued on page 17 ... elk during the elk rut. During one of televisions in the cabins. While we our trips, we ran into one situation Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 18 Page 19 Annual Edition - 2013
http://www.AlbertaRockiesAdventure.com - Under Construction Thanks Rural Alberta Development Fund for support Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 20 Page 21 Annual Edition - 2013
Women of Willmore Wilderness Women of Willmore Wilderness Book Launch and Film Premiere by Susan Feddema-Leonard For years I had no knowledge see the hand-written diary. of the history of the northwestern My daughter Chehala and I had portion of Willmore Wilderness Park. Thursday, April 4 Bazil and I worked away some business to do in Calgary, Doors open at 6:30 PM, program starts at 7 PM at clearing trail, seeing along with friend Dan Hallock. sign and wondering The three of us drove down to the Admission by donation about those that museum in May of 2005 on our way travelled before us. to Calgary. We arrived at the Whyte A friend of mine Museum Archives Department at To celebrate the exhibition Off the Beaten Track: Caroline had told me about a pre-arranged time and asked to Hinman’s Pack Trips and Trail Tours the Whyte Museum is see the Hinman journal. I was full of a book called pleased to host the Women of Willmore book launch and Off the Beaten excitement and anticipation as this Track: Women would be the first chance I had of film screening. The book and film share the stories of free- Adventurers and understanding some of the happenings thinking women past and present as they reveal how their of yesteryear in the most western Mountaineers in experiences on rarely-travelled trails deeply inspired them. Western Canada portion of Willmore Wilderness Park. Caroline Hinman & Mary Jobe v282-pg.78.2 Songwriter Laura Vinson will perform. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies by Cindi Smith. Lena Goon the Reference Archivist There was a short chapter for the Whyte Museum of the Canadian about Mary Jobe and another about Rockies brought the diary out for us the copying, when Don told me about Chehala, Dan and I left the participating in non-traditional roles, Caroline Hinman. I immediately to look at. I was eager to look at the some old film footage that we might Museum feeling elated. I was delighted including careers in the mountain purchased the publication and read many pages of tiny writing and really be interested in. with the fact that the Foundation wilderness. Many were trying to each woman’s chapter with great hoped to get a copy of the diary. We had copies of the journal and the survive the post depression era, had no historical written accounts Chehala, Dan and I followed Don film footage. This was the beginning etching a living off the land; while interest. I was excited, as this was Bourdon into a room and watched some of the first written information for the Willmore and adjacent areas, of what would become both a others were adventurers seeking and this journal would be invaluable him place a reel of very old film publication and a one-hour film a sense of freedom. Most of these People & Peaks I had seen on the Jackpine River and into an antique projector. He turned Women of Willmore Continental Divide areas. Our family to our organization. I told Lena that documentary. women lived “outside the box” and I personally had written journals for the machine by hand, and we were were visionaries of their time. These had been busy restoring the trail surprised to see pictures of horses Following the lead of historic Wilderness network in this area after my husband more than a decade, as I was trying explorers shed society’s expectations to keep records of our attempts to swimming at Clark’s Crossing on women who challenged the traditions and followed their dreams, becoming available at the Bazil had acquired Curly Phillips’ old the Smoky River. Dan and I voiced of the day, blazing trails into a man’s trapline in 1992 restore the historic pack trails of the more of “who they were” in a Willmore Wilderness northwestern portion of Willmore in unison, “That’s the Smoky!” Don world on horseback in the Canadian landscape they loved. Foundation office after I noted that Cindi Smith’s Wilderness Park. I started to joke seemed impressed and kept the film Rockies, modern generations of information was taken from the with her without thinking, “If someone rolling. Dan and I were able to identify women face their own challenges to Women of Willmore April 4, 2013. Caroline Hinman Fonds at the wanted to view my journals in 100 many of the other places in the travel these same trails. Wilderness shares the stories of Whyte Museum in Banff Alberta.1 I years from now—and an archivist told footage. After we viewed the reel, Don women past and present as they reveal told us that we were the first people Travelling as horseback people how their experiences in mountain E-mail immediately called Don Bourdon, me no I couldn’t have copies—I would was a way of life for Native and Métis Manager of the Archives and Library come back and haunt them.” he had met who could identify the culture deeply inspired them. The story [email protected] areas that Caroline Hinman had shot. women living nomadically with their focues on Caroline Hinman, Mary Jobe, who told me that he had the 1915 families in the Rocky Mountains. Later, or phone 780-827-2696 Journal of Caroline Hinman. I was Lena laughed at my joshing and Sophia Hargreaves with her daughter’s told me to wait as she went to get I asked Don if the Foundation could and prior to World War I, a small Ishbel and Margie, along with a modern to get your copy! ecstatic and told him I would make obtain a digitized copy of the film for number of affluent women afforded the eight-hour drive down to Banff to Don Bourdon, the Manager. He kindly generation of trail women. Meet free- agreed to photocopy the journal for future use and agreed that the Willmore the services of packhorse outfitters thinking individuals who blazed trails Wilderness Foundation would pay for to guide them into unexplored Debit, Visa, Mastercard, 1 Businessdictionary.com defines an the Willmore Wilderness Preservation into a man’s rugged world. Share the cheque, cash. “archival fonds” as an entire collection of the and Historical Foundation. I made the digitization. Don concurred and Canadian Rockies. With the advent of humour and deep emotion of these records originating from the same creator, arrangements with Lena to pay for made arrangement for the footage to the Second World War, there was a souls who find the essence of their archived with other such collections. be sent out for processing. birth of feminism, and women began lives’ work on trails rarely travelled. Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 22 Page 23 Annual Edition - 2013 Join Our Membership Willmore Wilderness Veitch’s Views Foundation Find out about what’s happening in Willmore. Get the latest news, issues and developments! We will keep in touch with our members in an annual a registered charitable organization newsletter each January. We keep you up-to-date on important events and The tracks showed my quarry clearing. The cat was slowing down #89655 0308 RR001 information. Articles or letters to the editor are always welcome. Join today! had crossed the snowmobile trail and too, I thought. I gave one last burst of Box 93 Grande Cache, Alberta T0E 0Y0 brushed by a big pine tree. Head low barks and charged into the clearing. Canada A person may become a member by a favourable vote passed by a and back hunched, I began to follow There, in front of me, were two men Phone: 1-780-827-2696 majority of voting members at a regular meeting of the Foundation, and the prints in the snow. I reckon I setting rabbit snares. Their mouths Toll Free: 1-866-WILMORE upon payment of the fee. Written notification will be sent to accepted looked like Elmer Fudd but instead and eyes wide open. I muttered an Email: [email protected] members with a membership card. (The membership year runs from of rabbits, I was after a cougar. And apology before trudging back to the instead of shotgun, I was carrying a truck, defeated. Web Pages: January 1 to December 31.) bulky camera, lens and tripod. WillmoreWilderness.com A few months later, I saw an PeopleandPeaks.com Great Divide Consulting Inc., Publisher Yearly Membership is as follows: The tracks showed the cat had article in National Geographic Estella Cheverie, Editor • $25.00 Individual Membership or $100.00 for five years circled right around the pine and went Magazine about tigers. All the great • $35.00 Family Membership or $140.00 for five years directly back onto the snowmobile photos of wild tigers were made with Annual General Meeting in June of each year. • Life Time Membership $500.00 trail. Its footprints were imbedded remote control cameras, or camera An independent newsletter published in in mine. I had been less than a metre traps. That’s when the light bulb January of each year. • Corporate Membership $100.00 away from the cat, and it had snuck blinked on above my head. I would • Youth Fees are 1/2 price ADVERTISING RATES: directly behind me without being seen do the same in Grande Cache but, full page ad B & W - $295.00 • Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Debit and Cheques accepted or heard. instead of tigers, I would photograph full page colour - $500.00  the equally elusive predators here. 1/2 page ad B & W - $145.00 company I really, really wanted to make 1/4 page ad B & W - $80.00 a photo of a wild cougar in Grande After a lot of trial and error, 1/8 page ad B & W - $45.00 Cache so I made a snap decision. I I began to see results. Over the Arthur Veithch circulation 5000  name would run after the cat, barking and coming years, I managed to get Photo courtesy of Susan Feddema-Leonard © Willmore Wilderness Foundation baying like a hound dog to send it up National Geographic quality images No portion of this newsletter may be reprinted  a tree. Once the cougar was treed, I of wild cougars, lynx, wolves, bears without written permission. address The entire Newsletter is copyrighted ©. would get my image. and wolverines. This was the most I really, really wanted to rewarding and enjoyable photographic So I set off, lumbering through the make a photo of a wild cougar We welcome feeback to this publication and city/province/state journey of my life. And I owe a lot of any suggestions or ideas for future articles. ankle deep snow and howling like a the success to the knowledge passed in Grande Cache so I made a Contact our Editor at dog. Within minutes I was winded but down by traditional trappers. I realized snap decision. I would run [email protected]  postal code/zip wildlife photography has always been that I could use their techniques but after the cat, barking and my consuming passion, so I pushed on. country replace a snare with an infrared beam baying like a hound dog The cat zigged and zagged through the and a conibear with a camera. Cubbies  telephone forest above Grande Cache Lake with that worked to snare bears helped me to send it up a tree. fax the mad photographer in hot pursuit. photograph wolves and lynx while run Once the cougar was treed, poles that worked for marten allowed  Just as my howls had turned to I would get my image. email me to make images of fisher and Facebook.com/Willmore Wilderness website pathetic huffs and whimpers, I saw movement just ahead in the small wolverine. Twitter ... continued on page 24 Facebook.com/PeopleandPeaks Facebook  amount enclosed Larry Nelles Youth Colt Starting & Horsemanship Clinic Twitter.com/WillmoreTweets  membership year • June 20-29, 2013; Fee is $350/horse. Bring your colt or horse date Vimeo.com/PeopleandPeaks • for information call 1-866-WILMORE or 1-780-827-2696 Willmore Wilderness Foundation Page 24
Photo by Arthur Veitch
better. A few deer are ambling by the Arthur Veitch has won numerous Veitch’s Views set and a young cougar provided a few ... continued from page 23 provincial and national photo thrilling minutes of footage. journalism and newspaper awards. As the techniques become more About a year ago, the Willmore Arthur is an accomplished wildlife Wilderness Foundation challenged me refined, I hope to provide better to join them and adapt still camera trap wildlife moments. Even more, I am photographer, with his images of techniques to video. It’s been a challenge. eager to learn how to best present cougars, lynx, bears and wolves the footage to the public. I have to I knew nothing about movie cameras. published in magazines like National What I did discover is that they are thank Susan Feddema-Leonard and generally more expensive and less hardy the rest of the Foundation members Wildlife and Canadian Geographic. that still cameras. This has posed some for rekindling the passion for wildlife problems but the results are getting imagery.