push to open the 2008 parks access challenge push to open the 2008 alberta parks access challenge written by don carruthers den hoed

1 dedicated to jeanne lougheed and ross watson

the pushing champions

push to open © 2009 alberta tourism, parks and recreation parks division outreach all rights reserved no part of this book may be reproduced in any part without written permission for information, please contact kananaskis country outreach suite 201, 800 railway avenue canmore, alberta [email protected] www.albertaparks.ca/pushtoopen printed in canada ISBN 978-0-7785-7849-9

2 push to open

everyone belongs outside 5 the alberta access challenge 7 the backcountry 9 the frontcountry 13 the water 17 open house becomes open trails 21 making it happen 23 doing more together 25 tabs 27 a lasting impact 35 you can PUSH 37

3 william watson lodge

This unique barrier-free facility provides wilderness opportunities for Albertans with disabilities and senior citizens, and respite for their families and caregivers.

4 everyone belongs outside Connecting with nature is important with everyone else. The second step for the quality of life of all people. is by fostering inclusion – by making Parks provide opportunities for sure people feel they truly belong in people to be active in natural or parks and can get involved in parks, wilderness settings, to spend time nature, and recreation programs. with friends and family, and to escape busy daily routines. The People with disabilities who want Alberta Parks Division is committed to visit parks crave the same things to supporting the participation of as everyone else: to experience all people in park experiences and and be challenged by pristine and programs, regardless of ability. rugged nature. In order to ensure access without impacting the The first step to improving participa- wilderness—and to foster inclusion tion in parks is improving access. at the same time—the Alberta Parks By removing barriers in new and Division is developing and supporting existing facilities, in programs, and programs that modify the user, not in daily operations, people with the environment. Programs such as disabilities can experience nature the Alberta Access Challenge.

“Inclusion, to me, is about making everyone feel like they belong.” 5 the original event poster

6 the alberta access challenge For three days in August 2008, the TrailRiders, tandem bicycles, and Friends of Kananaskis Country, outrigger kayaks. With tremendous the Alberta Parks Division, and teamwork and enthusiasm, partici- the Kelowna-based Community pants with disabilities were able to Recreation Initiatives Society (CRIS) take a three-day backcountry trip, hosted the first-ever Alberta Access hike to a mountain lake, or paddle Challenge. Based on similar events through the waves in a sea kayak. hosted by the British Columbia “This changes Mobility Opportunities Society, this The organizations and the people the way we see unique event aimed to prove that involved in the event thought they recreation - that it’s barriers could be overcome. were helping a few people with disabilities experience the back- not for the few, it’s Over the three-day event, 65 volun- country. What they didn’t know was for everyone.” teers provided over 2000 volunteer that this event impacted the lives hours showcasing accessible facili- of all the volunteers and organizers ties, such as William Watson Lodge, as well, and continues to have an the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park impact today. The 2008 Access visitor centre, and barrier-free trails in Challenge proved that by working the area. More significantly, they also together, we can provide mean- provided inclusive outdoor experi- ingful opportunities for everyone ences for people with disabilities by to connect to nature, and to each using adaptive equipment such as other.

7 “It’s like a part of my soul that I didn’t know was there is opened up now.”

8 the backcountry When the backcountry volunteers steep hills, rising creeks, windstorms, began preparing for the three-day and flat tires. Over the weekend, trip to Tombstone Campground and the three participants with disabili- the Elbow-Sheep Wildlands Provin- ties became part of three teams cial Park, it quickly became clear of humans testing their limits, that this trip would be like no other. conquering their fears, and fuelling As the TrailRider volunteers watched, their adrenaline. anxious to get on the trail, Greg, Lana, and Eliza calmly worked with On the second night, as the group CRIS Kelowna volunteers to ensure rested below towering peaks and the equipment would fit their bodies listened to wolves howl, it became and provide necessary support. The clear that this was much more than a three-hour effort seemed to drag on, backcountry trip. It was the coming but it reflected the reality faced by together of a group of humans to people with disabilities for whom a prove that belonging, inclusion, pressure sore from an ill-fitting seat and connection are possible to find can result in serious recovery issues in today’s world. And as Greg took and for whom patience is the best an icy dip in a glacier-fed lake— tool in a world filled with barriers. something few people ever do—it became clear that cerebral palsy is Patience was simply the first lesson a mere detail for someone with the learned in a weekend filled with passionate soul of an adventurer.

lana eliza greg

9 “It was inspiring to see the teams work together to get the TrailRider up the steep climb from the Tombstone Campground, over the rocky terrain and to witness one of our fearless trail riders take his first ever dip in the glacier-fed waters of a mountain lake…!”

10 11 12 the frontcountry Less than a year before the Alberta volunteers and their pilots to decide Access Challenge, Sam had a stroke. which route to take. When the group Prior to his stroke, he had been an reached the junction they quickly active and fit hiker, and one of his agreed to attempt the climb to the favourite destinations was Rawson lake. They made it. Lake in Kananaskis Country. Less than a year after his stroke, Sam was Despite an enjoyable hour spent again enjoying lunch on the shoreline at the lake resting, socializing, and of those treasured mountain waters. basking in the surroundings, this day trip was not easy for anyone involved. On that warm Saturday in August, an 300 metres of elevation gain and a enthusiastic group of friends—who return trip of 8 kilometres can tax the had been strangers just the day average hiker—let alone a group before—volunteered to pull and of people pulling two adult males push TrailRiders on a frontcountry in heavy adaptive wheelchairs. Yet, day hike with Sam and Dan. The the participants returned from the plan was simple: within 3 kilometres hike in an ecstatic mood, having of the trailhead, the flat trail along realized their goal and having had the shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake their minds opened to how barriers would meet the steeper, more can be overcome with teamwork challenging trail to Rawson Lake. It and determination. would be up to the diverse group of

dan sam “Being in nature has a healing effect on all of us.” 13 “Dan just said ‘go big, or go home!’ and that impressed me a lot.”

14 “People just feel at peace with themselves when they’re outdoors and if you can provide that to any one person, I think you’re making a huge impact in their life.”

15 “When someone is in a sea kayak, they look just like everybody else” 16 the water From camping to hiking, climbing to Guided by the experienced volun- hunting, every imaginable outdoor teers of CRIS Kelowna, and aided recreation activity is being done by local volunteers, six individuals somewhere by someone with a with disabilities felt the spray of fresh disability. During the Alberta Access water on their face and the chill on Challenge, that diversity of outdoor their hands as they paddled Lower pursuits was represented by tandem Kananaskis Lake in tandem sea bicycles, a presentation by blind kayaks equipped with outrigger mountaineer Ross Watson, and by pontoons. And, rather than rely on providing adaptive sea-kayaking a team of five people to pull a Trail- trips to people with a range of Rider, the kayakers worked in pairs— disabilities. alone with their navigator and with nature.

marc jessica melissa

dan marjorie cecile

17 “I have yet to find anyone that hasn’t found a benefit from being on the water.”

18 19 “Physical disability or mental disability or whatever kind of disability or obstacles you might be facing really don’t have to prevent you from doing those things you might want to do or dream of doing.” 20 open house on opened trails The original plan for the Access contribution to the Access Challenge was to host an open “Some of them I’m sure Challenge. As 200 able-bodied house at the Peter Lougheed Visitor thought it was a stretcher people waited at the Elkwood Centre so members of the public amphitheatre for the evening’s inter- could learn about inclusion and evacuation. And then they pretive program to begin, a TrailRider accessibility in parks. While some realized ‘oh, they’re going up emerged from the woods, moved people did stop by to see the display through the crowd, and eventually on adaptive hiking equipment and the hill, not down.’ You could stopped on stage. Marc captivated to attend the guest presentations see them thinking ‘oh, I can this group as he spoke eloquently of by Ross Watson and Alberta Parks walk this trail or run up this his life since he broke his neck, and staff, the true open house happened of the importance of believing in on the trails and at the facilities in trail, and these people have your dreams, working together, and Kananaskis Country. to be taken up in a TrailRider getting outside.

Rob Lougheed, one of the event because they can’t do what I The Alberta Access Challenge is volunteers and the former Chair of can do.’” about providing wilderness experi- the Alberta Premier’s Council on ences for people with disabilities. It the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Marc Ross volunteered for the is also about normalizing diversity recalled encountering members of Alberta Access Challenge hoping to through public exposure, and turning the public on the very busy trail to try some of the adaptive equipment. this exposure into understanding. Rawson Lake: He joined in the kayaking on Sunday and tried the tandem recumbent bicycle that same afternoon. On Saturday evening, though, Marc made a significant and profound 21 “Megatron” It took this massive diesel truck and trailer, fully-laden, to bring all the equipment from Kelowna to Kananaskis Country.

22 making it happen The volunteers of CRIS Kelowna have time. There was also extraordinary abundant experience providing effort required to bring supplies in adapted outdoor recreation and out of the backcountry base programs. Nonetheless, the Alberta camp, as demonstrated late on Access Challenge required tremen- Sunday by the group of volunteers dous effort well in advance of the who hauled two fully-loaded Trail- event. In early spring, work began in Riders out from Tombstone Camp- earnest on route and safety plans, ground in the freezing rain. volunteer and participant recruit- ment, fundraising applications, In the end, it didn’t matter if an food and housing logistics, and individual was planning the event, equipment arrangements. pulling a TrailRider full of gear, paddling a kayak, or making sand- As the event got underway, the wiches and setting tables. Every planning evolved into an hour-to- ounce of effort was returned tenfold hour enterprise of ensuring people in the profound impact the weekend were fed, housed, oriented to the had on participants, volunteers, and equipment and the environment, organizers alike. and told where to be at any given “You can do anything when you have cooperation between people.”

23 troy becker, founder of CRIS kathy wilcox, executive director of don carruthers den hoed, outreach kelowna, with greg mcmeekin the friends of kananaskis country coordinator for kananaskis country, alberta parks division

24 doing more together A TrailRider doesn’t make it up a hill By sharing their respective expertise by itself. Likewise, an event like the in volunteer support, integrated Access Challenge doesn’t happen recreation, and inclusive education without teamwork. While the coop- these three organizations were able eration of all the volunteers and to reach heights beyond what they individuals—most of whom started could reach alone. as strangers—is a notable key to success, it is only part of the picture. As an indication of the bright future of the Alberta Access Challenge, The 2008 Alberta Access Challenge a series of other partnerships succeeded due to the shared developed leading up to and since leadership of The Friends of Kanan- the event. Many thanks are owed to askis Country, the Community the William Watson Lodge Society, Recreation Initiatives Society (CRIS) Travel Alberta, the University of from Kelowna BC, and Kananaskis Alberta’s Steadward Centre, and Country Outreach, Alberta Tourism, the British Columbia Mobility Oppor- Parks and Recreation. tunities Society (BCMOS), who built the TrailRider and host Access Chal- lenges of their own.

“It was so inspirational to be around the CRIS people and see their passion and commitment. It’s also really inspirational to see your dedication to inclusion in the parks - nature is so therapeutic and it only ever makes people’s lives better!”

25 26 “I just want to thank you for letting me be a part of last volunteers weekend. I had such an amazing Some people volunteered for time and am so excited about the Alberta Access Challenge the TrailRiders and all the because it was a program “The thing I loved most related to parks and the about the weekend was the potential to have some amazing outdoors. atmosphere of teamwork programs in K-Country!” Some people volunteered and camaraderie. Everyone because it was a program contributed in their way related to persons with disabili- “When you get a group of ties and social justice. and was valued for those contributions–really valued.” people together who are By the end of the weekend, willing to do something I everyone was deeply affected by the event because it had believe that anything can been about belonging. be achieved or anything can happen.”

the quotes on these pages, and throughout the book, are the reflections and voices of participants and volunteers of the 2008 alberta access challenge “The TrailRider was amazing as a vehicle to open access to rugged terrain, but not nearly as amazing as the people it brings together to use it. This weekend will be on my mind and in my heart for years to come. Thanks. The Access Challenge is something of which we can all be very proud to have played a part.” “This was so uplifting.” “My head is still buzzing after this incredible “Those 5 people I spent weekend, yet my body is 48 hours with know more “It’s not impossible.” definitely in slow mode ...This about me and understand was a powerful experience for me better than the people all involved!!!” I’ve lived with for 6 years… it’s amazing!”

“It was such an enlightening experience!” “I think if more people were “Everybody deserves a aware of it, particularly those chance to try and achieve in the disability community, their potential. Whatever they would realize that they it takes to help them be “How can you explain the don’t have to be limited by the most complete person impact it has or how life- their disability.” changing it is to go to the top they can.” of the mountain if you’re in a wheelchair and you’ve never “Why place limits on yourself? been on a hike or haven’t been Why place limits on other on a hike since your injury?” people?” “These barriers are mental a lot of the time, rather “It’s more than just than physical.” tabs e concrete where most People with disabilities often refer to people without r people will experience themselves.” disabilities as ‘tabs’ or e ‘temporarily able-bodied.’ It’s n a reflection that at some point “People with disabilities are in life, due to permanent or temporary injury, illness, or other people first and they deserve life situation, everyone will face access to everything that barriers and become ‘disabled.’ everyone else does.” While this event focused on removing barriers for people “It’s more than access... with disabilities, the ‘tabs’ “Camping is possible. it’s about self worth, it’s arguably benefited as much as the participants...or more. Recreation is possible for about connecting to the people with disabilities.” landscape it’s about having the same opportunities as everyone else.”

“We were all on a level playing field… just a bunch of humans.” tabs the volunteers “When one has been pushed to the periphery, ‘benched,’ pushed aside, ignored, and told they better sit out, it is beyond comprehension that there would be a time when you could try things without criticism, with goodhearted competition, and with acceptance.”

28 theth story of a person wwho pushed to open cecile buhl could try things without criticism, with in those things I used to love to do. goodhearted competition, and with I realized that I didn’t have to do it acceptance. I assume the people alone as I have always tried. I can who have always been active in their leave some of my fears and painful “I have tried to tell people about childhood would have less problems memories out in the wilderness and the 2008 Alberta Access Challenge feeling at ease in new and competi- let them fend for themselves. I can Weekend in Peter Lougheed tive activities. Many participants of move on to enjoy the outdoors, try Provincial Park. I have had difficulty the Access Challenge Weekend new things, and meet like-minded expressing myself, just as I did on were active prior to their present individuals. the last day of that weekend. When state. My impression was that they talking to friends, the phrase, ‘You are still active and a weekend such This weekend was a pilot project had to be there.’ came out of my as this brought them back their to initiate more awareness for the mouth. Even now I seem to find it former activity level. general public, government, and hard to put into words the change people with disability. It was a this weekend has brought to me. As a child, before I allowed people challenge for social change as much to put restrictions on me, I was as for policy change. However, it In describing the activities for the constantly in the forest behind our ended up being much more than weekend, many said, ‘Good for you!’ house. I would walk with my dog for that for me. or some response. I kept trying to say, miles and look for flora and fauna. ‘No, but you don’t understand!’ They I would go to the beaver dam I didn’t expect it to become a would nod in an interested manner. and check out how the building personal challenge. One that made But they did not understand. I am was going; along the way I would me look at the painful memories sure they want to. pick blueberries. In essence, I was that have held me back, as well as just enjoying nature and the quiet acknowledging those restrictions For years I have been trying to solitude that brings peace to one’s I had placed on myself. I learned do activity that was inclusive and soul. I missed that as I grew up, took again that I have to allow other comfortable for me. Granted, many on responsibility, and had to go to people to help me to achieve of the fears and discomforts holding college. my goals, just as a team wins a me back were of my own making. championship. From my perspective, not coming When one has been pushed to the from a background of group activity It not only gave me access to the periphery, ‘benched,’ pushed aside, and support in activities in general, beautiful country in Kananaskis, to ignored, and told they better sit out, the Alberta Access Challenge new outdoors activities, but also to it is beyond comprehension that Weekend made me see there was myself.” there would be a time when you a way to become more involved

29 “We were aware that a disability and restrictions on outdoor activity can result in isolation, so we resolved to not let this happen to Danny.”

30 the story of a family that pushes together the wein family thought this was great, especially overlooked until, out on the lake, he when he heard that sea kayaks were just had to communicate something. involved! Another wonderful volunteer sped back to shore for the letter-board so “In the garage of our home, Danny’s Time moved slowly - until we arrived that Danny could express himself. It kayak hangs alongside the family at William Watson Lodge where a was a great day! canoe. Neither craft has been in the team was already setting up several water since 1998, when, at age 22, people in TrailRiders for a trip to the How can our family condense the Danny had a motorcycle accident backcountry. Access Challenge weekend into a in Bogota, Columbia. Since the few words? This is also a challenge. It accident, he has not scuba dived, The next day it was Danny’s turn was a time of meeting good people played soccer, conducted univer- to experience the TrailRider. With who are incredibly dedicated to sity field research, gone fishing or two athletic volunteers pulling and serving those with a disability and camping, hiked in the mountains, or another volunteer pushing Danny, who volunteered their time and taken part in long-distance travel. the convoy of 25 people headed experiences to give Danny (and into the mountains. Whenever the us) such pleasure. We continue to We were aware that a disability and perspiring ‘sherpas’ rested or were relive the experiences often through restrictions on outdoor activity can deciding to take a shorter or a longer the stories and the digital images result in isolation, so we resolved section of the trail, Danny got busy that were taken that weekend. to not let this happen to Danny. To with his letter-board to spell out that Thanks to Don and his Alberta Parks get out of the city, our family travels he was happy to go faster, farther, colleagues, the Friends of Kananaskis locally to a camp at . and higher! It was a good day and Country, the fine people from the Each year we spend a week at we love the volunteers who gave B.C. Community Recreation Initia- William Watson Lodge. And in 2008 Danny so much pleasure. tives Society, and all of the volun- we took a longer trip to Vancouver teers. Our family salutes them all.“ and Victoria. Danny has always The following day was an even craved—and as his parents we greater experience. Before his have always encouraged—inde- accident, Danny loved getting into pendence. Since the accident, we his kayak and experiencing the travel vicariously through Danny’s British Columbia waters. Now he was sister, Laurie, who is involved with having his six-foot-two-inch frame international conservation. stuffed into a sea kayak with outrig- gers and was given a paddle. Away Then we heard that Alberta Parks they went with a volunteer paddler was involved in putting together in the rear seat providing more a few days of backcountry travel power. Danny’s letter-board was for persons with disabilties. Danny

31 the story of an organizer who was pushed, and was opened

I don’t know precisely what I was slowed down in the way it often expecting, but the enormity of what does when you are walking with happened to me was nothing short your grandparents or exploring with of miraculous. I consider myself a a small child. This was juxtaposed “The story of the Access Challenge fairly open-minded, sensitive, caring against the clock-time schedules we could be told simply as the bringing individual, but nothing in my life had had imposed on the event. In the together of an incredible group of prepared me for Danny. gap, time stood still for me. volunteers and organizations for one weekend to enable a number of When Dan powered into the lodge This is where possibilities live. people living with serious disabilities in his wheelchair and greeted me to experience Kananaskis Country. I with his ‘oh, so charming’ smile and Someone who has had cerebral could talk about the organizational pointed to his alphabet board in palsy their whole life CAN climb a logistics and funding resources the back of his chair—well, I froze. mountain; someone whose life was required. It would be easy to focus I’d never met Danny, but knew instantly changed in an accident on the challenges faced and his ‘story’ about the accident, the CAN once again kayak across a overcome during the event. wheelchair and that he wasn’t able mountain lake; someone who has to speak. However, I wasn’t prepared always been held back from full I would like instead to tell you about for someone who was unable to participation CAN be a part of the my personal transformation that speak having so incredibly much to action! I started to really understand occurred both during and after the say! I immediately found someone that accessibility is the vehicle, but Access Challenge. who could give me a quick tutorial inclusion is the engine. on reading the alphabet board and In the weeks prior to the event, I felt then Dan and I were off on a sort I realized at some point during the both nervous and excited about of maniacal, convoluted journey of weekend that I kept forgetting what we were going to be able to getting to know each other. When to breathe. My understanding of accomplish. It all came together in his knuckles were literally bleeding the human spirit was shifting and some sort of intricate dance: seed and my throat was parched we took it literally took my breath away. funding, equipment, accommoda- a break. This is now Dan’s life, but for The stories from the volunteers and tions at William Watson Lodge (WWL), me it was diving into a whole new participants about their experience permits and safety plans, a myriad concept of how people connect validated what I was feeling. At one of volunteers with huge hearts (and with each other. strong backs), and the food...oh my God, the food! What followed was a flurry of often painfully slow activity. The TrailRiders “I wasn’t prepared for As the participants and volunteers were finally ready to take off up someone who was unable to began to arrive at WWL, there was the mountain. The kayaks skimmed an undercurrent that something across the lake and the bikes toured speak having so incredibly pretty special was about to happen. around the visitor centre. Time much to say!” 32 kathy wilcox point I found myself in a stall in the It wasn’t pretty, but I got into that bathroom inexplicably sobbing. This kayak and rowed my heart out as the was not what I had bargained for. moonlight reached down to touch the lake. With more than a little help In the weeks and months following from my CRIS friends I got out of that the Access Challenge, I couldn’t find kayak cold, wet, limbs shaking, but “In planning and executing the words to express the magnitude exhilarated! The elation didn’t solely of what I had experienced, so I said come from the paddling. the Access Challenge, little. Naturally, there were conversa- we provided a stage for tions about what could have been And so, finally the words have come. done better, what worked well, Through my reflections I repeat- people to make connections what we should do next year. The edly come back to two concepts: with each other; with participants and volunteers were connection and possibility. In the natural world; with able to eloquently express what the planning and executing the Access weekend had meant for them, and Challenge, we provided a stage for themselves.” still I said little. people to make connections with each other; with the natural world; It was only during a trip to Kelowna with themselves. Somewhere within to debrief with the folks from CRIS these connections lies possibility. If (Community Recreation Initiatives we focus on making connections, Society) that I experienced my own the roadblocks to what is possible personal challenge and found my truly become less daunting.” voice. The full impact of what the concept of inclusion really means hit me squarely in my own face.

I was invited to participate in an evening kayak ride with CRIS clients. I was prepared to do what I would normally do—make my excuses and stay in my hotel room for the evening—but for some reason I heard my self say yes. I am a woman of some considerable size and the idea of getting my butt into a kayak was truly daunting. The thing is: I love the water.

33 “By having them see the open sky and the wildlife-it completes them.

...It completes me.”

34 a lasting impact During the 2008 Alberta Access The Plan for Parks—the management Challenge, we pushed to open guidelines for Alberta Parks Division nature with adapted TrailRider for the next decade—contains a wheelchairs and sea kayaks, strategic priority to implement an committed and creative partner inclusion strategy. The drive to ‘push agencies, and the dedication, to open’ the wilderness will be a key energy, and time of volunteers of all part of that work. ages, abilites, and backgrounds. For that weekend, Kananaskis Country Alberta Parks Division already became inclusive—everyone was has plans to hold another Access equal and everyone belonged. But Challenge event next year. There one weekend is not enough. is also a broader plan to create an ongoing program that would enable Funding from the Alberta Parks participation in parks and protected Division Cooperative Fund made the areas for persons with disabilities Alberta Access Challenge weekend year-round. Whether this is an internal possible and laid a foundation for program or partnership with another the future. In addition to the event group remains to be seen. costs, these funds were also used to purchase a TrailRider for the Friends Regardless, the impact of the of Kananaskis Country to use in future Access Challenge will reverberate programming and environmental well into the future as we continue to education. This “legacy chair” is an ‘push to open’ the wilderness for all excellent illustration that successful Albertans. events such as the Alberta Access Challenge can have lasting impact.

35 “Events like this crystallize ideas and stimulate others to take up the challenge. Everyone is ready to put their weight behind the next event - next year - hint, hint!”

36 you can PUSH There are many ways to get involved with inclusion programs in Alberta’s provincial parks:

Participate: if you (or someone you know) has a disability, we invite you to experience parks with us.

Volunteer: if you want to help create experiences, your effort will be appreciated regardless of your abilities.

Partner with us: if your organization wants to help ‘push to open’ the wilderness, we can do it together.

Finally, while we are always working hard to improve and enhance the infrastructure throughout Alberta Parks, we appreciate your input to help reduce barriers. Please let us know about problems you encounter in our facilities or programs, as well as any exceptional places you think provide a truly inclusive experience.

To get involved or for more information, please visit “Heck, they did it! let www.albertaparks.ca/pushtoopen me try that. It might change my life...” 37 cecile buhl, dan wein and family, and kathy wilcox’ stories reprinted courtesy of the authors photo credits don carruthers den hoed: all photos except: will schmidt: inside front cover, pages 8 (right), 9 (right), 10 (lower), 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 (top left), 19, 20 (top, bottom right), foldout left, and 34 chris ha: pages 22 (lower) and 25 john and marj den hoed: pages 20 (background) and 23 melanie fricot: page 11 (left) various participants: pages 4, 9 (middle), 10 (upper), 24 (left), 26, 27, 32, and back cover portraits on pages 26 and 27 from various participants cover photo montage by don carruthers den hoed written and designed by don carruthers den hoed kananaskis country outreach canmore, alberta many thanks to doug marvin and the alberta parks cooperative fund troy becker and the CRIS kelowna team and kathy wilcox and the friends of kananaskis country for more information about this publication, contact:

kananaskis country outreach alberta tourism, parks, and recreation parks division suite 201, 800 railway avenue Canmore, Alberta, Canada T1W 1P1

www.albertaparks.ca/pushtoopen 38 “I wish the general public could get a sense of the feeling of what we did and how difficult it was, and how unique it was.”

39 “For the whole weekend we felt normal.”

www.albertaparks.ca/pushtoopen

printed 40in canada ISBN 978-0-7785-7849-9