Summer is short-lived in Calgary. The dying days of May are often peppered with pelting snow flurries. June can show early promise of the warm days ahead – or a month of misery sheltered under rain gear. Finally, by August hardy residents are able to enjoy a few warm days and the mosquitoes have even started to drop off. Then the letter arrives…Winter is not far off.
Chamonix based mountain guide, Isabelle Santoire is part of an elite group of trained mountain guides at le Syndicat national des Guides de Montagne (SNGM). There are about 1600 guides associated with this group in France, many of whom can be found in Chamonix. These are individuals who have all met the stringent testing criteria. Isabelle represents of small number women in this physically demanding line of work; there are only 14 females in Chamonix and even fewer who guide full-time. (more…)
For eight years running Ginger and Nutmeg and a crew of very spicy friends have trudged up the Lake O’Hara access road in March. The conditions have varied every year from deep winter to nearly spring. The equipment ranges from light to touring to teli and alpine touring – this year the gals got really smart and went in on snow shoes. Everyone arrives parched, hungry and feeling like they have accomplished something and they have – 11kms of hills!! This year’s crew included Cilantro and Mr. High Maintenance, Curry Murray and Mr Curry, Mountain Pepper and Cayenne, Cinnamon, the salsa twins, Oregano and his lovely wife. Why is Lake O’Hara a slice of paradise? So many reasons;
An endless amounts of great BC wine – the group tried very hard to get to the bottom of the supply Gluten free offerings included a flour-less dark chocolate cake on arrival from Mrs Oregano Arrival snacks including; salt/pepper/lime chicken wings and mini croque monsieurs…
