Located only 100 Km east of the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains and 250 Km east of the Great Divide, Calgary is the ideal place for the outdoor lover. Hiking, rock and ice climbing, camping and backcountry camping, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, downhill and cross-country skiing, would be only a few of the outdoor activities that compete in appeal with the research in chemistry. Sometimes, with success. The few pictures below are meant to scientifically prove this point.

The Three Sisters* seen from Grotto Mt., on the other side of the side of the Bow River valley, in May 2002. The Little Sister (left) is a technical climb, the Middle Sister a technically easy but strenuous hike, the Big Sister (right) is a moderate scramble. From the University of Calgary, one hour drive.

Mt. Athabasca* witnessing another sunrise, as seen from the Athabasca Glacier in early July 2002. All the routes up involve knowledge on glacier travel and the appropriate equipment. From the University of Calgary, three hours drive.

Mt. Lawrence Grassi* seen from the saddle with Ha Ling in April 2002. The former is an easy scramble, the later a short hike on a beaten path. On the way down, don’t miss stopping in Canmore at The Grizzly Paw for dinner. From the University of Calgary, one hour drive.

The ice capped Mt. Temple seen from the Saddleback Pass in August 2002. Mt. Temple is the easiest peak over 3500 m in the Canadian Rockies. The normal route up is rated as a moderate scramble and involves an elevation gain of 1700 m, starting from Lake Moraine. From the University of Calgary, 2.5 hours drive.

The normal route towards Mt. Aberdeen involves the climb of the Aberdeen Glacier, photographed in August 2002. The route involves knowledge on glacier travel and the appropriate equipment. From the University of Calgary, two hours drive.

* Photographs courtesy of Dave Emslie