Popping and creaking, my knees complained about the mountain. I told them to be quiet; they better not ruin my hike in Banff National Park, or else. Hmm. To stop the argument between my knees and my head, I took a pause. A very long one. It was the first of many as we hiked up Sleeping Buffalo also known as Tunnel Mountain.
We were at the National Outdoor Learning Conference, held at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Alberta in May 2024. In between the speakers, workshops and networking, we made time to hike some nearby trails.
Sunshiny spring days in the mountains. Trees of the boreal forest, evergreen and pulsating with new growth. Snow-capped peaks quickly loosing their winter hats in the warming sun.
Back on the trail, we climbed a switchback path to reach the mountain top. Some people ran up the mountain, their lithe bodies and swift legs floating up the 260 metres elevation. Bloody show-offs.
About half way up, we had a marvelous view of the Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel. Built in 1880s, it looks like a chateau nestled in the valley, and surrounded by mountains, forests and a river. It's a perfect get-away – for those who can afford it. The hotel's chocolate boutique is worth visiting.
Teachers are the bedrock of the National Outdoor Learning Conference. It also attracts academics, and practitioners in conservation, climate change, and health and healing in nature. This year, the conference had a wide range of Indigenous-led workshops.
I admire the teachers and their ability to inspire hope rather than depression from climate grief. A future research project is looking at how race and nature shape teacher-education in the environmental sector. Or examining the pathways into outdoor education for racialised teachers.
Ravens flew about the trees, arguing among themselves. Mountain Chickadees sang to us. Bald Eagles flew over the peaks.
The knees – and for heaven's sake, now the lungs are huffing and puffing – continued to whine. Motion is lotion for creaky knees, so they had no choice but to get the rest of me to the mountain top. We did so slowly. And with many pauses for the wheezers to get some air.
In my head, I am still fit and near indestructible. Well, the knees and lungs were not buying that story.
Many signs asked people to stay on the trail. The hike is popular all-year and so there is lots of wear on the mountain. Erosion and spring run-off add to the trail maintenance costs. Signs also asked people to keep their dogs on the leash. Unleashed dogs are potential fast-food for coyotes, and probably bears as well.
Tunnel Mountain does not have a tunnel. It was meant to, until the railway company decided that going around the mountain was cheaper and easier. The Indigenous name translates as Sleeping Buffalo. It looks like one with a smaller shaggy head and a large humpback body.
Reaching the mountain top, we slumped on the sun-warmed rocky outcrop. We admired the expansive view of the valley and the town snuggled within it. It was postcard perfect views of the mountain sublime.
© Jacqueline L. Scott. You can support the blog here.
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