BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum

Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond => Brokeback Mountain Open Forum => Topic started by: Monika on January 25, 2009, 10:47:38 am

Title: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Monika on January 25, 2009, 10:47:38 am

This might be the wrong place for this, and feel free to move it.

I was wondering if anyone here on the board has ever spent the night at any of the BBM camp site locations in Alberta.
I know a lot of people have visited there (including myself) but lately I have gotten obsessed with the idea of going back and actually pitching a tent there. I have no idea, though, if this would be allowed or very practical so if anyone knows anything about it, I´d appreciate the help

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: southendmd on January 25, 2009, 11:26:51 am

(http://www.animalsintheworld.com/animal_articles/bears/images/american_black_bear.jpg)

Did somebody say camping?

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Monika on January 25, 2009, 11:32:39 am

Quote from: southendmd on January 25, 2009, 11:26:51 am

(http://www.animalsintheworld.com/animal_articles/bears/images/american_black_bear.jpg)

Did somebody say camping?

So I take it that you don´t think it´s a good idea? ;D




maybe if I don´t bring any food carrying mules with low startle points?

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: southendmd on January 25, 2009, 12:10:53 pm

Visiting Alberta in July 2007 gave me a healthy fear of bears.  There were warnings everywhere, and reminders that we were in "their" country.  Also, a local woman was killed by a bear that week, literally pulled off a bicycle.  Yikes.

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 25, 2009, 12:23:09 pm

The age-old method of fending off bears at your campsite is to build a big fire. But conditions could be so wet that you would not be able to get a fire started or sustain it. The latest advice I've heard is to tote along an airhorn and set it off if a bear comes prowling. Pepper spray is recommended, but you have to be very close to the bear to use it, too close IMO. Then there are guns, but if you shoot a bear you may have to pay a fine, and I doubt I would have the wherewithal to shoot straight enuff to kill and not just wound it (which would make it madder). It's a conundrum for sure!

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Monika on January 25, 2009, 12:34:01 pm

the best thing is probably to scare them off before they get too close. I remember this summer when me and my friend hiked to the Basque bridge. We passed a sign that warned about bears. It read that hikers should make a lot of noise. My friend and I started singing/screaming My heart will go on from the top of our lungs ;D)

And of course, to never forget to not store food anywhere close to where you sleep.

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Monika on January 25, 2009, 02:25:27 pm

According to what I can see, neither of the two locations are within any of the national parks in the area so I guess it would be allowed in any case.

Now, I just got to find myself a pup tent ;)

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Penthesilea on January 25, 2009, 03:16:05 pm

Quote from: buffymon on January 25, 2009, 12:34:01 pm

And of course, to never forget to not store food anywhere close to where you sleep.

Not only food, but also all scented products (toothpaste!). I've just read this, I never would have thought of putting away toothpaste. The site I read also said to put away sweaty or smorky pieces of clothing.

Do not keep any food or scented items in your tent. This includes toiletries, sweaty or smoky clothes, garbage, etc. Place these items in a separate bag and hoist them into a tree as well.


http://www.edmontonplus.ca/feature/camping_guide/60143/what_eat.jsp (http://www.edmontonplus.ca/feature/camping_guide/60143/what_eat.jsp)

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Monika on January 27, 2009, 02:51:39 am

Thanks for the link, Chrissie!

Toothpaste, parfume...loads of stuff that you need to watch out for apparently.
I wonder how much sleep I would be able to get ;)

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: CellarDweller on January 28, 2009, 03:34:21 pm

Oh, I haven't been camping in tents in a long time.


In regards to food and scented items.....I've also heard (but it may be an urban legend) that a bear can be attracted to the scent of...........hmmmm.....how to put this delicately........well, used feminine hygene products.

I remember going camping many years ago, and the women were warned about being careful disposing of used stuff.

Not trying to be offensive, and like I said, it may be an urban legend, but that's what I remember.

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: chowhound on January 29, 2009, 06:10:29 pm

Hi Buffymon...you could try contacting Findingbrokeback.com. They are very knowledgeable about all The BBM sites in Alberta.

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: horo04 on February 07, 2009, 02:01:03 am

The bears can be bad depending what time of the season its at.  I remember when we were at the " I wish I knew how to quit you" scene we had seen a female bear walk 100 yards in front of us.  Scared the crap out of me cause I had my daughters with me.  Luckily the bear just kept on walking without hesitation.  Can't remember if it was at the Alberta Brokie get-together 07 or if it was some other time.

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 07, 2009, 12:56:38 pm

Yes, friend, it was in 2007, and here we are!

(http://www.divshare.com/img/midsize/1497560-f79.jpg) (http://www.divshare.com/download/1497560-f79)

Title: Re: Camping in Alberta?
Post by: horo04 on February 07, 2009, 05:14:26 pm

Quote from: Front-Ranger on February 07, 2009, 12:56:38 pm

Yes, friend, it was in 2007, and here we are!

(http://www.divshare.com/img/midsize/1497560-f79.jpg) (http://www.divshare.com/download/1497560-f79)

Yes here we are...uneaten! ;D