About Us and FAQ's.

Albertawow.com is located in Calgary, Alberta. Canada. It is privately owned, developed and maintained by Mark Townsend. Mark was born in and resides in Calgary. Mark and his wife Margaret along with their dog 'Skoal' have traveled throughout the province of Alberta taking pictures of the natural beauty that abounds here. All the photographs found on this site were taken by Mark Townsend. He can be contacted here.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's.

Are you afraid of Bears?

Not really. Fatal bear encounters are extremely rare and I don't let the fear of one ruin my outings.

However I'm certainly aware of the dangers and do all I can to avoid one. See 'Hiking and venturing into bear country'.

If you want to see a bear up close go to the Calgary Zoo or the Edmonton Zoo.

Can I run a small generator on my RV in the National Parks?

Yes, but there is proper etiquette not to disturb others. Do not run your generator before 10AM and after 7PM. If your generator is a loud older model, expect to have your day ruined. Inside the National Parks generator use is now limited to between 9AM -10:30AM and 5PM to 7PM daily.

Can I pitch a tent anywhere in the National Parks backcountry?

No, backcountry permits are required for designated backcountry campgrounds. There are a few areas that allow random camping. Search the National Parks web sites for details. Banff National Park or Jasper National Park.

Can you send us some maps and guides for the local area along with motels, B&B's and other accommodations?

No. Try contacting local government agencies such as Travel Alberta.

Who took all these pictures found on www.albertawow.com?

Mark Townsend took all the photographs found on this site in their natural location. None of the pictures have been staged or propped.

How much does a National Park Pass cost?

Current National Park Pass costs can be found here.

How do you make reservations for campgrounds?

Use the official web site links that can be found on all the Campground pages listed on this site. Not all campgrounds take reservations. You'll need to check the official web site for details.

How did you take those pictures of mushrooms, lichens, fossils, etc.?

I leave the camera's Macro setting on and carry the camera in my back pocket or my jacket breast pocket for quick access. I pickup a short stick or rock to rest the camera on for stability. I find that the easier it is to access the camera the more pictures I take. Also frequent stopping to dig through a pack can be very annoying to others you're hiking with.

Is a motor home or trailer better?

Both have pluses and minuses and are hotly debated. In my opinion a motor home is for road trips and touring and is the best option for tourists. A holiday trailer can also be used for touring and is better suited for spending more time in one area. The holiday trailer allows you to leave your temporary home in one spot and then tour around with the tow vehicle. You can also carry more gear. If you're staying in a motor home and need to or want to go anywhere you'll have to break camp. However, if you're a tourist planning a holiday the motor home is a perfect solution as you'll be on the move from one campground to the next. Rental (insurance) would be easier as there is only one vehicle involved. The National Parks are full of rented motor homes and are perfect for touring the parks.

Is that mushroom I viewed on your web site edible?

I'm never sure which ones are edible, but I do know for sure that several of them are poisonous and if eaten or even handled can lead to a gruesome death. See the NAMA web site for poisoning details. I did complete a mushroom picking & identification course. This made me realize that eating wild mushrooms is a risky endeavor. Wondering if I was going to die after eating what I had picked took the fun out of it. I could never really enjoy the meal, especially if wine was served since some mushrooms react badly to alcohol. Although mushrooms are very interesting to look at, the microscopic spores found on the gills can contain serious toxins. Wash your hands well after handling wild mushrooms. I quote a mycologist who said the following "Fungal species are too numerous to identify and no one can claim to be an expert". There are several deadly look-alikes and some have not even been documented. The 'deadly look-alikes' could be your last dinner.

What do you camp in?

We camp in an 8.5 meter (28 foot) holiday trailer. Any RV over 8.5 meters (28 feet) will severely limit it's use. Most campgrounds will fit an 8.5 meter (28 foot) trailer comfortably. For over 20 years we camped in a tent and in some areas we miss it. Backcountry tenting in the National Parks can be a rewarding experience to say the least. We have found over the years, that we enjoy ourselves much more with a few comfortable amenities. There is a lot to be said about a heated recreational vehicle after spending a day out in the rain. When backpacking I use a good quality 3-4 season tent.

What do you take with you to eat?

With a holiday trailer or RV, we can take and eat anything that you would find at home.

We have a fridge, stove, oven, microwave and a small, propane barbeque. When hiking we pack a simple lunch consisting of trail mix, fruit, sandwich and chocolate. For dinner we like to treat ourselves with a good meal, especially if we're with friends or family. We've prepared everything from French toast to Pad Thai. For backpacking trips we take one dehydrated dinner per day and try to keep lunches and breakfasts as fresh as possible. Small individually wrapped cheese portions, trail mix, chocolate, granola/energy bars, oatmeal sachets, etc.

What is your favorite spot in Alberta?

Difficult question. I have many favorite spots. If I had to pick just one, it would be Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park. The accessibility and views of the local mountains and their glaciers doesn't get any better than this. If you're contemplating a trip to this area I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. You should allow at least 2 days to explore this area and don't be afraid to hike the lower mountain ridges. Views of the surrounding glaciers are spectacular. Several of these ridges are not marked or trailed, but will be well worth the effort and provide an unforgettable experience. It's wise to stay off the glaciers and their lateral moraines unless you have mountaineering experience. Camping in the National Parks has a friendlier more inviting social feel to it. Most of the campers are tourists from around the world that have spent a considerable amount of time and money to see and enjoy the area. They're all very friendly, respectful to others and a joy to be around. We're just as interested in their homeland as they are in ours. I find it rewarding to see how much they appreciate the local beauty we often take for granted. It reminds us how lucky we are to live here. Alberta also offers some beautiful landscapes that vary from Mountains, Foothills, Boreal Forest and Badlands to Prairies. You should try and experience both the Prairies (Great Plains) and the Rocky Mountains. The extreme difference is stunning. Both of these terrain located within a few hours of each other is not a common sight. If you're touring Alberta try and do both areas within a week of each other, definitely a "WOW" experience that most tourists miss.

When do you start camping?

Early April to Late October. You could start earlier and go later but the night time temperature will drop below zero. This, of course is not a problem when camping but can freeze the trailer pipes when not in use. I winterize our trailer at the end of October and de-winterize in April. Most of the National Park campgrounds close in mid-September. There are still several nice campgrounds located throughout the Rocky Mountains outside of the National Parks. I've included an official web site link for open and closed dates on all the individual campgrounds indexed on this web site. This web site has an interesting 'Calgary Seasons' page showing photographs the 1st of each month for a one year period that will give you a good idea of the monthly temperature and conditions. If you're planning a trip to Alberta I would come between June15th and September 30th. Early spring and late fall can be colder but considerably less crowded.

Where can I get a fishing license?

The National Parks and the province of Alberta require a separate fishing license. If you want to go fishing outside of the National Parks you will need an Alberta Fishing License. This license can be obtained online or at most sporting goods stores. Larger store chains such as Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire also sell provincial fishing licenses. If you want to go fishing in the National Parks you will require a National Parks Fishing Permit. This license can be obtained inside the National Parks at information centers, ranger stations, hot  pools, larger campground kiosks as well as some local retail outlets.

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