Have you ever schnerped? Read on to find out what that means in this roundup of the latest news and buzz from the pages of the summer issue of ML’s Rockies edition.
Stories of Resilience
A collection of writing, visual art and photography is rising from the ashes of Jasper’s devastating wildfire. Stories of Resilience is a signature program of The Resilience Institute that engages citizens in thematic learning and creative expression to explore themes of healing, change, and resilience in the context of a changing climate.
The Voices from Jasper initiative is presented by Roots for Resilience, a partnership between The Resilience Institute and the Canadian Red Cross.
“What does reliance mean? For me, it’s about being able to sit with loss and still find hope,” says Jasper poet Paulette Blanchette-Dubé.
Blanchette-Dubé and nine other participants explore their experiences of the July 2024 wildfire, capturing their journeys through their own evolving narratives, art and photography. Those insights are relevant not only to Jasper, but to any community navigating similar challenges due to a changing climate, says Brooklyn Rushton, strategic adaptation fellow for The Resilience Institute.
“There is such a huge space for community learning,” Rushton says.
Stories of Resilience—Voices from Jasper debuted at the Jasper Art Gallery (500 Robson St.) on July 25, one year after the Jasper wildfire reshaped both the landscape and the lives of residents. Rushton says it’s a perfect way to engage with the community while giving space for residents to heal. “Don’t ask your server or tour guide if they lost their home in the fire. Instead, go to the gallery and experience residents’ stories.”
Do You Ever Schnerp, Bro?
Summer campsites are hard to come by; it’s the inevitable, mathematical, Rockies camping conundrum. Supply < demand. But thanks to a software-savvy backcountry buff, formerly frustrated campers are finding their happiness again.
Daniel Thareja is a Canmore-based coder. In 2022, he built schnerp.com, a website that helps people find last-minute cancellations on different camping reservation platforms. Thareja created Schnerp (his buddies’ slang for seeking out powder stashes) to book his own backcountry sites, but he soon saw it could be a decent side hustle and has been expanding the app’s reach ever since. He started out watching all of Parks Canada, BC Parks and Alberta Parks campgrounds, but Thareja’s internet trawlers now scan country-wide (except Quebec).
If you didn’t plan your summer camping six months in advance (Parks Canada opened online reservations in January)—or if you simply struck out while waiting in queue—you can still enter in your preferred sites and dates and let Schnerp’s bots do the work. A tiered membership structure allows first-timers to scan up to 10 sites for free; basic and premium plans allow for more requests and faster scans.
Revelstoke Paddle Fest | August 15 to 17
Revy Paddle Fest doesn’t draw crowds so much as it gathers them—along the Illecillewaet and Columbia Rivers flowing through mountainous Revelstoke, BC. From August 15 to 17, Revelstoke and Western Canada’s river community will come together for a weekend of paddling, clinics and celebration. The planned events range from beginner to advanced, supporting a variety of watercraft including kayaks, canoes, SUPs and packrafts. This event is all about inclusivity—whether you’re young or old, a spectator, novice paddler or seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone.
Evenings are packed with great music, food trucks and a beer garden at Powerhouse Road Park, located in the industrial area of Revelstoke. Organized by the nonprofit Revelstoke Paddlesport Association and embraced by paddlers from all over, Revy Paddle Fest is a celebration of community, adventure and rivers.
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