The Alberta Oil Sands Solution

The Alberta Oil Sands without question add a huge financial stimulus to the Alberta economy. Environmentalists refer to oil sands as dirty oil. Even Obama talked about not purchasing oil from the oil sands because of the effect on the environment. Since Martin Ignasiak is in my grill trying to censor the Internet and is an environmental lawyer (I stress mental) crushing public consultation in the oil sands development, perhaps we can find a compromise.

One of the problems from the oil sands appears to be the very toxic water that is left over. Kind of like heavy water from a nuclear reactor. The Canadian government requires this water to be contained so is doesn't end up in the rivers and stream. That only makes sense. Seepage is one problem. The other is migrating birds. Not to mention fish with tumours, lesions and cysts.

A friend just came back from working on the Alberta Oil Sands and he mentioned about how they took some bad press about several ducks dying from coming in contact with one of these toxic lakes of polluted water. They refer to it as dead duck lake. Who knows, maybe I'll be the next dead duck: http://www.desmogblog.com/dead-ducks-a-disaster-for-alberta-oil-sands

First lets address the seepage problem. The National Geographic ran an article about the Alberta Oil sands and posted a picture of Suncor's oil sand refinery on the banks of the Athabasca River. See that tiny dike separating the contained pool of very toxic water from the river. That is insane. Seepage is a given. This is an accident waiting for a time to happen. The contained pools of toxic water need to be far way from river, streams, lakes or wells. Period. Suncor is by the way one of Martin Ignasiak's clients.

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OK now let's look at the dead ducks. A few dead birds in one thing but the lake they came in contact with was huge. This problem has not been fixed and is a continued threat to all migratory birds. A few air cannons to scare away the birds isn't even a band aid solution. Here's a solution:

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You spend all that time and energy refining the oil, why not distill the water? Heat it up, let the water evaporate, then take the solidified toxic residue and throw it back where you got it in the oil sands that have already been excavated.

Alouette Lake Rediscovered

Alouette Lake looking at the Narrows in the far distance.



Approaching the Narrows on Alouette Lake.



At the Narrows.



Docked at the Narrows looking across to the other side.



Looking up Gold Creek from the lake.



Looking down Gold Creek from where you can paddle up.



Looking back towards the Narrows.



Looking back towards the boat Launch and beach. They say the winds pick up at Noon and calm down again around 6:00 PM. I paddled back in at 5:00 PM and was amazed that the wind wasn't very bad at all. Normally it can be quite challenging paddling back in the wind. I guess waiting it out is the answer. Cheers.

Third Beach

Friday night. Kayaks on third beach, Djembes on second beach. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Upper and Lower Falls at Golden Ears

Went to the Lower Falls at Golden Ears today. It's more of a nature walk than a hike. 2.7 KM totally flat on a wide groomed trail. There are a couple nice spots by the creek on the way.





This is from the top of lower falls looking down.



I've always wondered, if these are called the lower falls that would imply there are upper falls but they aren't on the map. Well today I was trying to find the short cut from the lower falls to the East Canyon trail and I found the upper falls instead. They're great.

This is a video clip of them both:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsO33yF4b94

Nicomekl River

I put in at the Elgin Heritage Park today and paddled up the Nicomekl. My shift at work has changed and my weekends are mid week. All the better to hike or paddle without crowds. I paddled around till I hit the end of the Marine Park and started to go back the other way.

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I asked a guy sitting beside a yacht on the dock which way to the Nicomekl and he said I was on it. I said I was trying to paddle up it and he said I have to portage across the road and over the dam. I looked at him like yeah? And he said yeah the Serpentine is the same. So I did. Paddled to the end and portaged over the road.

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And put in on the other side.

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Then it opened up to the Nicomekl. It was nice. Strange to be in the middle of the city yet away from it all. Lots of different types of birds. Heron, ducks, geese, sand pipers. Even saw a large turtle. Not sure if that wasn't someone's pet set free or not. They have signs at Green Timbers asking people not to let their pet turtles free in the pond. Not sure why not. Granville Island has a pond with turtles.

I made it to 168th Street but as soon as I crossed under I hit a large thick patch of algae / seaweed that covered the river. I was thinking I'd just plow right through it as I could see open spots but it was really strange paddling in and I had to get back to drive kids so I backed out and turned around. I read that the Nicomekl originates in Langley from an underground source - a well. That was interesting. Usually it's always water coming down a mountain.

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When I got back to Elgin Heritage Park the tide was out and there were huge clusters of oysters everywhere rising out of the water. It really looked cool. Red tide still but I'm sure that doesn't last forever. I made the mistake of getting out in the mud and sinking in up to my knees. Had to pull out at the boat ramp.

Hail to the Chief

Finally climbed the Chief today.



I didn't climb the face I hiked up the trail around back.











It was awesome. Short and steep but it was all good.

Yes the view from the top was magnificent. This is First peak from Second peak overlooking Howe Sound:



This is the town of Squamish from the Chief.



This is First Peak and the mouth of the Squamish River.

Belcarra by way of Kayak

Put in at Belcarra today and paddled up the Indian Arm. Belcarra's a nice little spot. Not the beaches of Whiterock or Kits but it has a dock and a nice little park. It wasn't so crazy busy there like everywhere else. I'm not sure what they were fishing for off the dock with red tide in effect.

This was a nice spot to dock on a island a short ways up.

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This was another nice spot to dock a little further up the inlet looking at the island the last photo was taken from. I paddled up to the power station but had a late start so I didn't make it to Granite Falls. Another day when I get an early start and don't have to get up at 4:30 AM the next day for work.