Kananaskis Country

“This weekend was I would say more typical in the distribution of the style of calls but just more of them. For a long weekend in August having 20 calls in a weekend is still really busy.”

Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country.

Beginning Saturday (Aug. 1), Alberta Parks will manage traffic and parking at four popular Kananaskis day use areas – including Grassi Lakes and Yamnuska – after high visitor volumes resulted in vehicles parking along highways and impeding access by first responders

A bluff bear charge has forced closure of a paved bike trail in K-Country. Several other warnings and closures are in place as bears feast on a near-bumper buffaloberry crop.

K-Country rescuers preparing for busy August long weekend; advise outdoor enthusiasts to be prepared and play safe

A female scrambler was airlifted to Foothill Medical Center on Tuesday (July 28) afternoon after falling 100-feet near the Mount Lawrence Grassi summit

“I think the big thing is to do your research before you go, and you know what type of trail you’re venturing on to, and know the activity,” Kananaskis Public Safety Sector specialist, Jeff MacPherson, on staying safe in the backcountry. “We’ve seen a few instances of solo people who go by themselves. Go with a partner, stay with your group, and have a plan."

“We’ve been kind of maxed for resources for a while now, and now we add this new level of visitation in, and we’re clearly not staffed to manage that in any sort of long-term way.”

UPDATED: Alberta Parks issued a closure for the Yamnuska day use area, trails and climbing area Sunday morning (July 12) "due to the significant increase in visitation and dramatic spike in rescues, the area is closed to help prevent the overwhelming of rescue services in Kananaskis."

The Calgary couple left for Turbine Canyon Monday (July 6) to camp overnight and were found uninjured Wednesday (July 8) morning in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park in B.C.