As trail use rises across the Canadian Rockies, one longtime guidebook author is urging hikers to look beyond the region’s most popular routes and to approach mountain travel with preparation and caution.
Andrew Nugara, a Calgary-based high school teacher and outdoor writer, has spent more than two decades exploring and documenting hiking, scrambling and snowshoeing routes throughout Alberta and British Columbia.
His focus, he says, has often been on areas that are overlooked in other guidebooks, particularly in the southern Rockies.
“The process is always about looking for areas that aren’t highlighted in other guidebooks, especially in the south, which is relatively unexplored compared to the north,” Nugara said in an interview.
Nugara has authored numerous recreational titles, and while his books are known for accessible trail descriptions and family-friendly routes, he cautions that new hikers should not overlook the risks associated with backcountry travel.
“People see a cool photo on Instagram and want to go there,” he said.
“That’s not a bad thing. It’s good that people are getting outside and being healthy, but we also need to be more aware of crowding and safety.”
He notes an increase in unprepared hikers on the trails, particularly in winter.
In some cases, individuals venture out without appropriate footwear, safety equipment or basic wilderness knowledge.
“You need a good pair of boots, a good backpack, hydration, first aid, bear spray, all the little things you don’t think about until you need them,” he said.
Nugara also stresses the importance of reading the safety and planning sections found at the beginning of most guidebooks, which are often skipped in favour of the trail descriptions.
“Too many people flip straight to the pictures and trip summaries, but the base knowledge is in the beginning.”
Many of the trails featured in Nugara’s work are located within driving distance of Cranbrook, including routes in the Castle region and Crowsnest Pass.
He encourages local residents to explore these less-travelled areas.
Hiking, he says, is about more than reaching the summit, and more about appreciating nature.
For more information on the author visit, Andrew Nugara | Rocky Mountain Books.
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