Ryan Stuart, explore's gear editor

Take only photographs, don't leave chalk marks

• Posted on March 27, 2009 at 3:54 PM
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In the March issue of explore I wrote an article about Calgary's lesser known adventures: road rides in Kananaskis, an early season scramble, a scenic hike and bouldering a glacial erratic. It was a chance to think back on some great experiences; I grew up and went to university in Calgary. It's where I learned to ski tour, climb, kayak, mountaineer and ice climb. Plus, it was the setting for my first epics.

But despite my long history with the area and my efforts to be a law-abiding citizen, I'm ignorant of some important designations and rules. And I've been a bad influence on all you explore readers. I recently learned that climbing and bouldering on the Big Rock, outside of Okotoks, about 45 minutes from Calgary, is illegal.

The Big Rock, included in the Calgary city guide, is the largest glacial erratic in Alberta. It originated near Jasper and was carried by glacial ice to the foothills southwest of Calgary where it fell through the ice and landed in its present spot.

Since 1978, the year after I was born a couple kilometres down the road, the Big Rock was designated a Provincial Historic Resourc. All Provincial Historic Resources are protected under the terms of the Historic Resources Act, which means that any person or persons who alters, damages or destroys the site can fined up to $50,000 and/or imprisoned for up to one year. So climbing on the rock is not technically illegal but if you break a hold or leave chalk marks you're breaking the act.

I still recommend visiting Big Rock. The scenery is spectacular - rolling foothills meeting the Rockies – there's lots of wildlife and it's a pretty neat chunk of history. Just remember: take only photographs and leave only footprints.