Climbing community upset by helipad application at base of Mount Yamnuska
CBC News | Posted: June 24, 2017 3:36 AM | Last Updated: June 24, 2017
'There's just huge noise issues, like it's just really irritating and they fly there all the time.'
Some climbers and hikers say they are planning to fight an application for a helipad at the base of Mount Yamnuska, west of Calgary.
Rockies Heli Canada applied to the province June 5, asking for a temporary field authorization to build the pad.
But some in the climbing community aren't happy with the idea.
Andy Genereux has been climbing on Mount Yamnuska for 43 years and has written two guide books about the popular peak.
He says a number of helicopters fly scenic tours over and around Yamnuska, taking off and landing at the nearby Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino.
- MORE ALBERTA NEWS | Police shoot cougar near school in Rocky Mountain House
- MORE ALBERTA NEWS | Should Alberta let the sun set on daylight saving time? Have your say online
"That alone has been a real pain in the butt because they fly regularly in the front of the face causing issues with both climbers and hikers by generating potential rock fall with the rotor wash," he said. "And noise. There's just huge noise issues, like it's just really irritating and they fly there all the time."
The current landing pad is about 12 kilometres from the mountain face, said Genereux, so he sees no need for a pad at the base.
"That's going to increase the traffic into the area which is already pretty much at its limit now with hiking and rock climbing," he said. "Hiking in particular has become very popular on that loop and on a weekend you'll see 500-plus cars a day in the parking lot, they backfill right out to the highway."
The province is reviewing the application and is taking input from stakeholders until June 30.