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JULY/AUGUST, 2006 NEWSLETTER
| Peakfinder Updates
Over the past decade advances in technology have made information about the Canadian Rockies much more accessible. The Peakfinder website is a good example of this as is the views of the mountains now available through the combination of the website with Google Earth. Now much of the information about the peaks available at www.peakfinder.com is available through a GPS Audio Tour Guide system as one travels along our mountain highways. (STG) Sawka Tour Guide successfully introduced the “GPS – Audio Tour Guide of the Canadian Rockies” during the summer of 2005. Now the technology has been improved and additional content added. It will again be distributed through the Friends of Banff during 2006. Through the magic of GPS technology, it’s possible to have an accredited, professional interpretive guide with you in your car (virtually). There are no maps, brochures, tapes, cd's, or odometer settings to worry about. Just plug the device into your cigarette lighter and tune your radio to the specified frequency. Then, as you reach each of over 1800 locations along 1600 km of mountain highways, the corresponding information is heard through your vehicle’s sound system. All the roads in Banff, Kootenay, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks are featured, as well as the Trans-Canada Highway from the mountain front to the park boundary. You choose where you would like to travel and when. Your virtual tour guide is always there with you. As well, you’ll also hear from established experts and authors such as Ben Gadd, Michael Kerr, and Chic Scott. The GPS-Audio Tour Guide presents over sixteen hours of interpretive information. As you enjoy the views, all aspects of the natural and human history is heard at the appropriate locations. It's the ideal way to connect what you are actually looking at to the natural and human history of the mountains. As well, prior to arriving at the various destinations where you may wish to visit, you will have all the background information you need. The “virtual” tour guide is Dave Birrell, author of “50 Roadside Panoramas in the Canadian Rockies” and www.peakfinder.com. Dave is accredited as a Professional Interpreter by the Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association. For additional information please see www.stgcnd.com. Check out the monthly panorama on the site. Previously they were photos from "50 Roadside Panoramas in the Canadian Rockies. Now we're using new colour photos from different locations. There are about 2800 photos on the website and sometimes errors are made in their captions. Several Peakfinder users have located errors and advised us so that they can be corrected. Please let us know if you find an error. If you have a favourite mountain photo or any information about the peaks of the Canadian Rockies that you would like included in Peakfinder please contact <dave@peakfinder.com>. Please note that all of the previous newsletters have been archived and are available on the site. If you're interested in esoteric lists, unusual mountain names, etcetera, browse through the earlier issues. |
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Enter "Mount 10060" to learn more about this peak. |
| Look who's honoured in the Canadian Rockies CECIL JOHN RHODES Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902) was a British entrepreneur who developed southern Africa's natural resources and founded of the state of Rhodesia which he named after himself. After returning to England, Rhodes studied at Oxford. In 1890 he became Prime Minister of the Cape Colony. He also became managing director of the South Africa Company which administered a territory roughly equivalent to present-day Zimbabwe. He continued to be involved in the politics of southern Africa, particularly during the Boer War. The Rhodes Scholarships which enable foreign nationals to study at Oxford, came into being through his will. For information about Mount Rhodes enter the mountain's name in the appropriate search box on the main page. |