The Canadian Rockies are Majestic, BUT Human Kindness is Priceless: Story of My Visit to Storm Mountain Lookout Point on the Bow Valley Parkway
The Canadian Rockies are a sight to behold. They are majestic and a testament to the beauty of nature. Every trip to Banff National Park is a unique adventure, not just because of the changing landscapes of mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests but also because of the warm and friendly people I meet. They share their stories of adventure in North America and abroad. Albertans offer valuable suggestions for exploring places in Banff and other areas near Calgary, making every visit memorable.
This story, interspersed with photographs of my latest visit to Banff National Park, is also about two beautiful young couples from Syracuse, New York, and Edmonton, Alberta, who calmly, amidst plenty of joking and laughter, helped me out at the Storm Mountain Lookout Point on the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park when my car got stuck in deep snow.
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It all started at a parking lot located by a bridge that crosses the Bow River behind the Castle Mountain Chalets on the Bow Valley Parkway. I drive through the Parkway (or Hwy 1A) frequently, preferring it over the faster 4-lane Hwy 1 from Banff to Lake Louise and vice versa, for the majestic scenery it offers, the animals you get to see, especially during spring, summer, and autumn, and the number of Lookout Points and Day Use Areas where you can enjoy a nice picnic.
Most visitors who park at the place walk a few steps to the river, unaware that by crossing the road, they can enter a chained — but unlocked — metal gate to get a better view of the river and the scenery around it, especially the dominant Castle Mountain in the background. Nick and Heather from Syracuse arrived at the parking area at about the same time as me after visiting Johnston Canyon. I recommended that they cross over the road for a unique view. They took up the suggestion and agreed that the view was stunning.
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I offered another suggestion: they should drive 2 km on the Bow Valley Parkway to the Storm Mountain Lookout Point to get an incredible view of the Bow River below and the mountains around. Also, the CP Railway Line Track passes through the Lookout Point. If you are lucky, the thrill of seeing a train come through from the direction of Lake Louise is as incredible as the view from the world-renowned Morant’s Curve, about 16 km further to the northwest on the same Bow Valley Parkway.
Again, they followed my suggestion and headed to Storm Mountain. At the same time, I continued taking photographs of the (flowing) Bow River and Castle Mountain for several more minutes. When I finally reached the Storm Mountain Lookout Point, Nick was digging out snow from underneath the wheels of his rented AWD. He was stuck. After a 15-minute struggle, he finally released his car from the snow jam. I parked my car in the same area, oblivious that the car’s wheels would sink deep into the snow. While he was able to withdraw his car, when it came to my car, it kept sinking further into the snow and ice as I tried to drive it out with Nick and Heather’s support. Snow brushes were used to remove the snow around the wheels. I exacerbated the crisis further by steering the car in the wrong direction when it nearly came out onto the road on one of the tries. I told Nick and Heather I would call for towing help and that they should walk to Lookout Point and then drive to Banff as they had to catch a flight to Syracuse the following day. Nick smiled, “I am in this now and will not leave until we get the job done.” They stayed with me!
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A few cars passed along, but no one stopped. A Toyota Runner with Scott and Asli from Edmonton almost went by but slowed down and, to our relief, came to a stop! So we had 4 people to get the car out. My efforts in steering the vehicle were pathetic, to say the least, making the situation worse every time I tried to make the car go forward or reverse. Each time, more digging! Finally, after more snow removal, Scott was convinced that the car would get out if steered properly; I handed the steering wheel to Asli. She was instructed to manipulate the steering wheel to force the car out. Unlike me, she was more attentive and skilfully freed the car with pushes from everyone!
I took the blame for my poor effort on the steering wheel and apologized profusely. There was no moment of anger or frustration on their faces. They were jovial all along, and I found that to be remarkably inspiring. I learned a lot. Four individuals spent more than an hour assisting me in my desperate need.
Joyfully, we took photographs but forgot to take a picture of the car with all the snow around! They rested with cans of cold drinks. I wondered whether they were interested in going to the Lookout Point after all the time they had spent helping me. I drove to a nearby site honouring Europeans, mainly Ukrainians, who were interned during the 1st World War.
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On my return drive, I stopped at the Storm Lookout Point and walked over to where the two couples were having a cheerful conversation and getting to know each other. Had they walked to my “favourite” lookout point about 30 meters from where they stood? “No,” they responded, and I was glad to be their 5-minute guide. I asked them to pose for a photograph, and it turned out well. We parted with hugs, laughter, and smiles.
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L to R: Nick and Heather from Syracuse, New York State, and Azli and Scott from Edmonton, Alberta, at the Storm Mountain Lookout Point, March 9, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A trip to Banff that I would have soon liked to forget turned out to be one of the most beautiful experiences of kindness I have ever seen in my life. Thank you, Nick and Heather of Syracuse and Scott and Asli of Edmonton, from the bottom of my heart!
Date posted: March 11, 2024.
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