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January 2010
Dear Friends and Hiking Companions,
Difficult to believe that another year has come and gone. That said, I am fairly happy to be moving on as 2009 was certainly not kind to the travel industry. Despite a worldwide recession, and prospects for more of the same in many countries, here in Alberta, Canada, we seem to have weathered the worst of this economic tempest.
Alpine Interface has been able to survive thanks to our low overhead, our small group of committed International Mountain Leaders, new destinations ( Patagonia, Slovenia, Tour of Monte Rosa) and classic itineraries such as the Haute Route, the Essential Alps (Zermatt, Chamonix, Grindelwald) and the Tour du Mont Blanc, not to mention Karin's amazing lunches.
Ultimate Patagonia
2009 started off with a new trip to Patagonia, which was years in the planning. Patagonia is really everything we expected and more. We have worked the bugs out of the trip, have changed our itinerary slightly, but we will still take in parks such as Torres del Paine, Cerro Torre, Fitzroy and Ushuaia.
We flew into Buenos Aires and traveled all the way to the Beagle Channel at the southern-most tip of South America. Great hiking, superb meals (not to mention the Malbec!) and comfortable hotels and inns along the way. Have a look at our Facebook page for images of this journey.
The Scottish Highlands
We also ran our first Scottish Highlands trip with Martin and Lindsay at the helm. Weather was above-average for May (meaning it didn't rain everyday) and our small group enjoyed our guide's intimate knowledge of the area as Lindsay grew up on a farm in the Highlands and still lives nearby when she is not guiding in the Alps. Small inns, great hikes, authentic Scottish cuisine (no haggis, really!!) and the obligatory dram of aged single malt whisky.
Country Walks in Provence
In June 2009, we had a group of 11 amazing ladies from Arizona with ages ranging from 11 to 75. I am still recovering. Guiding with me was my old climbing buddy from my misspent youth, Richard Munro. We had an excellent time hiking around the limestone fins of the Dentelles near Avignon, sipping wine in Gigondas and enjoying the 2000 years of history in this sun-drenched part of France. OK, we did have an occasional rain shower but we managed to jump in the pool a few times too.
Mark Jensen and Lindsay Cannon led several trips in the Gran Paradiso, a wonderful national park south of the Mont Blanc range in Italy. I also guided a trip with Karin around Mont Blanc. Let's call it a working holiday...We had lots of fun hiking with our group. We are planning a reunion next September and hope to hike either the Monte Rosa or the Haute Route.
About us
Closer to home, we managed yet another epic move, our third in five years. Yes, we must be enjoying living out of boxes and renovating in the wee hours of the morning.
Still in Canmore, but we moved to the 'sunny side' of town. We now have plenty of room for guests, actually an entire floor complete with kitchen, media room and bedroom. Come and visit!
Anna, our daughter, turned 5 in June and her brother Enzo 2 during the same month. They are both giving us both extreme pleasure and extremely grey hair! With so much for the children to do in Canmore, it is difficult to choose what to do. We have ski passes for a local hill, Norquay, with plenty of runs to keep the kids occupied for many years. Anna started climbing at the Banff Centre with her mom and bouldering with me. Anna starts Nordic skiing in January and Enzo will just have to learn how to ski without the harness. We luckily have a dedicated French School here in Canmore so Anna is maintaining her language skills. She can say 'NO' in three languages!
2010 is shaping up to be extremely busy. I am off for two months of school in Calgary, leaving Karin to hold down the fort.
Jorg Wilz from Ontop Mountaineering has offered me a spot on his April ski traverse in the Dolomites and in Austria. Back in May for some house renovations.
Chamonix will be our summer base, as usual, to run our alpine trips and to enjoy some pre-season hiking with Anna, Enzo and Karin.
Wishing you all a safe, healthy and adventure-filled 2010.
Louis and Karin MarinoDirectors
