We passed through a section of the highway with huge boulders on either side. We had seen enough tourist brochures to suspect this was the Frank Slide. Nearly 100 of the 600 people living in the town of Frank were killed.
We went to see it and its Interpretive Center. Pretty impressive, huh?
It was a beautiful day and we found Al and Anna there. They frequently seem to be at the same places we're interested in.
The staff was very helpful and informative. Siobhan (pictured here) spent a lot of time explaining things and answering our questions. A three dimensional model made it easy to understand the slide. There were four levels of interactive exhibits and two excellent films.
This area of Alberta was a major coal mining region. Most of the mines of the time were more concerned with profits than with safety. The Frank Slide was only one of several local disasters that took many lives. The nearby Hillcrest mine disaster was the worst in Canadian history. It took the lives of 189 men, most of whom were buried in two mass graves.
The exhibits were excellent and gave a sense of the community as well as the disaster.
Seventy-five quilters in the community contributed squares related to the theme "Life in the Crowsnest Pass". It was completed in 1988 and hangs in the center. We were struck by the variety of signatures reflecting many ethnic origins.
As recently as 2007, experts predicted another slide.
Nikki might hurry it up.
We visited the remains of another mine, the Leitch Collieries.
This is Crowsnest.
The Alberta Visitor Center had been closed when we arrived so we drove back 25 km or so to get maps and information. All attempts to foil the photographer were in vain.
Nikki gave up and cooperated.
It stays light much later this far North. We made one last stop at a waterfall we'd heard about. Carole climbed down to take pictures and caught Nikki taking hers.
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