TechTip Presenters

Matt Peter, ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
Matt Peter is the owner and operator of Canada Mountain Guides. He has been guiding for 25 years and has explored many facets of the profession. He is certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. He is very passionate about exploring the mountains and sharing those explorations with guests.

Laura Redmond, MSc Student
Biological Sciences - Faculty of Science

Laura Redmond graduated with an M.Sc. (2017) from the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science. Her research interests focus on alpine limnology and ecological adaptations in response to a changing climate. Redmond is a recent recipient of an NSERC Canadian Graduate Scholarship Master's (CGS-M), and is currently LakeWatch Co-ordinator with the Alberta Lake Management Society. 

Special Guests

• Sarah Adamowicz, Professor, University of Guelph 
• Philip Ainslie, Professor, University of British Columbia, Okanagan 
• Isabel Barrio, Research Associate, University of Iceland
• Cynthia Burlingham, Director, Curatorial Affairs, Hammer Museum
• Terry Callaghan, Professor, Tomsk State University & Sheffield University
• John Clague, Professor, Simon Fraser University 
• Joanna Croston, Program Director, Banff Mountain Book & Film Festival, The Banff Centre 
• Mike Demuth, Glaciology/Cold Regions Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada 
• Jeff Goodrich, Senior Avalanche Officer for Mt Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, Parks Canada 
• Greg Henry, Professor, University of British Columbia 
• Karsten Heuer, Bison Reintroduction Project Manager for Banff National Park, Parks Canada 
• Eric Higgs, Professor, University of Victoria 
• Andrew Hunter, Fredrik S. Eaton Curator, Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario
• Todd Keith, Land Use Specialist, Yoho National Park, Parks Canada 
• Jessamyn Manson, Professor, University of Virginia 
• Steve Martin, Guest Curator, "The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris," Art Gallery of Ontario and the Hammer Museum
• Brian Menounos, Professor, University of Northern British Columbia
• Bill Milsom, Professor, University of British Columbia 
• Derek Petersen, Ecological Integrity Monitoring Coordinator for Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, Parks Canada
• Liza Piper, Professor, University of Alberta
• Martin Price, Professor and Director, Centre for Mountain Studies, Perth College, University of the Highlands and Islands; Chairholder, UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Mountain Development
• Martin Sharp, Professor, University of Alberta 
• Robert Sissons, Vegetation and Restoration Ecologist, Waterton Lakes National Park, Parks Canada
• Stephen Slemon, Professor, University of Alberta 
• Dave Smith, Fire and Vegetation Specialist, Jasper National Park, Parks Canada 
• Bill Snow, Consultation Manager, Stoney Nakoda First Nation
• Felix Sperling, Professor, University of Alberta 
• Craig Steinback, Professor, University of Alberta 
• Mark Taylor, Aquatic Ecologist, Banff National Park, Parks Canada 
• Ifan Thomas, Superintendent, Waterton Lakes National Park, Parks Canada  
• Pat Thomsen, Executive Director. Pacific and Mountain National Parks, Parks Canada 
• Martyn Unsworth, Professor, University of Alberta 
• John Waldron, Professor, University of Alberta 

Lesson 1: Why Mountains Matter

In this introductory lesson, students learn why mountain environments are relevant to people all around the globe. We’ll also define just what a “mountain” is in order to show why it is necessary to think about mountains from various perspectives.

TechTip: Your feet are your vehicle

Lesson 2: Origins

We discuss why mountains are located where they are. How did they get there? We’ll explore the physical origins of mountains, theories of mountain building, and how our changing ideas about mountains and their genesis have shaped our engagement with them.

Lesson 3: Climate

Mountains influence climate and weather at both global and local scales. We will examine how elevation affects atmospheric processes, and discuss an ecological manifestation of mountain climate: the alpine tree line.

Lesson 4: Bodies at Altitude

What are the effects of high-altitude environments on humans? This lesson explores some of the physiological responses that allow humans to visit higher altitudes, as well as the unique genetic adaptations that permit long-time exposure to the world’s high places.

Lesson 5: Water Towers

This lesson focuses on mountain hydrology. We will discuss the ways that water moves through the mountain landscape, how water shapes and changes mountain landscapes, and we'll introduce some hazards associated with water, such as glacial lake outburst floods.

Lesson 6: Glaciers

This lesson focuses exclusively on glaciers, their physical composition and processes, how they form and move, and how they modify the landscape. We’ll also examine how our changing understandings of glaciers have shaped the ways people have engaged with mountain landscapes over the past few centuries.

Lesson 7: Imagination

In this lesson, we examine some of the ways people have imagined mountains throughout time, and try to place those ideas and attitudes in their respective cultural contexts. Appreciating the diversity of views – their reception in oral traditions, art, literature, architecture, and other cultural forms – gives us some context for the more dominant ways we think about and celebrate mountains today.

Lesson 8: Hazards

Mountain hazards are the focus of this lesson, specifically snow avalanches, landslides, and volcanoes. We will examine the physical processes that lead to instability in mountain landscapes and consider how risks associated with hazards can be managed.

Lesson 9: Mountain Biodiversity and Adaptations of Plants

In this lesson, we discuss the ecological and evolutionary processes that account for the remarkable biodiversity of species living in mountain environments. Then, we explore some of the unique adaptations that plants have for coping with extreme conditions, including cold, intense solar radiation, and short growing seasons.

Lesson 10: Animal Adaptations

Animals living in mountains have evolved morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations to survive under extreme conditions. In this lesson, we will focus on how several species deal with the cold and conclude with a peek at the adaptations of fish living in mountain lakes.

Lesson 11: Use and Preservation

How are mountains used? How are they preserved? In this lesson, we examine the often conflicting demands of using mountains, and preserving and managing the integrity of mountain environments, cultures and economies.

Lesson 12: Future Mountains

Finally, we look forward and consider some possible future scenarios for mountains. How is our changing climate affecting these places? What are the indicators of change? What lessons can we learn from the past and present to inform decisions for tomorrow?

No background is required. All are welcome! 

In addition to course notes, and a full course glossary, each of the 12 lessons includes additional recommended readings and resources to further your learning.

Course Format

This class consists of twelve 60-minute lessons, each with a series interactive lecture videos, a set of course notes and course glossary, and recommended readings and additional resources. Each lesson also includes a short summative quiz to test your understanding.

Students taking the course for credit at the University of Alberta will be required to take a midterm and final exam, as well.