Climbing community upset by helipad application at base of Mount Yamnuska

Some climbers and hikers say they are planning to fight an application for a helipad at the base of Mount Yamnuska, west of Calgary.

Rockies Heli Canada applied to the province June 5, asking for a temporary field authorization to build the pad.

But some in the climbing community aren't happy with the idea.

AndyGenereuxhas been climbing on MountYamnuskafor 43 years and has written two guide books about the popular peak.

He says a number of helicopters fly scenic tours over and aroundYamnuska, taking off and landing at the nearby StoneyNakodaResort and Casino.

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"That alone has been a real pain in the butt because they fly regularly in the front of the facecausing issues with both climbers and hikers by generating potential rock fall with the rotorwash," he said. "And noise. There's just huge noise issues, like it's just really irritating and they fly there all the time."

The current landing pad is about 12 kilometres from the mountain face, said Genereux, so he sees no need for a pad at the base.

"That's going to increase the traffic into the area which is already pretty much at its limit now with hiking and rock climbing," he said. "Hiking in particular has become very popular on that loop and on a weekend you'll see 500-plus cars a day in the parking lot, they backfill right out to the highway."

The province is reviewing the application and is taking input from stakeholders untilJune 30.