What to do when my new book, Stories Of Ice, all about Canadians having adventures, working, studying and creating art on our glaciers comes out during a pandemic? Why, I hosted an outdoor book launch! In November, in the Canadian Rockies! Dress code — puffy down jacket and toque. BYO thermos/flask.
Covid-safe, just 30 people, we had lots of room to spread out, and everyone loved it! Temps were ‑7C, perfect, I thought, I was still able to sign books. One Arctic explorer friend, though, thought it wasn’t cold enough!
But really, what could be more appropriate — or more Canadian — for a book about ancient ice, and people who love winter, and especially, love glaciers!
Stories of Ice is filled with tales of people who ski for weeks or months across glaciers and icefields, sleeping in tents and carrying all their gear on their backs. People who work and run businesses and guide clients on glaciers all year-round.
Stories of scientists who study glaciers in wind and howling blizzards, even rappelling deep inside vertical tunnels in ancient ice.
And painters and photographers and filmmakers who create art, all on Canada’s glaciers. Those of us — yes, me included — who live in the mountains love to be outside, in summer, and especially, in winter:-)