Spirit West

Calgary Mountain Film Festival is coming May 28th and 29th
ON May 29th come see a live presentation by Guest Speaker: Jill Wheatley

Originally from Northern Ontario, Jill Wheatley has adventured in over 60 countries. After a sports accident left her visually impaired and nearly cost her life, Wheatley sought solace in the mountains. The aftermath of her traumatic brain injury led her on a journey from the brink of death to some of the world's most pristine peaks. Having called Kathmandu, Nepal home for several years, Wheatley now resides in Canmore, Alberta.

Following the screening of her short film, Still Here, Jill Wheatley will offer a candid discussion on the life-altering landscape of traumatic brain injury and vision loss.

Still Here examines the process of navigating internal climbs that were never part of the plan.

Jill shares a narrative that travels from hospital wards to the peaks of the Himalaya and the cycling trails of the Bow Valley. Her story is not centred on traditional notions of overcoming, but rather on the act of choosing to move even when clarity is replaced by questions and identity becomes fluid.

This personal reflection explores loss and healing, illustrating how Wheatley chose to stay and forge a new trail long before she felt the desire to do so, ultimately deciding to move forward despite profound uncertainty.



Join us for Jill's film and presentation, followed by a Q&A period. Her appearance is part of our Climbing and Alpine Adventure Films night. Join us:

Friday, May 29, 2026 | 6:00 pm

Doors Open | 5:30 pm

Venue: Globe Cinema, Calgary Mountain Film Festival

Thanks so much to Fes de Scally for his excellent, often humourous , presentation! Thanks to Bruce Jamieson for suggesting we ask Fes to present and his introduction of Fes...and thanks so much for everyone who came out...almost 50 persons last night...our Calgary Explorers Club is growing!

Join the Calgary Explorers Club on May 21st for an unforgettable Pub Night with Fes de Scally presenting “Letters from Pakistan: A Himalayan Memoir.”

Based on his acclaimed book, Fes shares the story of his early years as a Ph.D. student on three expeditions into the high mountains of northern Pakistan. His work—unraveling the snow and glacial sources of the legendary Indus River—becomes the backdrop for a gripping journey filled with adventure, misadventure, and the realities of life in extreme environments.

This is more than a tale of mountain science. It’s a deeply human story—of avalanches and fieldwork challenges, of navigating unfamiliar cultures, and of forming lasting connections with the people of a remote Himalayan valley. It’s also a story of leadership under pressure, and the personal struggle to stay connected with loved ones back home.

Set against the backdrop of the 1980s, with the Soviet-Afghan War unfolding nearby and tensions simmering along the Kashmir ceasefire line, Fes’s experiences offer a rare and powerful perspective on both the mountains and the world beyond them.

🎟️ Tickets & Info:
https://calgaryexplorersclub.ca/products/fes-de-scally-presents-letters-from-pakistan-a-himalayan-memoir?variant=48249705464065

Adventure. Science. Humanity. Don’t miss this one.

Fes de Scally Presents: Letters from Pakistan: A Himalayan Memoir Join us for this May's Pub Night as Fes de Scally Presents: Letters from Pakistan: A Himalayan Memoir Based on his book Letters from Pakistan: A Himalayan Memoir, Fes’s presentationrecounts his time as a young Ph.D. student on three expeditions to the highmountains of northern Pakistan on a projec...

Spirit West Introduces:

Canadian Rockies Outdoor Hub

Your Community. Your Mountains.
Rocky Pulse brings together the resources, businesses, and clubs of the Canadian Rockies into one place — a single-source hub dedicated to keeping the outdoor community informed, connected, and ready for adventure.

Check it out and help us grow it!

WELCOME
..to the Calgary Mountain Film Festival!

CMFF has been presenting the RR Film Tour to our local climbing community for the past 18 years. While Reel Rock 20 will return to Calgary in the fall, this May we have selected for you the best from the best! The Paddling Film Festival will be screened for the third time, and we will bring to you a selection of award winning Climbing and Alpine adventure Films along with Canmore based Jill Wheatley as our Guest Speaker.

Spirit West is proud to cohost this event for the past 18 years. We look forward to seeing you there! Tickets can be purchased at cmff.ca

🏔️ Dale Leckie Presents: Scenic Wonders of Canada’s Mountain Parks
Exploring Banff, Yoho & Jasper National Parks

Join the Calgary Explorers Club for an unforgettable evening with renowned geologist and storyteller Dale Leckie as he takes us deep into one of Canada’s greatest UNESCO World Heritage treasures — the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.

Discover the dramatic story behind the Rockies: towering peaks, powerful rivers and valleys, glaciers, hot springs, caves and karst landscapes, mountain building, and the forces of erosion that shaped these iconic parks. Through stunning photography and engaging storytelling, Dale brings together science, history, and natural beauty in a way everyone can enjoy.

📅 Thursday, April 23
📍 In Person – Bowness Ratepayers Scout Hall
🚪 Doors Open: 5:45 PM
🧭 Explorers Club Events – What’s Coming Up: 6:00 PM
🎤 Dale Leckie Presentation: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

🎟️ Tickets available now at: calgaryexplorersclub.ca

Don’t miss this inspiring evening celebrating the landscapes, stories, and wonders of Canada’s mountain parks. Seats are limited.