Glen Boles is turning 80. And the artist, author and mountaineer is ready to party.
To celebrate, Boles and his wife Elizabeth are inviting family, friends and the community of Cochrane to Frank Wills Memorial Hall for an afternoon of June 14. The drop-in festivities will run from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“There’s just so much that he’s been involved with,” remarked Liz. “Glen is so involved in the community — we just thought everyone should come.”
Instead of gifts, Boles said he is insisting donations — monetary or items — be made to the Cochrane Activettes.
“This could be a great way to bring the community together,” said Glen. “And, hopefully, we’ll help out the food bank.”
Glen hasn’t wasted much of his 80 years. Born in New Brunswick, the outdoorsman moved to Alberta in the 1950s. Since then, the maritimer has climbed many mountains and skied many trails. He moved to Cochrane in ’89.
Some of his most memorable moments come from his years as a mountaineer, he said. He regaled the Eagle with tales of climbing, including one incident that saw rocks tumbling down upon him. He suffered a laceration to his hand, but said the injury could have been much worse.
“We didn’t wear helmets in those days and it gets pretty exciting on the mountain,” he said with a laugh. “You have to take a few chances now and then.”
An accomplished artist, Glen’s love of the outdoors can be seen in his drawings and paintings. In 2005, he was the awarded the Summit of Excellence by the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, just one of many accolades Glen can list on his resume.
Last year, the Cochranite was honoured with a dedication ceremony hosted by the Town of Cochrane — a stretch of pathway near the Bow River has been named the ‘Glen Boles Trail.’
