Banff

Yesterday I hiked up Tunnel Mountain twice. In the morning I went solo after breakfast (as I will do again today) and in the afternoon I went with a few other mathematicians, since we had the afternoon off. I didn't bother to bring my camera in the afternoon, but it turns out that I should have. In the afternoon the skies were clear and there were whole new views that I hadn't seen before. These photos are from my misty morning climb.

Today is the last day of the workshop, which ends with lunch. Then I have to move my stuff over to a hostel in town, so I'm not sure what my internet access will be like for the weekend. I'm here until Sunday. I'm hoping to get in a more significant hike Saturday morning and then find a cafe in which to work Saturday afternoon. Hopefully I can get in a minor hike Sunday morning before leaving as well.

I think having workshops like this, where everyone is forced to spend time together, is a really good idea. Mathematicians in particular are notoriously reticent, but when, day after day, meal after meal, you're forced to sit next to each other, you eventually get to know each other a bit. It makes a huge difference. Last night, in the lounge, a lot of people were around, socializing, of all things! Some people were playing bridge, some were half watching a basketball game and many were having a beer and chatting, only occasionally about mathematics.

Banff

It's not all trees, mountains and fresh air. Here's Noam Elkies from Harvard University.

And Henri Darmon from McGill University.

Our free afternoon got pushed back to tomorrow, because of all the rain today. We've got a packed schedule (4 talks) this afternoon. I snuck in a quick walk with Karen, who is at Nottingham now, after lunch. There are four of us girls here, out of about 40 participants, which we all agreed was not bad at all.

Banff

Yesterday morning, the Banff International Research Station (BIRS) station manager welcomed us to the Banff Research Center with a short introductory talk. She told us to watch out for bears and ticks and to drink a lot of water. I think some of the mathematicians were a bit intimidated.

Before breakfast this morning, my friend Jen and I hiked up Tunnel Mountain, which is the Inspiration Point of Banff. It was easy, but beautiful and a great way to start the day.

Tomorrow we have a free afternoon, but the forecast is for lots of rain. Of course, the forecast has been for rain all day every day, and we haven't seen too much yet. I walked by Bow River a bit after dinner last night and as I was heading back, dark ominous clouds were piling up. I didn't actually get caught out in it, which was good, because the one or two drops I felt were the size of golf balls.

Banff