Monday, October 13, 2008
Whistler
With the road trip nearing an end, and us still kickin about Jasper... it was time to turn our back on the Rockies ... A predawn start and 10 hours of winding roads, rain, snow and many'a truck stop later... we were in Whistler for a beer, pasta and sleep...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Jasper
Just when we thought we couldn't ask for more (after amazing scenery on the Icefields Parkway, Matt's first snow shower, glaciers, a bear and cub....) we rolled on into Jasper. A town that is in the shadow of well know Banff but definitely holding it's own!!
Matt got a small fright when half asleep he opened our bungalow door to see a moose so close he could hang his bathrobe on its antlers.
We enjoyed many more encounters with nature... from the comfort & safety of our vehicle.
Sulphur Skyline Hike - 9.6km to the 2050m summit. Beautiful weather & fantastic views.
But what a way to relax after the hike with a dip in the hot springs (39 degrees) followed by a very quick dip in the 12 degree plunge pool. We even managed to join all the other hot spring dippers spotting 2 black bears up the mountain.... lucky our walk was over.
We heard the roaring thunder & watched 3 avalanches over the angel glacier while we cruised up this snow covered mountain.
Matt got a small fright when half asleep he opened our bungalow door to see a moose so close he could hang his bathrobe on its antlers.
We enjoyed many more encounters with nature... from the comfort & safety of our vehicle.
Sulphur Skyline Hike - 9.6km to the 2050m summit. Beautiful weather & fantastic views.
But what a way to relax after the hike with a dip in the hot springs (39 degrees) followed by a very quick dip in the 12 degree plunge pool. We even managed to join all the other hot spring dippers spotting 2 black bears up the mountain.... lucky our walk was over.
Angel Glacier
Cavell Meadows Trail
We heard the roaring thunder & watched 3 avalanches over the angel glacier while we cruised up this snow covered mountain.
Maligne Lake & a well deserved drink break at the end of our Jasper adventures!
Done in true backpacker style... Matt even opened the corked wine bottle with the car jack handle.
Done in true backpacker style... Matt even opened the corked wine bottle with the car jack handle.
Icefields Parkway
The scenic route from Banff to Jasper took us along the Icefield Parkway. It's a magic stretch of bitumen that bought us face to face with the Athbasca Glacier, local wildlife and more photogenic landscape than we could poke a digital camera at! It came with a big rep and more than lived up to it.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Lake Louise - Banff National Park
Another day in Banff National Park, another hike... Lake Louise and surrounds. Many mountains, much rain, a teahouse and climb to the top of a mountain with zero visibility... apparently the view of the glacier behind the fog was pretty rad... big day, no bears... YAY!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass Hike
Banff National Park, Moraine Lake.
11.6km, 725m elevation gain. We started off walking through the pristine wilderness in sunny conditions but ended up struggling up the last switchback to the 2611m Sentinal Pass in wet, windy and morale testing conditions. A great hike.
11.6km, 725m elevation gain. We started off walking through the pristine wilderness in sunny conditions but ended up struggling up the last switchback to the 2611m Sentinal Pass in wet, windy and morale testing conditions. A great hike.
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