Long weekend. Tent in car, bags packed, eyes towards the mountains and the peaks. Here they were all snow covered - cloaked in a blanket of white. Eastward, to Jasper we went, in search of bare rock, dry soil, arduous peaks with now crystaline water upon them.
And dry we found. Sort of. Many hikes were perfectly summery, but once we got to the actual peak....yikes! We suffered low battery power so there are not many pictures overall, but the peak picutes that we normally aim for were forgotten as the wind tore a layer of flesh off our bodies and the cold drank itself inward, chilling the bones and the marrow. Awsome hikes, awsome views....we explored a totally new area of the park (it was actually the tip of Banff). Enjoy! Especially the embedded video!
Our tent, poised against the frigid memories of the winter snow!
Hike 1 - unnamed peak within the wilderness region just outside of both Jasper and Banff National Parks. You can see the remains of a forest fire that burned its way up the ridgeline. When we got to the peak we could see the actual size of the whole burn, which was significant, but also that it ended exactly along the ridge. The wind that dominates from the lee of the ridge must have been the barrier from it continuing over and up?
Me, climbing up the first section of the hike that took us out of the treed area and into the alpine.
A view from the first knoll that led to the peak.
Crystal, as seen from where I stand in the previous picture. Ahead of her is the first peak along the ridge. At this point the wind went from 'crazy' to 'absolutley crazy-blow your hat off'. Further along, it was raised to 'absolutley freaking unbelievable as it tears the flesh off your bone'. The points where you can see snow up the peak was almost impossible to walk upright - we had to constantly bend over and gain purchase on the rocks for balance and stability in the wind!
A finer view to the peak...did I mention the wind at this point?!?!?
...but before we tackle that "what about a little lunch?". We found shelter behind a massive boulder and sat down for some cheddar and bread. And a wee overconsumption of peanut/raisin/grape-nuts stylin' trail mix.
Me, unhappily trying to catch my breath and force a smile (inside I was filled with glee...it was the outside that was feeling the brunt of the weather!). Behind me, the peak approacheth!
Camera set. Timer on. Run to get in the picture....in 3...2....1....*wind gust - camera falls* ...1..FLASH!
D-oh!
Crystal, pausing to count snowfalkes. Or pick our next route to our next peak. Although this was our goal...we kept going up, up, up. The faint peak behind her was our next goal of the day.
And this is the view from that point. This part was crazy technical and steep...but the limestone was nice and weathered and rough so our feet stuck like it was sandpaper. Walking on a 45 degree angle with a skip in our step! Did I mention the wind?
Me, managing an actual gimace, if not a smile, this time.
Fuzzy little cutey pie. We saw this character on the side of the road....early evening after our hike.
Me, upon our return to the campsite. Priorities are priorities, and after 7 hours on a mountain ridge, hydration takes priority.
Next day, early morning mist hanging in the air, we approach another mountain along the Icefields Highway from a rockslide. Chunky boulders, light feet, and up again we go!
Now....this day turned out to be pictureless for myriad reasons. One, batteries died (dont mention this to Crystal). Two, scared (terrain was either slippery rock or steep slippery rock or steep slippery rok with mud on it). Three, peak attempt foiled by steep snow covered approach. Four, the batteries died. Honestly, dont bring this up to Crystal..... :)
And to the mountaineers are given the spoils: two days of rugged mountain climbing and tent living deserve a reward. Nachos and pints of Alberta's finest.
And on the blizzardy Monday morning that ended this long weekend, we decided to explore a wee bit more. We headed south towards Maligne Lake and took in some sights. All the snow you see in these next pic's came the night before!
ABOVE and BELOW: We fond an awsome stream that carved its way into a canyon....and spotted some killer rock climbing routes for future trips!
And, after all was said and done, we returned home to craft ourselves a pizza, a few pints of beer and an evening with James Bond, retro style.
Wildlife tally for this wee little jaunt into the mountains:
11 Black Bear
31 Mule Deer
25 Elk
1 Rabbit
1 Timber Wolf
1 Grizzley Bear
4 Mountain Goats
1 Moose
This is how the evening ended - me, sucking back gallons of honey. The evening started 6 hours earlier, at the foot of the rock wall in Giscome. Crystal and I, along with the climbing folks, took to the rock early Friday afternoon and returned to our place to have a nice toasty campfire and tofu shish-kabobs. The climbing was awsome, the weather superb, the fire full of dark smokey, the beer soothing and the barrell of honey....soon to be emptied.
Throwing down the rope from the top of one of the climbs.
Me, belaying Robin as he makes his way up the wall.
Me, now in the same place as Robin was above, repelling after climbing up the wall.
I suppose this one should have been first. This is me climbing up the wall. This section caused my muscles great concern...stretch, twist and stretch...then push....up, up, up!
...still.....
The hats...it's all about the hats......
Robin playing on the rock, Theo belaying another climber.
The climbing group taking a munchies break...
The after party....beer, fire and the worlds best cake! We made it back to our place for an 11pm dinner and popcorn fiesta.
The cake! That is actually a representation of a rock we climb, with trees on the left, and a climber - Robin - in the centre. As this was Robins send-off shindig for his life in southern BC, he got the centre spot on the cake (and I learned quickly that I love marzipan once I had a bite of this lovely artifact).
Robin having just rapelled down from the top, he readies himself for a climb, as Crystal watches on and Katrina in the background plays around in the evening sun.
Crystal, belaying another person high up above. Her harness, and all the trimmings were purchased just hours previous.
