Canadian Rockies
Volume II (winter & summer)
More selected trips and photographs
The winter experiences are scans of prints and negatives. The summer photos are from this side of the digital divide.
Avalanche and Glacier travel training, Kananskis
The main things that we learnt were "Don't get caught in an avalanche" or "Don't fall into a crevasse".
Ski Touring in July (Sunshine Meadows)
July 7, 1991
Ski Touring in Style , Banff NP
Styling in jeans
Sheila had cousin Glen carry her pack
Beyond Skoki near Lake Louise
Cyclone Warden's cabin
Toasty warm and Janice's lasagna cooked up well in the oven
Deep freeze solo tour to Molar Meadows, Banff NP
The temperature ranged from -28C to -34C over 3 days.
Short December days meant for long nights
Nice touring and you had to keep moving to stay warm
Ski into Assiniboine, BC
We staged the 27km ski-in with an overnight stopover at the drafty Bryant Creek shelter. Wayne hauled in 4l of wine.
The second day took us over Assiniboine Pass
Sheila was happy to see the cabins
Naisett cabins were run by BC Parks. We were the only ones there, late December.
The inside temperature when we first arrived was -20C
Once we got the stove going, we got the temperature up to 30C and Sheila consented to opening the door.
Christmas Day outing
Merry Christmas
Early start to the exit day. Sheila's binding broke and we rigged up a shoelace solution.
Fly into Assiniboine, BC
We flew in by helicopter the 2nd time
Mt Assiniboine in winter
We stayed in the Naisett cabins and skied out.
Castle Mountain, Banff NP
A Spring attempt to ski to the top of iconic Castle Mountain. The approach was too icy in the morning and we didn't have ski crampons.
We camped in the meadows below
We had a food malfunction that made the whiskey-jacks happy
Ski trips with Zdravko
Kitted out with Zdravko. I am convinced that he was using the same pack that he carried through Afghanistan in 1970's.
We did a number of local trips, Wapta Icefield and Jasper traverse.
Bow Glacier & Wapta Icefield, Banff NP
First trip up the Bow Glacier
First ascent of Mt Gordon (3160m)
The down part was fun
2nd trip, with Wayne, crossing Bow Lake with 3L of wine on his back
On the approach ski
Mountain man, Wayne, on the Icefield
A chilly day on the Icefield with cold extremities
Bow hut
The descent from Bow hut
Another time, I went up with this plastic ski boot crowd
You can't see my boots, but they were leather.
Digital Divide
Rockies wildlife
Goats are easily seen on the Yellowhead Highway east of Jasper
Sheep are seen throughout the parks
Elk are also common
Wilcox Pass, Jasper NP
Wilcox Pass in May. It is one of the finest day hikes in the region.
Wilcox Pass in September
Waterton NP
It is big sky country as you approach Waterton
Waterton excels in day hikes, lakes and ridges. These are the Carthew Lakes.
The trail up to Lineham Ridge
Avion Ridge approach
Views from Avion Ridge
Crypt Lake is accessed first by boat than footpath
Goat near Crypt Lake
Northover Ridge, Kananaskis
Approaching Northover Ridge from the Great Divide
Northover is often done as a long day trip but we didn't want to miss a camping opportunity. Our tents are specks between the tarn and snow patch.
Keith overlooking Pallisade Valley, BC
View from Northover Ridge
Northover Ridge with Royal Group as backdrop
The walk out
Return to Molar Meadows, Banff
Ridge above Molar Meadows, this time without snow
Ridge above Molar Meadows,
Fresh grizzly diggings on Molar Meadows
We skirted our way around these two grizzly bears
Mt Bourgeau Day hike, Banff NP
Harvey Lake from Harvey Pass. Sheila sat quietly by the lake and a wolf approached her within 2 metres and then it realized she was there and it took off like a rocket.
Summit of Mt Borgeau
Maligne Lake, overnight kayak, Jasper NP
Maligne Lake view from the water, early September
Beach and campsite at the south end of Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake
Kayaker, Spirit Island, Maligne Lake
White Goat Wilderness
Sheila climbing Cataract Pass with Nigel Pass back in the distance.
Upper Brazeau River viewed from ridge north of Cline Pass
Looking the other way from the same place
Wayne and Glenn atop unnamed peak north of Cline Pass
Changing weather on our camp below Cataract Pass
Changed weather
Dolomite-Siffleur-Pipestone-Molar Trek, Banff NP
Rob crossing upper Dolomite Creek
Random camping. upper Dolomite Creek
Eating well. The insect repellent made the meal preparation bearable.
Dolomite Creek scenery
Rob crossing lower Dolomite Creek
Upper Siffleur River scenery
Random camping upper Siffleur River
Looking north, down the upper Siffleur River valley
Upper Pipestone River from Pipestone Pass
Floe Lake, Kootenay NP
Rob and Rowan (dog) crossing avalanche path on the trail to Numa Pass
On the trail to Numa Pass
Hiker on Numa Pass
The Rockwall and Flow lake from Numa Pass
Birdwood Traverse, Kananaskis
Camping at upper Commonwealth Creek. A couple of moose came by the next morning.
View at Smuts Pass
Rob & Rowan descending from Birdwood Pass
Evening view of Mt Birdwood and Mt Smuts from our campsite near Burstall Pass.
Sentinel Pass, Banff NP
Sylvia at lunchtime, upper Paradise Valley
Approach to Sentinel Pass
There were rock climbers on this spire
Family shot at Sentinel Pass
Anemones and Mt Fay
Dog-sitting, Banff NP
Dog walking at the tarn below Sentinel Pass
Doggy walking, Canadian Rockies style
Heading down through the larches to Moraine Lake
Larches approaching Saddleback
On the summit of Mt Fairview
Sunshine Meadows, Banff NP
Rock Isle lake
The view across Sunshine Meadows to Healy Pass
Walking in step
A cliffhanger
Flowers and Larix lake
Buller Pass Loop, Kananaskis
Approaching Buller Pass
Buller Pass view (Guinn's Pass, Mt Kidd, Ribbon lake)
Approaching North Buller Pass
It was a tricky crossing at the end of July