Canmore

Ah Canmore. An unexpected delight. Two days spent in a town nestled between towering mountains. A true climbers paradise. Too bad I don't climb. I do however, hike. And seeing this from the window of Rich's house...


I really had no choice but to go and explore. The peak on the right is called Ho Ling Peak and was the destination for my next escapade. Leaving the house at midday, with rudementary directions provided by Rich, and nothing better to do with my day, I headed east to see if I could find a way to the top.


I wondered along in the heat of the day, with the fear of being attacked by a bear sitting ever so comfortably in the back of my mind. After about half an hour I came across a water filtering plantation and a large resevoir with its very own bridge and separate animal crossing. Strange that they only place these about 20m apart. Is a wild animal actually going to differenciate between them, just because one is covered in grass and few trees? Lets hope so.

I continue along an unmarked road and eventually find the trail that Rich mentioned that heads in the opposite direction I just came, but heads up to the crux of the mountains. There are other hikers about which eases my worry that Im heading in the wrong direction.

Following the path through the trees and lushes undergrowth, a slowly ascend, occassionaly having to step nimbly across a few, pebble strewn trickles of water. These turn out to be steming from a massive waterfall cascading down from the mountain crux and feeding the resevoir below. Climbing up and beyond the falls I come across the most amazing place known as Grassi Lakes. The second of which looks like this:


Who knew that water could ever be that colour? Stunning doesn't even begin to encapsulate how visually glorious this place was. Perfectly peaceful, with barely a ripple and surrounded by mountains and pine forrests on either side. Bliss.

I continue walking and come across an area in which there are enough rock climbers about, to associate them to the sight of ants on an anthill. They were all over the sheer cliffs to either side, and hiding amongst the boulders that were strewn everywhere. It was interesting to see. I didn't stick around for long, but meandered on, ever upward, through the boulders, along winding stone staircases, towards...

... another water resevoir that is guarded by Ho Ling Peak itself. That is where I was heading my friends. Intimidated? The thing was a monster of a climb! Not that that was where I hiked. There was a more user friendly path that is hidden at the back, amongst the trees. Unsignposted. Great for when you don't really know where your going or what your looking for.

I walked around the entirety of the resevoir, always looking to see if I could find any signs that would indicate that there was a way to the top of the mountain. Eventually came across a parking lot hidden in a valley beyond the lake. A wondered on down to see if there was a map of the area. Alas, no luck. Pleanty of cars about though. There must be a path somewhere. I continued walking down the dusty road that headed further into the mountain ranges and stumbled across an unmarked path that looked like it had the potential of heading up the mountain. With nothing to lose but time, I hiked on up.

The path was strewn with decaying leaves and pine needles, ever shadowed by the forrest that grew along the base of the mountain. There was many a switch back and after a little while I eventually came across hikers that confirmed to me that I was on my way to the peak. Huzah!

After many an hour, and a complete consumption of my meagre water supply, I make it to the top!

I could actually make out where I had started walking from. Plus another amazing view of the resevoir I walked around and the west face of Mt Ranard.

In reaching the top, I also bumped into a local family that were on their way down the mountain. Because I spent so long at the top, just staring at the view and making friends with local ground squirrels, the family had almost made it back to the parking lot before I caught up with them again. They were sympathetic to the fact that I had run out of water and gladly gave me a fresh bottle to get me the rest of the way back to Rich's house. They even offered to give me a lift, but I thought, 'I'd come this far, why not go all the way?' so I politely declined, thanked them repeatedly for the water, and set off back down the dusty road.

Past the resevoir... Grassi Lakes... the waterfall... the water filtering plant... and eventually made it back to the house... at 9pm. Thats right, after 9 hours of hiking more than 2500ft above sea level, I made it there and back again. A total of 22kms! Fwew were my feet sore! But it was great to be back as the rest of the Aussie crew that were staying with Rich had turned up. Alan, Cath and Neil. All climbers. Goody. You can just picture the ensuing conversations between them of mind boggeling climbing jargon and detailed descriptions of routes to conquer in the area. Yay!

The next day we all pile into Rich's van and head an hour and half away to Lake Louise. As everyone else was there to get their hands dirty and find some rocks to climb, I was again left to my own devices (with some advice from Rich about hikes in the area).

With my feet still aching from yesterday, I plod along to the Six Glaciers Tea House, placed so picturesqly at the base of the snow capped mountains, 7kms away.

Ta da! The mountains in their glory. I managed to also hike to the glacier at their base, witness a most spectacular avalanch that sounded like I was standing right next to a thunder clap, be blasted by cold air escaping from an ice cave, and enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee in the middle of a forrest. Couldn't get better really.

Oh, and I thought I would throw in a picture of the interior of Rich's house. The guy has a 5 story indoor climbing wall smack bang in the middle of his deceptively small house! Talk about obsessed ;)

After only 2 and half days in this most awesome of towns, I hop onto a bus and get whisked over to Calgary to catch a flight to... MONTREAL!!! Squee! (I provide the sentiments that were apparent at the time, almost 5 months ago! My bad.)

Kimberley and the Canadian Rockies

Adventures abound:

- A mountain bike ride through pathless forests and hip height grassy fields, littered with goffer holes and rocks the size of my fists. I wonderful way to loosen your joints while at the same time, jarring every bone in your body. And yet… I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as I trailed behind my uncle, bouncing along through uncharted territory. Anyone up for seconds?

- Racing many thousands of rubber ducks down a river that flows through the centre of town.

- White water rafting down the Kootenay River with grade 3 rapids and half hungover wedding guests paddeling like mad through each churning, frothing expanse of white water. Hilarity engulfs us as one poor soul gets tossed from the boat behind us, nearly dragging the rest of passengers with her. Oh, and we can’t forget the stunning scenery and the freezing water that still manages to gush over the side of the rafts and seeping into your 3 layers of wet weather gear. Brrr!

- Horse riding for hours on end through the most picturesque Canadian countryside. The pine forests, the open grassy plains littered with wildflowers, the ever present shadow of the looming mountains, and the gentle rustle of leaves accompanied by the rhythmic canter of the horses hoof beats. We can forget the aching leg and butt muscles for now. A worthy price to pay for such a magical experience.

- Leisurely walks through forests scattered with wild strawberries, fields bordered by ever running creeks, places where the mind wonders to thoughts of the life of a neutron (yes indeedy, the places in which one becomes the buffet meal to many hundreds of mosquitos [see previous post]).

Kimberley truly is a magical place. Having an amazing aunt and uncle willing to provide shelter to a wondering niece also greatly helps. Plus a most generous cousin willing to spend her holiday time sharing her old haunts with me, while trying to care for a most energetic 2 year old son while being 8 months pregnant. A most amazing family I have :)

…some incredible photos of my road trip through the Rockie Mountains with my uncle David, on my way to Canmore…

On the road heading for the Rockies

Marble Canyon

Moraine Lake

Johnson Canyon and falls

Vancouver Part II

The next day I bump into another woman from the tour, Claudia, and I find out that she’s catching the ferry over to Vancouver Island today and would I like a lift with her. For the last several days I’ve been trying to work out a way of getting over there to try and see my Cousin Nigel and his family and here, part of the solution presents itself. I gladly accept her offer, with the proviso that we go and explore Stanley Park with another woman from the tour, Astrid, before heading out in the afternoon. Works for me. Stanley Park is kind of the equivalent to our Kings Park, but more foresty, surrounded by water on 3 sides, and containing racoons.

It was a great walk but I was excited by the prospect of getting over to the Island. Claudia and I head out, with the ferry taking a few hours to dock at Sidney, a book lovers paradise. Unfortunately all the stores are closed by the time we get there but we grab a coffee and work on our plan of attack. There’s a chance for me to catch a ferry back to the hostel but then the whole point of coming to the island would not have been achieved. And that would be to go to… The Centre of The Universe!!! Dun dun dunnn!!! Claudia offers to share her room at the inn she is staying at in the next town over (Victoria) and I accept. Having only met this woman the other day, why not hey? We then decide to grab fish n chips for dinner (best I’ve ever had, baked salmon with sweet potato wedges) and head over to the observatory otherwise known as The Centre of the Universe.

We have a great time learning all about Saturn, and then a viewing of the planetarium which was AMAZING! And slightly vertigo inducing. Followed by a meander through the actual observatory with the massive telescope which is still in use although its about 2oo years old. Oh, and it turns out that my Uncle, David is also visiting the Island for that weekend and can actually pick me up the next morning from Victoria. Brilliant! Talk about having Karma on my side.

With a clean shower and a good nights rest I am prepared for what the following day has in store for me… Waffles with the family :)

David picks me up bright and early, and we make our way to the very isolated town of Shawnigan Lake, where Nigel, his wife and two kids live. We also get the chance to visit a friend of Steve’s (a friend of David’s) who literally built his own home, owns both a helicopter and a biplane, plus a vintage car from [insert era here]. We hear about how he crashed his helicopter and survived to tell the tale, and are given a very speedy test drive in his beaut car.

Then its off to Nigel’s house, to catch up with Gillian the wife, and the two kids, Liam and Ethan, the incredible 1 yr old who could easily pull off being several years older. That kid has amazing motor control for his age, quite easily managing any physical obstacle, including the trampoline. He was also kind enough to keep me supplied with marshmallows :)

David was also nice enough to take me to the internationally prestigious boarding school that Nigel works at. Head of the science department actually but whos gloating here? The place is ab-so-lute-ly amazing! Nearly equivalent to living at Hogwarts, but less magic, and more ducks.

Making our way back to the house, we go all out in celebrating Nigels 40th birthday (talk about good timing) with a delicious ice cream cake. The kids are certainly happy. A quick goodbye and David then rushes me to Nanaimo to catch my ferry back to mainland Vancouver. Would be nice to finally have a clean pair of clothes and to brush my teeth :)

I get back to downtown Vancouver and on my walk back to the hostel, I end up being taped as an extra on a car advert. How cool is that!! They don’t just say that Vancouver is Hollywood North for nothing you know.

Ok, back at the hostel I pack in preparation for my flight the next morning and the next leg of the saga… Kimberley. This recount however, shall have to wait till I find time while sailing on the SV Florette around the south coast of Italy :) Ok ok, I’m several months behind schedule in updating my blog, but I’m getting there!