Misty Mountain Apartments and Suites Grande Cache

... any treballant en un restaurant de Montreal i ara pretenen patejar-se la pasta guanyada viatjant sis mesos mes pel pais. El noi es alguna cosa mes que supporter de l'OM (pels no tan cultes com jo OM=Olympique de Marseille) i diria que tambe un gran fumador de petas pels ullets que sempre fa. Per no parlar dels recent casats catalans que vaig trobar a Maligne Lake que resultaven bastant entranyables o del canadenc amb barret de pescador que va compartir amb mi ...

... when seeing a grizzly (this is prime habitat) was likely. Much as I want to meet a grizzly, there is a time and a place. We turned back, wary of the darkening sky. When we hiked back the next morning we discovered that were we turned back was only about 10 minutes from the lake but it had been the right decision as there was very little light left when we made it back to our campground.

Our breakfast providers told us that the hike were were planning ...

... a hike to the Mumm Basin opposite the slopes of Mt Robson. We tried to get a taste of both by going to the foot of the Robson Glacier and then up to the basin.

The Robson glacier has retreated two kilometers since 1911, and some of the tributary glaciers no longer feed into it. But it still swings down the valley impressively, and at its foot it has a simply glorious cavern. The ice is thin enough here to allow some light through but thick enough to create stunning ...

... to see much more wildlife (deer, elk) and birds here in the edges of the Rockies. Bogie found a Marten den under some rocks by the river for us -- they screech like a hawk (but louder) when peeved and could likely take a good chunk from a finger or Bogie‘s nose.

Left the large tent erected at the Muskeg River (base camp) and set out for Sulphur Gates to start our two night hike in the Willmore Wilderness. Missed the side-trail along the way and had to backtrack two ...

... that the campgrounds disperse.

Our site at Pierre Grey’s is deep in the woods and there is a nice lake here. It’s too bad it is still raining, dark, and miserable. Everyone must be hibernating in their campers because I see no life. Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse.

Local Info

Escape into a land of sparkling lakes, rushing rivers, green valleys, and windswept peaks. Nestled on a mountain plateau at 4200 ft ...

When in doubt, do nothing… quickly… so that's what I do. I may be high and dry, but at least it’s level. It’s time to quit thinking on my feet and start thinking in the rocking chair. So I kick back in High Level a couple days and buy some groceries, crunch some numbers. The mileage count is critical by now, but maybe if I just skirt the foothills, I’ll come in under the ...

... in it last is still there.". I reminded Whitt that whatever was in it last HE had put there!! Thankfully we discovered the problem was actually with the cistern and not some impressive blockage and the very efficient staff on the desk said they'd get it dealt with right away. Plans to try some "Canadian" pizza this evening followed by (at Whitt's insistence) some more drinks in the hotel bar!

Visited the "Columbia Icefields" for a really really good trip on a "Snowmobile" out on to the Athabasca Glacier. (For those that know - yes I have done it before, but it was just as good and informative the second time). I drank the glacial "water of youth" (as though I need to look any younger!?!?). Whitt and I took some good pictures of some ...

... incision in the rock cut by the Mistaya River). Then went for a walk up a small, quite unused trail to get a better view of the canyon and surrounding mountains. Driving through the icefields was stunning (again Whitt missed it where he was driving). Passed some mountain goats on the road (thankfully Whitt missed them too!!). I was turning in to an irritable 12 year old child after 3 1/2 hours ...

... places. I even got to see some lakes that were still frozen. The day would have to be one of the best days I've ever had. This is what the holiday is all about. That night had another quiet one (six pack again) before completing the Icefield Parkway drive on the way to Banff. Whilst I didnt get to see a wild grizzly bear, probably a good thing, I did get to see a black bear which came into the campgrounds where I was staying.