Mini post: Picton - Gateway to the South Island

After leaving the holiday park, Dave and went to Wellington and picked up Natalie from the airport. Natalie and Dave worked at the Tim Hortons camp together over the summer. She flew in from Australia and also got an interview at the resort Dave and I applied to!

In Wellington, we stayed at Worldwide Backpackers again and got the sweetest room. Mainly because it had a mini loft in it. It took us all a few seconds to figure out where the third bed was. 

Dave also tried some golden kiwi! It is not as sweet as green kiwi fruit but still tasty. 

The day after we got on the ferry to Picton, the gateway to the South Island. You get to see some beautiful ocean and  some great landscape. At one point we caught a glimpse of the Kaikoura mountain range in the east coast of the island.

Our hostel in Picton, is called the Juggler's Rest. It has a really cool vibe and a very welcoming atmosphere. Nikki, our host came over from England and  also used to be a teacher but couldn't find a job in the age group she was trained in. Boy, do I know the feeling! 

At our hostel we were greeted with homemade wool socks! There was also a  veggie garden, hammocks, fresh free range eggs and grape vines everywhere. 

During the evening we took advantage of the juggling balls, hula hoops, poi and diablos that were lying around. We also hung out on the hammocks and played around with the slack line for awhile too!

Dave also made friends with the resident cat if course. =) 

For breakfast, we had freshly baked bread, homemade jam, coffee and fresh grape juice, prepared by our host. The juice was so sweet and delicious with no sugar added!  It was a great way to wake up! Afterwards, we hung out and lounged around in the sun like little kitty cats before our interview. We will be off in a few minutes so I better go! 

Perspective is Everything! - Old Goat Glacier, July 28th, 2013

Also known as the day Jenn and Michelle went out together without Steve.

Originally, our plan for the day was to go climbing at Grassi with Kory, but Kory ended up getting sick. Jenn and I quickly decided we weren't going to waste the day and made plans to hike and climb indoors at the new rec center in Canmore.

We discussed going on a shorter hike so we would have time to get to the rec center and be back in Calgary for dinner.  At no point in my life have I ever called a ten kilometer hike 'short', but that's what we decided on!

The trail has very little elevation gain to begin with. It seemed fine at first, but it was really quite damaged from the flooding. There was one part of the trail that was undercut and being held together with moss. It definitely bounced up and down when we walked on it, and on the way back there was a hole in it.  Before we started, a conservation officer stopped us and warned us the trail was open, but people were being discouraged from hiking it because it was "really rough".  It was rough at some points, but not the point where it wasn't hike-able. Perspective, I guess is everything!

About 2 km in, there is some trail damage. The part I'm standing on in the photo is completely undercut due to the flooding.

Further in, there was major washout damage. The trail disappeared for about 400 m and was replaced by a labyrinth of rocks and uprooted trees.  We wandered for awhile with a group of really nice Japanese hikers. The blind leading the blind.

Further in, the trail had been washed away by rocks and other debris.  We wandered aimlessly for a little while before we found the trail again.

Once we were passed this part, the trail opened up to an avalanche runout. Again, lots of rocks had been washed down during the flood.  Across the runout was the rest of our hike. From our perspective,  it looked daunting...steep and rocky.   I think it also contained about 600 m of the 620 m elevation gain on this trail spread out over approximately one or two kilometers.  Once we set out on the trail, it actually wasn't too bad. Don't get me wrong. It was difficult, but it was also manageable.

Where the real fun begins! 

Jenn working her way up.

Old Goat Glacier

Pretty flowers

Heading back down towards the avalanche runout.

Looking back we had great views of Spray Lakes Resevoir, and the valley we had just hiked through.  This is probably a more difficult beginning hike, but the views are worth it. (Aren't they always though?).  Going down wasn't as bad as we thought it would be, in spite of the steepness.

View of Spray Lakes Reservoir.

After about 4 hours, we were back in the car and on our way to Canmore to check out Elevation Place. The new rec center is FAB-U-LOUS.  We only climbed, and all the routes were well graded and fun! The staff at the climbing gym are obviously enthusiastic about climbing and their work.  They walked around, talked to people about the routes and gave people beta. Overall, a great day with my new friend Jenn!

Photo credits for this post go to Jenn! Thanks for sharing.

A Miniature Canadian Safari and Jumping shots!

Burstall Pass 

July 31st, 2013

This has been on my hiking list for YEARS. I finally got to tick it off!! Expectations were high, and they were definitely met.

On our drive there, we got the Canadian wildlife experience. We saw an elk running along the highway, looking exhausted, and being pursued by two wolves!! It was the first time I had ever seen them in the wild. A few kilometers down, we saw a group of mountain goats with their lambs along the side of the road. Not sure if the wolves caught up to them or not!

In the flood plain

For the first four-ish kilometers of this hike, you walk down an old road. It's pretty boring. Near the end there is a bike rack, so if you a mountain bike, use it!

After that, you reach a wide open flood plain that involves much hopping and jumping over small creeks.  This part of the trail isn't as obvious so look for the hiking signs if you get a little lost. It was probably a little wetter than normal due to the flooding in June. Part of the trail was still sitting under some water. After some more time in the trees, it opens up and you cross a beautiful meadow and start getting some stunning views.

Flooded trail

On our way up to the pass.

On our way up to the pass.

Dave, Kory, me and Michelle on the pass. 

On the pass 

Once we reached the pass, we decided to venture a little bit into Banff, because our views of it were being blocked by two smaller ridges.  While Dave scrambled up another mountain to the south, we headed up to the taller ridge west of the pass.  He is quite the long-legged mountain goat and scrambled his way up to the summit in no time! Meanwhile, we lounged in the alpine meadow and took a few jumping shots.

On top of the ridge in Banff

Looking into Banff. Leman Lake is visible here.

Jumping shots in front of Lehman Lake.  Thanks Google+ for putting this together! Hah!

On our way back through the flood plain.

This is a longer easy hike at 15 km. It's not difficult nor technical, but the distance does make for a long day.  It took us about 5 hours, plus about an hour of lounging and lunching.  It's a beautiful hike, and definitely worth the effort. Another gorgeous day hiking with some great company, topped off with a stop at the Mountain Juice Cafe.  

Lake Minnewanka

I went on my first backcountry country trip this weekend with some friends around Lake Minnewanka. Since Dave, the one who always carries the DSLR, had my little point and shoot, I decided to solely use my iPhone! I purchased an alloclip for my phone and KaBlam! I was ready to go.

The alloclip comes with a fish-eye, macro and wide angle lens. 

The hike to our campsite was 9km from the parking lot. It follows the shore of the lake most of the way there. The beginning of the trail was peppered with tourists, trail runners and mountain bikers. Everyone was, of course,very polite about sharing the trail.

Wide Angle Shot

Wide angle lens and stitched together with a fancy iPhone app. 

Our fantastic group! 

Steve - coordinator, bar tender, unofficial spirit leader, tour guide and navigator

Jenn - bringer of wine (very important job!!!), photographer/historian/ship's log

Jeanne and Marthe - lovely ladies from 

France and absolute troopers on their first camping trip!

Kory - anti-spirit leader and my loyal bathroom buddy (also very important job!) 

I was the sun dancer. No one ever saw me dance... Wasn't sure they could handle it. 

I love the fish eye lens!! 

Overall, a fairly easy trip (when you avoid the lookout...it's a 10 km side trip from lm9 camp site) and great for first time back country travellers! Note: bring a small hatchet for your back-country fire! Only use dead fall, leave the living trees alone! Or just have your friends haul in fire logs by sneaking them into their packs... That works too.

Remember: The best camera is the one you have with you! 

A Weekend in the Rockies

Saturday

Dave and I went to our usual crag at Grassi Lakes in the Rocky Mountains this weekend. This is a popular crag with beginners and experts a like because of it's quick and easy approach and proximity to Canmore.

On our way up to Grassi (we took the easy route from the bottom) we were passed by two emergency vehicles full of rescue workers.  When we arrived, we learned there had been an accident. It's not really clear what happened, but a girl had fallen from the anchors of one of the climbs onto some dirt.  No more information has officially been released about the accident, so I'm not going to speculate on what happened.

We watched a rescue helicopter fly in three times. The first time, it seemed like, was to ensure the helicopter could fly in safely without hitting overhead power lines. The second time, a rescue worker dangling on a rope below the helicopter was dropped off with gear. The third time was to pick up the girl who had been hurt, again attached to a rope dangling below a helicopter.  They all worked quickly and efficiently, and I hope the girl has a speedy recovery. It was definitely a good reminder of how dangerous climbing can be and to not become complacent!


We climbed at Graceland first on Elvis Lives (10c) and Graceland (10d). Dave made a sweet video of the 10c.

Moved onto Gardener's Wall, where I did my first lead of the season. This is where the accident occurred and I was definitely being extra cautious. I top Roped 10a in the right hand corner afterwards and then we called it a day!

We headed out and checked into our hotel and went for Thai food at a place called Thai It Up. I ordered a delicious Pad Thai with very fresh shrimp. I have been obsessed with Pad Thai lately, so if you have a good recipe, please share it with me! Our food took awhile, but it was worth the wait. I also sampled Dave's butter chicken and Sarah's panang curry...delicious! I highly recommend this place! We also got a local's discount. Nice that we were being mistaken for Canmorians.

Overall a fantastic day with some great friends!

Sunday

On Sunday, I participated in the Rocky Mountain Soap Run Women's Run & Walk at the Nordic Center with some friends.  It's my third year participating and I love it!

 

Dave was there to cheer me on since it's a women's only run complete with aroma therapy towels and a goodie bag of all natural products from RMS waiting for you at the finish line. This year I decided to challenge myself and ran 10 km. That's 10 kms of hills, hills and more hills!!  As you can see I was really happy to be done!

Afterwards, my coworkers and I decided to make our run calorie neutral with a meal at the Grizzly Paw. Good times!!