Em made a quick arrival in style and we went straight to making a plan...
PHASE 1: Place Glacier
After a warm welcome at the airport with party suits and afros we were quickly on our way, truck loaded driving north to Pemberton. One would never expect to fall asleep gazing at the clear star filled night, and wake up to a thunder bolt crashing down and setting the bush on fire at 6am, but it did!!
After our intense and intrusive wake up call we hit the trail (well we had to find it first). Taking us straight up the guts of an awesome waterfall we ended up surrounded by alpine lakes and large granite boulders. Finding a two man hut and a weather station we were quite content sitting back watching the sunset and mountain goats passing by.
PHASE 2: Rocky Mountains
Upon returning to Vancouver we made a quick turn around switching out the truck to the van and acquiring an additional party member: Gareth, The G Shizzle, Giraffe, Bubba G, however you chose to call him.
And then there were 4........
Driving East, Kelowna was our first stop: Dave Aubreys (Thanks for the dinner Dave it was awesome) to share some past time stories and good food. We continued on our way past Revelstoke and searched for a campsite at 1am. Never ideal, especially when you hit a massive rock and get a flattie and then proceed to throw a toad in the mix - Thanks Chris!!
Our first destination was originally Glacier National Park (Canadian not American) but they sent us to Yoho National Park, who then sent us onto Kootenay National Park..... because of the long weekend things were getting booked up. We decide to make the most of the Gong show of tourists and do what we do best, PARTY SHIRTS....
Doing a day hike from Moraine Lake to Paradise Valley. We prepared adequately so that we wouldn't loose each other (in the crowds rather than the bush)
Doing a day hike from Moraine Lake to Paradise Valley. We prepared adequately so that we wouldn't loose each other (in the crowds rather than the bush)
What do ya reckon Em?....I think she concers
..............
Kootneys National Park was well worth the stop. Doing an overnight hike on the Rockwall trail once we decided to take the long way out which proved to be quite spectacular. Waking up to 20cm of snow made it more exciting and hiking through the blustry winds and climbing over 2 alpine passes...
Next stop Banff hot springs to thaw out...which is where we met up with some dodgy raft guides from Canmore one named Si the other named Reefton.
Si and Reefton then showed us what was what in Canmore. Float trip down the Bow river, moose tours, climbing and a good old catch up.
A float trip down the Bow river prooved to be quite entertaining
Well the jump shot seemed like a good idea at the time
Stop looking - we found the moose on the moose tour
Jacs and Em climbing at Grassi Lakes, Canmore
Em showing us where to go - Bugaboos Provincial Park
Porcupine proofing your car is essential to keep the little critters chewing on ya brake hoses
A pretty magical spot
To give you a perspective this is our campsite
After the Bugaboss we needed to make our way back out to the coast. Mapping out our route we planned a way to see more of the province. However with an unfortunate mishap reagrding Emmas undies and a massive U turn our plans changed some what and some more hours driving through the night had to be done. We still managed to explore Golden through to Revekstoke and up to Lillooet down through Squamish, to check out the Ashlu river which is currently getting dammed.
After a good feed of sushi it was time for Chris to move on out and get some shoulder surgery. Me and Em unpacked and repacked the van to head into Phase 3...
speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil - Actually Em was just hiding the spinach in her teeth, Shaun was proving he was clear.
PHASE 3: Vancouver Island
Time to go visit the man himself Mr McCracken. Heading up to the top of the Island Shaun was working up in Port McNeil. Making the most of a roof over our heads we cooked up some good food (including Blackberry choc mud cake!) and soaking up the cultural atmosphere in the area.
This is a first nations cemetry, totem poles instead of gravestones
After a few days catching up on sleep and keeping clean - it was time to get back out amoungst it! So we hired some sea kayaks in Telegraph Cove and paddle down Johnstone Strait - where the largest population of orca whales lives (well apparently orcas are dolphins not whales so we now refer to them as killer dolphins). Wild life was abundant seals, dolphins, birds on a log and of course we got to see the orcas!
"What do ya reckon about Russia?" " Sounds like a plan - there are some more birds on a log!"
Ems bed with a view, watching the orcas swim by while waking up has got some bonuses about it
After the seakayaking it was then time for Phase 4...what we have been waiting for!
Phase 4: Climbing: Squamish and Seattle styles
Heading back down to Vancouver we made our hastiest turn around yet, and aquiring a man who goes by the name of Tim Sikma (another kiwi friend who "happens" to be in the area). Hoping to have ems shiny new rack delivered by now we had had big plans to climb in Squamish for a week. However due to the failure a successful delivery we were unable to break in the new gear and were limited in our options - but we still made the most of an awesome couple of days.
After a few days of soaking up the sun and scrambling around the granite we headed on down to Seattle for a rescue mission of Ems gear. Catching up with some of Ems friends we had a great time of eating good food, drinking good beer, meeting awesome people and even got in some climbing at a place called Index to break in Ems new gear.
cough cough Em this is where you put in some photos cough
After Index it was time for Em to catch a plane back home...so we finished off with a spectacular farewell lunch next to the water in Vancouver and sent her on her way. It was a great month exploring the province and as usual making plans for the next adventure..Project 4 will be here before you know it, were thinking Russia! So until then....
Phase 4: Climbing: Squamish and Seattle styles
Heading back down to Vancouver we made our hastiest turn around yet, and aquiring a man who goes by the name of Tim Sikma (another kiwi friend who "happens" to be in the area). Hoping to have ems shiny new rack delivered by now we had had big plans to climb in Squamish for a week. However due to the failure a successful delivery we were unable to break in the new gear and were limited in our options - but we still made the most of an awesome couple of days.
After a few days of soaking up the sun and scrambling around the granite we headed on down to Seattle for a rescue mission of Ems gear. Catching up with some of Ems friends we had a great time of eating good food, drinking good beer, meeting awesome people and even got in some climbing at a place called Index to break in Ems new gear.
cough cough Em this is where you put in some photos cough
After Index it was time for Em to catch a plane back home...so we finished off with a spectacular farewell lunch next to the water in Vancouver and sent her on her way. It was a great month exploring the province and as usual making plans for the next adventure..Project 4 will be here before you know it, were thinking Russia! So until then....
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