I was in Edmonton for the CCMAs and had a crazy idea...lets climb a mountain. Lucky for me, Sean is a good friend, had the week off, and is always willing to support my crazy ideas.
   Here is a Baaaad photo of Mountain goat, the first wildlife we ran into once we entered Jasper Park. The mountain goats appear to be more common in Jasper than in Banff to the south. Every trip to Jasper has yielded roadside shots of mountain goats. Do not feed the goats, remain 3 bus lengths away.

   
   
   When driving through the mountains, one must stop at everything. Every waterfall, point of interest, fruit stand, abandoned car, glacier...
   This is a waterfall not far into Jasper Park, when entering from the north. I said one must stop at every point of interest, but you don't need to read the signs.
   
   The last stop before tackling the mountain was at Sunwapta Falls Resort. Here we picked up playing cards, a copy of Lone Pinehouse's Edible and Medicinal plants of the Rockies (mmm), and spare water, (better safe than dehydrated/dead).
   
   The mountain that we selected, just north of the Columbia Ice Fields. Gradual slope and a place to park the car.
   Being a couple of prairie boys, we do not know exactly what to expect, but isn't that the basis for adventure?
   From here we will strap on our backpacks and begin to climb toward the heavens. Hopefully nothing has been forgotten.
   
   
     

The arrow is pointing to the shoulder on the road where we parked the car. The picture was taken half way through our first day climb. After an hour of climbing we found a creek that was running off the glacier. This guaranteed good drinking water and allowed us to shed a few kilos of water we were carrying.

     

Sean checks the depth of a canyon by pitching a rock over the blind edge.

     

   Heavy spring runoff has created a smooth rock surface that is easy to climb, a long natural inclined plain. But beware, a few small stones on the smooth surface will make your legs fall out from under you like you are on roller skates. Also, wet areas are covered by a thin film of mud that pose a major slipping hazard!
   As it begins to grow dark and we are nearing the edge of the tree line, time to start thinking about finding a site to camp. Our legs are also looking forward to the break, we have done the equivalent of 6 hours on the stair master.
   

   Much to our surprise, it is tough to find a level spot to place the tent, nothing like tenting on the open prairie.
   Being a little higher in the mountains, the sun sets a little later than anticipated, nothing like being in the valley. The temperature drops quickly and the Chunky soup tastes really good. Day one has passed and we have met only minor obstacles.
   

   After securing the food for the evening, it is time to play a few rounds of cards.
   Despite thick growing moss patches, the ground was hard and uneven, not the best sleep I've ever had. Next time, more attention in picking a campsite.
   

   In the morning we find a little snow has fallen during the night, but it burns off before breakfast. Though the wood has become a little wet, the one match wonder does it again...Chunky for breakfast?
   
   This is the view from the door of our tent, it gives you an idea of the altitude we gained in our first day of climbing.
   A day like this would be considered partially cloudy, but at our altitude it is known as foggy with occasional sunny periods.
   

   Finally we reach the edge of the tree line. Fewer obstacles to face when climbing, but no firewood or trees to grab onto for support, either.
   The view is unbelievable; look for yourself. Can you imagine what this area must look like in the spring or summer...when the flowers are in bloom? Maybe we will see in 6 months, stay tuned. 
   

   As we left the tree line, clouds started to move in, and as you can see, sleet is falling. Above is the source of the stream we had followed, A good place to have lunch.
   
   

   Before the final leg of the mountain is to be attempted, we select a sheltered area for the base camp. After the legs are good and rested, the belly fully replenished, and the lungs well rested, the climb commences. It is readily apparent that the lack of oxygen is creating fatigue, but the peak is in view and must be reached before the area begins to cloud over.
   

Those are some big icicles! The falls at the beginning of the stream we were following :
     
The photos below will give you an idea of where we came from and how far is left to go, last photo opportunity because the clouds really started to roll in and visibility dropped dramatically.

Looking down the mountain

Looking up the mountain
   

   Above is the highest peak of the mountain that never seemed to end. Beyond each peak lay another hiding in the cloud. The other side had a sheer drop, next trip will yield a better picture.
   
   After 12 hours of climbing (cumulative), two cans of Chunky soup, two cans of Chef Boyardee Ravioli, a box of Vector bars, and three liters of water, the peak was reached. I tried to wait until the clouds moved on so I could take a better picture, but the winds picked up and the snow started to fall. The footprints made on the way up disappeared in the blowing snow and visibility was down to 10 meters. After a 30-minute descent (which took 3 hours to ascend) the clouds lifted and the sun began to shine again.
   

This is where we stopped for lunch as we were descending the mountain (our second lunch, the exertion of climbing and the cold weather definitely boosted the appetite). To see a panoramic view of the area from our lunch stop, click on the image below. It is a collage of 5 photos merged through Adobe Photoshop


  CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE!
   

This is the beginning of the stream that we followed back to the drainage basin (where the car was parked). As you can see, the stream starts from out of nowhere. It is fed by ground water that is running through the mountain by way of the melting snow at the peak.
     
   This is a collection of photos taken within the first 100m of the stream. The water is clean and cold, tastes much better than tap water, especially that found in the cites of Winnipeg or Regina.
   Though these falls are not as spectacular as the ones found on the side of the road, they mean more as we discovered them ourselves.
     

Pictures of our descent. This creek was much different then the one we followed up. These walls were much steeper, the water had carved paths in the bed that resembled water slides, and several bathing pools could be found.
     
   

   Though the waterfall became steeper and steeper, we were able to find easily accessible routes down the mountain. It became impossible to follow the creek bed all the way back to the automobile, no explanation required, I hope.
   
 

Of the vegetation found, we could make use of the low brush cranberries. Although tasty, much smaller than the store bought variety.

Total falls by a climber, two each. No real bruises or cuts to speak of.

Next adventure, south on the PanAm Highway to the southern tip of South America...or so I have begun to dream. More realistic, canoe down the North Saskatchewan from Edmonton AB to Prince Albert SK. Who's up for that? (you have my e-mail)