A week long vacation from Banff to Jasper

With Eva back early from the Yukon and the gray spring clouds turning to sunny warm days it was time to go on summer vacation. The itinerary this year was a trip through Jasper with stops in Banff, Nordegg and Red Deer.

Day 1 - the Bow River

First stop was a bike - paddle along the bow river between Lake Louise and Castle Junction

Packed and ready to go!

Eva looking for the train...

Brian found it!

Time to swap from bike to boat

Is this really a good place to put in???

Successfully on the river!

Now we can relax and enjoy the views

Brian looking for bears

Floating towards Castle mountain...

Castle looming closer - where is Eva???

And just like that another bike - paddle is in the books!

Day 2 - Castle Mountain

Having not seen enough of Castle Mountain the day before we set our objectives on Eisenhower Tower on the south end of Castle Mountain for day 2... The route involves a pretty stiff approach with 1000m elevation gain over a couple of KM's

After a long hike through the woods the trail finally starts to break out of the trees

Brian enjoying a sip of water before the trail turns up!

Leaving the shelter of the trees we venture forth

Without trees the trail becomes exposed

and requires a little bit of a scramble

Eventually the objective is in site

The upper bench looks like a foreign world

with amazing views

Brian gazing into the abyss

and enjoying the view

while Eva enjoys a sunny day in an alpine meadow.,..

But alas the objective was not meant to be... after some careful consideration we decide it's time to head down instead of further up.

and it's still a long way off back to the van...

Day 3 - Banff to Jasper

After a big day in the mountains it was time to transfer from Banff to Jasper and do some sight seeing on the way - Peyto lake lives up to its reputation...

While the Columbia Icefield leaves a little to be desired - Brian wonders where is the ice?

and decides the rock art is more interesting...

a day on the tourist trail wouldn't be complete without a selfie

Day 4 - Dune Wall

Today we opt for a moderate day out climbing under the massive Mount Edith Cavell on quartzite cliffs known as the Dune Wall... Brian all smiles under the mountain

while the approach is short it is mostly up...

Eventually after a little bit of a scramble we near the base

Eva racks up!

changes her shoes

climbs up a corner

and Brian follows

At the top Brian is again all smiles and ready to rap down

a few climbs later and its time to head down - hopefully there are no bears in there!

only a stream stands between us and the end of another successful day of having fun

Day 5 - endless slab climbing

Today's objective is an 11 pitch route up Rainy Day Wall following water runnels up limestone slab. The day starts with a breakfast that includes all the proper food groups - croissants, coffee and Nutella...