Canada - Day 12 (Canmore - our last official day)

Last day in Canada :-(

Rachael had been doing some indoor rock-climbing in Canmore and was keen to have a go outside, so we arranged a rock-climbing trip for the morning. We found a local company where we could hire a guide for a few hours - they provided the equipment, we provided the transport, and we scored our own personalized climbing experience.

I'm not entirely sure where exactly we climbed, but it was about 20min out of town. A short bushwalk took us to some low cliffs, where from the top, we could see east over the plains (being right at the edge of the rockies).

Setting up

(or, more accurately, standing around while our guide sets up)

We spent the morning clambering up the rocks, working our way from the easiest pitch to some more challenging (for us) climbs. Rachael remained wary of the wildlife, and there was a moment when she was belaying for me (ie. holding the rope that kept me from falling to a certain death), when there was an ominous rustling in the trees immediately behind her. Let's just say that it was a little precarious for a few seconds, as I clung to the rock while she decided if she was going to drop the rope and run for her life...

She's smiling here because she hasn't yet realized that she is about to be eaten by a grizzly

Being 6'4 is a definite advantage

If the mountain-biking hadn't destroyed her legs, this was sure to finish them off...

Rock-climbing squirrel

For the afternoon, we headed back to Banff to check out Sulphur Mountain. The 5km walk to the top was tempting, but there were some ominous-looking black clouds rolling in, and with thunderstorms predicted, we decided to take the soft option and ride the gondola up.

Once on top, there was a boardwalk along the crest of the mountain to its highest point, where an old weather station still perched at the mercy of the freezing wind. The views were (as expected) amazing, with a 360 degree vista over the town of Banff in one direction and the snowcaps in every other.

Overlooking Banff

Storm clouds over the weather station

Walking back down towards the gondola

It may have been a little bit windy

With a few hours of daylight left, we finished the day by driving to Johnston Canyon. Rachael had already been there twice before, both times in the winter. One of these visits had required crampons and several hours of slow trudging up the ice-covered path past frozen waterfalls. For us, the weather was mild and the water was roaring through the canyon, fresh with snowmelt. Rachael couldn't believe how relatively short and easy the walk actually was (without all the snow and ice to contend with).

Alot of the track was on boardwalks skirting the canyon wall

(Ryan and Rachael are in the distance)

Lower falls

View from inside the cave seen in the photo above

(the water is roaring past just outside, couldn't get any closer without drenching the camera)

Walking further upstream

(you would be correct in thinking that I was constantly being left behind while I took photos)(story of my life)

Upper falls

Sunset through the trees

We rounded out the day with dinner together in Banff, and dropped Rachael back at home with a sad goodbye (although I suspect she was probably glad to have a bit of rest in our absence...)

Not much to say about the following day(s). We drove the final stretch from Canmore to Calgary, leaving the snowcapped rockies (sadly) behind. Our flight departed just after lunch on Friday to bring us finally back to Launceston on Sunday morning (with the pilot welcoming us home by announcing that the outside temperature was a balmy 1 degree....)

Looking back, I think the highlight of the trip for me was the amazing scenery, particularly along the Icefields Parkway and on our hike above Lake Louise. I've quizzed Ryan on his highlight, and although he can't choose one particular thing, he says his biggest disappointment was not seeing anyone get eaten by a bear. Sigh.