Sept 17, 2009 | Helen Lake 2372m, Cirque Peak (Banff NP) 2993m | 18.5km | 1050m gain.
Cirque Peak reflected in Helen Lake. NE of Bow Lake on the Icefields parkway (Hwy 93). One of my premier hikes/scrambles of 2009. One of the hardest to narrow down the photos from at any rate.
If you open this shot full size you'll see two figures. They became my improptu hiking partners for a short while after I spotted a grizzly bear digging in the cirque just short of Helen Lake. Besides a large group of Japanese tourists they were the only other hikers I saw that day.
Once up a little higher from the cirque I was able to watch the mother grizzly with her two cubs running circles around her playing. A rare treat & thankfully it was thru my binoculars.
Dolomite Peak
Cirque Peak kept cycling in & out of the clouds. I decided to attempt regardless & was glad I did. I got chased off prematurely by a thunderstorm but had good views while I was there & it didn't begin to rain until I was almost back down to Helen Lake.
Part way up Cirque Peak I met the second half of the Japanese group. The first had better english & warning of the bear seemed to go ok. With this group I had to finally pull my bearspray & show them the picture of the bear on it & point to the cirque. THEN they got excited.
They were quite concerned for my welfare. Pointing at the peak they said "Very cold, very cold." then looked pointedly at my legs. Must have though I was nuts to be wearing shorts. We parted ways each amused in our own way from the encounter.
I love days like this for shoot'n. The clouds add so much to the drama of the scene. 
Dolomite Peak again. Cool looking mountain.
I recall thinking "I should be at my desk right now" & then laughing manically.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Helen Lake, Cirque Peak
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Castle Mountain
Sept 5, 2009. Castle Mountain (Banff NP). 2766m. 26.2km. 1400m gain.
This first shot is of Eiesenhower Peak reflected in Tower Lake.
I didn't take the classic photo from hwy 1 so you can click here for more info as it is an easily recognizable peak from the highway. We summited from the cirque behind the peak.
Rockbound Lake from summit.
Spot the ptarmigan (there are two).
A rather unique experience was hearing music from the summit and later once further down in the bowl it turned out to be a man from France playing an Alpenhorn at the lake. Great location for it as the notes were echoing off the vertical rock walls around the lake. Made for a very cool effect.
A great (albiet long) day in the mountains.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Burstall Pass
Aug 29, 2009. Burstall Pass + traverse to South Burstall Pass. 2540m. 17.5 km. 630m gain.
An outing with Shannon taking advantage of a beautiful day in Kananaskis. 
Check out the color coordinated hair, pack, poles & top ;>)
Shannon posing on the highpoint of the traverse with Mt. Sir Douglas in the background.
SKooL
Eric off to grade twelve and later that morning Mike off to U of A for his second year of engineering.
Michael had no shoes on so was whining about appearing short. Note the classic surreptitious back-of-the-arm pinch usually reserved for causing trouble when Mom isn’t looking is alive and well. If memory serves it came shortly after Eric tried to ‘accidentally’ step on Mikes toes. Some years later perhaps this photo will be a classic when our trusty ’89 Prelude has been made into rebar.
Tombstone Mountain South
Aug 23, 2009. Tombstone Mountain South. 3035m. 17.6km. 1020m gain.
A moderate scramble with Eric with some fine views of the portion of Kananaskis country accessed up the valley from Elbow Lake off Hwy 40.
Eric with Mount Rae and the Rae glacier in the background.
Eric on some friction slabs.
Approaching the false summit.
View across to true summit.
Looking down on Tombstone Lakes.
Eric downclimbing from the summit.
Mt. Allan
Aug 22, 2009. Mount Allan. 2819m. 14.4km. 1313m gain.
A ‘Super Saturday’ repeat but a good one. My favorite part is the rock gardens / spires part way along the climb.
'Vision Quest' marmot.
A very bold ptarmigan trucking right over the summit.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
It is Alive!
Well, mostly alive. There were still some caps & finishing touches yet to go on when I took these shots. I don't generally show my work on this blog but this project was fun albiet stressful as it got shoe-horned into an already hectic sked. 
This was an interesting project because I was learning a new software package on the fly as I worked the clients thru the design process of this outdoor fireplace & liased with the fireplace vendor, our construction manager, & that boss guy who wanted his say. 
I know Carol is out there laughing about the votive shelf... yes I do know what a votive is. Photos with actual votives to follow someday maybe. 
It came out pretty much as designed except for the 'hat' got bigger (client change order). Of course I would be remise (and risking my health) if I didn't give a huge amount of the credit to our great clients, our construction manager, carpenter, construction helpers (including Mike) & the crew that applied the cultured stone. Great job guys! 
I love it when I get to see a concept thru to reality!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Cory/Edith Gargoyles
Aug 15, 2009. Cory Pass 2360m, explore Mt. Edith (partial) 2560m, Edith Pass 1950m. 12.9 km loop, 1000m gain plus 2.5km & 200m gain exploring.
Plan "B" due to weather, turned out to be a nice day but higher up there was fresh snow!
Gargoyle & Mt. Louis... for me the two highlights of the trip. We also explored part way up the scramble route on Mt Edith north peak but lacking a route description & rock lids (left in the truck) we backed off at the chimneys where things become 'moderate'. Rock fall was a concern also. 
Rabbit shaped outcrop in Gargoyle valley.
Yours truly exploring a gargoyle with Mt. Louis in the background.
A little disappointed our super-early start for Plan "A" was thwarted but it needed to be 'bare & dry' & that wouldn't have happened.
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