During the next few days we would learn that "the forecast" in Canada was just something they post to entertain the tourists. Their forecast actually has no relationship at all to the weather that will take place. Every time we checked the weather it would say, "two days of wet, then clearing". It was the same for a week and a half. That elusive sun was always just 2 days away. When I asked one ranger about what weather was coming he simply said, "Look up, you can't get much better than that."
Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. Hiking among shifting cloud was incredible. Much more dynamic than hot days of high pressure with full sun. And even with the high levels of precipitation we did find some better breaks. We hit one in particularly good window that would keep us inspired for awhile. The day broke clear and we had a good hike planned. A little chance encounter shifted our plans and a good day turned into a great one.
We don’t normally seek out company but there were bear restrictions in effect for most of Glacier NP. The park requires that all hikers go in groups of four or more to reduce the risk of bear encounters in certain areas. Janek & Zoa, a local couple we bumped into at the ranger station, proposed a more interesting hike, a hike in bear country, a hike to the Illecillewaet Glacier. We gladly accepted.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. Hiking among shifting cloud was incredible. Much more dynamic than hot days of high pressure with full sun. And even with the high levels of precipitation we did find some better breaks. We hit one in particularly good window that would keep us inspired for awhile. The day broke clear and we had a good hike planned. A little chance encounter shifted our plans and a good day turned into a great one.
We don’t normally seek out company but there were bear restrictions in effect for most of Glacier NP. The park requires that all hikers go in groups of four or more to reduce the risk of bear encounters in certain areas. Janek & Zoa, a local couple we bumped into at the ranger station, proposed a more interesting hike, a hike in bear country, a hike to the Illecillewaet Glacier. We gladly accepted.
When we reached the normal terminus of our selected trail
Janek made a suggestion – “We could go check out the glacier toe?” Janek is a geologist with experience in this
area and his plan was to go cross country to the glacier snout and return by
another trail making a loop out of the hike.
After a good bit of cross-country scrambling and some route finding we
had made it to the foot of the glacier.
As you can imagine this was a special powerful place.
It was the first good weather of the trip. We only were spit on once during the day and with the positive vibes under our belt we were ready to tackle something bigger.
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| Zoa, Janek & Laurel |
It was the first good weather of the trip. We only were spit on once during the day and with the positive vibes under our belt we were ready to tackle something bigger.
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| The Faithful Chico |
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