January and February contained a lot of unpredictable weather. The temperatures ranged from –30F to +40F and the snow stability created tricky avalanche conditions. One day avalanche danger would be low, the next day high winds or solar heating would increase the levels to extreme. With our hearts generally set on one thing, ice climbing, these variations forced us to focus on a few other activities such as downhill and skate skiing.
We were still able to get on plenty of ice climbs and enjoy Canada for everything it has to offer.
We rounded out the end of our winter season by accomplishing a few of our climbing goals such as Polar Circus and Quick and Dirty in Waterton National Park. Many thanks to Chris and Darcy from the Rampart Creek Hostel for great company, dinner, and a hot sauna!
Here are a few random highlights:
- Seeing a lynx in the wild for the first time
- Seeing wolverine tracks!!!
- Watching the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames (wahoo, thanks to MB for the great B-day gift)
- Lake Louise powder day!
- skate skiing.. skate skiing… skate skiing