After months of planning & building anticipation, a group of 14 intrepid Chiltern Mountain Club (Boston's GayOutdoor club) members converged in Alberta, Canada from distant points in the United States. Our adventure was beginning in the magnificent city of Calgary, home to gleaming glass-clad skyscrapers, cowboy culture, Mounties & scenic foothills nestled against the majestic backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

During the next week of travel, the group reveled at the sights exploring in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper with some continuing onward to Golden, Radium, Yoho & Kootnay. With towering mountains & sunny warm days the pine-touched air was clean & crisp.

Along with the natural scenery there were many sightings of wildlife excitedly recounted during dinner in the evening with the group. All told we encountered mountain sheep, black bear, wolf, mountain goats, elk, caribou, marmot, gold-mantled squirrel & "pika" rabbit.

One interesting phenomena worth noting was the amazing color of the many rivers and lakes. Most rivers are glacial fed with melt-water carrying "rock flour" which is suspended fine particles. These particles are actually pulverized rock & silt turning the rivers a milky white. Unsettling at first but interesting after you get used to it. On the other hand many lakes are vibrant emerald or a deep rich sapphire as these particles reflect the green-blue section of the light spectrum. It is a wondrous sight sitting on the shore gazing across a jewel-tinted lake to nearby blazing white ice capped peaks.

While the area has a fair share of 104 degree hot springs most of the lakes themselves are even colder than the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not unusual for these lakes to be a comfortably numb 50 degrees, worthy of a plunge by only the heartiest of souls.

There is so much to experience here. Whether it is hiking in alpine meadows, gazing upon plentiful wildflowers, peak bagging, horseback riding or looking up at the numerous glaciers on the Icefield Parkway. There is a surreal unspoiled beauty to it all as the peaks spread infinitely out to the horizon. A true peak lover’s nirvana!

This was spectacular high adventure! I believe many of us will be returning someday to continue our explorations preserved wisely under the aegis of Canada’s National Park system.

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