Evan Thomas Creek and Beyond ....

Ventured into Evan Thomas Creek on Thursday with my room mate Jacynthe. It had been around 6 or 7 years, as best I could remember, since the last time I had visited this area to climb. Oddly enough there has been some recent development further up the canyon at an area that has been dubbed the 'Rehab Wall'. The quality of the routes is actually quite high and the potential exists for at least double the number of lines already established. To top it off, the quality of pure ice routes is good as well so there is a great mix for all levels of climbers to enjoy, all in one spot! Hard to believe this area was only discovered a few years ago?.

Moonlight and Snowline in great condition. Climbers visible

on Moonlight and at the 2/3 tree on Snowline.

Jass rappelling down 'Green Monster'. A mixed line called

'Yoga Monster' links the rock to the ice on the right.

The 'Rehab Wall' An M7 called Physio-Therapy

links the rock to the hanging ice in the center.

Jass stretching out on 'Yoga Monster' M5 WI4

Jass finding the Zen from the rock to the ice on 'Yoga Monster'

'Slurpee' in a neat ampitheatre near the Rehab Wall

Jass eyeing up 'WD40'

Jass feeling well oiled on the deceptively steep 'WD40' WI4+

The 'Team'. I was actually having lots of fun, honest! Just a little cold from being wet :)



The Wind Tower

Displayed is a picture of the Wind Tower just SE of Canmore. The photo was taken from my pocket size Olympus Stylus 720SW on my way back from Grotto Canyon yesterday afternoon. Winds were relatively calm in the valley but ferrociously licking the flanks of the Wind Tower at the higher elevations. Almost made the Wind Tower look like it was being enlightened and risen into the sky! This mountain, actually a trail on the backside called 'West Wind Pass' was the first hike/date that Karolin and I went on during her trip to Canada. It's always been my favourite mountain in the area so pretty special that we got to know each other hiking beside it.

The sun is actually quite high in the sky but far enough behind the 

Wind Tower it was reflecting through the blowing snow

 Also got to see the local Bighorn Sheep that were hanging out in their usually spot on the grassy, sun exposed hill on the 1A highway towards Exshaw. Do you think they were there though when Karolin and I tried to say hello when she was on her trip? Ohhhhhhhh noooooooooo!!!!! Well they were hanging out there yesterday :)  

Papa

Baby

Mama

Papa posing