cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by hynkle

Lynn Canyon

While the Capilano Suspension Bridge is more popular, it’s also $25 dollars more expensive. Save yourself some money, and the headache of falling into a bit of a “tourist trap” and check out Lynn Canyon. It’s a short drive from downtown Vancouver and is an incredible location to take in the outdoors of Vancouver. The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge looms beautifully over trees and gives you a great view of the area.

Cross the bridge and you’ll come across Baden Powell trail, a relatively novice hike that can get you all the way down to Rice Lake. Lynn Canyon has several trails, and many places to explore, including a few secluded spots to setup picnic and even go for a swim. This location offers some beautiful photo opportunities. What better way to take in Vancouver than above a BC river & twin waterfalls.

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by JoshNV

Seymour Demonstration Forest

Not far from Lynn Canyon, bikers, hikers, walkers and strollers grace the Demonstration Forest on a daily basis. A great getaway to stretch your legs and enjoy some outdoor activity. There’s plenty of wildlife in the area, so keep your eyes peeled. If you’re looking for a paved trail, you’ll be happy to hear the Seymour Valley Trailway is just that. But be wary, it can be the busiest trail, so if you’re looking for a little “you time” and less “get out of my way please and thank you time” you should stick to the unpaved trails.

cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Sinéad McKeown

Grouse Mountain

Many Vancouverites tend to take their wall of mountains for granted. North Vancouver has some of the most scenic views in the city, and Grouse Mountain is no exception. While it can be a bit touristy at times, and the crowd can be a bit of a headache on weekends, if you stop by midweek on a beautiful day you’re going to be in for a treat.

Grouse Mountain is an outdoorsy mecca. Whether you’re a runner, hiker, skiier, or crazy enough to hit the Grouse Grind (a 2.9 KM hike to the top with an elevation gain of 853 meters (2,800ft) known locally as the “Stair Master”), you’re sure to find a few ways to burn a couple hundred calories here. If you’re not at your physical peak and would rather take it easy, the Gondola ride to the top, followed by the free chairlift (which gets you even higher) can offer some of the most beautiful views of the area. Best of all, they’ve got ziplining!

Expect Grouse Mountain to be a “splurge” day, as it’s definitely not cheap to do, but if you’re planning on seeing Vancouver and experiencing the outdoors it’s worth a stop!

cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by dmealiffe

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is probably one of my favourite spots in all of Vancouver. This massive park has a notorious ability to make you think you’ve completely left the city. With countless walkways, a swimming pool, a zoo, a bunch of awesome monuments, totem poles, and all the free room you could ask for. Stanley Park offers locals and tourists the ability to enjoy the outdoors in a budget friendly fashion. Rent a bike and explore the trails, or strap on your favourite runners and see the park from a slightly higher speed than your ordinary walker.

Hands down one of the best city parks I’ve ever been to. Stanley Park is easily worth a full day if you have the time, or a half day if you’ve got other plans nearby.

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by rickie22

Crab Park

Crab Park is a beautiful little park located in Gastown that’s always bustling with activity. Watch as the coast guard’s hovercraft cruises by, or dream of what it must be like to be rich and famous as you watch private helicopters take off from the city. While this Crab Park isn’t really the hiker friendly park that others in this list are, it’s convenient and offers some simple walks and gorgeous views of the city. I should note that some may be put off at this park by some the locals. Gastown can be notorious for it’s wide variety of characters, so just keep a smart head on you. Though at the end of the day you have to remember Vancouver is a very friendly city, even amongst the most quirky individuals.

cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo shared by WriterGal39

Queen Elizabeth Park

Another great nearby and local park worth stopping by. While it may not be for the diehard hikers, it’s easily worth a relaxing stroll. This park is filled with simple trails, the occasional tennis player and lawn bowler, and some great views of downtown Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth Park offers plenty of great photo opportunities in this park, including some friendly people and a plant conservatory. Rain or shine it’s worth a stroll!

Vancouver’s a big city with countless parks to explore. Whether they’re small and simple with a few benches and a good view, or a park that competes with the rest of the world and pushes it’s visitors to try something new and break a bit of a sweat. Taking in the outdoors as much as possible is an incredibly “Vancouver” thing to do. I’ve heard people say they could never live in a city that get’s so much rain. But when you see an entire populace simply ignore it and continue on with their day to day lives, it’s easy to feel like you could too.

Am I missing any other awesome Vancouver Parks? Would love to hear from you in the comments below!

6 Vancouver Parks worth checking out this Summer is a post from: I Backpack Canada

My younger sister and I joked (albeit terribly) about “crashing” Crashed Ice; however, it wasn’t until we figured out that this is likely going to be the last year we’ll both be in eastern Canada that we decided to make it happen. We hopped on a bus full of University students from all over Nova Scotia and made the pilgrimage to see the insanity with our own eyes.

Arriving in Quebec City was a breath of fresh air, and trust me, we needed it after that bus ride. It’s my experience that people tend to spoil, much like meat kept out of the refrigerator, after about 8 hours. Thankfully showers have the uncanny ability of washing off the miles from a 12 hour bus trip, and after a soak, a scrub, and downing one of the complimentary Red Bulls, I was ready to see the course.

Crashed Ice Starting line

It was a short walk between the Delta Hotel and Le Château Frontenac, a magnificant hotel that opened in 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Le Château Frontenac is apparently the “most photographed hotel in North America”, but this weekend most seemed to be referring to it simply as “The Starting Line”. Situated at the base of Le Château Frontenac was the Crashed Ice Start platform that would propel equipped skaters, both male and female, along a 580 meter (0.58 km) long urban track.

The Crashed Ice Course

The 2012 Crashed Ice course is roughly 4.5 meters (14.7 feet) wide. Combined with its 60 meter vertical and a length of 580 meters, the ice track requires skaters to plan their path wisely. As the whistle blows, skaters stride down Rue du Fort where they will come across the front of the Post Office. They’ll then come across a new addition this year, the 360 degree turn, right before arriving at what everyone is calling “The Splitter”. A 30 meter section of the course where skaters will be forced to pick sides. Fast & tight, or slow & wide. Once they survive “The Splitter” they’ll have the beauty of the Saint Lawrence in sigh, and it will be a fast sprint down “The Royal Corridor” where they’ll hit the final “Victory Turn” and race for the finish line at “Place de Paris”.

Trois, Deux, Un

Our small group gathered along the boards of the course. The air was heavy in excitement as music and loud cheers were erupting from the growing crowd. The lights seemed to dim, as the announcer counted down the next race in one of the most powerful and inviting of french accents. The crowd exploded in cheers, my head was on a fast swivel as I watched skaters tear through ice, pushing every extra ounce of speed out of their trajectory. The sound of blades slicing through the rock hard ice sent shivers down my spine. The only logical thing to do was scream and hollar with the rest of the 105,000+ attendees.

I proceeded to wander and get as many photos from alternative angles. Unfortunately navigating through the crowd was like crossing a river full of hungry piranahs. Nobody wanted to give up their spot, and everybody was craving a better view of the event. I used my best “Je m’excuse“, holding my camera above the heads of the crowd to snap blindly. I managed to find a few clearings throughout the track, which allowed for some incredible photo ops, along with a couple convorsations with spectators. Some were drunk, some were high, some were confused as to what was going on and just followed the crowd, and others were simply too french for me to understand. Whatever their case was, they were all smiling and enjoying the sights. There was no shortage of high fives that’s for sure.

Ice Cold – Require Beer

As the hours flew by in excitement, toes began transforming into ice. Thankfully I wasn’t the only one feeling the cold. I found my younger sister and a couple of her friends and we proceeded to search for beer. We knew it had to be near the crowds somewhere. This was after all Quebec City, hands down the most “European” Canadian city in terms of liberties. We saw a group drinking beer out of plastic cups and proceeded to ask them “Ou est la bierre?!“, they said something I didn’t quite understand, but followed it by a solid smile and a point in the right direction.

We followed the Crashed Ice track down, took the occasional side street to sneak by condensed groups that didn’t appear to be moving. Then finally, we came upon the finish line at “Place de Paris”. Greeted by lights, a couple of awesome french DJ’s, and a huge crowd of people. All of which had at least one beer in their hand. We made it! The beer warmed our spirits, which in turn allowed us to forget about our numbing feet.

Merci Beaucoup Quebec

Looking up at Quebec City from the bottom of the Crashed Ice course, it was clear to me that this city is something special to Canada. It’s a piece of beautiful difference lined with cobblestone, and spoken almost entirely in french. This is one of those locations where assuming everyone speaks even a bit of english is seen as foolish. While the language barrier can make simple things take an extra minute or two, ultimately everyone in this city is happy to help, even if that means you have to speak in “bastardized” french.

As the final races finished, party’s erupted across Quebec City. Beer was consumed in honour of Saint Patrick, in honour of the winners, the losers, the french, the english, and the beautiful city that graciously hosts this event year. Red Bull Crashed Ice is one of those events that words can only do so much to describe. Next March, pack your bags and see it for yourself!

 Video of 2012 Crashed Ice in Quebec City

A Weekend in Quebec City for Red Bull Crashed Ice is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Any Canadian roadtrip that includes 5 guys, a large truck, and winter gear is typically accompanied by beer. Lots of it. Due to our strong cultural ties with Canada we felt it was necessary to abide by this “tradition”. Needless to say the first stop in New Brunswick was the NB Alcool where we filled any remaining space in the truck with beer, gin, and my favourite road trip bubbly, Baby Duck Sparkling Wine; the epitomy of refinement.

Our first night was spent in the Ramada on the North Side of Fredericton. The north side of Fredericton is known primarily for its view of the south side, the “apparent” cooler side of Fredericton, which is also home to the downtown core. We took in the view, remarked on its similarities between Halifax and Charlottetown, and then promptly got acquainted with our new carbonated friends.

The Journey to Crabbe Mountain, New Brunswick

The drive to Crabbe Mountain from Fredericton takes approximately 30 minutes, a whopping 40 minutes less than any GPS will tell you. Either satellites are stupid or we were slightly speeding, but I have a sneaking suspicion it was the latter. It’s been my experience that most ski & snowboard trips are accompanied by nausea inducing hangovers. I’d love to tell you about the drive up to Crabbe Mountain, but being true to tradition, I was more concentrated on not ruining the inside of my friends truck than what was going on outside of it. All I can say is there were trees, and snow.

Breathe it in boys!

We made it to the mountain in one piece and breathed in the cool New Brunswick air. Blue skies surrounded us and the weather was perfect for a day on the slopes. My snowboard gear is still calling Saskatchewan home, so I was forced to rent. Thankfully the folks at Crabbe Mountain kept things moving fast, and I was fully outfitted with board, boots, and bindings in under 5-10 minutes ($30 full day rental). The rest of the guys happily donated extra winter apparel to keep me from freezing “mes fesses” off. For those who weren’t aware, New Brunswick is a bilingual province, so including French out of the blue is kind of the norm, and also fun.

Crabbe Mountain Chairlift

For the next 8 hours, the five of us hosers enjoyed the Crabbe Mountain slopes. The liftees were friendly, the chairlift speed was fast, and we couldn’t have picked a better weekend. There had been a recent snowfall before our arrival which meant we had some great snow and freshly groomed trails greeting as at every bend. During the entire two day ski & snowboard trip I didn’t see a single snow machine at work.

The Terrain Parks

The terrain parks had some technical boxes, tables, and rails along with the death-inducing jumps one would expect to find in a terrain park. Having not been on a snowboard in a couple years, and because I’m one of those “too cool to wear helmet” types, I stuck to simple boxes, wimpy jumps, and the occasional run through the glades. That is whenever I could sneak by without being caught, apparently out east it’s the norm to not let people into the terrain parks without helmets. Regardless, I vowed to myself to make it back in one piece. Thankfully my hangovers kept me from doing anything I would have regretted… and they say alcohol is bad for you? Ha!

Who’s ready for Lunch!?

A friend of mine who’s been living in Fredericton set my hopes up high for lunchtime at Crabbe Mountain. He was going on and on about their poutine and how supposedly incredible it was. A smile grew across my face and shiny cheese curd shaped stars shone in my eyes at the thought of a gravy infused New Brunswick Apres-Ski. He went on to tell me it was a french-canadian poutine so awesome it would melt your face off at the sight of it. Gravy filled every crevice, and fries so perfect people would have plastic fork fights in the lunch area just to get a taste. My mouth oozed in the best possible way. It was scary.

Lunch-time rolled around on Day 1 and my hangover was reaching that “feed me or I’ll punch you out” stage. I’m not one to argue with my hangovers. I kind of let them captain the ship and just roll with whatever they need. As I recalled what I heard about the poutine my heart fluttered. My hangovers tight grip on my intestines eased. I was about to be fed a miracle.

Then I overheard the worst possible convorsation a hungover snowboarder could hear. The customer in front of me asked,

“Does your poutine use cheese curds or grated cheese?”.

A silence spread within the line as clearly this customer and I weren’t the only ones curious.

“Grated cheddar”replied the lady behind the counter.

The line erupted in a sobbing chorus, “Ohwwwwwww…”. Then I saw the fries.I did not want to engage in all out plastic-fork warfare with anybody. They looked like store bought shoestring fries…yawn. My soul died after that. I no longer wanted to eat. I no longer wanted to snowboard. I wanted to cry, and hurt, and rage against the machine, and inflict pain upon my lying friend. I imagined myself yelling at the cook, then my friend…

“CHEDDAR?! Grated cheddar!? Are you out of your mind!? There are strict rules in the poutine recipe, and nowhere does it say grated cheddar!!!! And really…shoestring fries!? Common!!!”

Breathe Corbin, it’s just Poutine

I breathed in deeply, using all of my will to settle down and just be happy with where I was. Good snow, good times, good friends. Then my hangover began punching me. It was time to feed the monster, poutine or not. I ordered a burger. Crushed it. I don’t remember it. The whole time I was eating the “silver prize” I was picturing myself devouring a Miracle Poutine. It was the saddest moment of the trip, but kind of funny none the less. I don’t like insulting people or businesses for no reason, but Crabbe Mountain, if you ever read this…please for the love of Gretzy, fix this poutine faux-pas.

Regardless, I plan on coming back to snowboard again

The skiing and snowboarding continued for hours, and needless to say by the end of Day 2 my body was turning on me. Muscles ached, bruises formed, and being in “Guys Night Out” mode for 3 evenings was beginning to beat the crap out of me. The fresh air was clean. The weather was great. Blue skies greeted us each morning, and the slopes were surprisingly long despite not being in the Rockies. Crabbe Mountain, you are A-OK by me! I would even go so far as using the ‘L’ word if you work on that poutine of yours. All in all, Crabbe Mountain is definitely worth a stop if you’re the snowboarding/skiing type hanging out in Atlantic Canada. Just whatever you do, ask before you order the poutine.

Visit the Crabbe Mountain Website for more information. If you plan on doing any of you’re own skiing be sure to keep an eye out on some of these great cheap ski holidays.

More Photos from Crabbe Mountain

Snowboarding in New Brunswick at Crabbe Mountain is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Photo by RedBull

While I’d love to say I’m crazy enough (and fit enough) to compete with these guys, chances are I’d get trampled. My skating skills are best left on the outdoor rinks, and not “ice slaloms”. My own skills aside, I decided before the holidays that I was going to try to check it out this year! Seeing and experiencing the Red Bull Crashed Ice event in Old Quebec has been on my bucket list since I first heard of it. Living on the East Coast, it’s now way more feasible to just pop by and it out!

Photo by Redbull

When I first heard about Crashed Ice I was blown away. As kids we did almost the exact same thing, only on a smaller scale with a smaller crowd, and without energy drinks. We would play Shinny at the local outdoor rink until we couldn’t feel our toes. -30 degrees celcius and you’d still see us out there, frozen boogers, icy eyelids, rosey cheeks and giant smiles. Being kids, our attention could only be on one thing for so long, and distractions became a routine to a night out at the rink. Our local rink was nearby this big giant hill (giant on a Saskatchewan scale), and one of us had the genius idea of strapping on our skates and using the skates as a make shift “stand-up toboggan”. After the first guinea pig made it down alive, it wasn’t long before we turned it into a competition. I remember telling my parents all about it when we got home and my Dad scornfully laughed as he told us  ”You probably wrecked your skates, but way to go!”.

Crashed Ice takes place this March in Quebec! Stop by, cheer loud, and keep an eye out for me!

[learn_more caption="Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2012 calendar:" state="open"]

• Saint Paul (USA) –January 12-14
• Valkenburg (NED) – February 2-4
• Are (SWE) – February 16-18
• Quebec City (CAN) – March 15-17

[/learn_more]

I still haven’t decided where I’ll be staying when I travel to Quebec. I’m considering either checking out the local hostels, maybe splurging on a hotel, or going crazy and finding one of the local vacation rentals! Click here to check those out!

Crashed Ice is Coming Back to Quebec, and this Hoser’s checking it out! is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Photo by Natalie Taylor

I had never ridden a Segway before. But safety comes first with Segway Of Ontario, followed shortly thereafter by Teamwork. Our Segway Guide “Chris”, a charming, and dare I say “awesome” fellow took us through how to properly drive these units, even going so far as setting up an obstacle course to navigate. I must admit, I was worried my Toronto “street cred” would be harmed if I were caught riding this contraption. Thankfully he threw in a few Segway tips for looking extra cool while wearing a helmet.

• Wave at as many ladies as you can
• Make engine noises
• Make brake noises when turning sharp or coming to a stop

Outfitted with Segways and wise words, my friend Natalie Taylor (of Near Afar) and I were off with our new favourite guide. We did one quick lap to get comfortable, then we went deep into history. Not the polished type of history where everyone lived in rich Victorian houses and sat around drinking tea all day. We went 100% into the history of the Distillery District.

Photo by Natalie Taylor

Now I spoke to my friend Natalie about whether or not I should include much about this part of the tour. By all means, the history amped up the tour quality from a 10 to an 11, but I worry that I might give away too much. Basically I’m trying to prevent you from becoming that guy or girl at the comedy club who knows every ones routine.

Natalie Taylor Learning To Segway

So in sheer respect to the ruggedly awesome guide Chris and the fellows at Segway Ontario, all I will reveal is that the tour involves sampling Mill Street Beer (award winning stuff!), locally made Chocolate, and learning about the true old Toronto. Chalk full of alcoholism, immigration, labour rights, and the history behind what was once North America’s largest distillery.

No cliches with people in costumes pretending to be from some old era, no boring flashbacks to those old history classes you “sometimes” went to in high school. Just pure, unadulterated fun on a segway in one of Toronto’s most historic areas.
Segway Of Ontario also does off-road Segway Tours through Horseshoe Valley and even offers Winter Segway Tours for you warm blooded types.

Give them a call at (416) 642-0008 / 1-866-405-8687 or chat them up on Twitter @SegwayOntario

Get Fast & Geeky with Segway Tours in Toronto is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Tofino is a surf town at its very core, and its a great stop for backpackers. There’s a couple Hostels in town, and plenty to see and do. Tofino’s a great spot for first-time surfers. If you have a little more experience you’ll have to chat to the locals to find the fear-inducing locations. Be sure to book ahead in Tofino as accommodation in the summer is pretty limited. If things are full, don’t be afraid to check out Ucluelet, which is a great alternative to Tofino.

Video by Canadian Tourism

Sunday Canadian Travel Video – The Surf Lifestyle in Tofino BC is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q. How long have you been guiding?

A. I’ve been in the tourism industry for ten years and guiding for 5 of those. I used to be a diving guide in the Caribbean, but missed the mountains so I came home this Christmas. I’ve been with Moose ever since and have been loving every day of of it!

Q. What is your favourite thing about working with Moose Network?

A. Without a second guess it has to be the people I meet everyday. Observing peoples reaction when they discover something for the first time, and being able to witness their passion for travel is amazing. Everyone is in this permanent holiday happiness mode. It ends up feeling like I’m just travelling with friends.

Q. What are some highlights that stand out during your time with Moose Network?

A. So far, taking an Australian girl to Peyto Lake to let her see and touch snow for the first time was one that stood out. Witnessing peoples reactions when they see the mountains, only to find out they’re in the foothills, then seeing their minds explode when we actually get into the Rockies. That’s always a big favourite. Lastly, seeing how happy and energized people are after white water rafting the Kicking Horse River makes me smile!

Q. What are some things you think everyone should try when they travel in Canada?

A. Where do I start? You’ve got to see the Old Growth Forests on Vancouver Island. Trees here can get to be up to 9m round and 60m tall! Everyone should also experience a night on Granville Street in Vancouver, it will be memorable to say the least. When you get hungry, try some fresh BC smoked salmon. Hop on a tour and try and see a wild Grizzly Bear. If you’re looking to chill go enjoy the west coast beaches, salt air and try surfing or head to the Okanagan Valley for some fine wine and more amazing Beaches. Just being in Canada is something everyone should try.

Q. Do you think more Canadians should start riding the Moose, and if so, why?

A. Absolutely! Each province is like a country of its own, with its own culture, food, and personalities. They’re all so geographically different, limiting yourself to your home province is sort of like sitting in the same lawn chair around a campfire the whole night. Move around, be social, talk to people, see things from a different light. As a Canadian myself, I still love watching as the landscapes change during the long drives across provinces and through the seasons. Shameless plug here, but Moose Network goes across Canada and lets you hop on and off as you see fit. Great for seeing Canada!

Q. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever witnessed while guiding with Moose Network?

A. Well its only my first season, but Watching a Grizzly Bear swim across a glacier river with the rocky mountains looming over the entire scene. The bear climbed out of the water and scratched himself against a tree for like ten minutes, as bears do! It was unreal. Of course, I should mention that its always a laugh watching people try to swim in the freezing glacial water and realizing how splintering cold it is. People do crazy stuff for photos.

Q. If there is one thing you could tell someone whos planning on backpacking across Canada, what would it be?

A. Plan more time because you won’t want to leave. Lots of people end up hopping off the Moose for a day and never leave the country.

Gros Merci goes out to the always lovely Rachel Huber. If you have any other questions regarding what Moose Network can offer you, send them a tweet @moosenetwork or check out the Moose Network website. Of course, you can always comment here and I’ll do my best to answer any questions I can.

Moose Karate Photo by Candice Walsh

Interview with a Moose Network Travel Guide is a post from: I Backpack Canada

What is the Athabasca Glacier

The Athabasca Glacier covers almost 325 of the most badass kilometers in Alberta. While it may have seen some decay in the last hundred years, she’s still thick as ever and willing to let travellers from all over the world climb all over her. This Canadian glacier is the largest accumulation of ice & snow south of the infamous Arctic Circle, and can reach depths of as much as 360 metres. Candice & myself recently had the opportunity to check it out and snap a few photos along the way.

A Red Monster in the Mountains

I approached a bright red monster, stretching my neck upwards to take in its massive height and size. This bus was the love child of a winterized school bus and a monster truck. Each tire weighing in at over 650lbs. I laughed looking at the treads of the tires. I pictured my mountain bike fitting inside the rim of one of these tires. We climbed into one of the 22 Terra Bus’s owned by the Columbia Icefield with a large group of eager tourists. The familiar smell of plastic school bus seats made me smile. I was happy to see the seats were still in perfect shape. Back in elementary school, those plastic seats didn’t last more than a month before someone had stabbed them with a pen or chewed them to pieces.

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgable and encouraged everyone to cheer as we desceneded down the 30% grade which lead to the incline to the top of the glacier. People from all walks of life held onto the squeaky plastic chairs, expecting the red monster bus would take a roll. As cool as that would have been for this story, we made it down safe and sound and picked up some speed as we climbed towards the top of the Columbia Icefields.

Sweet Winter Wheels

As the red monster bus tires made contact with the glacier we could feel the speed decrease. Our guide informed us that despite these tires weighing over 650lbs, they typically only kept them at 12 to 15 psi as it was easier to control in the snow and was easier on the glacier. Brewster makes every effort to implement voluntary practices that all work towards the common goal of minimizing environmental impact. How very Canadian of them! After 10 minutes of driving and keeping our eye out for a Grizzly Bear that was reported to be in the area, we parked alongside 3 other red monster bus’s.

What does it taste like?

Exiting the bus, I smiled as I watched children and adults all reach down to grab a piece of this frozen terrain carver. Many of which had likely never this much ice. Looking up you could see we were barely on the tip of this icefield. 325 square kilometers goes way beyond the piece of ice we were standing on. I snapped some pictures and reached down to taste the running water caused by glacial melt. My Swiss friend asked “What does it taste like?” I laughed as I replied “Cold water”.

I jumped up and down on the icefield, half expecting to fall through, but also to test how solid this thing really was. It really puts your life into perspective knowing this piece of ice has been around longer than my family has been in Canada. Heck, it’s been around longer than Canada has been a country with borders. After snapping what would have been several rolls of films, had we not been spoiled with the privilage of digital cameras, we boarded the monster bus again. Several people were waiting in the bus trying to warm up. The winter-esque conditions in the Columbia Icefields aren’t for everyone.

Mountain Goats To the Left

The engines of the Terra Bus roared back to life. Our guide spoke over the deep rumble, “Did everyone have a blast”, a choir of replies followed “Yea”. The bus slowly turned around and made its way back to the Parkway. We listened to the gentle purr of the red monster, the entire group seemed quiet after experiencing the icefields. “GOATS!”, our guide yelled. The entire bus load of people dove to the left side of the bus as we drove past a pack of wild mountain goats. Several kid goats were spotted with the adult goats and an outpoor of “Awww”‘s were poured from mouths.

As we drove on our Guide told us that the Glacial melt from the Columbia Icefields feeds three different oceans. The Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. In the midst of hearing everyone say “Oh, thats nice!”, we were also told that if you were to pee on the Columbia Ice Field, you’d be peeing in three oceans at the same time. I looked back on the trip and shook my head. “Should have done it when I had the chance“, I thought.

Have you ever conquered a glacier or pee’d in three oceans at the same time? If so, I’d love to hear from you (comments below)!

Special thanks to the Moose Network for their awesome help with planning my recent trip through the Rocky Mountains. Big thanks to the folks at Brewster & Columbia Icefields for putting us up on this wicked snow-cruise.

Roaming on the tip of a Glacier at the Columbia Ice fields is a post from: I Backpack Canada