Training Log Archive: Bash

For the final day of our Rockies trip, 'Bent and I joined a group of Canmore runners heading from Banff Sunshine to Healy Pass and beyond. 'Bent ran near the front with Adam Campbell. Carbon's Offset was also at the front with Carbon not far behind. Myka and I swept the course.

The trail stays in the forest for the first 7 km then emerges into a wildflower meadow with mountain views that just keep getting better and better.





This was the view behind us as we approached Healy Pass. For brief moments, we could see Mt. Assiniboine in the distance.



This is the view on the other side of the pass looking toward Egypt Lake, where some of the runners went next.



Our goal was Healy Pass since that seemed like enough after such a heavy week. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to some FOMO for turning back on such a nice day. A few of us enjoyed a break at the pass.







Then we ran down most of the way.

'Bent and I went for a hike with Flight, who reminded me that I've known her for 31 years (we met when she was two). Her friend Celia joined us. Carbon was our local guide today and wisely chose West Wind Pass, where you get some of the most amazing views around with only 2.5 km of hiking. (Then it's 2.5 km back down!)



It goes without saying that the hike is uphill but fortunately, the views start early.



When we arrived at West Wind Pass, we could see Wind Ridge, the green slope where we had an epic "lost iPhone" adventure with Carbon's Offset in 2017.



True to its name, the pass was windy so we tucked in behind some rocks.



To our right was Windtower, which 'Bent and I scrambled up with Carbon's Offset in 2017. The hiker's route is not shown in this photo!



A wider angle view looking over the pass into the Bow Valley.



Heading down.





Spray Lakes Reservoir



This was a "rest" day but my legs still felt the climbing. Tomorrow is our final run of the trip with a group of experienced locals including the Carbons and Myka. I suspect my legs may crash and burn after my toughest training week in a very long time - especially since we came here just one week after the Québec Megatrail 50 miler. I'm going to carry my own bear spray in case I get dropped by everyone.

Carbon's Offset took today off to provide guiding services for our Canmore Day Camp. We hiked and occasionally jogged the long trail into Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park, then continued up to Numa Pass before retracing our steps. 'Bent and I had done this route as part of a longer backpacking trip in the early 1990s and it was a lot easier today with our tiny day packs.

A forest fire has changed the landscape dramatically since our last trip. We started near Hwy 93 and followed the valley to the headwall below Floe Lake.









Fortunately, Floe Lake hasn't changed. The spectacular cliffs behind it are 1,000 m high so we felt very small.





Carbon's Offset talked us into continuing to Numa Pass - a brilliant idea in spite of how tired my legs felt on Day 5 in the Rockies. First there was a green plateau with larches and meadows of colourful wildflowers.





Then we climbed above treeline to Numa Pass where the wind was blowing and there were still big patches of snow. Here's the view back toward Floe Lake.



And this was the view in front of us.



It had taken awhile to get up here so we played around a bit before heading down to warm up.







Then it was time to run 13.7 km back to the car, mostly downhill.





Thanks to our guide for a fantastic day! 'Bent and I went out for a *big* dinner that included peanut butter chocolate cheesecake for me.

[Time includes some extended stops.]

Carbon and Myka generously led 'Bent and me on a tour of the Arnica Lake and Twin Lakes Trails, east of Hwy 93 between Banff and Lake Louise. We set up a car shuttle between the Arnica and Twin Lakes trailheads then ran downhill to Vista Lake.



From there, it was a steady climb toward the other lakes. This was our 4th day of climbing bigger hills than we have in Ontario with less oxygen in our blood so my legs weren't exactly energetic. We had great views west on our way up.





We arrived at Arnica Lake and continued on to the Twin Lakes. We had a little rain but not enough to really test my new jacket. That's OK - I can wait. :)



We met some Swiss campers who took a group shot for us.



Each lake had a different stunning backdrop.







As we headed down on the Twin Lakes trail, it disappeared into a wetland. Based on the footprints, we weren't the only ones who wandered a bit. Between our maps and apps, we got back on the trail. There was a lot of water and goopy mud for the first few kms heading down from the lakes. It was OK but we all agreed it was a trail we didn't need to do twice.



Myka danced across this bridge easily. My feet slid out on the slimy, wet wood and I smacked my left knee.





After driving Myka and Carbon back to their car after we finished, 'Bent and I treated ourselves to a yummy lunch at Storm Mountain Lodge. After looking around the lodge and cabins, we've put it on our list for a future overnight stay. It has wonderful character and warmth, and it's surrounded by terrific trails and views.

'Bent and I had hoped to do a trail tour around my old stomping grounds at Lake Louise but the area is so popular that most tourists have to park in a lot down by the highway and take a shuttle bus up. We parked and headed for the line-up, where a park employee was telling people it would be a 2.5 hour wait for a bus. So we drove back to Banff for our Plan B, the Cory Pass-Edith Pass Loop. It's a wonderful route so it wasn't a letdown at all.

The trail climbs *very* steeply, gaining much of its altitude in the first few kilometres.



The first section travels through alpine meadow so at least we could enjoy the wildflowers while we were huffing and puffing. This one was our favourite.



After a short, sketchy rock descent where I was hanging on to trees, we were travelling up the valley toward Cory Pass.



The trail rolls up and down along the side of the valley.



At Cory Pass, looking back at our route.



Turning 180 degrees at Cory Pass and looking toward Gargoyle Valley, the next part of the loop.



Posing to prove we both survived the climb.





Starting down the scree into Gargoyle Valley. Mount Cory is on the left.



Looking to the right - the direction we would be going. Mount Louis is the imposing peak on the left. The trail runs through the scree on the right side of the valley.



Nearing the end of the valley.



A look back at Mount Louis from another angle before we entered the forest and started the looooooong downhill run.



Then we went into Banff where I splurged on an Arc'Teryx Norvan SL Hoodie - their lightest Goretex jacket, which I'd heard good things about. Now I'm hoping for some rain so I can try it! :)

'Bent and I hiked up Mount Lady MacDonald, the mountain in the Carbons' back yard. The trail climbs almost non-stop with a couple of vague, scrambly sections through rocky areas. There are terrific views of the Bow Valley and the town of Canmore.









Most people stop at an abandoned wooden helipad to see the views and take a break before the steep descent.









We hadn't gone above the helipad on our previous trip so we continued up the scree to the first big knoll. This is the view looking back toward the helipad.



And the view if you turn left 90 degrees.



This is the view looking up toward the summit of Lady Mac. Even getting to this spot, the small scree was slippery so this last bit looks sketchy.



We ran down - at least the parts where it wasn't slippery or extremely rocky or rooty.

A short distance from the parking lot, we met two women clutching a can of bear spray with the safety catch off. "Tell me, is it safe?", asked one of them, pointing up the trail.

"What do you mean by 'safe'?", I asked.

"No bears. No cougars."

"Well, there *are* bears and cougars but we didn't see any. We also saw a lot of people." I demonstrated a call they could make on the trail to scare animals.

She was shocked, "Really?!"

As I left them, 'Bent was coughing hard about 10 meters away. We think he inhaled some of their bear spray! To make him feel better, we went to Le Fournil bakery and followed that up with some craft beer and dinner with Myka and the Carbons.

'Bent and I had a big day planned with Carbon, Carbon's Offset, Myka, Slice, Steve and several other Canmore runners. Starting at Dead Man's Flats, we were going to head up Centennial Ridge to Mt. Allan and possibly do a lollipop route including a scramble up and down Mt. Collembola.



The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the temperature was blissfully cool after the last week in Ontario. Rain was forecast around 2 p.m. but we got on the trail in good time.



Most of the group



A photo by Carbon's Offset to prove I was there



Two of Canada's most successful female adventure racers, Slice and Carbon



We ran together in the early section of double track. When the trail started to climb, the group split up as planned. Carbon, Myka and I maintained a more civilized pace in the second group. The lead group turned off and started the scramble up Collembola, which turned out to be more of a bushwhack than expected. By then, some clouds had rolled in so we decided to stay on the main trail toward Mt. Allan, figuring that we could turn back more easily if the weather got bad. If the weather stayed good, we could meet the other group on the peak and run back together.



After climbing, climbing and more climbing, we were near the treeline when rain started to fall, and we heard a loud crack of thunder. Carbon whirled and started running downhill. Myka and I followed as the thunder continued. Then the hail began - so big that it hurt. Myka put on a second jacket.





There was only one thing to do.



Slice's partner Steve is a co-owner of the Canmore Brewing Company - a much better place to be on a stormy day.



But I'm getting ahead of myself. We ran down the mountain, getting passed by 'Bent and Steve near the bottom. Naturally, the weather had turned sunny by the time we reached the parking lot. We'd had a good workout even without reaching our goal so we headed for Sunday brunch, where we had a good chat with Jason Cagampan! He lives in Vancouver now and was sitting at a nearby table. Crazy coincidence.

Then we went to the brewery. Training weeks are tough. The End.