We set off from the lodge and hadn't even left the grounds before we spotted our first wildlife of the day. Another elk, this time a bull, grazing at the road side. As we joined the road south - the Icefield Parkway - we also saw a coyote walking along the side of the road, giving us an over-the-shoulder glance as we drove by!
A little over an hour later we arrived at the Columbia Icefield Centre and quickly bought ourselves some food for our hike. We then drove a little further to the foot of the glacier itself to meet up with the guides who'd be taking us up.
After wrapping up warm and getting the equipment we needed, our group set off up the glacier.
Along the way there were a few occasions where you could hear the ice falling from the Mount Andromeda that run alongside on side of the valley. This sounded like a very close crack of thunder which resonated throughout the valley.
After a couple of hours or so, we found our way to the tongue of the glacier and it was here that we stopped for lunch, sat on the ice. The weather, which was cloudy, also began to change for the better so before we set off back down we were glad to be able to de-layer a little!
The glacier is covered in channels of melt water that over time had cut its way through the ice and flowed down the surface and eventually delving into deep wells under the glacier. These are called Moulin or Glacial Mills. Our guide let us view down these, which he did by carving out a food hole with his icepick, holding onto our hand and letting us lean over the edge. On our last visit we were told that were anyone to fall into these, there would be no hope of rescue as you'd quickly be dragged under the glacial ice.
Finally we arrived back at the foot of the glacier and after a quick drink and a snack, set off back north to Jasper.
A couple of days before during our visit to the town of Jasper, we'd been told about a rodeo that happened to be running during our stay, and since we had enough time to spare we hurried back to give this a go. We reached the place just in time.
The rodeo itself consisted of bareback bronc riding, roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, and finally bull riding. It was an experience! A little rough in places, but we figured that was part and parcel of something like this.
The rodeo ended mid evening, giving us a chance to relax for our last evening in Jasper before continuing our journey south tomorrow.
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