Banff and Lake Louise - Canada

The coldest place on Earth. Well, maybe not, but it's been in the minuses for the past two nights. I was not expecting this! Parting with 40 Canadian dollars, acquiring a hat and some long sleeves has helped, but the summer sleeping bag definitely belongs back across the border, where I'll be heading after YOHO and Vancouver.



Crossing into Canada

A part from the freezing night time temperatures, I've been out hiking around the Canadian rockies. Conquered Mount Fairview high above Lake Louise - the highest town in Canada. Over 9001 ft, 2700+ m with over 950m elevation. The highest I've ever been. On the top we met a professional photographer, and his job....well, what a job! He is spending the winter in Banff working freelance, hiking around, and taking action shots of the snow boarding and skiing until 2008. So, along with Percy (also on the Trek) we took plenty of action shots on his mammoth SLR. Probably the most random thing I've ever done on the peak of a mountain. He's still to e-mail me the pictures, but here's the guy, and some of the pictures I took on my compact!!



This was Nick, the photographer we met, what a job. What a job.



Percy jumping over some mountains



What on Earth this cheeky chippymonky finds to eat up here, apart from our cheese is completely beyond me!



A stunning Alpine lake (Moraine Lake) on the way up to Lake Louise.



A British Car. BRITISH!! HOME!!! Now that's come alooonnnggg way!

That night we all went along to the hot springs. 40 degrees C, or as an old Canadian couple told me, just double and add 32 for the farenheit equivalent! 112 - now that's scorching. Though we were wound up by a bunch of Canadians who told us that it was sulphur rich and so we should use their bathing costumes. Which we did. Only to discover they are historic 1940s style. Here we go!







The English, Japanese, Aussies and Sri Lankan's arrived...



Banff, as the mist lifted. Lunch down by the river. And finally - some HEAT!