The above photos were taken on our trip up the Vision Quest Ridge. We read that this ridge was used by at least two Native tribes. Here they would send their people after a sweat lodge. The idea is that the person would spend as much time up here as required in order to have a vision. Often the person on the quest would realize their kindred spirit from the animal world (Tracey's is the Golden Eagle -- she saw two circling overhead, Yoho's the Mountain Goat -- which we knew a long time ago even if we never saw one on the ridge, and mine is the Raven -- not the flashiest creature but pretty darn smart.Top Photo: Me with Abraham Lake in the background -- approx. half way down the ridge. Middle Photo: Tracey on the Summit Ridge. Bottom Photo: Yoho looking over the false summit.
I think I've guided over 15 Peak Adventures this season and Sunday's had to be the absolute best conditions this year. The Autumn colours were spectacular and the weather was windy, but quite comfortable. We had the perfect combination of blue sky with scattered clouds. We even saw a bald eagle when half way up the peak.Top Photo: My Guests at the Summit l to r: Eileen Louie (Toronto), Dan Bergman (St Louis), & Don West (Sacramento).
Bottom Photo: The trip was scheduled for 7 am, before sunrise! Now you can see the merits of getting started early; this is the sun rising over the Front Ranges of the Athabasca Valley seen at 1230m from the north aspect of Morro Peak.
Top Photo: Roche Bonhomme (side profile that nobody recognizes) with Autumn leaves(mostly dwrarf birch and some willows) in the foreground.
Top: View of Mt. Fitzwilliam from the east shoulder of yellowead Mountain... the Ramparts are visible in the distance (Ramparts facing Moat Lake of the Tonquin Valley). Bottom: Rink Lake with unnamed mountain in the background.Once again, Edith Cavell was not to be. Both Tracey and myself had to work Wednesday, and Tracey had a dentist appointment on Thursday morning. Furthermore, I couldn't find anyone else to climb the beast with me. So to salvage the day we decided to go to a little known lake called Rink Lake in a small corner of western Jasper National Park. We were told the night before by a friend that there were fish in this lake -- he works for trail crew and knows these things. This trip was also to be a recon. for climbing Yellowhead Mountain when we can devote an entire day to it.
We set off at noon to climb the shoulder of Yellowhead Mountain on an established trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park of BC. The trail seem infrequently used, although obvious, there was vegetation growing on it. This trail was all up hill with a short flat area in the middle of the trail with a bit of marsh... I can see how this may be a little nasty on wet years. The weather was hot, as it has been, too hot for this time of year. Our progress wasn't all that quick and we reached the meadows at the border on Jasper and Mt Robson PP at 3pm. The view was quite stunning with Mount Bridgeland to the North and Fitzwilliam to the SE. The meadows are in the grip of Autumn as all the foliage are turning various hues of yellow, red and orange. The trail stopped here... the bush wack began. We started off on a game trail that seemed almost human made, but then it was cut off by one of many fallen trees. Quickly we were pulled into the thick of rats nest of trees, over grown shrubs, and logs upon logs. We couldn't seem to strike west to the lake and instead we brought pretty much to the river. I realized that we hadn't actually made much progress toward the lake. We fought the bush for an hour and fifteen minutes and finally reached the shores of Rink Lake. What we had to endure in pain and suffering, was more than made up for by this beauty of a lake. We couldn't spend much time at the lake but Tracey did manage to go for a quick swim (and take a nap), I did manage to fish for a short while. Obviously I didn't catch anything so we hoped to at least see a fish rise... we still REALLY don't know if there are fish in this lake. We did drink the water... very nice... but check back in with me two weeks from now.
On the route out we decided to travel higher ground. At first this proved an excellent idea, until we got into the avalanche slopes. Fir and Willow over our head, so thick at times it nearly pushed you backwards. At one point I stepped into a bit of a gully but was caught by the seat of my pants, suspending me there above the ground... the seat of my pants are now missing. We reached the meadows late... 8 pm. We had less than .5 hrs of light left... we made excellent time but did not reach the vehicle until 9:45 pm. Tracey and I left with our share of cuts and bruises, all in all, we'll do this one again.
