The Whole Canyon

Ryan starting the 37 m rappel... check out the two people below.

Climbing the first ice fall

Climbing the frost rime.. well not really... looks good though.

Yesterday, Ryan and I explored the entire Maligne Canyon. For five years, I've looked over the first bridge and ofter thought about rappelling down and walking the entire canyon... so that's what we did.

We started at the top of the canyon and were originally planning to rapp off the first ice fall but found crappy ice that neither of us wanted to trust. Instead we rapped the 37 meter drop off the first bridge and explored from there. We were amazed! The canyon seemed a lot taller from the bottom than from the top and the water formed limestone walls were many times more exciting and interesting than what we show people during the lower Maligne Canyon Ice Walk. the light levels were low so the pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, but I am planning to return soon with a tripod for more photo opportunities.

Interesting Geology


Oh yeah, Jasper experienced a power outage on Wednesday that lasted the entire evening. For those of you who are unaware, Jasper has it's own natural gas power generator, and if anything happens to the natural gas pipeline... we have serious problems. Anyhow, some contractor out side the park border breached the pipe line, and thus we were without heat and power for nearly 8 hours. Here is a photo taken from above the town. The only lights you can see are cars and the railway (they have their own backup generators).

Lose the lights from the railway, and this is a lot like what Jasper looked like during a full moon, 80 years ago

The Last two Weeks

Across the river is how you get to Penny

Last week, we continued our never ending quest for a place to call our own. We drove to Prince George, Quesnel and back. Along the way we stopped to look at a piece of property we thought would be promising: Just under 2 acres of land, house, greenhouse, driving shed, and lots of wilderness. This house is off the grid so seemed very interesting, and at only 89K a good value... or so we thought. This place is found in Penny BC, the only place in North America that receives mail three times a week by train. The population is 8, we met half of them and the easiest way to get there from highway 16 was to ski across the Fraser River... other wise drive to P.G. and turn back onto a little gravel road... all in all 2 extra hours of driving. No being off the grid is a great idea and something I've wanted to experience. However, Penny is at the end of this road... it will NEVER be on the grid... that's right, NEVER. Needless to say the house was a shack, chipboard floors, no running water and immediately beside the rail tracks. I would have considered it at half the price... maybe.

Wayne relaxing during the descent

This past weekend we had scheduled three days off to go to our favourite hot spring south of Revelstoke. The day before it rained and then snowed 30 cm, the highways were closed. Instead we enjoyed the fresh powder up at Marmot Basin and the next day made our way to Edith Cavel hostel by cross country skis. We spent the night there and returned the next day. A great substitute with a lot less driving. All in all we cross country skied 25 km and gained a maximum of 400m.

Holiday Season is over.... let the fun begin!

Tracey and I worked an amazing amount of hours over the month of December. We are both glad it is over and have lots of plans for the month of January.

Last month all I really did outside of work was swim. Tracey and I were both sick for Christmas and New Years so we stayed in. I was able tro get out cross country skiing once and ice climbing once (until today).

Today, Ryan and I climbed at the 'edge of the world'. The weather was great. Here is a photo of Ryan leading the top icefalls. Tomorrow, Tracey and I hit the ski hill first time this season.