Frank a Szy - The Many Faces of the Canadian Rockies

The Many Faces of the

Canadian Rockies

By Frank A. Szy

Suite - Fort St Victoria, BC , V8V 3K2 Canada

www.friesenpress.com

Copyright 2016 by Frank A. Szy First Edition 2016

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information browsing, storage, or retrieval system, without permission in writing from FriesenPress.

ISBN 978-1-4602-8495-7 (Hardcover) 978-1-4602-8496-4 (Paperback) 978-1-4602-8497-1 (eBook)

Photography

Distributed to the trade by The Ingram Book Company

Major Highlights in Banff & Jasper National Parks

Illustration by fas

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the many faces of the canadian rockies

Entering into the Canadian Rockies from the west, (enroute to Jasper), one of the first awesome views that greets you is Mt. Robson. On a very clear day (about 30% of the time), you can see the entire mountain face, which rises over 2900 meters above the valley floor, up to its peak of 3954 meters. This is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. What an introduction!

A closer look at the Mountain of the Spiral Road, as originally referred to by the Texqakalit peoples.

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Once in the little town site of Jasper, surrounded by many peaks, you will notice a peculiar image, just slightly north-east of the town. With a little imagination, you can picture an elder chief, laying on his back, with two feathers draping down the mountain. He has a very pronounced chin. This mountain is referred to as Roche Bon Homme, or Old Man Mountain

the many faces of the canadian rockies

you will notice the most majestic of the surrounding mountains around Jasper: Mt. Edith Cavell. This graceful mountain was named after a British nurse, who was executed by the Germans during WW I. The moun- tain glows during sunrise. Edith Cavell never saw the beautiful mountain named after her. (3363 m)

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Angel Glacier, near Mt. Edith Cavell. A nice drive, about minutes from Jasper town site

the many faces of the canadian rockies

Edith Cavell Lake, en route to Angel Glacier (accessible by car). A gorgeous hidden lake, which really shows off its most vibrant colours around late September.

frank a szy

In the Jasper area, there are many lakes which deserve a visit. Pyramid Lake is very accessible by car. There is a little island you can walk out to, by way of this footbridge.

the many faces of the canadian rockies

East of Jasper, there is a wonderful geological feature, Maligne Canyon. To walk to the best view (Bridge #5), you can drive to the parking lot. It is an easy 2-minute walk. The canyon does not reveal itself, until you are right above it, standing on the footbridge. A Jesuit Priest tried to cross Maligne River, and was warned not to do so by the First Nations People. He did anyway, and had a terrible time. Hence, the name Maligne (French for malignant, or wicked).

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A frozen over Maligne River. In the winter months, the temperature can easily drop to -30C, and stay there for weeks at a time. Typically, a warm day in the winter would be -5C. Conversely, in the summertime, the tempera- ture can easily reach +30C!!

the many faces of the canadian rockies

A magnificent view from Goats Bluff, overlooking the Athabasca River Valley. This viewpoint is just a few meters off the Icefields Parkway. Mt. Brussels is just to the right of Mt. Christie, and together they resemble a submarine surfacing (Mt. Brussels being the conning tower). Brussels Peak was one of the last major summit to be climbed, and not without controversy. In 1948, two climbers used drills and expansion bolts to ascend the peak. (3161 m)