Sunday, August 29, 2010

Columbia Ice Fields

Naturally we had to stop at the Columbia Ice Fields and head out on to the glacier. It was pretty cool, really. I was a bit alarmed at the potential environmental damage of the buses travelling out there all the time, but as someone pointed out, better controlled excursions than uncontrolled. Unfortunately, I didn't have the white balance set properly for snow and ice, so the pictures aren't properly exposed. You can still get the idea, hopefully.

The SnoCoaches were cool as well. I was shocked to hear that the first hill heading to the icefield is a 32% grade - that's steep!

This yellow bus thing was at the visitors' centre. I couldn't resist a picture of it.


The view from the visitors' centre to the Icefield.















Our guide, and SnoCoach.






Waterfalls

We stopped at the first waterfall, which was Athabasca Falls. Totally gorgeous! We spent quite a lot of time there taking pictures, because everything was just so amazing.































We also stopped at Sunwapta Falls. Very different from Athabasca, but just as beautiful.








A bug flew into the frame as I took the picture - funny!