After arriving at rampant Creek late on, we didn't get a chance to explore really, so tho is what we did today. The day started with a hike up to viewpoint at rampant creek, somewhere that we wouldn't have known existed and probably wouldn't have attempted on our own. It was very steep with the option of walking around the side and up, river below, or scrambling up a chain on the rock. Rob thought no, so I thought I'll be the brave girl and scrambled it. So Kenny and Rob couldn't let a girl beat them, so they followed suit. Beautiful views from the top, and a perfect day to see it all. (A bit spoiled as I thought I broken my camera!!)

The next stop was the beautiful Panter falls, then onto Bridal veil falls (number 2) where we bumped into the other Moose bus, and were soo excited. We'd only been with these people a day, but made some good friends. Stopped at the big bend viewpoint for lots group photos.

On we go on the road again, until we make a lunch stop. With Ryan, it's no ordinary stop; we have an upwards hike to sit by a waterfall, in the process photo bombing everyone's photos of Tanglefalls. Really pretty and glad we did the hike, but Ryan is a crazy man.. I just couldn't watch him climbing!!

Next onto the Columbia ice field to get up close and personal with the Athabaskan glacier. Hike as far as was safe on the glacier, felt the freezing water, more silly group fotos, watched the Brewster bus drive across the glacier and read about the sad cases of lives lost for the glacier and how sadly it's receding at a rapid rate. Scary to thing that generations from now won't be able to see it.

After napping on the bus, a was awakened with a shout, 'BEAR!!!' The evil people didn't see a bear at all, they just knew how excited I get when I see them :(

Then on route to hostel, also stopped by Athabaska falls. The HI Edith Cavell was another wilderness hostel; no electricity, running water or flush toilets. It's fine for a couple of nights, but I don't think I could wee get used to the smell of those pit toilets, yuk!! A pretty hostel, about 16-20 beds in one cabin with a stove in the middle to heat the room. It was certainly needed; high elevation in the Rockies means really cold; trousers and coats on. Meant we could put a few longs on when we went to sleep, and if anyone woke in the night they could top it up to keep us going until morning. Great wee campfire which consisted of singing the jungle book song, lead by Lucas, harmonies and all, and making banana boats and s'mores, yyyyuuuuummmmm....

The next day, we visited Mount Edith Cavell, which had just recently been reopened after a huge chunk of the Angel Glacier broke off and caused an avalanche. Luckily it was early in the morning and no-one was hurt. Thanks to Thomas, we were lucky enough to hold an iceberg. After a coffee break in Jasper, we headed to Mistaya canyon for a hike over the six bridges. At the end of the walk, we were lucky enough for spot a black bear about 50 ft in front of us. Exciting definitely, as it had just run through the crowded picnic area, but not so much for Megan who practically bumped into it as she was crossing the bridge!! Instinct told her to run the opposite way, lucky it was scared off and didn't run after her! After a busy few days, we were given the option if another hike or a relaxing afternoon, so we headed to Miette Hot Springs at Poncahintus. Although it would be nice if the natural hot springs were pools in the ground, there are more like swimming pools heated with spring water; four pools of different temperatures, hot or cold depending on what you fancy, but amazing to be sitting in a 38 degrees pool while raining on top of ya. On the way out, we were greeted by a few big horn sheep in the carpark. Onto HI Jasper we went. Unfortunately we arrived to it raining, but excitedly to a notice of grizzly bears in the area. Couldn't wait to get a shower after a few days of none!! The room left a lot to be desired, a 28 bed dorm. It looked like what I imagine a boarding school would be like but worse. (Kenny was in a 40 bed dorm!!) Megan, who is quite a light sleeper, was hilarious. Someone snored telly badly, to the point that I just laughed, others were going to reception to ask to move rooms and Megan went and woke her to ask her to stop snoring! It was hilarious!!

On leaving the hostel, we were in for a surprise; a grizzly bear!! To say excited was an understatement. Eventually, after two visits to the Rockies, I saw the bear. Just nibbling in the trees, amazing. My goal is complete, any other grizzlies I see after this, is just a bonus, woo goo!! We had some time to explore Jasper town, cute wee place where we got good sausage rolls (just like home) and a chai latte. Then onto Beauty Creek, where to guys did some crazy climbing and exploring. Then onto the beautiful Peyto lake, (or for lake, depending on how you look at it) where I saw marmot. Cool looking wee thing that's not commonly seen so felt all special. On this hot day, and under persuasion of Alex and Megan, who had yet to jump into a glacier lake, we stopped by a pull in at Bow lake. And in we jumped, much to the delight of Chinese tourists who were snapping away at us. So the end of our wilderness trip ended with a viewpoint called the meadow at northway where we saw sulphur mountain and mount rundel, which we aimed to tackle in the next few days.

The best few days of the trip so far!!