Day 10 Day of Terror!!

Today we trekked around the Lake Moraine area. We headed off just before 9am. It was 14 kms to Lake Moraine; traffic was light and the air was quite cool. We knew we were in for more fun parking when we were still approx. 1km from the carpark and the cars were already parked on the side of the road. No matter, a quick walk to warm up the leg muscles.

We had already decided that we would head to Larch Valley (5.4kms one way + a bonus that we were not aware when we started out.) Onwards and upwards (literally). One thing in common with most of the walks so far is that they are all uphill. We started with jackets due to the cool morning. A third of the way up off comes the jacket. Good news is that our fitness must be improving as we were passing people left and right. (Ok, we were over taken as well but we were feeling sorry for those young folk.)

As we climbed there was more moss on the trees and fallen logs. It was quite pretty. We took some nice photos (Vince comment - only problem with my photos is Margaret continues to walk away from me. It is a continuing thread in my photos. Should I need to worry?) The track wound back and forward, climbing higher. We crossed some pine bridges with clear water running down the mountain. (Definitely not a hill).

We finally arrived at a high plains meadow. It was beautiful and it was the location of our lunch on our return from the top. Through the meadow (and around the rocks) and the compulsory photos, we trecked on to Larch Valley. Once we were in the meadow, the walking was a little easier. The air was also a little cooler but we soldiered on.

We stopped at the lake in Larch Valley and took a couple more photos (no restrictions - I love the digital age!). Someone suggested that we should go up the hill (?) to see the view on the other side of the ridge. So Vince relented and off we went. (And so the fun began).

As Margaret recounts it now, we walked up a goat track (more like a four lane highway!). Actually it was rather slippery in some sections and the drop was (shall we say) significant. The track criss crossed the way up. The hair pin turns in the top sections would have doubled as kid's slippery slides, so we took it easy going up.

We arrived at the top to spectacular views in both directions on the ridge. Vince took a couple more photos (one or three dozen) while Margaret hibernated in the little rock enclosure. It was great viewing.

And so what goes up must come down!

It was an interesting experience in that it took at least twice as long to descend the goat track. With white knuckles (Vince's - from being squashed by dearly beloved!) we worked our way down. Being objective, if you can recall being behind a semitrailer descending Cunningham's Gap, it is quite slow; well you know the feeling of other people passing us on the way down.

After descending approx. 1/3 of the way two brave mountaineers (white Knights) assisted Margaret over the worst section. We can now appreciate the poles that you often see when people go for hikes. They allow you more control coming down some of the more slippery slopes. One of the gentlemen (Robert) walked backwards through this section, assisting Margaret who was using his poles to assist her descent. We returned their poles once we were 2/3 down the track and walked the rest of the way unaided. (Vince - I should add at this point there were no lovely young female mountaineer offering to assist my descent; I was left to carry the baggage!

In fairness to Margaret (who does not enjoy heights) did exceeding well and I am very proud of her efforts!

Margaret's description is as follows- You would think after 35 years I should know when to go with my gut instinct instead of love. Stupidly I decided I would do the goat track rather than my usual wait at the bottom of high climbs. Half way up fear started to creep in but I doggedly pushed on. ( stupid, stupid girl). It is the last half up first half down that is the worst. We reached the top and I sat in a little rock windbreak whilst Vince gallivanted around taking photos. I did brave 2 photos on my phone from the safety of the enclosure.

Now it was time to descend. No helicopters available to chopper me out!! At this point sheer terror was setting in. Concerned, Vince asked if I was ok to which I responded " no but I have no choice". Very slowly we descended. Adrenalin coursing through my body had me feeling pins and needles. I am sure I used a week's worth of adrenalin over this 600m stretch.

As we pulled over in wider section ( about 30 cm extra) to let several people pass, one kind mountaineer offered me his poles to assist with my descent as he recognised sheer terror. I declined as I knew we would take a lot longer than he to reach the bottom. He walked on but returned to insist saying he would be eating lunch at the bottom so was in no hurry. At this point I was crying with fear and gratitude.

Robert and his mate went a short distance down the track and waited. When we reached them they offered to escort me down the loose gravelly bit coming up. More tears of gratitude. Finally we reached the last stretch where the track became more stable ( it also wasn't as high up) and I gave them back their poles and Vince and I managed on our own. Never ever again will I go against my instincts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we made it down the goats track only to realise that I had left a jacket up the top. For some reason Margaret would not go back up and get it. (Only kidding, we had all out gear)

On to the Alpine meadow and unpack the picnic lunch (If you can call sliced chicken and tomato on 2 pieces of bread, and water). I am glad that we had prebooked our rock as it was standing room only for those who arrived late without a reservation. After some light entertainment from a ground squirrel, it was time to flex the leg muscles and descend to the lake.

On our way down we ventured down a side track to come upon a lovely stream running down the mountain. Back on the main track we encountered more furry friends without any further incidents.

As it was only 2:30pm when we were back at the car we decided to "entertain the thought" of another trek. So off we went to Consolation Lake (not only in name). The walk was nice (no drop bears or grizzlies). Uphill (again!). It was a 2.9km walk this time (one way). Given the rocks that we had to hop over at the start of the trail, we should have realised that we would encounter more rocks at the end. (Margaret enjoyed the rock hopping - Neil, you taught her well!) The lake was nice but definitely not like the glacier fed lakes. The stream running from the lake reminded us of the Mary River at Kenilworth. There were possibly a few more rocks in the stream and the fir trees probably gave it away that we were not in Kansas! (Ok, Kenilworth).

After our second walk for the day and racking up 18.6kms (total for the day as recorded by the official statistician) we did our leg stretches and headed back to the hostel for a cleansing "glass of water" (It actually was water!).

So ends another glorious day in the Rockies!