Not West Wind Pass, and West Wind Pass
A cold clear morning soon became overcast whilst we breakfasted and Peter, David and Richard drove up from Calgary.
Today's walk would be a short one, so tea and coffee were provided before the five of us set off up the gravel of Highway 742 in Peter's Subaru. (Sigh of relief from Charlie!)
It wasn't too far to the West Wind (named after a river, not after the prevailing weather) trailhead soon after the Driftwood turn.
We headed up a good woodland path that revealed glimpses of the reservoir behind us. A left turn was taken because we thought we should be going higher, whereas the more worn path headed down.
Up and up we went. This turned out to be the path to Rimwall, a summit of just over 2500 metres. On the way up we met an American girl from Pennsylvania. "I apologise for my country" she announced. We apologised for Brexit. It has become a habit. Most people just feel sorry for us. The Canadians are lucky, they seem to have a few politicians who command a morsel of respect.
After chatting for a while with the American, who was the only person we saw all day, and pausing for twelveses (it had been a late start!), we continued up steep ground on a vague path guided by cairns. At about 2220 metres we reached a point where the vertigo free members of the party could look down on West Wind Pass from above. Some bighorn sheep had the same idea before trotting off to easier ground.
An easier line of descent was taken before we left the path and bushwhacked down, via an excellent lunch spot sheltered from the wind with lovely views down to Spray Lake, to meet the correct West Wind path as high up as possible. Richard chose to descend from here as he fancied a snooze in Peter's car.
The rest of us enjoyed a sometimes airy but generally easy path that ascended 170 metres to the correct pass, a wide gap in the ridge at about 2070 metres. There were fine views and lots of photography took place.
Then we took the easy path back down to the car, passing what I recorded yesterday as being Spruce Grouse. I still think they are Spruce Grouse but David prefers to think they are the rarer Sharp-tailed Grouse. Sadly no pictures on the phone.
Lovely views as we descended, in particular towards Spray Lake.
Back to the Motel for tea and biscuits, rudely interrupted by a call from Karen who we met in Estonia. Peter, David and Richard went home and Sue and I stretched our legs by the creek.
The Thai Pagoda restaurant proved a good place to meet up with Karen and Erik. We had a lovely evening with them, and some good food. It was great to meet up at last!
Today's pictures:
• An early view of Spray Lake
• Twelveses
• At the high point of 2220 metres
• Spray Lake from our high point
• Three vertigo free members of our group at the high point
• On the rough 'off piste' descent
• Two views at the West Wind Pass
• Descending
• Dinner with Karen and Erik.
7.5 km with 700 metres ascent, in 5 hours. Then 4 km by the creek in 22.15. Charlie had a day off.
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