Alberta

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.. and we’re not (too) scared!

Despite a sketchy nights sleep I was a girl on a mission this morning! By hook or by crook I was determined to get this motley crew out and up at the crack of dawn… as the saying goes, ‘The early bird catches the worm!’ or in this case the Grizzlies! 🐻

The spectacular gondola at Lake Louise is a perfect vantage point from which to see bears.. and despite the low hanging mist and not being able to see 5 foot in front of us I was determined! Not necessarily optimistic but determined to ‘give it a go!’ The lure of an ‘all you can eat breakfast buffet’ at the foot of the gondola was the catalyst required to stir the sleepwalkers! It did the trick!

We were one of the first families to ascend the mountain…and as we silently floated up the mountain wrapped in blanket of fog I wasn’t feeling overly hopeful. Four of us opted for the open chair lift and Callum chose the warm gondola behind!

The inversion meant that we were very soon above cloud level and the perfect blue skies that had been hidden at base level revealed themselves.

The mountain peaks soaring above Lake Louise appeared above the clouds… majestic and somehow serene. Below us a carpet of cloud that looked thick enough to dive into!

The cable car suddenly shook as Jack swung himself forward in abject excitement! Bears!! I’ve seen bears! Sure enough a handsome mother grizzly and her two young cubs were just below us to the right!

Jack’s effervescent excitement was just delicious! And Tom’s quiet grin as he grabbed my hand was perfect! If I could bottle that moment I would! Our luck was in!

We quickly called Callum who was swinging in the enclosed gondola behind… ‘Cool..’ was the laid back reply… and I think he actually tore himself away from YouTube just long enough to see them! 😂

At the top the viewing point was our own.. the peaks of seven mountains before us…

Tom and Cal opted to stay a while longer whilst Jack, Matt and I decided it could be worth the effort to trek The Kicking Horse trail… in search of more bears! With our pepper spray training still fresh in our mind we went through the electric gate that protects the top of the gondola and climbed…

Plenty of ptarmigan, grouse and prairie dogs… but no bears! Short of breath we continued to trudge up. I was beginning to think that, if we did see a bear, we would be too knackered to argue and sod the $50 bear spray he could have me for breakfast and save me the trek down! 😂

However, the Kicking Horse viewpoint at the summit was awesome! And, just like the pain of childbirth, the uphill trek was instantly forgotten! 😂

Cal and Tom had opted for an altogether more leisurely hour, sipping icy drinks at a restaurant with a view and a half! They looked smug. We looked hot and bothered. ‘The grizzlies were pretty cool mum! Here’s the photos!’… the jammy buggers had only gone and been lucky enough to see the same three we’d seen earlier emerge from the trees and cause a cafuffle for the two tree surgeons working on the slope! It seems that fortune favours the lazy.. or as Callum prefers it ‘those who are efficient with their energies!’… 😂😂

As we caught our ride back down the mountain feeling super lucky we couldn’t believe our eyes when, right at the foot of the mountain, out from the trees, came the grizzlies! If they were the same family they had sure covered some ground! You can hear Jack almost hyperventilating in this little clip! 😂

Lake Louise Gondola had delivered – and some!

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

As the midday sun had burnt up the early morning mists we decided to try our luck and gain access to Moraine Lake Road… it is a single road that trails for 16km to a real gem of a lake – but traffic is strictly controlled. It is pure luck if you pass the entrance when the cones are raised… yesterday we failed… today we were flagged in as the last car…

The road snakes and twists and takes your breath with every turn…but the lake herself supersedes the warm up act…her turquoise waters and rocky shoreline is, in my opinion, even more spectacular than Lake Louise. She is the quieter of the two sisters and her understated nature makes her all the more appealing! The SUP board was launched and a grinning Jack was off… past the 1 hour kayak hire for $120… and off into the bright blue yonder!

Callum found a ridiculously high mountain of rocks to climb but kindly didn’t tell me until he got back down!

Tom’s first mission was an ice cream but then all 3 converged on the water and Tom led the way with a full body glacial immersion!!

Home to the Alpipne Centre for the rest of the afternoon and evening …jobs to be done (washing clothes), writing diaries… beer to drink and plans to make. Tomorrow I finally get to meet Kerrie, Lawrence’s wife…and to say I’m looking forward to it is an understatement! We’ve been FB friends for many years but to finally meet will be wonderful! 🇨🇦🇬🇧 … I have two big hugs to deliver – plus one from myself! 😂

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Sacha Brakenbury

As mum to three sons (and auntie to ten!) Sacha is kept busy trying to keep the kids alive, safe, fed and watered. Having specialised in Child Psychology and Linguistics at the University of Reading, Sacha went on to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Education before taking up her first teaching post as Head of Boys Sport and Year 6 teacher. After 6 years, Sacha was fortunate enough to awarded a travelling fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, enabling her to undertake an extensive research project overseas. Sacha has worked with some of the world's top professional sports and educational institutions across Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand - researching ways of engaging young people through the medium of sport and in particular how this can help to reduce drug use and gang membership. After returning to the UK Sacha became Education Director at Ipswich Town Football Club, leading in the government's 'Playing for Success' scheme. She went on to establish three highly respected Study Centres back in the East of England, each of which used sport as a means of motivating children and young people. After successfully completing her National Professional Qualification for Headship in Cambridge, Sacha went on to study for her Masters Degree in Education. With the arrival of her three sons, Sacha decided it was time to 'go it alone.' She set up her own business consultancy, supporting a range of charities and organisations across the UK. Securing funds in excess of £2 million pounds, Sacha was able to 'give wings' to a wide range of charitable causes close to her heart. She continues this today with work specifically for Child First Trust. It was her own kids that were the inspiration behind her establishing Learning Academies (www.learningacademies.co.uk) - a tutoring company that has the simple mission to motivate and encourage its students to become confident and assertive learners who are not afraid to 'take risks' and challenge themselves. As a passionate photographer, Sacha is never more at home than when she's travelling, camera in hand, boys in tow. As a qualified medic with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, she is able to combine her love the outdoors with her passion for wild animals.

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