There had been an ealier post on the vastness of the cosmos and its different life forms, as as the karma or one's consequences of their actions which was deleted in error by accident. This may have been instant karma or just a rash decision of pressing the wrong button instead of "Update".

Over the years I had read about various types of meditation where one could learn over time answers to questions. It took several attempts of trial and error to mix bits of methods together to facilitate appropriate responses.

One time I was curious about how choices were dealt with, and I queried over how a person was chosen to assist another in a given situation. My meditated answer resulted in a brief internal vision of standing and looking up a very tall lectern where a large book rested, open two-thirds in. Behind the lectern stood a tall man dressed in a long dark coloured robe, the forefinger of his right hand slowly making its way down a list of entries. He turned the page and continued down several more entries until he reached the one he sought. Behind the man were tiers of shelving.

I took note of my position in comparison to the man and discovered I stood less than knee height on him.

Afterwards I contemplated over this experience, thinking it to be a visit to the Akashic Records. At the time I had not seen the entry nor knew what the entries in the large volume were for except it seemed as if the man was trying to find a match to my query.



Photo Credit: 1902 Ice Grotto in Akulkan Glacier by Jasonwoodhead CC=flickr.

Mount Waddington, British Columbia

[1] Mount Waddington, once known as Mystery Mountain, is the highest peak in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada at 4,019 metres (13,186 ft). Although Mount Fairweather and Mount Quincy Adams, which straddle the US border between Alaska and British Columbia are taller, Mount Waddington is the highest that lies entirely within British Columbia. It and the subrange which surround it, known as the Waddington Range, stand at the heart of the Pacific Ranges, which is to say it is in a remote and extremely difficult set of mountains and stupendous river valleys.

[2-Mt. Waddington and Angel Glacier]

It is not so far north as its extreme Arctic-like conditions might indicate and Mount Waddington and its attendant peaks pose some of the most serious expedition mountaineering to be had in North America — and some of the most extreme relief and spectacular mountain scenery.

[3-Approaching Angel Glacier on Mt. Waddington]

From Waddington's 13,000'-plus fang to sea level at the heads of Bute and Knight Inlets is only a few miles;


[4-Homathko Canyon - click to enlarge]

across the 10,000 foot deep gorges of the Homathko and the Klinaklini Rivers stand mountains almost as high, and icefields even vaster and whiter, only a few aerial miles away, with a maw deeper than the Grand Canyon, comparable in relief to the Himalaya (to which the terrain of British Columbia was compared by colonial-era travellers).


[5-Across the Homathko Icefields - click to enlarge]




[6-Mt. Combatant from Mt. Waddington]

In 1925, while on a trip to Mount Arrowsmith, Vancouver Island, Don and Phyllis Munday spotted what they believed to be a peak taller than Mount Robson, the then accepted tallest peak entirely within British Columbia. In the words of Don Munday "The compass showed the alluring peak stood along a line passing a little east of Bute Inlet and perhaps 150 miles away, where blank spaces on the map left ample room for many nameless mountains." This led the Mundays to explore that area.

Over the next decade, the Mundays mounted several expeditions into the area in an attempt to climb it. Known to them as "The Mystery Mountain", in 1927 the height was measured at 13,260 feet (by triangulation); they reached the lower summit in 1928, deeming the main summit too risky. On their recommendation the Canadian Geographic Board gave it the name Mount Waddington after Alfred Waddington who was a proponent of a road route, known as Waddington’s Road, and again later the same for a railway, via the Homathko River valley and Bute Inlet, which would connect to Vancouver Island via Seymour Narrows.

Mount Waddington takes in the seaward slope of the Waddington Range and the adjoining coastline and parts of northern Vancouver Island adjacent to Queen Charlotte Strait.

Research: wikipedia, biouvac.com
Photo Credits: [1][3]-snowislife, [2][6]-underscoremouse, [4][5]-Dru! CC=nc-flickr.

Snowbird Pass Trail (Berg Lake Trail), British Columbia

[1-Mt. Robson south face]












On August 2, 2008 I posted a visual hike of the Berg Lake Trail to Berg Lake and the northern face of Mt. Robson. This is a continuation of that post with the trail continuing to Snowbird Pass.

[2- Berg Lake, Berg Glacier and northern face of Mt. Robson]

Snowbird Pass is closed May and June due to caribou calving. A challenging route marked by rock cairns (caution required), which provides spectacular views of the back of Mount Robson. From Berg Lake campsite the trip is 22 km, return. Start north of Rearguard campsite, follow Robson River then travel up to Robson Glacier's moraine. Hike up to an alpine meadow, beyond which is Snowbird Pass.

From Berg Lake campground, follow the main trail northeast. In 100 m, immediately after the Toboggan Creek bridge, the trail to Toboggan Falls forks left and ascends generally northwest. Proceed on the main trail.

[3- Snowbird Pass Trail with Rearguard Mountain on the right]



Pass Rearguard campground at 1 km.


[4- view looking back to Berg Lake past Rearguard campsite]



Beyond Rearguard, the trail leads generally east-northeast onto a gravel flat. Reach a junction at 1.4 km. The trail leading straight passes a ranger station in 100 m then continues generally northeast to Robson Pass campground.
























[5- Sign where toe of Robson Glacier was in 1911]





[6- view of Mt. Robson Glacier before long ascent]


For Snowbird Pass, go right and hike along the meltwater stream toward the toe of Robson Glacier.


[7- higher up, glacial pond, looking behind]


At 2.2 km, bear right (southeast) where a cutoff trail to Robson Pass forks left. Ahead, the marginal lake at the glacier’s toe is where the Robson River begins.


[8- toe of Robson Glacier]



[9- Looking back from last photo along trail]



The trail ascends the lateral moraine of Robson Glacier, enabling you to overlook the ice for the next 3 km. Be cautious: the rocks cave in where the ice has melted.



















[10- More of Robson Glacier revealed]


[11- Along Robson Glacier]




At 7.4 km, the trail turns away from the glacier and begins a switchbacking climb past a cascade.

[12- Above Robson Glacier]






































[13- waterfall on Snowbird Pass Trail]





A steep, eastward ascent follows the left side of a stream. The grade eases in an alpine meadow. Aim for the low point on the ridge ahead. The superior route bends left and stays north of the stream.

[14- alpine meadow]




[15]



[16- Crossing the meadow]



[17- Ptarmigan (snowbird) beside Snowbird Pass Trail]

These birds are 14 inches. In winter both adults have white plumage with a black tail and bill and a black eye line. The feet are feathered. In summer the male has dark brown plumage with white wings and a white belly. The female in summer has mottled brown plumage and white wings.

The ptarmigan feeds on seeds, fruits, buds, and insects in the summer but in winter is confined to buds and twigs. Its stomach is adapted to this diet having special bacteria enabling it to digest woody material Another adaptation is the feathered feet which act as snowshoes, allowing the bird to walk on soft snow. The feathers are hollow and filled with air which provide the bird with some insulation. The female will lay 6 - 9, sometimes as many as 16 buff-coloured eggs. The male defends the territory while the female incubates the eggs for around 21 days. The chicks are very quick to leave th enest and fly within ten days.

[18- Snowbird Pass Trail with late blooming wildflowers]



[19- Mt. Robson from Snowbird Pass Trail]






[20- View behind while ascending first of several minor ridges]


Follow cairns up a steep boulder field to crest Snowbird Pass at 10.6 km.

[21- Cairn at the end of meadow]




[22- Trail near top of Snowbird Pass with snow]



[23- Coleman Glacier at the top of Snowbird Pass with large cairn at Jasper National Park, Alberta]

It is not wise to attempt glacier travel unless experienced and with a guide.




[24- Heading back to Mt. Robson]




For more information about hiking and Canada's Parks go to the sidebar under "Conservation and Nature".

Research: BC Parks, A Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Michael Vanner (2006) Paragon Publishing p. 88

Photo Credits: [1][2]-Wikipedia, [3][13][15][17][18][19]-brilang-CC=nc-sa-flickr, [4][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][14][16][20][21][22][23][24]-HandsLive CC=flickr, [5]-merehike.

Mount Logan - Yukon Territory (Highest Peak in Canada)

[1-Mount Logan]

Mount Logan is Canada’s highest mountain at 5,959 metres (19,551 ft) and the second highest peak in North America, after Mount McKinley.

The mountain was named after Sir William Edmond Logan. His abilities as a geologist were noticed, and in 1842 he was asked to establish the Geological Survey of Canada where he was the first director from 1842 to 1869. In 1855, he recruited Robert Barlow as the survey's chief draughtsman. During this time he described the Laurentian rocks of the Laurentian mountains in Canada and of the Adirondacks in the state of New York. Over his illustrious career he received 22 medals including the Legion of Honor from Emperor Napoleon III of France in 1855 and a knighthood from Queen Victoria in 1856. In the same year he was awarded the Wollaston Medal by the Geological Society of London.

Mount Logan is located within Kluane National Park and Reserve in southwestern Yukon and is the source of the Hubbard and Logan Glaciers. Logan reportedly has the largest base circumference of any mountain on Earth. Due to active tectonic uplifting, Mount Logan is actually still rising in elevation.

[2-Hubbard Glacier Map]

Hubbard Glacier is a tidewater glacier located in the U.S. state of Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada. From its source in the Yukon, the glacier stretches 122 km (76 mi) to the sea at Yakutat Bay and Disenchantment Bay. It is the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska, with an open calving face over ten kilometers (6 mi) wide.

Hubbard Glacier’s longest source, 122 km from its snout, is at about 11,000 feet above sea level, about eight kilometers west of Mt. Walsh. A shorter tributary glacier begins at the easternmost summit on the Mt. Logan ridge at about 18,300 feet.

Of late the majority of glaciers around the world are melting at alarming rates. However, the Hubbard Glacier which is joined by the Valerie Glacier to the west, and through forward surges of its own ice, has contributed to the advance of the ice flow that experts believe will eventually dam the Russell Fiord from Disenchantment Bay waters.

[3-Hubbard Glacier and Valerie Glacier joining]


The Hubbard Glacier ice has continued to advance 5.5 metres per year for about a century. The ice at the foot of Hubbard Glacier is about 400 years old: it takes that long for ice to traverse the length of the glacier. The glacier routinely calves off icebergs the size of a ten-story building. Where the glacier meets the shore, most of the ice is below the waterline, and newly calved icebergs can shoot up quite dramatically, so that ships must keep their distance from it as they ply their way up and down the coast.

Research: Wikipedia
Photo Credits: Wikipedia

The Berg Lake Trail (British Columbia)

[1-click to enlarge]


Berg Lake is located within Mount Robson Provincial Park, at the foot of the north face of Mount Robson (photo shows south face at sunset), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954m.

Berg Lake can be reached by following a marked hiking trail for 22 kilometres from the parking lot. To reach the parking lot, follow the Yellowhead Highway (#16) west from the Jasper townsite for 84 km (53 miles) to the Mount Robson Viewpoint centre. Here you will find gas, camping, a café and convenience store. On the north side of the highway follow a two-lane paved road for two km, ending at the good sized parking lot. Although some people go to Berg Lake on day one, consider making it a two-day hike (biking to the 7 km point helps a bit) and, you will want a full day or two at Berg Lake, minimum. Although the trail is easy to follow, this is wilderness, and be prepared for weather changes, bugs, and wildlife (i.e. bears). Bring first aid gear, sunscreen, good boots, food, and lots of water even if you are not spending the night.


[2]


















[3] There are reminders from BC Parks about hazards along the trail at various locations.




[4A] This photo shows the rise in elevation from the parking lot which is almost 900m altitude. The altitude at Berg Lake campsite is slightly under 1700m. For those with asthma or other medical conditions it would be an extremely difficult hike after Kinney Lake as the oxygen level thins. It could be managed safely provided one used the general rule of thumb method of not ascending more than 300 metres (1,000 feet) per day to sleep, as well as approval from your family doctor.



[4B-First portion of trail before Kinney Lake - click to enlarge]



The Berg Lake Trail is well marked, progressing in several stages, appropriate for various abilities.



[4C-Berg Lake Trail bridge - click to enlarge]




Past Kinney Lake it is considered a difficult trail; for less fit hikers break the hiking into sections by stopping at one or more of the seven campsites along the trail: Kinney Lake, Whitehorn, Emperor Falls, Marmot, Berg Lake, Rearguard, and Robson Pass. Each campground has a cluster of tent pads for a single tent up to 10’ x 10’ and 1 to 6 people (all ages) per pad. Some of the campsites require a reservation with BC Parks.

[5-Berg Lake Trail - First 7km is like this]

A day hike to Kinney Lake and return takes approxi-mately 2.5 hours. The trail winds through old-growth cedar/hemlock forest as it follows the Robson River to Kinney Lake. The hike offers incredible scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The first stage of the hike takes you on a very wide and well marked trail to Kinney Lake. Big trees, some interpretive signs, and rushing water characterize the first 5km. The trail climbs gradually alongside the Robson River (a tributary of the Fraser River) for 4.2 kilometres before reaching Kinney Lake where there is a primitive campground and a rest area. This is a nice destination for those out for a day hike.

[7- Kinney Lake - 7km mark]





The trail continues generally northwest, past the north end of the lake (bike lock up) where a sign offers two options: take the rocky boulder-strewn flood plain in the lowlands (not always passable, but shorter and easier), or, take the longer trail on the higher ground. Both reconnect with the main trail at the end of the lake (and a larger bridge). At 8.5 km cross a bridge to the Robson River’s west bank. Proceed onto a broad alluvial plain. At 9 km begin the steep ascent of Whitehorn Hill.


[8- Looking back to Kinney Lake, Robson River and gravel flats about 9km in trail]


Shortly afterward you will face an uphill section, with switchbacks, which flattens out and carries on for a few more kilometers to the Ranger station and Whitehorn Campground -- near the suspension bridge. This is another great day one stop from Kinney Lake. On the west bank is a ranger station. Cross to the east bank and arrive at Whitehorn campground. It has a spacious, open-air cooking shelter.


[9- Whitehorn campsite and ranger station]



[10- leaving White-horn campsite]







[11- one of the suspension bridges - click to enlarge]

In the next few kilometres, you then cross two steel bridges over the Robson River. The first is a suspension bridge. The next stage continues on 1 km beyond the campground and then 4km of daunting steep uphill towards Berg Lake via Emperor Falls. There are many lookouts in the Valley of a Thousand Falls.


[12 - Waterfall in Valley of a Thousand Falls - click to enlarge]


At 11.8 km cross another suspension bridge, back to the river’s west bank. Heading north, begins a steep ascent with switchbacks. The trail continues generally north, into Valley of a Thousand Falls.



[13- Looking back down to White-horn Campsite]



[14- Indian Paint-brush]






[15-looking back on trail up to White Falls]











[17- river below White Falls]





Over the next few kilometres, you will pass White Falls as the trail gains 450 m in the next 3.5 km along the rugged Robson River gorge.


[18-White Falls - click to enlarge]




[19- above top of White Falls, lowest of the three]






[21- Falls of the Pool]










After Falls of the Pool comes the magnificent Emperor Falls.


[22- Emperor Falls - click to enlarge]

At 15.4 km take the short spur to pay homage to the mighty Emperor.



[22B-Mt Robson from Emperor Falls campground - click to enlarge]


Near Emperor Falls campground, at approximately 16 km, the trail levels. It heads northeast, then curves east entering rocky terrain in the upper Robson River Valley.

[23-Going around and above swampy area]






[24- Scree trail above swampy bit of valley]




[25- Mist Glacier] The cliffs of Mt. Robson now dominate the scene. Mist Glacier is soon visible to the east. Will reach Marmot campground at 18.8 km.





At 19.1 km, the Hargreaves Glacier/Mumm Basin trail forks left, ascending generally north-northwest. Bear right on the main trail, heading generally northeast, paralleling the northwest shore of Berg Lake. Reach Berg Lake campground at 21 km.

[26- Berg Glacier on Mt. Robson, Berg Lake]


When you reach Berg Lake you are treated to views of Mt. Robson and the Emperor Face. You can also watch the Glacier calve into the water. The turquoise colored Berg Lake is dotted with icebergs even in the middle of summer. There is primitive camping and a BC Parks hut at Berg Lake.


[27]

The Hargreaves Shelter (photo) serves backpackers who want to cook indoors. Just 100 m past the campground, immediately after the Toboggan Creek bridge, the trail to Toboggan Falls forks left and ascends generally northwest. If you want more privacy than is available at Berg Lake, and you’re willing to forego quick access to the shelter, continue up the main trail, past the lake’s northeast end, to Rearguard campground, at 22 km.

There are other trips to Hargreaves Lake, Tobbogan Falls, Mumm Basin, Snowbird Pass (closed in May and June due to caribou calving), the toe of the Robson Glacier, and Moose River which will be covered in later posts.

The Texqakallt, a Secwepemc people (also commonly known as the Shuswap) are the earliest inhabitants of the area, call it Yuh-hai-has-kun or The Mountain of the Spiral Road. The Shuswap are a First Nations group located in the area around Kamloops.

The B.C. legislature created the park in 1913, the same year as the first ascent of Mount Robson by a party led by Conrad Kain.

The first recreational trail was built in 1913 by Jasper outfitter Donald "Curly" Phillips along the Robson River to Berg Lake.

This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, together with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, for the mountain landscapes containing mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons and limestone caves as well as fossils found here.


Research: wikipedia, trailpeaks.com;
Photo credits: [1]-Dru! CC=nc-flickr, [2]-Mike the Mountain CC=nc-flickr, [4A][12]-merehikes CC=nc-flickr, [3][4B][4C][11]-kleinmantara CC=nc-sa-flickr, [5][7][13][15][17][19][21][23][24][25][26]-HandsLive CC=flickr, [8][10][12][14][18][22B]-brilang CC=nc-sa-flickr, [9]-mikewarren CC=nc-sa-flickr, [22]-Feffel CC=nc-sa-flickr, [27]-Loriane Zachery Agnes Nicholas CC=sa-flickr.