“The best cure for a sluggish mind is to disturb its routine.”
– William H. Danforth

Took time out from writing for a short overnight backpacking trip into Kananaskis Country’s Ribbon Lake.

Slipsliding Away
On the way up to Buller Pass (one of three routes into the subalpine lake), we came across a group of eight Danish tourists and their mountain guide.  One of the hikers slipped coming off the pass, cut her hand and almost fainted at the sight of blood.  By the time we reached them, she was snugly wrapped with a guide’s tarp , feet elevated.  Brad, having emergency rescue experience from both the Parks Service and the Fire Department, agreed to hold up to see if she was going to be able to hike out.  Luckily, once her hand was bandaged, she was able to stand and start down the trail – and we were able to continue our hike.

Thunder, Lightening and Bears
As we reached the summit of Buller Pass, huge raindrops started splashing down.  Ominous grey clouds threatened. We threw on raingear, and beelined off the rocky summit – just before the thunder and lightening show.

Hiking over Buller Pass (Credit: Brad Kopp)

Well into the alpine meadows below, we crossed several snow patches before looking closely at the tracks next to ours.  Big fat ol’ Grizz!  Going in our direction and fairly fresh.  Yo Bear!

Camping in a Moose’s Dining Room
Tent set up in between rain showers, we chilled lakeside and enjoyed the peace and quiet – until a young, greyish coloured cow moose burst out of the willows and romped through the lake splashing up a storm.  As the rains picked up, we realised the moose wasn’t trying to escape bugs, she was playing!

The zoom on the camera wasn’t good enough to get more than a dot in the distance, but that’s alright. The next morn we returned to camp from a walk to the Ribbon Falls headwall to find a bull moose chowing down on the shrubbery right around the eating area.

Moose in Camp (Credit: Brad Kopp)