Hoary Marmots, Avalanches and Alpine flowers.

Today we went on a walk and talk tour at mount Edith Cavell. We were picked up and transported close to the Cavell meadows. These are the bathrooms (toilets)! The mountains seem to rise straight up from the valley made by the Edith glacier but it is retreating at a fast rate.

Canada was asked to name some thing significant after Edith Cavell because of her valuable work during the war. They chose this very distinctive mountain.

The tour was taken by Paula a retired nurse and Parks guide who was very knowledgeable and went at a reasonable pace for our group of 6.




The weather was good and the views fantastic.




This is one of three glaciers here and it is called the Angel glacier. You can see the wings on either side and her dress coming down the valley.




The mandatory photo to prove we were there!



Paula told us to listen for cracking sounds as they signaled an avalanche. We heard and saw quite a few. Here you can see snow bouncing down the cliff face.



We walked carefully and saw alpine flowers and some very old trees.




Paula said this fir was probably 50 years old.




Crocuses and buttercups 

Dwarf  willows 

Heath or heather?



On our walk up to where the climber start we came across two hoary marmots play fighting. They have only just come out of hibernation and are still slender. 



Later on in summer they become so fat that the grizzly bears come up here to eat them.




This is the pond and above it is Edith Cavell glacier. Look at the deep crevasses and large snow caves. 




We walked through some snow still on the track and large areas of slate.



I just had to take this photo!

The lichen grows so slowly. It grows to the size of about a 20 cent piece in one hundred years. How old does that make these?