Backpacking the Continental Divide in Banff National Park (3 Days/2 Nights)

Undoubtedly the greatest way to experience the Canadian Rockies is to leave the crowds and savor the solitude and beauty of the back country. The back country, and travel within it, offers an experience that becomes addictive. White Mountain Adventures has designed this three day program to introduce hikers to the skills and knowledge required to have a safe and, most importantly, enjoyable outing in the back country... and enjoy it one of the most incredible high alpine areas of the Rockies!

Prerequisites for joining this trip include general good health and a desire to explore nature in an active way. The program is rated as moderate since hiking times will generally be around 4 to 6 hours each day. Your pack weight will likely be around 15 kilos and total food and equipment for the group will be shared equally. As with our other programs, it is suitable for persons of all ages.

Trip Costs and Dates of Operation
Cost per person:
$410.00 - 2 persons per tent ($290.00 US)
$450.00 - 1 person per tent ($345.00 US

***There is a $40 per person surcharge for group sizes smaller than 4
GST included
Program Start Dates: Available from July 6 to Sept. 21

ITINERARY
Day 1
We'll meet in the morning to go over some of the essentials of backpacking - particularly how to pack! Excess baggage is not what you want if you are carrying it on your back. In the afternoon, we depart for the trail head to begin our hike. The initial hike will take us 2-4 hours at a leisurely pace (between 5 - 8 km, or 3-5 miles). Invariably the camps are by a stream and close by some excellent views.

Day 2
After a hot cooked breakfast, we'll plan our day. Together we'll choose a route that takes us to a high pass or other scenic point. On the way, you'll learn the basics of route finding and map reading, and how to identify trees and flowers. Distance will vary according to the strength of the group, but will work out to 4 - 6 hours of walking. After the return to camp, we'll eat a delicious dinner and then listen to tall tales around a campfire.

Day 3
After breakfast, we'll go for a short hike in the morning and focus on wildlife, nature, and animal habitats. After lunch we'll pack up camp and hike out.

Meals
We supply all the cooking and eating equipment, and delicious meals. You will be encouraged to help out to learn the skills of back country cooking of course!

Inclusions

• tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad.
• all meals and camp equipment.
• professional naturalist guide throughout program.
• all transportation from Banff or Canmore.
• all back country campground fees.
• all taxes.

Most people find the Canadian Rockies somewhat cool in summer. Daytime highs average near 21C (70F) and lows at 8C (46F) although it is often much warmer. Rain is common and snow is not unheard of, even in August. Bring a warm sweater and pants and have waterproof clothing! If you are well prepared, it will undoubtedly be sunny and warm your entire trip! Snow lingers in the high passes until the middle of July some years, so if you have gaiters, bring them along.

Clothing & Equipment You will be required to bring the following:

Wildlife and Nature Tour at Banff National Park (1 Day Trips, 2 Day Trips, & 3 Day Trips)

The Canadian Rockies is an incredible natural area with over 20,000 square kilometers of protected wilderness. The towns of Banff and Canmore are located at the center of one of the Rockies' major valleys and Banff National Parks' largest wildlife movement corridor. The entire region boasts a wide diversity of wildlife including bears, wolves, moose and cougar. Traveling through this magnificent landscape, we will introduce you to the many mountain animals, their habits and habitats.

We offer you a very flexible way to explore and learn about the wildlife and nature or the Rockies:
In the Banff area, we offer 3 different and unique day programs which we are available on a rotating basis throughout the week. The programs can be booked as single day adventures, two and three day adventures or in any combination you choose. You have the option and flexibility to join in at the time that suits you best.

The program will introduce you to new ways of watching for wildlife and learning about their habitats, including the basics of animal tracking.

Prerequisites for joining this trip include general good health and a desire to explore nature in an active way. The program is rated as easy as most excursions will be short though over uneven terrain. As with our other programs, it is suitable for persons of all ages.

Program Costs and Dates of Operation
Individual Days: $140 per person
3 Days $410 per person
Operating Daily from June 1 to October 15, 2002

ITINERARY
Saturdays and Tuesdays Banff
Explore the local area around Banff. The town is at the crossroads of several major valleys. Many animals such as elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep use the Montana grasslands in this area, and close on their heels are, of course, predators such as wolves, coyotes, and cougar. Expect some backwoods exploration and lots of wildlife!

Sundays and Wednesdays Banff

The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the world, and is also excellent bear, mountain goat and bighorn sheep habitat. This route lends itself to frequent stops and numerous short walks in a variety of habitats.

Mondays and Thursdays Banff
Kananaskis Country is adjacent to Banff Park, and is a provincially protected area. While traveling through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park we'll reach the summit of Canada's highest paved road (2,200m) at Highwood Pass, where we'll have opportunities to spot animals common to the alpine zone, such as well camouflaged pika, whistling marmots, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears.

Fridays Banff
Best of the region's wildlife and nature.
Waterton Lakes
Programs are available daily.
Your day begins with a drive through the Waterton townsite where Bighorn sheep and mule deer usually spend much of their time. This is followed by a visit to the Maskinonge Lake watching for early morning birds and wildlife. The highlight of the day is often the drive to Red Rock Canyon scanning the nearby mountainsides for black and grizzly bears!

Transportation, Group Size, Departure Times
We will be using 14 passenger vans with a maximum group size of 10. Each day will start with a pick up from your hotel around 7 am, as the mornings and evening are the best times to see wildlife. The evenings are yours to enjoy freely, but your guide will be happy to suggest a good restaurant, or areas to go for some late night animal watching.

Included:

• transportation as outlined
• services of professional naturalist guide throughout program
• lunch daily
• all taxes

Clothing & Equipment  

• day pack
• walking shoes
• fleece or wool pullover
• rain jacket
• hat with brim
• insect repellent
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• camera

Climate:

The climate in the Rockies is typical mountain weather. It changes all the time! Daytime highs average near 21°C (70°F) with lows around 8°C (46°F) though it is not uncommon for temperatures to be much warmer. Rain is always a possibility and snow often lingers in the high passes until the middle of July. We strongly recommend you include all items from the above equipment list.

Full Day Whitewater Rafting Trip

This exclusive trip combines our famous half day whitewater trip, with all its excellent rapids, with the scenic and gentler upper sections of the Kicking Horse River. Your trip includes return transportation from Banff, Canmore and/or Lake Louise aboard one of our two luxury mini-coaches. Transfers from Calgary can easily be arranged.
You'll enjoy 2½ to 3 hours of time on the river, silently gliding past magnificent scenery (see "Half Day Gentle Rafting" description) as well as splashing through thrilling whitewater, including the exciting "Portage" and "Shotgun" (class IV+) rapids. (see "Half Day Whitewater" description.)
At lunch, we'll present our famous "riverside delicatessen", at our exclusive lunch site overlooking the river. A tasty selection of fresh baked breads, assorted deli meats and cheeses, crisp garden salad, creamy potato and pasta salads. Topped off by an array of bakery treats and a fresh fruit platter for desert, we will surely satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Hot and cold drinks are available to accompany the meal.

What is included
All rafting equipment, free transportation, full lunch served with hot & cold beverages, use of our "RiverBase".

You need
swimsuit & towel

Minimum Age
12 years old & 90 lbs

Trip Times
from Canmore - 8:00am - 5:30pm
from Banff - 8:30am - 5:00pm
from Lake Louise - 9:00am - 4:00pm

Price
Adults $109.00 ($77 USD)

*All Prices are subject to change*