Final Summary

On the Saturday evening we had a sing song and dramatic performance by several members. We had experienced a superb week at the Elizabeth Parker Hut at Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park. We had great weather and only twice were there sprinkles of rain. Several members did amazing climbs. Abbot Pass, Mount Lefroy 3423 Meters (nearly), Oesa Glacier, Yukness Mountain, Opabin Glacier (I think), Mount Schaffer, Odaroy summit, and Consummation Peak. I may have not recorded all. On the last evening David A informed everyone that two days before he had had his 79th birthday so we sang "Happy Birthday". For me, two years younger, David A and I hiked the same routes each day and for the week we hiked 85.9 KM and climbed 4612 Meters (15,131.23 feet) for an average of 12 Km and 659 Meters (2,162 feet) per day. I would like to thank all the members for their great company and particularly Cedric who made all the arrangements for this week.
Ken Wong took this great photo on the last day.

Day seven 20th August

It was the day to test our fitness and the Scott offered to lead a group to Cathedral Prospect. The core group was Scott, David A and Shaun but we were joined by others at different times - Mike, Jeff, and Ken. On the way to Cathedral Prospect we visited the Northern Morning Glory Lakes. It was sunny and we had great views from the Cathedral Prospect site at 2315 Meters. The steep climb up the last part of the ascent rivalled the All Souls ascent for the steepest of the week.

The GPS recorded 16.1 KM and 660 Meters ascent.

Day six 19th August

It was the day that David A and I with the help of others were to make dinner. We therefore chose to do Wiwaxy gap, the Huber Ledges Alpine Route to Lake Oesa (third time in the week) for lunch and back via the Lake Oesa Trail. For me this was the most spectacular route of the week and worth doing a second time.  I recorded that from Lake O'Hara these two older gents climbed 382 Meters in one hour! One of my hiking friends in Victoria said that as a 21 yr old they estimated to climb 1000 feet in an hour. 382 Meters is 1252 feet ascent in one hour!
Anyhow - we returned in good time and were grateful to those who helped out - Diane, Lynn and Alcina. The Hors D'Ouvres was oysters, herring, kippers and sardines on crackers and toast.
All scoffed in no time at all. For the main course Albert Hestler, who had to cancel the day before we left, had prepared all the ingredients and instructions for his usual Dahl. In making it there was a certain amount of creativityincluding adding raisins to the final mix. There was also Pepperoni in place of Yak meat that was in the recipe that Albert originally learned. For desert we had an almond cake from Victoria's Dutch Bakery plus cream (evaporated milk) and an alternate of apricots for those with food sensitivities.
For the hike we did 8.9 KM and climbed 656 Meters.

Day five 18th August

Cedric, Shaun, Russ, Lynn, David A, Diane and Liz. It was a day for a longer hike to Cathedral Lakes and Duchesnay basin. Firstly along the Morning Glory Lakes Trail then Linda Lake Trail and then Cathedral Lakes Trail. On the most recent trail map (3rd Edition) the Duchesnay basin and the Last Larch Prospect Lookout are not shown but they are on older maps. It may be because Parks Canada is no longer committed to maintaining the Duchesnay basin trail. It became cooler as we ascended  and windy with a few drops of rain so we were glad to be carrying extra layers of clothing. We had lunch at the Last Larch Prospect Lookout and were amazed to see Christa ascending Consummation Peak.
We returned by the Linda Lake trial which ends up going past the Parks Canada campground. This has flat pads for campers and adequate washing and cooking facilities. The last part of the trail is aside the road and leads to Lake O'Hara and the Le Relais cabin from where we ascended to the Elizabeth Parker hut again.
The GPS recorded 17.5 Km and 700 Meters ascent.

Day four August 17th

We had the morning at the cabin doing various needed chores including changing a barrel under the outhouse and washing clothes. There was also time to visit Lake O'Hara Lodge. This Lodge was built by the CPR in 1926. At that time also several cabins, which had been on the meadows by the Elizabeth Parker hut were skidded down to the lake side. Now "high end" travellers pay up to $600 per night to stay there and apparently it is booked at least a year ahead. You can visit after 1000 each day and between 1500 and 1600 pay $12 for tea and all you can eat cakes etc. The collection of photos in the upper floor of the Lodge is worth a visit as there are displayed photos and the history of many of the pioneers who enabled Lake O'Hara to become a world famous tourist destination. After lunch Cedric, David A, Shaun, Mary and Sandra hiked along Alpine Meadows and up the All Souls Alpine Route to Opabin Lake then back to the cabin via the East Opabin trail.

The GPS recorded 9.3 KM and 617 Meters ascent.

Day three 16th August

Cedric, Lise, David A and Shaun climbed up to Wiwaxy Gap at 2530 Meters. From here are some of the best views of Lake O'Hara and surroundings. At one point we could see ten different lakes. We then hiked the Huber Ledges Alpine route to Lake Oesa (the second visit in the week) for lunch. From there we hiked Yukness Ledges and Yukness Ledges Alpine route and back to the Cabin via Opabin West. We also explored around the south end of Lake Oesa to catch a view of the roof of the outhouse at the Abbot Pass hut (2922 Meters).  Plenty of difficult rockfall to cross and more on the Yukness Ledges Alpine route.

The GPS recorded 13.5 KM and 785 Meters climbed.

Day two August 15th

Odarey Grandview Prospect

Lead by Cedric this day 22 of us assembled at 0900. The reason for being all together is because Parks Canada requires large groups to register to go through the McArthur pass. This pass is sometimes closed in the spring during the time Grizzly Bears are feeding in the area. The route went along Alpine Meadows, to McArthur pass, Odarey Highline to Odarey Grandview Prospect at 2535 Meters.  The Stuart family started down just before this, twelve members went on and climbed Mount Odaray and a group of seven then descended before ascending to Lake McArthur 2,251 Meters by the High Level Circuit and then descending via the Low Level Circuit. Some of us enjoyed our first (very cold) swim/dip in Lake McArthur.

The GPS recorded 11.2 KM and 735 Meters ascended.

First Day Hike

By 1300 hrs we had all unpacked and were ready for a hike.  Of course we had to hike around Lake O'Hara - 2035 Meters (6627 ft) just to get the week started. We then ascended to Lake Oesa 2270 Meters, for the first visit of the week, via Yukness Ledges.  Each day our hikes were recorded on a Garmin Etrex 30. There were at least four of us Russ, Lynn, David A and myself. 9.4 KM and 459 Meters ascent were recorded. This image was obtained using Garmin's Base camp program after returning home.

Bus ride to Lake O'Hara

It was a pleasure to meet again many members of ACCVI whom I had got to know either at previous summer camps or meetings of ACCVI including David A, Scott, Alcina, Russ, Lynn, Mary, Mike, Liz, Lise, Cedric and Krista.
On the Sunday 14th we drove and parked our cars the 30 min drive to the parking lot for those going to Lake O'Hara. Some of the group had taken the 8.30 bus but most of us were on the 10.30. It was a 35 minute Parks Canada bus drive up to Lake O'Hara. There from Le Relais, the snack shop and meeting place we needed to make at least two trips up to the Elizabeth Parker hut and the smaller Wiwaxy cabin, carrying the heavy bags that contained all the food for the week.

Drive to Hi-Whisky Jack Hostel

This is the diary of one week spent with 22 others from the Alpine Club of Vancouver Island (ACCVI) at Lake O'Hara in Canada's Yoho national park from August 13th - 21st 2016. David A and I left home at 0540 to get the 0700 ferry to Tsawwassen. Albert Hestler unfortunately the day before had to cancel due to chest pains being investigated, which turned out to be not serious.
Diane joined us at the ferry and we drove to the Hi-Whisky Jack Hostel where we arrived at 2030. We stopped in Hope for coffee and Golden for a Greek supper. The Hi-Whisky Jack Hostel is 13 Km North of the Trans Canada highway just after passing Field, British Columbia.

"This wilderness hostel is lucky enough to have both showers and flush toilets in each 9-bed dormitory. Being a much smaller hostel, the atmosphere is much more welcoming for even the shyest of travellers to meet up with people and find hiking partners around the campfire at the end of the day. The hostel is just short walk from Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada's five highest waterfalls. The adventurous may want to walk 1.5km to the base of the falls and feel the icy cool mist. In the morning enjoy hikes to the Iceline, Yoho Lake or Twin Falls."

At the hostel we were able to walk the short distance to the Takakkaw falls just before it got dark and again in the morning.