little tiger on the tramp

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!

2009-10-16T16:07:00.003-07:00

I never NEVER thought this day would come but here it is:

You are currently using 925MB (90%) of your 1024MB

In other words I am not able to upload any more pictures on this blog for free.

Ergo I have to either buy space for $20 a year or stop posting or...

open up another blog to continue my adventure descriptions. So here it comes:

http://tiegerente-julia.blogspot.com/

The Swing I

2009-09-16T11:27:00.002-07:00

Muleshoe - This short nature trail takes you through a stand of aspens, past a group of ancient Douglas firs with their corrugated bark, to a pleasant viewpoint. The grade is easy-to-moderate as far as the hiking sign and rest bench where the man-made trail ends....

To a swing!!!

Gorgeous Daylen telling me to get my a... on the swing - which I did not do.

Daylen entertaining us with tricks.

...

The Swing II

2009-09-16T11:14:00.004-07:00

The view...

The Bow River...

Ariel taking turn

Bunnies together I

Bunnies together II

Serena going for a fly

...

Hmmm...

Cute!

Teh Swing III

2009-09-16T10:50:00.004-07:00

D showing off ;)

Rrrrrrrrrr

A wonderful moment in time

Candid shot

My room-mate - we are getting along surprisingly well...

Symphony in blue

Daylen going through the glacier fed Bow River.

You rock man YOU ROCK!

Mt. Fairview

2009-09-15T11:42:00.004-07:00

The other day on my day off I decided to go wild and climb Mt. Fair view.

Doesn't that looks like a dog-cloud?! Woof!

Anyway just 500m to the top. But I could not do it. I had to turn around.

The Bow valley from the top.

Wow! I love being in the Rockies!

Mt. Temple. With glacier on top.

Mt. Victoria. Invisible Lake Louise.

Can't get enough of it.

Steep and without secured path.

Deep blue is the distance. Like an ocean or the Blue Mountains close to Sydney.

What a gorgeous sky!

Cute!

Mt. Fairview II

2009-09-15T11:38:00.002-07:00

Picture prove: "I was there!"

Hm others obviously too. And they want everyone to know.

Hm!

Ah! ;)

...

Ueber die Berg flanke. On my way down.

...

A tree above.

The ski hill.

My path.

Mt. Fairview III

2009-09-15T11:26:00.004-07:00

Pretty these weird little feather flowers...

A hoary Marmot!

The hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) is a species of marmot that inhabits the mountains of northwest North America. Hoary marmots live near the tree line on slopes with grasses and forbs to eat and rocky areas for cover. It is the largest North American ground squirrel and is often nicknamed "the whistler" for its high-pitched warning issued to alert other members of the colony to possible danger. The animals are sometimes called "whistle pigs." The "hoary" in their name refers to the silver-grey fur on their shoulders and upper back; the remainder of the upper parts are mainly covered in reddish brown fur. The underparts are greyish. They have a white patch on the muzzle and black feet and lower legs.

I could go quite close and he did not seem to mind at all.

From the side...

... bathing in the sun.

View in the distance...

The ski hill.

Wow!

Colour change...

Pretty!!!

Mt. Fairview IV

2009-09-15T11:16:00.004-07:00

Pretty!

Wow!

A mushroom!

A elephant playing with a "giant" squirrel.

The chateau!

Ah the distance of the mountains... so majestic.

My favourite peak.

Looks like out of a movie doesn't it?!

More funny mushrooms - no I did not try them! ;)

A plant in the sun.

Mt. Fairviw V

2009-09-15T11:06:00.004-07:00

Moss hanging in a tree highlighted by sun rays...

Magnificent Lake Louise.

Mt. Fair view - the rock I climbed.

A beautiful flower on the way home...

A river gushing down.

In the evening light.

Another plant.

A meadow.

...

Can you see it? The river has two colours. One is clear and one is muddy...

Horsebackride to the Plain of six Glaciers I

2009-09-15T10:54:00.003-07:00

I decided it had to be done. So I went on a horseback ride. Stupid and young as I am I went for 4 hours up to the Plain of 6 glaciers. My back still hurt 4 days later...

A funny house on the grounds of the stables.

An adorable doggie.

The house where i guess the owners/ operators of the stables reside.

Oh what a fluffy mouse. Wanna cuddle it all-over.

Our horses having breakfast before a long day of trips.

Different horses having breakfast too.

A third group of horses with saddle and stuff ready to go having brekkie too.

Another dog on a car roof. Hihihi ;)

Horsebackride to the Plain of six Glaciers II

2009-09-15T10:31:00.004-07:00

The Grannie of the stables with dog.

Me on a horse doing the "Yeeeha!" Not as grazil as I would wish for...

On our way. First I was scared I would fall off. Then there was only pain.

Our guide. A lovely girl doing what she loves and others pay for to do.

Ah, the landscape.

Up on the plain of 6. A path that leads even higher...

The main mountain one sees behind Lake Louise with a glacier on it.

Can you see the thick layer of ice on the rock?!

On this pic is a Mountain goat. Quiet special to see since they normally stay in higher elevations.

It is the tinny white dot on the green in the middle of the picture.

Horsebackride to the Plain of six Glaciers III

2009-09-15T10:04:00.004-07:00

What do these rock-layer tell us?

Another view on the main glacier.

A side view.

Another horsie.

And another one.

My horse for the day. Called Snowball. Not as nice to ride as to look at.

A portrait.

The Mountain goat.

A group of hikers.

Up to the peak - maybe another day.

Horsebackride to the Plain of six Glaciers IV

2009-09-15T09:57:00.003-07:00

Uh-hu!

On and on...

A path to the look out - good days one can get amazing avalanches here.

...

A ghost cloud.

The debris of a long gone glacier.

The base of the glacier lake.

...

An interesting plant.

Horsebackride to the Plain of six Glaciers V

2009-09-15T09:46:00.006-07:00

More plant.

More glacier.

...

Our guide with my horse as we get ready to head back down again.

Coming down we are enjoying a great view at Lake Louise.

It looks so far. And the horse is so uncompfy!!!

Nice!

The sign of the company I went on the ride with.

The Big Beehive.

Powder-clouds.

With Jean-Louis to Canmore

2009-08-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Sunset

2009-08-21T20:21:00.003-07:00

Warum in die Ferne schweifen?

2009-08-06T19:37:00.003-07:00

Some of my favourite lines:

Erinnerung
Willst du immer weiter schweifen?
Sieh, das Gute liegt so nah.
Lerne nur das Glück ergreifen,
Denn das Glück ist immer da.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Aus der Dreigroschen Oper
Ja, renn nur nach dem Glück
Doch renne nicht zu sehr!
Denn alle rennen nach dem Glück
Das Glück rennt hinterher.
Bertolt Brecht

Both basically say: 'Do not look into distance to find happiness. Happiness is right there where you are.'
I interpret this in the way that they tell us, if one is not able to be happy where one is - if one is not able to be happy with oneself in ones head, than there is no place on earth where one will find happiness regardless how fast and far one might search.

When I left home my mom told me to not forget that one will always bring oneself with one wherever one goes. At first I did not understood. I was not too happy during my last years in Germany. I thought if my surroundings would be different I would act, think, be different.
I thought I would be able to find happiness by running off into the distance.
I did not. I did find contentment at times. But I still wanna run further and further.

Contentment I found always close to the sea, in company of people who accepted my twisted being. Oh, I still wanna run - run until I stop being.

;)

Morning Sun

2009-07-24T18:30:00.002-07:00

It the dawn of a lovely day with my roomie Sarah.

Too early for the falls. It is cold and wet.

They mantel themselves in mystical fog.

It is said that due to forest fires there is a lot of smoke and dust in the air which tints the sunlight.

The sun turns the river to gold.

Hemp in the middle of nowhere.

No it is not of course.

But wouldn't be that entertaining?!

Peyto Lake

2009-07-24T18:13:00.005-07:00

Peyto Lake (pea-toe) is a glacier-fed lake located in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. It was named for Ebenezer William Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area.
The lake is formed in a valley of the Waputik Range, between Caldron Peak, Peyto Peak and Mount Jimmy Simpson, at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,100 ft).[

So pretty!

Us. Oh Sasa, good times!

Magnificent beauty.

Distance. Oh I wanna be there - on and on - somewhere else.

hmmm.

Pretty ey?! Yeah yeah I did play a little with it. ;) Looks like batic or stuff.

Oi. Man weird.

It is sooo cute!!!

Ach.

Bow Lake

2009-07-24T17:55:00.003-07:00

Bow Lake is a small lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies, at an altitude of 1920 m.

Our rental car for the day a Grand Prix.

Drive it. Love it.

Us. Looking good together. ;)

Seuftz.

Yes Baby - just as nice as this pic.

Maybe cut too much around the corner.

Crow Glacier?

Nice.

White headed Eagle - coming!

looks like a nest, ey?!

Moraine Lake

2009-07-24T17:50:00.002-07:00

Herbert Lake - Along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

Picturesque.

See how the lake mirrors the mountains?

Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the Village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet (1,885 m). The lake has a surface area of 0.5 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi).
The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until mid to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinct shade of blue. The color is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis.

True - was here at the end of March and the water level was much lower.

Sarah and I rented a canoe and had a great time discovering the lake from the water side.

Still snow around even though it is a gorgeous day warm nice and everything.

Glaciers and stuff.

Hihihi.

Blue oh so beautiful blue.

A look into the distance.

Moraine Lake II

2009-07-24T17:28:00.004-07:00

Nice.

Chipmunks are small squirrel-like rodents of the genus Tamias.

Wow

So pretty - so typical Canada.

Wanna just jump right in ey?!

Same day but totally different light.

Dusk. Castle Mountain Lookout.

Sun's going down.

Man the sign said 3,7 km. I swear it were at least 5km!

Had to turne around since I started swaying.

Sunset of a glorious day.

Rafting on the Kicking Horse River

2009-07-24T17:07:00.002-07:00

Early off we went to go rafting.

Chuck a kiwi guy and one of the guides who surprised me
by taking a pic of himself without me knowing...

Sarah and I in front of the Canadian Rockies Rafting Bus.

In those boats did we raft the river down.

The river looks pretty tame here. We did grade 2-3 whitewater rafting though.

Down "Shot gun" and "Roller coaster".

Some kajaks which did the same ride...

Columbia Icefield

2009-07-18T18:09:00.004-07:00

The Columbia Icefield is an icefield located in the Canadian Rockies, astride the Continental Divide of North America. The icefield lies partly in the northwestern tip of Banff and the southern end of Jasper National Park. It is about 325 km² in area, 100 to 365 metres (328' to 1,197') in depth and receives up to seven metres (23 ft) of snowfall per year. The icefield feeds eight major glaciers.

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal 'toes' of the Columbia Icefield, located in the Canadian Rockies. Due to global warming, the glacier has receded more than 1.5 km in the past 125 years and lost over half of its volume. It currently recedes at a rate of 2-3 metres per year. The glacier moves down from the icefield at a rate of several centimetres per day. Due to its close proximity to the Icefields Parkway, between the Alberta towns of Banff and Jasper, and rather easy accessibility, it is the most visited glacier in North America. The leading edge of the glacier is within easy walking distance; however, travel onto the glacier is not recommended unless properly equipped. Hidden crevasses have led to the deaths of unprepared tourists.

The group before us.

Our guide Peter. Making sure that this is not our last adventure.

Mt. Athabasca. Plus the other two groups who went up with the same company.

Looking back to the parking Spot. Wow!

George our guide dog. So adorable, so cut and sooo smelly!

A hidden hole in the ice. Good to have a guide out here!

Mt. Andromeda and Mt. Athabasca.

One of the Brewster vehicles going up to their spot.

Have done that too and enjoyed the walk so much more!!!

Wow you literally see the glacier flowing down!

Athabasca Glacier

2009-07-18T17:55:00.004-07:00

One of the little streams coming down the glacier.

One of the holes made to study the glacier.

Ever dreamed to raft down one of the glacier streams? Rather not.
These can go underneath the glacier quite abrupt.

Sarah having a guided closer look into one of the crevasses.

On our way back down.

That's why one does not walks on snow if one happens to be on a glacier.

Sunwapta Falls is a waterfall of the Sunwapta River located in Jasper National Park, Canada.
The falls have a drop of about 18.5 metres. Sunwapta is a native word that means turbulent water.

Wow!

Isn't it a nice one...

Athabasca Falls!

Athabasca Falls

2009-07-18T17:45:00.004-07:00

Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park is just 23 metres high. However, it is not known for its height. Instead it is known for the force of the falling water due to the quantity of water flowing. Even on a cold morning in the fall, copious amounts of water flow over the falls. A layer of hard quartzite has allowed the falls to cut into the softer limestone below carving the short gorge and a number of potholes.

Schaeumend!

The gorge.

Landscape.

Wow - what a big boy. A Black Bear.

The Black Bear (Ursus americanus), also known as the North American black bear or the American black bear is the most common bear species native to North America. In the mid 1990s, the population of black bears was estimated to have grown to between 396,000 and 476,000 in Canada.

HAHAHAHAHA. What a pose!

He is flipping stones looking for goodies!

Scrunch scrunch scrunch. What six cars are looking at me? That can;t bother me...

Woah! Just there! Wild!

Landscape

2009-07-18T17:23:00.004-07:00

Ursus americanus

Pretty, ey?!

Love it or leave it.

Sarah and our Buddy for the day. Ford Taurus - ROCKS!

Looking good?!

A unnamed waterfall I am in love with.

Top Section.

Middle Section.

Sunset.

Dusk.

Icefields Parkway at Dusk

2009-07-17T21:30:00.003-07:00

Coming Down.

Wow.

Wanna jump right in.

Ausklang.

The Icefields Parkway (French Promenade des Glaciers), also known as Highway 93, is a scenic road in Alberta, Canada. It parallels the Continental Divide, traversing the rugged landscape of the Canadian Rockies. It travels through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, linking Lake Louise and Jasper.

Abenddaemerung.

Twilight in the Mountains.

Pretty in pink. ;)

Sunset.

Perfection.

Maybe made it a bit to dark though.

Canada Day - 1st of July

2009-07-04T21:56:00.002-07:00

Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), is Canada's national day, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the 1 July 1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which united Canada as a single country, which was in turn composed of four provinces. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as internationally.

Here a Lady proud in front of her dressed up car.

He shows himself from his best side - honoring the importance of the day.

Maybe.

Took a trip with the Lake Louise Gondola.
Lucky me saw a Grizzly locking for something to drink.

Mr Petzzy schleicht durchs Gebuesch.

Man so glad to sit in a lift! Above.

Yum-yum!

Lake Louise Gondola

2009-07-04T21:40:00.003-07:00

Cruise for fourteen glorious minutes, in an open chair to one of the world's great views!

From the top, at 2088m (6850ft), the spectacular scenery is yours to explore at will.

Snuffling Grizzly in sunlight.

Water! :)

Slurp Slurp Slurp.

Lake Louise in the Distance.

I wish I had a better camera - sometimes.

I love this spot of the world sooo much.

A ground squirrl - squeaking it's heart out.

Oh little fellow - so cute.

Wanna one as a pet!

Being in a posh place treats one to posh views...

Baby - I wanna caress your curves!

Mt. Fairview Lookout

2009-07-04T21:04:00.004-07:00

Took a glorious hike up to Mt. Fairview Lookout today.

Elevation: 1830

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I.

I took the one less traveled...

Ah such difference between a picture and being there.

Astonishing Lake Louise through the trees.

Snow - Snow in July! Right next to the lake.

Ah - ah!

Could look at it all day - but happy I do not have to!

Clouds on the Lake.

The Chateau - one can't skip it.

Blue blue Alberta sky.

Oink Oink - love the cute little sweety!

Brooding sky.

Emerald Lake

2009-06-30T13:03:00.004-07:00

Flowers

2009-06-30T12:57:00.001-07:00

Takakkaw Falls

2009-06-30T12:42:00.003-07:00

My beloved Homies in Lake Louise

2009-06-20T21:53:00.003-07:00

From a recent trip to Banff. Totally in love with a sushi-bar!

While the sushi-chef stands in the middle preparing the food a train with dishes from the menu circles around. Guests sitting in a U can grab what ever appeals to them.

It does not only looks yummy - it is. The plates are colour coded giving you an idea how expensive the dish is you are about to grab.

Shrimp sushi roll for $4.95. Argh wanna be there right now! ;)

Outside the Greyhound-station. Waiting for the bus being bored and take shots of myself.

Serena enjoying her ice cream.

Sarah being naughty. ;)

Having some relaxed drinks around sunset on the balcony.

Sarah fooling around with the glasses.

Serena posing. Wow babe!

John being himself.

Mud Lake

2009-06-20T21:42:00.004-07:00

A couple of Saturdays ago we hiked up to Mud Lake and sat there on a bench enjoying the quiet.

What a gorgeous spot!

And how special to have a Lake at that elevation level.

A look to the left.

A look to the right.

The canu next to the bench.

What a lovely day to be outdoors.

The other day we had two police cars in our parking lot.

A white one and a black one.

The emblem on the side.

Wow - what a slogan. So much more cool than: The police - your friend and helper!

Breathtaking Lake Louise. First time for me to see it unfrozen. Been there this Saturday with Monika.

On our way to Lake Agnes

2009-06-20T21:35:00.003-07:00

On this pic one can slightly see how turquoise and milky the water of Lake Louise is.

Good times.

The Big beehive we have been all the way up to the top - unbelievable.

Mirror Lake - what a nice emerald colour.

One can see the Tea house between the trees. Our aim for the day.

Berge berge berge.

Wet stone. Looks live better. Start to regret the quality of my camera.

A tiny part of a massive waterfall.

A part of the massive fall going down the mountain.

Lake Agnes in all it's icy beauty.

Lake Agnes

2009-06-20T21:20:00.004-07:00

The view from atop the waterfall down to the valley.

Lake Agnes from half way around.

Some pretty and intense green plants.

WOW!

Die Flanke des Berges. Schneebedeckt.

Die kleinen schwarzen Punkte?

Andere Wandere auf ihrem Weg.

The lake on our way up.

Panorama.

Wenn da man jetzt was runter kaeme.

Lake Agnes - sooo beautiful.

I just crawled over this patch of snow.

On all fours hands in the snow.

They nearly freezed of.

Big Beehive

2009-06-20T21:05:00.003-07:00

Lake Agnes from atop the Big Beehive.

Would not have thought I would make it up here.

Do you see how bloody steep that is?!?!?!

But it was so worth it. Beautiful Lake Louise in full view. What a weired colour.

Panorama.

Snow tipped Mountain tops.

An interesting coloured stone on top of beehive.

My personal favourite picture of Lake Louise.

One of the obstacles we had to master on our way down.

Wow - I want it.

Do you see the dark red Van in the background?

Our car... We would munch that show-off down!

Behind the red one his brother in silver.

Road Trip I

2009-06-05T20:46:00.005-07:00

What a Monday! What a 1st of June 2009! Went on a road trip with my housemates.
Best trip ever! Had tons of fun!

Went to Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge.

Serena on the shore of the river.

Sarah being adventurous.

Nature beauty Canada.

Wild water.

Next stop Maureen Lake 14 km from Lake Louise village.

Unfortunately still half frozen and kinda empty -

supposed to be the most amazing place in summer.

Hmm. Drift wood one could name it I guess.

Castle Mountains. Went there next.

Random Lookout.

They are just there.

...

Road Trip II

2009-06-05T20:38:00.004-07:00

Along the Bow River Park Way.

Summers kinda there.

Fooling around.

Johnsons Canyon.

The lower falls.

Raw beauty.

Getting tight. ;)

A-fucking-mazing?!

Minnewanka Lake.

Road Trip III

2009-06-05T20:27:00.005-07:00

We were very lucky with the wildlife too.

First of all it did not got in front of the car.

Second we saw lots.

A black Bear at the beginning of the trip.

And Deer at the end.

They eat and eat and eat - cause the strongest gets the girls.

And then they get tired and take a break.

The buddy of the guy above.

Tja.

Sarah, my roommate. Very earnest here. ;)

The end of a long and great day.

Wow!

One of the highlight was the visit in Banff in a Japanese restaurant.

A train brings the dishes around. Gotta take a pic next time.

Spring.

And then the sun turned red...

Jasper I

2009-06-05T20:09:00.004-07:00

These first pictures are actually from my latest hike up to Lake Louise.

A stone in the creek bed.

Myself next to one of the biggest cars I have encountered so far.

Glorious lake louise.

Wild water.

A squirrel - say Eichhoernchen...

A peak close to the Columbia Ice fields taken on my way to Jasper.

A ancient vehicle the Ice field operators used to bring guests out in.

Reminds of a bug doesn't it?

One of the most glorious moments in Canada so far.

From the bus we see two Black Bears.

Mama bear and Baby Bear on their way to somewhere...

Saskatchewan River Crossing is a place name in western Alberta, Canada. It is located (Banff National Park), at the junction between Icefields Parkway and David Thompson Highway.

It was named "The Crossing", when travellers and fur traders used this spot to cross the North Saskatchewan River on their way to British Columbia in the 1800s.

Jasper II

2009-06-05T19:57:00.003-07:00

So I went on my trip on Thursday.

233km or 4h from LL to Jasper.

What a nice summit.

Random Elks - from the bus.

The female dorm room in Jasper. One big room. 15 bunk beds.

Ergo 30 females AND it was full all three nights.

Gorgeous!
On Saturday my first full day in Jasper I decided to rent a bicycle for the day and
to discover the surroundings.

I thought you only see perfection like this in travel magazines...

Slightly sad, that the beautiful colour of the water does not make it onto the picture.

Out in the wild.

My favourite lake. Lake Annette.

Jasper III

2009-06-05T19:37:00.004-07:00

A pigment in the water coming down from glacier is part of the explanation

for the beautiful blue of the water.

On my trip to Maligne Canyon I had to get off the bike and push it by hand.
Otherwise I might have missed this amazing sight.

MALIGNE CANYON

One of the most spectacular gorges in the Canadian Rockies, sheers limestone walls plunge to depths of over 50 metres. An interpretive trail winds its way from the picnic area across six bridges where you can catch the spray from the thundering Maligne River, or peer into the mossy detphs.

Caught spray here.

Was like mother natures very own AC on a warm summers day.

Two birds nesting in the side wall.

Up to 50 meter depths. Visualise that...

Is enough to have still snow in you pocket even if it is melted everywhere else...

Diamond might be hard. But water is patient. It will get its way. Eventually...

Pyramid Mountain is a mountain in Jasper National Park, Canada named for its pyramid-like shape. James Hector named the mountain in 1859 due to its appearance from the Athabasca River valley on the eastern side of the peak.

Forrest and Mountains . Mountains and Forrest. Forrest and...

Jasper IV

2009-06-05T19:22:00.004-07:00

Not quiet mountain goats since the are white.

But something along those lines.

The school bus of the group of students who where staying at the hostel too.

Remember one room - 30 females. Shared with two different groups...

Blue - oh so blue

The Athabasca River (French: rivière Athabasca) originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. The impressive and scenic Athabasca Falls is located upstream about 30 km (19 mi) from the Jasper townsite.

Man I like the pictures I take. ;)

On Sunday I decided to take the Tramway up the mountain.
It is operated with only two gondolas which can take up to 26 passangers at a time each.
Had still to wait for an hour for my ride...

But it was worth it.
The Gondola station with Pyramid Mountain in the background.
The Upper Station is located at 2277 metres above sea level on Whistlers Mountain.

The Rockies as panorama breathtaking - again and again.

Jasper from Bird perspective.

Jasper V

2009-06-05T19:11:00.004-07:00

My favourite picture of of the lot.

You see the town of Jasper as well as Athabasca River and all Lakes.

Even the ones I did not make it too.

Tibet?

Still covered in snow.

A moon-like seemingly empty place.

With wooden boxes which have a strong resemblance to coffins.

Wow - unfortunately slightly hazy though.

And anons ago the Rocky Mountains where a beach...

One sightseeing train.

Another one.

Do you wanna sing submarine too? ;0)

I decided to take a sightseeing tour back from Jasper to Lake Louise since it is the perfect time and I do not know if I will come back again. Our first stop is Athabasca Falls at 9:30 am.

Jasper VI

2009-06-05T19:01:00.004-07:00

WOW?!

The hazy spray illuminated by the morning sun from behind.
Wat will man mehr? ;)

Cut through the lime stone like butter.

Tumbling depths.

And another mountain goat which is non.

Cheeky little bugger ey? :)

Our bus with driver Richard.

Coming closer to Columbia Infield.

Athabasca Glacier

Jasper VII

2009-06-05T17:12:00.005-07:00

What a day! We had perfect weather.

Even our driver said he recons it was one of the best days of the season.

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal 'toes' of the Columbia Icefield, located in the Canadian Rockies. Due to global warming, the glacier has receded more than 1.5 km in the past 125 years and lost over half of its volume. It currently recedes at a rate of 2-3 metres per year.[1] The glacier moves down from the icefield at a rate of several centimetres per day. Due to its close proximity to the Icefields Parkway, between the Alberta towns of Banff and Jasper, and rather easy accessibility, it is the most visited glacier in North America. The leading edge of the glacier is within easy walking distance; however, travel onto the glacier is not recommended unless properly equipped. Hidden crevasses have led to the deaths of unprepared tourists.

The glacier is approximately 6 km long, covers an area of 6 km², and is measured to be between 90 metres and 300 metres thick.

Jepp the glacier is melting.

See the little 'river' of melt water on the left hand side in the picture.
But even though 60% of the glacier melted, the glacier is only 2% of the mighty Columbia Ice field.

Glaciers are born when snow falls onto of snow year after year without melting. When the snow layer becomes up to 300m thick the lowest layer turns into ice due to the pressure of the layers above.

A special constructed vehicle to operate on the ice safely. Costs up to $1.3 million and only 23 operate worldwide. 22 on the Ice field and one on the north pole.

Ice Ice baby... Ice Age!!!

Tyres big enough to sit in. You get the point?!

mountains formed by wedging glaciers.

One of the first vehicles the operated on the ice.

Yes those guys have come a looong way.

This is the steepest slope in Nothern America which is operated in order to get passengers somewhere... At least that is what they tell you.

Hector Lake is a small glacial lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies.
It is named after James Hector, a geologist and naturalist with the Palliser Expedition.

A special hut next to Bow Lake.

Bow Lake is a small lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies, at an altitude of 1920 m.

Nice.

A trip well worth it.

Train-bend in the Rockys

2009-05-24T19:18:00.003-07:00

My housemates Serena, Jon and I went to this spot which Jon described as beautiful. It was very nice despite the cloudy day even though it appears to be quite dark on the pictures.

Left.

Middle.

Right.

Lucky us. Even a train was coming. Perrrfect.

Like a long snake did it wined its way...

On the train tracks behind the hostel on another day..

Emerald Lake - you understand the name as soon as you see the watercolour.

And in summer it shall be even more impressive.

The kanou-rental at Emerald Lake...

Aleem - the sweetest guy ever!

Natural Bridge

2009-05-24T18:49:00.004-07:00

Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge. An awesome trip with Aleem.

Gorgeous especially seeing it yourself...

Emerald. Pretty ey? :)

Background setting of Natural Bridge.

The Natural Bridge - a natural pass way made out of Limestone.

Formed by the water over century's.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Look's like coloured ey? Streaming away....

The stone of the Bridge - forced apart by the water.

Panorama.

Detail.

Perfection. ;)

Bow River Loop

2009-05-24T18:06:00.005-07:00

Time off :). Did the Bow River loop Trail. 7,5 km along the gentle Bow river.

I love water - definitely going to settle next to a river or ocean.

Water needs to flow - lakes bear to many mysteries...

Standing on a bridge - wondering why the water becomes all play full.

Stones look so beautiful when they are under water/wet.

A mysterious forest. Full of old legends, feries and possibilities.

Look's so dark cause I took it against the sun. Brilliant colours, sparkling water.

A monument - or a big big big pile of dirt - according to Jon.

Wouldn't it be fun to go on a ride over the river - on a thin wire?

Look's cute like it might be great fun in summer exspecially for kids.

It looks like a delicious piece of cake. Beauty luring you in.

Until you are up there in a pristine white world fighting to stay alive.

Weidenkaetzchen - Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring.

Sunlight is illuminating the fluffy things in this pics.

Lines of water. Flows - timeless ageless seeming.

Just behind the hostel I am working at. :0)

Going out for a stroll...

2009-05-05T17:00:00.004-07:00

RULE ONE: Never ever go out the door without your camera...

Still snow on the 02/05/2009...

Green water + icicles = magic.

Looks like a wooden squirrel on a tree trunk....

A iced tree in the Bow River.

Romantic mountain huts... painted in green pink even though not visible here...

A fish carved out of a carrot by one of the cafe chefs. IMPRESSIVE

The entry door of the hostel.

With the Latin motto:

sic itur ad astra = "Thus do we reach the stars".

My workplace in full glory...

... could not decide if I like it better with or without trees...

A birdy on the path.

Lake Louise Skiresort I

2009-05-05T16:36:00.004-07:00

My house. Quite cute isn't it?

Canadian wooden romantic?

During my childhood this sign meant that we made it for the day and reached the destination where we would be able to rest our tired bones
(usually after a looong glorious day of cycling). Now I am working for this organisation and it feels good.

The pretty stone chimney.

One can sit in Billy's Cafe in front of an open fireplace...

The carrot fish from another perspective.

On Saturday Monika from Banff and I went on a trip to discover Lake Louise.

The ski-lift to go up the mountain named Grizzly express.

Look how one can store ones ski's in those clever pouches on the left and right of the vehicle.

The mountain Panorama was worth the $25 for the Gondola.

Gimme more, gimme more...

Perfection. Lake Louise like a gem surrounded by mountains.

Jump up baby and lets go for a ride on my snowmobile.

Lake Louise Ski Resort II

2009-05-05T15:28:00.006-07:00

The sky is my limit.

It never seemed so true.

Another lift - for which you do not have to get out of your ski.

hmmm looks darker than it was.

Another slope to go down.

Detail.

Yay!

The mountains and me.

Same shot without me.

Another day another walk - this time with Serena a chick from work.

Strolling along Bow River.

Checking out my new playground

2009-05-05T15:03:00.005-07:00

Hm pic's got mixed up again - these are both from the trip with Monika and

from the stroll with Serena.

A Jaguar. What beauty.

An employee in the typical uniform bell employees of the Lake Louise Chateau are waring.

Looks like a Bavarian, Have no idea how they cam up with it...

Lake Louise - just about to melt - can't wait to see it liquid!

The opposite mountain ridge. Was sitting on a stone taking a rest.

Sharp contrasts.

We where lazy taking back a Taxi. Had enough after 2.5 hours walking.

The glistering Bow River.

Serena my work colleague.

Similar view - different bridge.

Two rivers joining even though it is hard to see.

Perfect days. But man apart from glorious moments like this.

Life can be very very boring in Lake Louise.

New Home

2009-04-19T16:19:00.004-07:00

Welcome on a trip around my new "home"!

My room is ok. Light and white. My bed - my favourite place ;)

Opposite the little one filled with necessity's and my wardrobe.

The ''funky" bathroom.

Living area. Remember it is staff accommodation...

We come together around the Telly like other generations around the fire...

Kitchen and trophy area ;)

Our house.

Left GM with family.

Right Dinah, Sarah and me upstairs. Donna and Aleem downstairs.

Space for eight in total.

Our garden...

Around the house...

Good view huh?

Trip to Banff

2009-04-19T16:06:00.002-07:00

Detail

Around the house...

The reception of the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre with
Lindsay who trained me after Jesse gave up ;)

The other corner of my new "Schaffensbereich"...

Morning has broken, like the first morning - on my way to the bus 7:30 am.

Morgenroete

Seen from the bus stop.

In Banff before the Gongola base a Bus they use to drive onto the ice fields.

Going up in the Gondola

Banff and it's Mountain

Banff Gondola I

2009-04-19T15:54:00.003-07:00

Banff and surroundings

Banff Gondola.

Being in an Condole myself.

Rocky Mountains

My favourite shot of the lot.

Banff, river and Lake Minnewanka in the distance plus the mountains of course.

Lake Minnewanka

Icy tops

Beauty

Can't get enough of it...

Started with similar one didn't we.

Banff Gondola II

2009-04-19T15:35:00.004-07:00

Blick in die Ferne schweifen lassen...

Summit among Summits

Banff Gondola

Or one can go by foot if one is up to it.

Takes between 1 - 2 hours.

Spiky Shoes recommended.

Forest and Mountains.

Walls around me

Banff and it's signature Mountain.

In die Ferne again.

We walked over to that little hut on top of that Summit.

Breathtaking.

Banff Gondola III

2009-04-19T15:26:00.004-07:00

Yeah - I am sure I took some views twice. ;)

But Wow?!

Eisige Ewigkeit.

Endlessly on and on and on

And again.

My uncle Kalle lives in Berlin.

My Mom not too far away from that maybe another 300km...

Yay - it's me

Clowning abound in the Souvenir Shop...

Wow - Banff can be posh.

And soooooooo sexy!

Not so sexy - but reliable.

The only connection between Lake Louise and civilisation.

3 times a day.

Incomprehensible

Calgary

2009-04-13T18:38:00.003-07:00

So I got a job deep deep in the Mountains.

And I decided to shop some essentials before burring myself...

Logical step to go to Calgary for a day.

Appreciate the little white arrows. Just in case you might get lost.

If you are not nice to me

I call my big brother Ford!

Magnificent!

Gaense! Mitten in der Stadt!

Looks a bit like painted dosn't it?

Studioaufnahme - Mom?! ;)

Weites Land.

Tucked in between some Mountains - something ugly.

Dramatic?

Dark?

Twilight?!

On the move from Banff to Lake Louise

2009-04-13T18:32:00.003-07:00

That's not a picture that's art.

;)

Had a play with the functions of my photo-program.

A 'Canadian' house in Banff.

A Totem pole in front of the museum in Banff.

The bloody beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains.

A snap along the way.

The pic was not one of my best - so just a cut of it.

A mammoth of mountain.

Castle Mountains - but being on the bus - not as magnificent the pic as the other day.

A doughnut (donut) cloud. :D

Yay wanna tuck right in... ;)

Panorama picture of the waterfall at Lake Louise.

Lake Louise

2009-04-13T18:01:00.002-07:00

My second day at work and Easter Sunday. John and I decided to go for a lovely walk to beautiful Lake Louise. Or so we thought. Instead it was a bloody hike. 5km each way plus some random km to get to the magnificent waterfall. Not that it was not worth it. But... I regret, that I did not took a picture of the tunnel we went through. A metal circle with frozen water on the ground - like a boot camp...

The 'arena' hugged by clouds.

The waterfall - like lace - like icing sugar - like ... a waterfall! ;)

Wow?!

The rouged mountains left to the arena.

Lake Louise with the The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the ski hill in behind.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The view through one of the windows.

Don't they look like two Trapper or Cowboys in the dusk after a long hard day setting up camp.

Detail of the carpet of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

One of the inhabitants of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. :)

Walk along Banffs river

2009-04-06T21:41:00.003-07:00

Yo it was Sunday and Monika and I decided to take a day off and actually enjoy the beauty we are surrounded by:

The River - still mainly frozen.

That is Canada. Mountain and forest and River and Snow.

A squirrel (Eichhoernchen). Man the little fellow was so much fun. Running to the water, running from it running back, taking a dip and kept running. I would have too - all wet. hahaha

Shall I or shall I not?!

Just looking adorable cut. (You can zoom by clicking on the picture.)

Nature.

Postcard perfect.

The Train Station.

Johnston Creek

2009-04-06T21:29:00.004-07:00

Taken on a walk along a river in Banff.

Love Icicles.

Johnston Creek is a tributary of the Bow River in western Alberta, Canada.It originates in the glacial valleys of Banff National Park at the feet of Cascade Mountain, and flows through a series of gorges with seven cascades to the confluence with Bow River, south of Castle Mountain, between Banff and Lake Louise.

Cascades all frozen right now.

So we went for a walk through this amazing creek and the snow on the path was frozen. It was like a ice slope at many places. Real hard work to get along. All the clever tours and locals had little metal constructions under their shoes to be able to walk. We enjoyed the sliding.
And without railing I would have slid right into the creek at one point.

A frozen Waterfall which is still falling behind the ice on top.

The pretty colour of the water. All the minerals in the stone don't you know...

Wow! Were the dark part is came the spray of the fall in little clouds out. magic.

Detail right corner.

Panorama!

On our way to Lake Louise

2009-04-06T21:11:00.004-07:00

Still in Johnston Creek.

How the trees manage to make a living on the tiniest space of bare Rock is amazing.

Castle Mountain - one can see where the name is from can one?!

A typical Canadian mountain Lodge.

Detail of Castle Mountain.

Lake Louise Town.

Same from the other side of the bridge.

Mountains surrounding Lake Louise.

Yeah - stuffed in the Tourist Information.

Dito.

Run everybody RUN! ;)

Lake Louise

2009-04-06T20:56:00.004-07:00

The main attraction of our trip. Lake Louise.

Icicles hanging from the roof of the Wash room house.

Lake Louise is named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and the wife of the Marquess of Lorne, who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883.
The emerald colour of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. The lake has a surface of 0.8 km² (0.3 sq mi) and is drained through the 3 km long Louise Creek into the Bow River.
The eastern shore of the lake is dominated by Chateau Lake Louise, one of Canada's grand railway hotels, a luxury resort hotel built in the early decades of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

It looks like a giant shell or fan doesn't it?!

The obligatory "Shall I take a picture of you too?"

A M A Z I N G !

The Lake Louise Ski field.

The Gondola $25 to go up and down. I would have done it - not so my companions...

Cut out the car park in front - hahaha.

Wow - what else can one say. It is just so indescribable beautiful.

...

Emerald Lake

2009-04-06T20:40:00.004-07:00

Emerald Lake is a lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. The lake is enclosed by mountains of the President Range, as well as Mount Burgess and Wapta Mountain. There is a 5.1 km trail circuiting the lake.

The Emerald Lake Lodge sits at the edge of the lake.

The President I belive...

Just enjoying the setting.

Lake Minnewanka ("Water of the Spirits" in Nakota - the Stoney Indian language) is a glacial lake located in the eastern area of Banff National Park in Canada, about five kilometres northeast of the Banff townsite. The lake is 28 km long and 142 m deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies (the result of a power dam at the west end).

Frozen Ocean.

Majesty - the only way to describe things around here.

Looks like a piece of meat to me. Meat with fat. Wired ey?!

Under the trees are Picnic benches...

My one and only true love.

It is melting.

Banff II

2009-04-04T16:28:00.003-07:00

The hostel with Ice wall. Kind of the only nice side I could find of it.

Argh - the wind was just not coming like I needed it.

Don't know why I took that one...

Another one of 'Bonzo'.

Perfection.

Tja ne schwarz weisse gell?! ;)

Looks like an active volcano with that fog -

but I belive it to be an ordinary mountain with a cloud caught on top.

A bit closer.

I think he is like the 'Bonzo' among the mountains in Banff.

Pic's fresh from today.

Canmore

2009-04-04T16:25:00.001-07:00

In Banff in the hostel I met a girl I know from Vancouver. She is 21 and came over with an organisation. She went from Vancouver to Whistler and from there to Banff. We are both looking for a job here and it is really nice to have a partner to do things with together.

So we went to Canmore to check out the job opportunity's over there.

Between 10 -12 is the best time to take pic's like this one shows.

Love the house it looks so pretty with all those natural stones.

The Rocky bloody Mountains. Can't comprehend that I am really here.

Canada - rural Canada. Nice one.

Pretty as a picture ;)