Jasper/Banff: OK to solo?
John Agosta
of August, and early September. Question I have is is it safe to do
this alone? I am an experienced backpacker, and know the basics of
bear avoidance, but are the basics not enough in this area? Thus far,
I have been told not to go solo in this area. If this is true, does
anyone know how to hook up with other packers? Please don't recommend
an outfitter. It's pretty ridiculous to pay $100/day for something
I can do for $10-15/day.
Thanks,
--
John Agosta
ago...@fc.hp.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond G. Siemens
in Jasper/Banff, but I do recall that people there were typically very
friendly; a friend of mine who used to travel to Banff and the Kananaskis
(just east of Banff area) says it wouldn't be uncommon at all to hook up
with a group and hike with them for a while, if you got along, were
polite, etc. Also, there are spots around both towns where hikers tend
to congregate as they go in / out of the backcountry; you could check
around there to see if anyone is heading the same way as you.
Robert Lindsay
suggestions :
i have done a great deal of solo backpacking/hiking in jasper and banff.
never had any problems with bears or people ( one exception i posted last week).
it is not too unusual to 'hook up' with others on the same trail either
if all are so inclined.
also: both parks have a registration service for solo backpackers and others
involved in risky activities. you simply tell them where you will be
going and estimated dates of leaving and arriving back.
WARNING : once having registered you MUST de-register before the ETA
back. failure to do so, or even forgetting, may result in a criminal
mischief charge - as well as being forced to pay for the search and
rescue operation launched on your behalf. that could be a very
expensive proposition.
another good bet : stay at some area hostels. there are lots in both
parks and it not that uncommon to meet others interested in the
same trails.
good luck!
opinions are my own.........................................................
John Marsh
Note that you may well get some snow in late Aug/Sept. especially at
higher altitudes. Park staff will encourage you to go with others for
safety reasons. However, I have hiked solo in Banff and had no problems
when I stayed on marked trails.
Rob Ridley!
> Just a few thoughts ... It has been a few years since I've been hiking
> in Jasper/Banff, but I do recall that people there were typically very
> friendly; a friend of mine who used to travel to Banff and the Kananaskis
I am a Park Ranger in Kananaskis Country. Many people that I encounter
are hiking solo. I am not aware of any problems that anyone has
encountered with other solo hiking safety. Dorks seem to stick to the
roads. We do get occasional cooler theft etc. in the car camping
campgrounds, and we have had problems with vehicle break-ins at
trailheads. It seems that a huge number of hikers leave purse/wallet in
the glove box or trunk. Don't do it. Leave it at home or put it in your
pack.
For the record, arrests have been made in relation to the incidents in our
area, and the problem has not ocurred since.
Rob Ridley, Cochrane, Alberta
***** Support your right to Arm Bears *****
Shae Hanford
far away. There's a youth hostile next to the Columbia icefields which I have
stayed in, & there are always a number of solo's staying there. I seem to
recall also a hostile run perhaps by the Canadian alpine Club between Calgary &
Jaspar. In Jaspar, you can get an overnight room at Hans Schwartz' house, if
he and his wife are still letting out rooms. He runs (is) the Jaspar Climbing
School.
MLS, Online,13 gigs, (14) 28.8 lines 716-454-5555
Ed Oswalt
John Agosta <ago...@fc.hp.com> wrote:
>I'm planning on backpacking in the Banff/Jasper area the latter part
>of August, and early September.
I'm going to the International Computer Music Conference in Banff Sept 3-7.
I'll be in the YWCA nights of Sept 2-6.
I'm in a similar boat as you, John: I'd like to backpack (it would have to be
right AFTER the conference), but am concerned about Grizzlies, crevases and
rutting Elk. I've backpacked lots in CA, and should be in fine form
by Sept.
I read the answers to the post you made; they seem pretty interesting.
It might be good for use to talk about a little trip if my timing
works for you.
We could just do lunch some day in Banff to see if it would work out OK.
I'll have backpacking stuff, incl stove, tent, and even ice axe and
crampons (How safe ARE those glaciers??) with me up there. Oh yeah,
and my car too.
_______________________________________________________________________
Ed Oswalt osw...@netcom.com Middletown, CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi! I'm a signature virus ... copy me to your signature, pleeeease
Robert Lindsay
see the followup to Uwe Haag's post for weather info.
i've been soloing the canadian rockies for years and have had no
problems with either elk, grizzlies, or crevasses.
elk are quite mild creatures, but every season the tourons decide to
test their boundaries by trying to get as close as possible. results :
elk 1, tourons 0, as the human gets a few antler points in their
backsides.
moose are also quite placid creatures, but a bull in rut can be very
dangerous. fortunately, they are not that common in either banff or
jasper.
grizzlies : you will be very lucky to even see one on the trail.
nonetheless, take all the proper bear precautions - especially with
regards to food and garbage - and there shouldn't be any problems.
if you are still uncertain, pepper spray can be bought in banff or
jasper. but be very careful with this stuff : its possession seems
to be tolerated in the backcountry only and attempting to cross
the international border either entering or leaving has caused a
lot of people problems. contact the RCMP in canada for more info
on pepper spray if you intend to buy it here.
crevasses : is this backpacking on trails or mountaineering?
all trails in banff and jasper are built to a pretty high
standard. jasper all the more so as they have upgraded their
backcountry facilities very nicely. expect nice trails, bear-poles
in most campsites, bridges over river crossings, and fire facilities.
banff, on the other hand, has pretty much left their backcountry in
a primitive state ( the dayhike trails, however, are very well done ).
this means, in most places, no bridges, bearpoles, or campsites.
there are no park maintained trails on any glaciers. WARNING :
every year people foolishly venture out onto glaciers with no or
little training or proper equipment. every year some of these
people do not live to tell of their experiences.
going onto a glacier, even under sunny conditions close to places
where there are lots of people, is a very dangerous undertaking.
hidden cracks and crevasses are common.
let's take care out there.
opinions are my own...................................................