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Banff National Park

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 4:39 pm
by etai101
hello all.
so im flying to BC in June never been there before but form things ive heard banff seems like a perfect choice for all kinds of activities.
i would like to know if any one could recommend all the alternatives for recreation in banff and how to get around to them.
i have essentially 5 days to get dirty in the wild.
if anyone knows of good trekking routs which go up to a high view point(walk up summit 3rd class) a few times and centers around water so i could get some fly fishing and kayaking done that would be perfect.
also any good literature you could recommend and just in general how much should i expect to spend for something like this in a ball park.

thank you i wouldn't know who else to ask.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:58 pm
by Dow Williams
BC (British Columbia) and Banff are two different locations in western Canada. Banff is located in the province of Alberta. Not far from BC which is split from Alberta by the Continental Divide, but if you are flying into the coast of BC, then it is a bit far.

Canmore is where you want to fly fish or at least hook up in that direction in terms of beta, equipment, guides, etc. Rules and regulations vary greatly within the National Parks versus Provincial Parks and designated wilderness areas.

Kananaskis Country (a very large Alberta provincial park system) is where the local river kayaking is if you are into anything above class 3. The Bow River is mostly just a nice canoe trip, whether from Lake Louise to Banff or Banff to Canmore. Lake Louise to Canmore, running an interesting waterfall in Banff, would make for one very fascinating (but short) moment.

Any of Alan Kane's easy scrambles in his most excellent scrambles guide book, covering Waterton National Park to Jasper, should give you solid class 3 objectives to ponder. Most of what he calls moderates to difficult can easily lead to sections of 4th and 5th class, ice, bears, etc.

Enjoy.

thx for the beta but..

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:21 pm
by etai101
i was wrong to say the im coming to BC i was aiming to banff thats why i labeled the message with the name of the park.
it seems to have it all plus yoho is very close i just got my geography wrong
im going to a wedding in Vancouver than i was planing on catching a flight to banff either way close or not.
i know there are many places to look at in the area but banff is a good choice and worth the trip plus how can i find out about a place with you sugesting other palces instead thats the only way not to make an informed chioce.
any pertinent info will be greatly appreciated.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:32 pm
by Bill Kerr
Easiest to fly from vancouver into Calgary and then rent a car and drive to Banff. Canmore, Kananaskis, Lake Louise, etc that Dow mentions are all close to Banff and have lots to do. Just google and investigate the endless possibilities.

Re: thx for the beta but..

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:16 pm
by James_W
Why would you deny yourself the drive from Vancouver to Banff? on the drive you would pass many of the great mountain towns in Canada and see ranges other than the Rockies.

North of Vancouver is Squamish the outdoor recreation capitol of Canada.

If you are headed to the Banff area go to Canmore, it has more to offer.

that would be great

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:24 pm
by etai101
if only i had the time