My last day in Fernie (until next November) was hanging out with the Wednesday hiking crew. Today’s hike was up to the top of Frank’s Slide – this is the site of Canada’s most lethal natural disaster.
Frank’s Slide happened in 1903 and my hiking buddy Frank looks about the right age and he seemed a little ‘guilty’ up there. I wonder if Frank is the reason they call it Frank’s Slide?
This is Frank again, I think I heard him say “Ow, what a mess i made.”
In the 116 years since, Frank married Peg and I hope they have a great trip to Russia and China next month. And I’ll see them skiing next winter.
The hike up Turtle Mountain was tough and my favourite hike so far in Canada. Here is the crew half way up.
Team summit photo.
Half way up my skiing buddy Lee and I went over to the edge and looked into Frank’s Slide. Lee skied 100 days last winter and we are both used to some pretty amazing views and high vistas but when we peeked over the edge we both said “WOW”.
Our hiking mate Dallas, who doesn’t say much, was even more speechless than usual.
We bagged Turtle Mountain a little quicker than we thought so we got to have a ‘bonus hike’ on the way home. I’m not going to mention the name of these waterfalls, because I am going to keep them a secret.
I can’t describe how gorgeous this was.
Of course there was a waterfall…. I told Frank (from Frank’s Slide) that I’d go for a shower but I didn’t have a towel. He told me he had a towel. Darnit!!!!! He called my bluff.
Every Gaggle (I couldn’t find a better agglomerate) of hiking mates needs a fearless leader, and ours is Terry.
Terry has a deputy, his name is Paul. Paul is pretty awesome as well and is responsible for most of the awesome photos I’ve had this summer.
As the storm clouds rolled in, we headed back to Fernie. Left to right: Frank (from Frank’s Slide), 100 Day Lee, Fearless Leader Terry, Peggy the Invincible, Chatty Cathy Dallas and just old me on the far right.
