CDT + GDT: BANFF / CANMORE TO Field / Golden – Reach the midpoint of the GDT

Reference 33 | Banff / Canmore in Sunshine Valley to Field / Golden

Day 130, 20.5 miles.

In the morning, the field marshal took me back to the path and began to go north again through the Banff field. This area is super popular and these were the first camps that I reserved in January. They left in minutes, which was a problem for me because I had to reserve several itineraries for different steps that passed through this area. In the Parks Canada Reserve System, I had to consult each «trip» and pay the parking lot on each path before re -reserving another superimposed itinerary with a different name, at which time everything was reserved. I don’t need to stay in the prettiest camp; I hardly spend hours of vigil in the camp. But sometimes the most beautiful camp is also the exact mileage that I hope to be doing that day and then I am in trouble. All these reserve systems are intended for regular park users who have cars and are out only a few days at the same time. In the field I saw many children with their parents, which I think is great. What a gift to give your children, a love for the outdoors. The earth will keep them and take care of them. In the afternoon, some climate passed and I waited for the heaviest rain under a thick trees. I think it is curious that we say it like that: as if the sunny climate were the default value and the «rolling climate» means a storm. He reminded me at once in a car with some non -native English speakers. We were listening to classical Colombian music. «This is a very emotional song,» he said. In my head I thought, that’s strange, it sounds happy. And then I realized: happiness is an emotion. Like the sunny weather is also the weather. We believe that happiness is the default value and sadness is bad. But everything is natural. The storm comes and goes. Thus, each feeling also passes.

Day 131, 20.9 miles.

This morning I gave a three -plates breakfast. He had fried potatoes and tuna with olive oil and a bar. I had slept on the side of the road for the fifth time this year, so I was near a path with a garbage can and wanted to get rid of as much packaging as possible. I entered today in the rockwall area in the Kootenay National Park field. What really surprised me was how much glaciers have been reduced here. The topo maps I use date back to the land surveys conducted in the 1960s, and the glaciers marked on my map are remarkably larger than I can see now. You can see the impressive terminal moraine that hints at what used to be its ancient glory. They have been reduced both in my parents’ life and who knows how many will remain for the next generation to observe with Wonder. Fusion rates have doubled between 2021 and 2024 compared to even the previous decade and scientists think that 95% of these glaciers will disappear within my life. It is difficult to imagine a number, but for me, standing there in the huge mass of rocks between the terminal moraine that was the old glacier limit versus the little thing perched on the rock wall: it is clear. This accelerated fusion is not natural and will not only return to a few winters. The feedback loop is already moving. He is gone. You better come to see it now.

If you have ever walked in a forest after the sun has occurred, it will notice microclimates. It is very cold next to a current or in an open meadow, but it will be undeniably warmer in a group of trees. For me on a small scale it is how I choose where to sleep. But on a larger scale: every year we reduce forests around the world equal to the size of Portugal to leave space for corn to feed cattle. Every year we burn enough fossil fuels to melt 150 billion metric tons of ice in Antarctica. We continue losing stabilizing forces in the climate of our land. Little Pika with her beautiful squeaks has moved further and higher in the mountains as the earth is heated and will soon be higher for them. And people still think that climate change is something he can choose not to believe.

Day 132, 26 miles in Golden Via Field.

I left the rockwall area today and went down along the valley to Trans Canada 1. On the way I heard ice and rock fall and I saw some really impressive waterfalls due to the sharp face of the rock cliff. It is a reminder that the mountains are dynamic and living. I saw many people to spend the night and some of them wore bear bells, which I think is fun. They are completely useless. It is much more effective and it is lighter to use your voice. At this point, we are not part of nature that our voices really stand out. Once I listened to a podcast called Everything is Alive that interviewed inanimate objects. One presented an elevator named Ana. «What is your dream, Ana?» The host asked. «I would like to be in a forest,» he said. «An elevator in the forest,» the host repeated. This is how I feel we are here. As out of place as an elevator would be. I arrived at the road early at night. I guess there are not many places for a car to cross the Canadian rock mountains, so this road is very busy. On the way I met Kiorie, who is receiving me tonight. She took my backpack so that I could light the remaining path in the field. Kiorie works for Dan Durston, who makes my posts. I also have one of their tents, which are very popular among hikers for a good reason. Durston Gear is based on the nearby Golden, BC, and does all his tests in the Canadian rock mountains. In general, I prefer to support artisanal team companies when making team decisions, often because they are made by people who designed them with their own experiences in mind. Nothing is useless that is there to placate the inexperienced masses. Having knowledge and skills often overcome more characteristics and equipment. This will be my last shower and laundry to Jasper.

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