BAMFs in BANFF

Trip Region: Canada
Country(ies): Canada
Partners Trek? No
Cost: $1800
Airfare Estimate: $600
Structure: 1   •   Lodging: 2   •   Nightlife: 2   •   Activity: 4

Do you love the great outdoors? Then this is definitely THE Mtrek for you. This trip will take you hiking through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Banff National Park and Alberta’s Kananaskis Country. We’ll warm-up with day-hikes through amazing mountain scenery, exploring turquoise lakes and massive glaciers while returning to the cozy towns of Banff and Canmore each night. The second leg of our journey is a hike across the Wapta Icefields, a series of gentle icefields that stretch for miles across the Great Divide of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll stay in well-equiped alpine huts en-route like true mountaineers and guided by experts who’ll show us this complex and majestic environment up close. The trek will end with a day to explore the city of Calgary. So, if you want to be immersed in natural wonder and burn a couple thousand calories join us on this unforgettable journey!

Day 1 — Friday, Aug 28

Depart Ann Arbor for Calgary. Arrive in Calgary and immediately transfer to town of Banff

Day 2 — Saturday, Aug 29

Meet up with guides and start of the first day-hike that will take us through the Banff area. We'll visit great sites like Cory and Edith Pass, Aylmer Lookout, Bourgeau Lake/Harvey Pass, Healy Pass, and Stanley Glacier. After the day-hike we'll return to Banff for dinner and fun in town.

Day 3 — Sunday, Aug 30

The second day of day hikes will be through the Canmore/Kananaskis Area which includes hiking to the Ha-Ling Peak, Grassi Lakes, Yamnuska Shoulder, Chester Lake, Highwood Pass. The day will end with dinner and relaxing back in Banff.

Day 4 — Monday, Aug 31

Today's activities will include rock climbing (real rocks, and none of that amateurish climbing wall stuff) and some free exploration of the area's endless natural beauty. At the end of the day, we will be moving to the neighboring town of Canmore for the start of our ice hike the next day.

Day 5 — Tuesday, Sep 01

This will be the first day of our Wapta Ice Hike. This leg of the trek will take us through a series of vast but gentle ice fields that stretch for miles across the Great Divide of the Canadian Rockies. Standing on an ice field is like being on the ocean where you'll quickly get a sense for the vastness of the glacier. Jagged peaks pop out of the ice to stand 10,000 plus feet above sea level adding to the surreal experience. We will spend the night at Bow Hut, located right on the shoulder of the Bow Glacier. Located at 2350m the hut has magnificent views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

Day 6 — Wednesday, Sep 02

The second day of the ice hike will be mostly downhill as we make our way down Bow Glacier to arrive at the flat expanse of the Wapta Ice Field. We will be hiking on the glacier wearing harnesses and roped to each other for maximum safety and maximum group bonding! We'll spend the night at Peyto Hut, which is located in a fantastic spot that give us panoramic views of the surrounding glaciated peaks.

Day 7 — Thursday, Sep 03

On the final day of the ice hike we will descend off of the Peyto Glacier. This route will give us the unique chance to see the effects of global warming first hand as the glacier is in full retreat. Our trek today will end at the turquoise Peyto Lake. We will return to Canmore and spend the night in town.

Day 8 — Friday, Sep 04

Today we'll move to the city of Calgary for our final day. We can explore the city and get some much deserved raging in during the evening.

Day 9 — Saturday, Sep 05

Travel back to Ann Arbor