Bannf

Banff is a relatively compact town nestled amongst spectacular mountain peaks. It also claims to be the highest town in Canada, for its size

We have two full days in Banff, and both look to be very full-on days with little in the way of downtime to wander around and explore. Perhaps this isn't the best approach to getting to know somewhere

It feels an early start to get our 08:00 pickup on our first morning. It's probably worth it, as by 9 am we're being whisked 2,000 feet up nearby Sulphur Mountain in a small cable car. Vera has managed to lose her voice, and seems to be developing a sore throat. She feels quite knocked out. 

The views from the top of the surrounding mountains quite awe inspiring, especially when you consider that this range stretches for over 3,000 miles

I walk along to the nearby Sanson peak, the location of a weather station and cosmic ray station

Looking back at the cable car station complex. This has actually been done very well and had an interesting exhibition on the early exploration and development of the National Park

There were some mountain sheep at the top, but they had scuttled away before we could get sight of them

Then we had to get the cable car back down to continue our trip. Saw some grazing elk at the bottom

We were then taken to the rather picturesque gardens at the National Park centre in Banff. 15 minutes to look around

Then to Bow Falls 20 minutes. It was beginning to feel like a rapid tour of the top Instagram locations in the area

We are treated to a very nice buffet lunch in the centre of Banff, and took the opportunity to visit a nearby drugstore for a collection of various cold and sore throat remedies.

Then 15 minutes to view the Hoodoos, some interestingly shaped rocks, just visible in the bottom right of the picture

The tour highlight was billed as a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. This involved a 25 minute journey out into the lake, drifting in silence for a while, and then 25 minutes back. It did seem somewhat pointless 

The drifting in silence, just the wind on the water, was very nice and close up views of the towering mountain faces were also good

Our hotel has two hot tubs, which are very relaxing. Just gentle hot water and no wild air and water jets

Vera was not up to venturing to downtown Banff, so we eat outside in the sunshine at a nearby hotel.

Day two is an even earlier 07:30 pickup, and Vera will not benefit from an 11 hour coach trip. Instead we have a leisurely breakfast and Vera is going to have a recovery day. I look at what options I have

I quite fancy a walk up the nearby Tunnel Mountain. It seems straightforward enough, though the advice from Parks Canada is to take bear spray in case of an encounter. I always think that Parks Canada is over alarmist about bears, but it is good to engender a healthy respect for these wild animals. My research tells me that in the last 10 years there have been three recorded encounters with grizzly bears in Banff National Park, all non fatal. 

So I decide to take my chances

There is a very good and clear path up the mountain 

with great views out 

in many directions 

There is a constant stream of walkers, and many different nationalities. This was the only bear-ready person I saw. He was carrying a bell to alert bears to his presence, and his bear spray was within a two second quick draw reach

A day out in Banff would not be complete without its social media moment, here in the form of an Instagram collie-dog

A very nice summit area. At 1,692m (5,551 feet), I have ascended my first, and possibly last, Rocky Mountain summit! 

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