Road trip to Canada
December 18-January 3
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Gas mileage and trip statistics

Road trip to Canada for Christmas. On the way, we stopped at Bend, OR for a couple of days, skiing at Mt Bachelor, checking out the Deschutes pub (some of my favourite beers), and stopping by at Smith Rock state park. The skiing was great with 16" of fresh snow overnight, and the hike at Smith Rock was gorgeous due to the fresh snow the following day. From there, we mostly drove straight, which was tricky due to the storm (we spent a night in Sandpoint, ID).

In Calgary, we ate a lot of amazing food and enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures! Also managed 3 days of ice: Evan Thomas, Bourgeau Left (with Hedd-wyn), and Grotto Canyon.

The drive south started tough, with a snow storm following us south into Montana. Slow but solid... more excitement than necessary due to a Subaru design issue with the 2005-2009 models which I still need to address... thankfully we didn't end up in the ditch because of it. We wanted to climb in Hyalite Canyon near Bozeman, but the -20 F temperatures reduced it to a small hike before we continued to Jackson, WY. Again, frigid temperatures cut that part of the trip short, and we continued to Salt Lake City, where there was a big New Year's Eve party downtown. Who said that people in Salt Lake don't party? There was even alcohol sold! The next morning we headed to Alta for some decent skiing in one of the cooler resorts around.

On Sunday we had no choice but to head back, unfortunately. It was the longest day of driving yet, but was very straightforward due to clear roads through Nevada.

  Roads near Bend, Oregon That's how we roll in Canada Snow angels!  
  Roads near Bend, Oregon That's how we roll in Canada Snow angels!

  Smith Rock after fresh snow  
  Smith Rock after fresh snow

   
 

   
 

   
 

  The only climbers at Smith that day.. lowering off a 5.12 Better roads Highway 1 out of Calgary  
  The only climbers at Smith that day.. lowering off a 5.12 Better roads Highway 1 out of Calgary

  Evan Thomas creek Melissa on the hike in Moonlight, Snowline (center), and 2Low for Zero missing  
  Evan Thomas creek Melissa on the hike in Moonlight, Snowline (center), and 2Low for Zero missing

  Starting up Snowline, with a party rappelling down Moonlight  
  Starting up Snowline, with a party rappelling down Moonlight

  Rappelling down Snowline, the thinner of the two Mt Kidd, with Kidd Falls visible lower left Saw this climb on the drive to Kananaskis Lakes. Not sure which one it is/if it's climbed  
  Rappelling down Snowline, the thinner of the two Mt Kidd, with Kidd Falls visible lower left Saw this climb on the drive to Kananaskis Lakes. Not sure which one it is/if it's climbed

  Zoomed out to show the mountain on which that ice vein is... Upper Kananaskis Lake  
  Zoomed out to show the mountain on which that ice vein is... Upper Kananaskis Lake

  Cascade as seen from downtown Banff Bourgeau Left, upper pitches Sunshine parking lot from Bourgeau Left  
  Cascade as seen from downtown Banff Bourgeau Left, upper pitches Sunshine parking lot from Bourgeau Left

  The first two pitches of Bourgeau Left, on our descent  
  The first two pitches of Bourgeau Left, on our descent

  On the way to Grotto Canyon Ancient art in the canyon  
  On the way to Grotto Canyon Ancient art in the canyon

  The abysmal shape of His On His  
  The abysmal shape of His On His

  Melissa scratching up the lower section of His  
  Melissa scratching up the lower section of His

  Starting up His, Grotto Canyon. Photos by Dave  
  Starting up His, Grotto Canyon. Photos by Dave

  Hiding :)  
  Hiding :)

  Almost on the ice On Hers  
  Almost on the ice On Hers

  Very kicked out... The mixed route on the left  
  Very kicked out... The mixed route on the left

  Melissa drytooling the left side (M7?) Driving back through Montana - white knuckled action...  
  Melissa drytooling the left side (M7?) Driving back through Montana - white knuckled action...

  Kite skiing on Hyalite reservoir near Bozeman, MT - looks like fun! Driving to the Hyalite trailhead after some fresh snow  
  Kite skiing on Hyalite reservoir near Bozeman, MT - looks like fun! Driving to the Hyalite trailhead after some fresh snow

  Happy at -25 C  
  Happy at -25 C

  Ice in the distance... Lots of snow...  
  Ice in the distance... Lots of snow...

  Hitting the road to West Yellowstone  
  Hitting the road to West Yellowstone

  Beautiful mountain homes near West Yellowstone  
  Beautiful mountain homes near West Yellowstone

  Downtown Jackson Jackson bears are friendly  
  Downtown Jackson Jackson bears are friendly

  Tetons in the far distance.. Jackson Hole ski resort More beautiful driving through Idaho  
  Tetons in the far distance.. Jackson Hole ski resort More beautiful driving through Idaho

  The best rest area ever! Bear Lake rest area view :) New Year's Eve party in downtown SLC  
  The best rest area ever! Bear Lake rest area view :) New Year's Eve party in downtown SLC

  Alta: NO Snowboards! Alta  
  Alta: NO Snowboards! Alta

  The most exciting thing on the drive back from Salt Lake to SF...  
  The most exciting thing on the drive back from Salt Lake to SF...

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