Yelping Red Foxes - Camping - August 2 - 6, 2016

Whether one has a good time camping depends on two things. The weather and the company. Fortunately for the red foxes the company was even more pleasant than the warm sunny weather we experienced for the last five days. Before we get into the weather we need to head to August 2nd to see where our foxes began their journey through the rockies.August 2nd 8:00 AM. Some students awoke before their alarms, filled with excitement and nervousness. For some had camped before, but none had been to the rocky mountains. The morning consisted of packing and cleaning the apartments. With precise efficacy the students packed their bags and cleaned the floor to a level that was cleaner than when they arrived. The students teamed up with the teachers in an effort to load the truck. Food, luggage, tents, sleeping bags and other fun stuff was loaded on the truck, everyone hoping nothing was forgotten and left behind.11:30 AM The students returned to the 8th floor to listen to a talk about bears and camping safety.Once they were informed of the proper protocols the students went down to the 3rd floor to enjoy their final meal at the happy hut. Once they finished their meals, they went to the bathroom and hopped on the bus. Little did they know they would not see indoor plumbing for the next five days.The bus ride was a short hour and a half. In that time the students saw more mountains than they knew existed. As the bus arrived they were greeted by a patron of the campsite. A moose 2 metres tall weighing about 400 kilograms, occupied the site. After a brief stare down the moose departed the premises without further issue. The students formed one of the world's largest assembly lines and unloaded the truck in 8 minutes and 15 seconds. Nearly kissing the Wynchemna record, but losing by 37 seconds. They quickly assembled their tents and put away their clothes. As the kids explored the campsite, they grew hungry. Without prompting, students asked to help make dinner by tens. The first meal was chicken souvlaki with spring rolls and salad. As the students ate it rained ironically. They would not be able to shower for the next 5 days, but if they chose they could be washed by nature. They all chose not to and took shelter in the cookhouse. Soon the other camp arrived and what was once a peaceful campsite was now filled with laughter and excitement. The first night ended around the campfire.August 3rd 9:00 AM. The students awoke relatively early, in order to coordinate cooking with the other group. As the first students awoke, they slowly joined the breakfast team and prepared french toast, or as they say in France simply just toast. The kids devoured the french toast in preparation for the ascent that awaited them. They left the campsite in the direction of Galatea mountain. When they arrived they gathered around the back of the bus. They were given out jukeboxes and fruit, as last minute fuel. Each student with a back pack took a few supplies as the plan was to eat lunch at the scenic panorama of Lillian Lake campground. It was a two hour journey to the summit for the fast ones and about three hour journey for the slow ones. Sandwiches were on the menu, accompanied by fruit and cheese and crackers. They remained at the lake for about an hour and then descended the same way they came. They returned to the campsite and immediately began cooking spaghetti. While some cooked others played volleyball, cards or just sat around the fire. They might not know this now but the stars they saw that night, may have been the most beautiful stars they will ever see in their lives.August 4th 10:00 AM The group got to sleep in on this day as mountain biking was on the schedule. Breakfast was turkey sausage and egg breakfast sandwiches. The first bike ride took place at 1:30 and was a short tour from the campsite to the water tap and back up the dirt road driveway. The group was split up into two groups to more efficiently ride. The way to the water tap was mostly downhill and all made it to fill up their water without any issue. As the great Isaac newton said "what goes up, must go down" the corollary also proved true. The way back began with a steep 30 degree 70 metre uphill climb, which continued to travel uphill before the group arrived at a panoramic lookout across the valley. Only the most skilled of bikers managed the hill without dismounting their vehicle. After both groups completed the warmup ride, everyone had noodle time for lunch. Visibly tired the group relaxed for a few hours before heading out on the real ride. Once again the camp split into two groups. This time there was no mercy for the students as they embarked on a tough ride through the mountains. After they returned, they proved their skills and some of them were worthy for the Tour de France. Night fell. The students were advised to go to bed early as the next day consisted of a long bus ride and an early departure. The teachers stayed up late preparing the food for the next day.August 5th 7:30 AM. The students were awakened by the teachers bright and early and ate an ample breakfast of croissants and yogourt. They were provided fruit and more snacks on the bus. The journey that lay ahead of them was long and sleep filled. The first stop was Lake Louise, where a minority of 10 students and 2 teachers disembarked the bus and began their horseback riding venture. The group were introduced to and mounted their steeds. The names were Ace, Chester, Oreo, Candy, Scout, Stripe, Happy Feet, Max, Biscuit, Lightning, Frances and Intrepid. They say there has never been a horse named James. The group was split into three smaller squads and they lallygagged happily through the forest. After 40 minutes they were at the crest of the Breathtaking Lake Louise. The horses brought their human companions around the lake and back. It is hard to describe a view so beautiful. I will not try as it will not do Lake Louise justice. It was very beautiful. When they returned they mowed on a hotdog lunch. In the meantime the majority group travelled an additional two hours north to the Columbia Icefields. When they arrived they too lost their breath as the only time they had seen this much ice before was when they stuck their head in a freezer. They boarded the ice truck and were given interesting information by the Australian tour guide. Once they reached the glacier, they exited the ice truck took photos and drank pure glacier water. They returned on the bus and began their 4 hour journey back to the campsite. The Lake Louise group killed the time by exploring Chateau Lake Louise. Finally everyone got back on the bus and headed home. The final night in the Kananaskis was bitter sweet. After dinner and dishes were cleaned, the students all huddled around the fire. If you asked them the first morning if they liked camping many would say no. At this point if you asked them if they wanted to leave, they would all say never. The kids stayed up late as they realized they might never return the majestic rocky mountains.August 6th 7:00 AM. This time the students were the ones who awoke the others, as they were excited to spend the remains of their Canadian money at West Edmonton Mall. The group all played their part as they disassembled their tents and packed away their belongings. In unison they brought their camping gear to the truck. At 8:30 they were on the bus and ready to leave. The bus ride finally came to an end at 1:30 PM. The journey was long and most slept the entire ride. They had lunch and were given three options for the next 5 hours. Shop for the entirety, go to the waterpark for the entirety of do both for half the time. The kids made their decisions and scattered throughout the mall. They were to meet back at 6:30 PM. Some got wet, some spent money and all had an unforgettable experience at the largest mall in North America. They got back on the bus with their extravagance satiated. They journeyed home and met their baggage in a new location at the Travelodge hotel. They showered and changed into a clean outfit, some wearing the clothes they purchased earlier that morning. The students once again stayed up late, cherishing their last moments together knowing tomorrow was their final night. Somehow in the last three weeks these complete strangers had forgotten about the borders and kilometres that separated their countries and grown into one Canadian, international family.[AFG_gallery id='542']