Just north of Jasper National Park in Alberta lies Willmore Wilderness Park, a 4597 square km area of mountains, forests, rivers and even glaciers. There are 3 access roads, and beyond that 750 kms of trails for those willing to travel by foot or horse. No motorized vehicles allowed... No developed camp sites or facilities, with the exception of some remote historical cabins and scattered outfitter camps. This time we went into this pure and raw gem via Sulphur Gates close to Grande Cache (this town has a great tourism interpretive centre with helpful staff, I recommend a visit!). We were excited because this is the longest we have spent in the back country with the kids. They can now carry some, Alma's backpack weighed 6 kg on her 29 kg body. Arthur carried 3 kg. We adults split the other 40-45 kgs of gear, food and water, more or less according to body weight and pack capacity. It was not bad at all. We didn't have the time to stop to see the main attractions, Sulphur gates and Eaton falls, instead we headed out along the rather easy, but sometimes hilly and muddy trail. There was a bit of complaining the first few kilometers, too heavy pack, sore feet and such. After the regular adjust and overcome process things got easier and after about 8kms the views opened up to pretty Kvass flats: Found a good place to camp after some searching around. There was a couple there already but we had to stop as it was getting late. It worked out well, they had the cutest dog so the kids were happy (they bonded quickly with Tuck and missed him when they left the next day). With this as basecamp, complete with kitchen table and outhouse, set up by outfitters, we spent the following 4 days hiking, playing, dipping in the river and relaxing (under a tarp by the fire a rainy day or in Alma's case, reading in the tent). Best and worst Arthur B: playing at the rocky beach and in the streams. W: bushwacking! Alma B: bathing in the river. W: the thorns while bushwhacking Irene B: wildflower filled alpine meadows. W: The mosquitoes and to have to see them attack Arthur already suffering through the waist high brush (complete with prickly raspberry bushes and a wasp nest on the ground...). Andreas: B: to see the kids play all day without one single toy and that they slept so well in the tent, even through a massive thunderstorm and heavy rain. W: nothing... Wildlife We spotted deer, an eagle and groundhogs. Grizzlies, black bears, cougars, big horn sheep and mountain goats also live there but we did not see any. Food It can be a bit tricky to pack food for 4 people for 5 days out. Kids need to nibble almost constantly, and no wonder, they work hard and don't have any big reserves to use up. Food is where we can save some weight, so tried to think calorie dense. Here's an approximate list of what we brought, and we ate it all:
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AuthorHi, I'm Irene. I'm from Sweden and live in Edmonton, Canada, with Andreas and our two kids. We love to share our passion for the great outdoors with our kids and hope to inspire you to get out there too, kids in tow or not! Archives
October 2019
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