When crossing from Banff to Jasper NP, visitors are welcomed by Columbia Icefield, the biggest ice mass in the Rockies. Icefield Parkway continues along its eastern edge, providing views on three of its many outlet glaciers. The first we saw was Saskatchewan Glacier, which constitutes the source of North Saskatchewan River (which in turn gives the name to the central Canadian province of Saskatchewan). We climbed in knee-deep snow to a mountain pass from which we had a great view over the glacier.

Our next stop was Athabasca Glacier, just a couple of kilometers further along the road. As the enormous Columbia Icefield sits on triple Continental Divide, its streams flow to Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. So while the Saskatchewan River waters end up in the Atlantic Ocean (through Hudson Bay), the waters of the Athabasca River, which starts at Athabasca Glacier, empty into the Arctic Ocean (by passing through the Athabasca Lake and the MacKenzie River).

In Jasper, we celebrated Agnieszka’s birthday at the top of Mount Whistler with panoramic views on the valleys around, we treated ourselves to hot springs, and we visited Lake Maligne. The valley is full of bears - due to the long winter in the mountains, they come down to look for food. We were warned about grizzlies and black bears that approach the campsites, so we were a bit on the edge sleeping in the tent.

We came back the same way that we came, by Icefield Parkway and through Banff National Park.

In Banff NP, we finally managed to see Lake Louise - we had to reserve a shuttle bus and leave our camper at a faraway parking to get there. The Lake is beautiful, but it’s very crowded.

We came back to Salmon Arm, where we left our own camper in a Ford Service. They didn’t do any reparations because apparently once the service manager realized it’s European engine, she forbid the mechanics to work on it, fearing “too much risk”. We therefore came back with the car to Vancouver, where we bid farewell to Dad and Agnieszka, who embarked on the long journey back to Poland. We had a preliminary diagnosis for our engine trouble and waited in the city for the parts, sent from Poland by Mom (because apparently it’s impossible to find pieces for such a small diesel engine in Canada or the US). We managed to find a mechanic who is willing to work on it (which again wasn’t easy) and we should be on our way soon!