We're finally leaving from Australia for our long awaited holiday on Sunday. After a few days in LA area we will arrive in Vancouver and will be touring bc, vancouver island and rockies for 4 weeks. I would like to thank all the people who have responded to any of my questions on this web site. The info has been fantastic. Its fabulous looking at other people's questions and your responses as well. I have learnt a lot more here than any of the tour guides. Thanks especially to islandgirl & bob brown. <BR>Sure hope its not too cold!! <BR>georgie <BR> <BR>

Georgie, my family live in the lower mainland of BC and they tell me the weather has been fabulous lately! Have a wonderful time.

Hi Georgie. You will be in the Rockies in mid to late May. Temperatures could still be on the cool side. At the higher elevations, you can have frozen temperature most any time. <BR>On August 28 one year at Lake O'Hara we hiked in falling snow. <BR>One year on the Iceline Trail in Yoho we had the pleasure of a driving sleet storm, also in August. We were prepared and suffered only from trying to keep our packs from slipping off of our wet rain parkas. <BR>Two young women, with a baby in a pack seat, were on the trail, too. They were equally prepared with the right equipment. The baby was warm and snug in auntie's pack, which had an enclosing rain shelter. Mom kept peeking in at the little fellow to let him know all was well. <BR>Later we stopped for a bite to eat. <BR>Behind us we could hear loud voices. As they drew nearer we could see a family of 5, with two boys about 12 and a girl. The boys had no head protection of any kind. They were holding their hands over their ears and complaining about the sleet. Mother was loudly lecturing them about their failure to bring a hat or cap of any description. "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times. Take a cap when you go hiking!!" <BR>I don't think they heard us laughing. <BR> <BR>That trip also had another first. On the trail that ascends the side of the valley to the Iceline Trail, we overtook a group of stragglers from a tour group that was headed to Yoho Lake. For the first time in my life I saw someone hiking a high mountain trail in a skirt. <BR>No one seemed to have any equipment except maybe a water bottle and a sweater. They turned south at the trail junction while we turned north for the Iceline. I often wondered how they fared in the sleet. <BR>My point is this: if you take to the hills, don't sell the elements short. <BR>It may be summer, but it does not mean benign conditions everywhere you go. <BR>

19.2 degrees C and sunny here right now. <BR>In Banff it is 20 degrees today and forecast for a high of 10 tomorrow, low of -1. As bob says, be prepared. Wear sunscreen and a raincoat, carry a toque.

Georgie, enjoy! Our trip to Vancouver and Vancouver Island last week was fabulous, and the Rockies are always great. Be sure to post a report when you get back!