The Athabasca Glacier

Picture # 1 & 2:

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal toes of the Columbia Icefield, located in the Canadian Rockies. Due to the warming climate, the glacier has receded more than 1.5 km in the past 125 years and lost over half of its volume. It currently recedes at a rate of 6-10 feet per year. The glacier moves down from the icefield at a rate of several centimetres per day. Due to its close proximity to the Icefields Parkway, between the Alberta towns of Banff and Jasper, and rather easy accessibility, it is the most visited glacier in North America.

The leading edge of the glacier is within easy walking distance; however, travel onto the glacier is not recommended unless properly equipped. Hidden crevasses have led to the deaths of numerous unprepared tourists. Now we all know I don't consider myself a normal tourist and besides, you never get the good pictures if you follow all the rules. haaaaaaa

The glacier is approximately (3.75 miles) long, covers an area of (2.5 mi²), and is measured to be between (270 ft) and (1000 ft) thick.

Pictures 3 & 4:

Just taking care of rubber business in Ft. Saint John, British Columbia. Ironically, I stopped at Grande Prairie, Alberta at a Starbucks and while talking to a local rider, I inquired about the best place to pick up a rear tire as the original was nearing the end of its life.

After a moment, he says "I believe I have a tire to fit that bike and you're welcome to it if you like." More on that story later, but that's the partially used tire strapped to the back and ready for replacement. Performance Honda in Ft. Saint Johns got me right in and taken care of. Getting the back time off took me all of 3 minutes. I've gonna love this bike! Haaaaaa........it takes almost as long to put the heavily laden booger up on the center stand as it does to remove the tire.