Hi Karen,
Yes, very typical weather for the area. Earlier in the season can be even worse. Many of the high passes this far North are frozen shut well into the summer months. I have aspirations of traveling to another similar area called Lake O’hara. The area is not accessible until late June / July at best. The Mount Robson area is also similar, one of the famous passes there (Snowbird Pass) can be untravelable well into August on occasion.
Haha, I did in fact consider saying something. Two things held me back. First, I am classically Canadian and didn’t want to offend them. Which in retrospect is a rather amusing cultural paradox. Someone is being ‘offensive’ but heaven forbid I offend them by saying something…. Second, on occasion, I’ve also seen some portions of the population intentionally become more obnoxious when someone says something. Not sure if anyone else has seen that much but it always crosses my mind when in that situation.
I guarantee, I would have said something if they had started cooking next to my tent though. I would have come unglued. I learned one thing about myself when I came face to face with a couple Grizz in close quarters, I don’t care much for being eyed up as their next meal. I’ll do anything to prevent encouraging their presence in ‘my personal bubble.’ In that case though, I am certain my face said louder and clearer what my lips did not.
Guns? In Canada? Haha must have been Alaskans, our government doesn’t like when it’s citizens have guns. Though the apologizing sounds very Canadian, but only if they apologized and then apologized for apologizing…. Mildly tongue in cheek, however it would be fairly rare to meet too many Canadians ‘packing’ in the National Parks. It’s actually completely prohibited/illegal. In some of the non-park areas, known as Crown Land, you’ll run into hunters who are ‘packing’ but only during hunting seasons. There are a few others you’ll run into all season, like those with livestock/horses or hunting guides scouting for hunting grounds off season. Crown Land is exceptionally wild and rarely has trails. It does usually house a lot of cougars, problem (read habituated and or failure to avoid human contact and minimal deterrents failed) grizzly and black bears exported from parks and towns which is why you’ll run into more ‘packers’ there. Last resort with the rogues.
You’ll also have the possible displeasure of meeting obnoxious ATVer’s who pack a bunch of garbage in and don’t clean up afterwards. Or pack a bunch of booze in, crank stereos and have loud obnoxious parties. A personal pet peeve of mine. Everywhere which becomes vehicle accessible, like campgrounds, unfortunately tend to have a higher population of the inconsiderate. I have had some awful nights in campgrounds in every country I’ve ever stayed in. I’m all for having a good time but there should be some restraint no matter where you are or are from. Just my ten cents, but I thing every Outdoor user should consider their noise impact on others.
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