Jasper

Woke to another freezing day in Jasper.  We drove out to Patricia Lake this morning.  She is very beautiful, just a bit frosty at the moment.  On the way we came across a herd of elk, led by a bull and a junior bull.  We got good photos of the smaller bull but the bigger one was a bit more elusive.  Arrived at Patricia Lake and the wind, although only fairly gentle, just about froze our toes off.  Continued on to Pyramid Lake, walked across the Pyramid Bridge to Pyramid Island which is all overlooked by Pyramid Mountain.  Maybe the early explorers only had one page left in their 'Place Names' dictionary.
We were so cold out there we decided to come back into town and get the laundry done and warm up with a cup of coffee.  Finished that about midday and the weather had taken a turn for the better so we made a run for the Jasper Tramway, which goes up from the base to almost the summit of Whistler Mountain.  It was 1 degree at the bottom and minus 3 at the top.  After a bit of pushing and shoving I managed to get Pam into the Tramcar.  
I have come to the conclusion, Pam is really a thrill seeker at heart but she needs to blame me for something and by me forcing her into daredevil stunts she is able to load me up with guilt without any conscience at all.  Lucky I have broad shoulders and am able to carry this burden.
In any event, we made it to the top, got out of the Tramcar (looks like it was built for 5 and they cram 20 into it) and the cold wind and blustering snow met us as soon as we walked from the shelter.
We had to turn our backs a lot of the time and could feel and hear the snow hitting our backs.
Took lots of photos, due to the wind and the shivering cold most are a little blurred.  We decided not to walk to the summit, a 1 kilometre walk, because we didn't bring any survival gear.  Stayed up there about half an hour before we saw some sense and made it back down with no hiccups.
A nice warm 3 degrees at the bottom and we soaked up the sun.
Back into town about 3.30 for a late lunch with a well earned beer and wine.  Bit of shopping and got home about 5.30 for a quiet beer and very small tea.

The small bull elk.

The boss bull elk.

Got to be good.

Just a little cold this morning.

Autumn colours and mountain views.

Across Pyramid Bridge.

Have a seat on Pyramid Island.

Just about freeze with Pyramid Mountain behind.

Back to the mainland.

Tramway built for five?

Goes a LONG way up the mountain.

Can't get much colder.

Living dangerously at the top of the world.

Happy with a safety fence, wish it could stop the wind.

Just rocks and snow.

And nuts standing in the weather.

Heading back in for shelter.

Looking back at the summit.

Very barren, nothing could grow in this climate.

Looking back down at civilisation, Jasper, with the Athabasca River winding its' way past.

Maybe the sun will come out?

Nope, one last photo....please!!!

OK, I'm coming in.

Then back down we go.

To safety.

Looking up at the top of the Tramway from Jasper town centre.

Pam said I had to get a photo.