We enjoyed a dry hike along the scenic Carry Ridge in the Sheep River area, in toasty sunshine.
"Summit group" on Carry Ridge
At lunch time the sun had not yet escaped from the heavy chinook cloudiness and it felt a little cool, but it warmed up soon after. In fact, it was so warm our pack thermometres were reading over 15C as we lazed on the grass for an afternoon "basking in the sun tea break."
Afternoon "basking in the sun tea break"
We experienced a science demonstration of the stratification of different layers of air by temperature. On the way back to the cars we passed through three valley pockets of chilled air, (2C) including where we parked on the road by the Kananaskis Country entrance sign. In each section of higher ground between it was nice and warm.
Hiking along Carry Ridge in toasty 15C sunshine
No doubt it was bone chilling cold in those pockets all day, as evidenced by a sheet of frozen snow there. The trail was dry throughout as even the hummocks and mud of what in the summer would be a boot-sucking bog, were dry and frozen. It was 5C on the road in sunny areas. Motorcyclists were out and about--a chilly prospect in the shaded section of the road, no doubt!
We were back to the cars just after 3:30.
Participants:Douglas,Jennifer,Bill,Barb, Ginger, Karen, and Carl, coordinator and scribe.
