Silver Sage and Smoke Haze: Consul to Pincher Creek, 1362-1790km, Days 65-81

We made it across the Canadian Prairies!

It feels a bit unbelievable to say, but we did it. These last few weeks were relentlessly hot, with every day in the mid 30s, which meant a sad succession of 3am wake ups and long afternoons under the prairie sun. I won't deny that this section was difficult. The heat, the chronic mild sleep deprivation, the early starts, the slow distance and shortened horizons combined to weigh on me. But we got through the miles, and Wilson and Gaucho coped with the heat, and that's all I can ask for!

We crossed into Alberta, through some remote grassland country and lots of cattle, until we arrived in Warner for a day off and chance to reprovision. We met some very friendly folks who helped us out with contacts and hay, and then headed off towards Glenwood. We crossed two large reservoirs and followed the canal system for a while, and camped twice in public campgrounds, which was quite fun and a bit unusual for us. Leaving Glenwood was an iconic moment: some rain overnight cleared the low lying smoke haze that had hung over us for days, and finally I could see the Rocky Mountains in the distance! Definitely a moment I had been dreaming about for a long time.

Arriving in Pincher Creek was a milestone. This little town had been a planning landmark from the very beginning when I first started thinking about this journey years ago. So it was hard to believe that we had actually arrived! Again I had such a warm welcome with some delightfully friendly folks making us feel at home. After a night or two off at the Coulter's place, we got a ride with the generous Rita who drove us up to Diamond Valley to stay with dear friends the Campbell family. We've been here over a week now, having a rest, enjoying some down time, and getting kitted up for the mountains.

I've invested in a new Toklat Wool back pad for Wilson, new saddle bags for Gaucho, a saw for clearing trails, and of course some bear spray...

So now it must be time to get back on the road and make for BC!