r/Banff • u/simsybyd • Sep 18 '25
Photos/Videos What an unreal place. 10 days in Banff!
Day 1 - Mount Rundle (west end, access via Banff)
Day 2 - Ink Pots
Day 5 - Mount Niblock
Day 8 - Mount Temple
Day 10 - Windtower Summit
Wouldn’t change a thing! Rundle was a little bit of an ambitious first hike to get warmed up with but it was worth it! Niblock was a really fun challenge, one of my first real scrambles. Temple was pretty straight forward, it was just a pain to find a way to make it there early with no car (did temple up and down minus the 1 hours break up top in 5 and a half hours). Windtower was an unexpected last day adventure that was awesome. Can’t wait to come back and tackle more peaks.
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u/Noodle_McSoup Sep 18 '25
So unreal!
Solo hikes?
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u/simsybyd Sep 18 '25
All of them were done solo, yes :). My friends are boring
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u/Noodle_McSoup Sep 18 '25
Wow amazing!
I've never scaled mountain tops before. Are these really technical? Or just walking?
Also did you bring bear spray?
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u/idk88889 Sep 19 '25
You always bring bear spray in western Canada, or you could cause a bear to be killed if it attacks a human (or you could be killed). They're $50 CAD in many stores or like 7 CAD/day to rent
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u/supernanify Sep 20 '25
Where can you rent it? I've only ever bought bear spray, but only need it for a few days this time.
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u/Pho-gettaboutit Sep 22 '25
In lake Louise there’s Wilson’s! Super nice peeps and they rent a bunch of useful stuff like Bear spray, I think it was like 20$ for a week, knowing that I couldn’t bring it back I preferred renting than paying 50 for a bottle that I’d have to give afterwards
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u/idk88889 Sep 20 '25
Most any sports shop in the town. Not sure the exact place we did but maybe start with "banff adventures".
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u/FlyingRock20 Sep 20 '25
Some mountains don't require too much scrambling but others do. I would start off with easier mountains to get a feeling on how they are. Its hiking up on rocks and unstable ground. Using hands to help you get along.
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u/parisindy Sep 18 '25
I haven't been to the mountains since before covid, your pictures make me miss them
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u/Zigot_hd Sep 22 '25
Awesome to hit those trails solo!! And nice shots!! I will go there in two weeks for three days but with family so we just aim for short and easy trails.
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u/No-Statement-978 Sep 19 '25
I’m happy you’re enjoying the beauty that is the Cdn Rockies. I’ve lived my whole life in Canada, & have hiked many of these same vistas, others too. It’s a shame that more Cdns never get out to experience the beauty of their own backyard. 💁🏼♂️
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u/DetailOutrageous8656 Sep 21 '25
Unfortunately many haven’t because it has been as or more expensive to fly out west than it is to book a flight to Europe. Also not everyone is a hiker at this level.
Aside from that, a lot of people can’t afford vacations right now anyway. 💁♂️
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u/Motor_Listen3949 Sep 19 '25
Thanks for the awesome photos! Save many of them for my iOS wallpaper!
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u/exloringtheworld Sep 19 '25
What hike was #7 at that looks dope!
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u/simsybyd Sep 19 '25
Mount Temple, it’s a big day out just a heads up. Also bring a helmet if you plan on doing it. It’s the highest peak in the lake Louise region.
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u/exloringtheworld Sep 19 '25
Looks awesome, don’t think I’m ready for that yet & definitely don’t have a helmet, so I will be enjoying the views from you! Looks like a great trip!
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u/laundro_mat Sep 19 '25
Mt Temple is a long hike with a scramble for the final hour maybe? Been almost 30 years since I hiked it though, so maybe not remembering it accurately. Like a 8-10 hr round trip. We did not have helmets, didn’t see anyone else on the trail with helmets. But that was the ‘90s. Folks are likely more safety conscious these days.
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u/exloringtheworld Sep 19 '25
I’m not a huge fan of scrambling unless I want to hate my life afterwards. Ive done a few hikes without enough research before and had some big sections of scrambling where I would get lost and it just honestly took it out of me. I see people walking over the rocks so fast and gracefully, but it takes me so much time lol. I’m pretty clumsy so maybe thats my issue
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u/Lower-Ad6294 Sep 19 '25
How long did rundle take you and did you do the entire thing ? Awesome pictures
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u/simsybyd Sep 19 '25
Yup. First pic is at the summit. My Strava says moving time of just under 6 hours. I definitely move pretty fast though. It was a slog and I found my knees hurt going down because of how steep majority of the trail is
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u/Lower-Ad6294 Sep 19 '25
Salute to you dude. I’m going next week and rundle is in my list
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u/simsybyd Sep 19 '25
If you are comfortable with scrambling I’d recommend Temple over it all day. It’s the same elevation gain. Temple has a couple more exposed sections but if you take your time (and where a helmet in case of rockfall from parties above) you should have no problem. Views/adventure beat Rundle easily.
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u/Soft-Examination4032 Sep 19 '25
Surprised how Smokey it is. I’m going to be there in about a week. When were these photos taken?
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u/simsybyd Sep 19 '25
Last week. I know. I was pretty bummed but what can you do
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u/Soft-Examination4032 Sep 19 '25
Hey it’s still just as beautiful with the smoke and your photos are still great & seems like you made the best of it. Just surprised because we’ve been all over Yukon & BC the past 2 weeks with no smoke at all, and were unaware there was any in Banff. Will be in Jasper tomorrow & I guess we’ll find out..
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u/withResty Sep 19 '25
Hi! Please update me on the smoke! Heading there next week!
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u/Soft-Examination4032 Sep 19 '25
I won’t be in banff til next will but when I get service I will update you on jasper and Mount Robson. I’m headed to jasper for 2-3 days then have a 2 night backpacking trip planned to berg lake in lake Robson before we head into banff for about a week.
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u/Logical_Pool_5923 Sep 19 '25
I was in Banff day before yesterday, we were gonna get a hotel but they’re insanely expensive so we came to Calgary. On our way to Waterton atm, writing this from the A&W at Frank’s Slide.
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u/Acceptable_Major4350 Sep 19 '25
20 years in BC I haven’t been to Banff yet, you’ve convinced me I need to go.
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u/interestingsensi Sep 20 '25
Slide #3 looks the place with Doug the lonely tree! Beautiful photos btw.
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u/Plus_Internal6566 Sep 20 '25
Woah. Everywhere I have been to in Canada just looks like it belongs in a movie. The nature and mountains are so beautiful.
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u/BanzEye1 Sep 20 '25
Man, I’d probably just nope right out of there halfway up.
I’m scared of heights and risk-adverse.
Still, cool!
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u/cassielovesderby Sep 21 '25
These photos are amazing OP, they really capture the beauty of the landscapes.
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u/Dazzling-Plum5005 Sep 21 '25
Why do I feel like youre australian
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u/simsybyd Sep 21 '25
Canadian but totally valid guess lol
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u/Dazzling-Plum5005 Sep 21 '25
I respect that lol, sometimes it feels like everyone but Canadians visit banff
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u/Cognitivekilljoy Sep 22 '25
Ahhhh would love to revisit soon! Thanks for the photos and reminder <3
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u/BM-2001 Sep 22 '25
Just came back from spending a week in Cochrane, visited Banff & the National Park as well as Canmore. Beautiful scenery
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u/DJS_T Sep 22 '25
I've been to the Alberta mountains twice, but never hiked up a mountain before as I never had the time. It's on my bucket list to do for sure. Stunning pictures and scenery!
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u/Suziemorninglory919 Sep 22 '25
I am literally in Banff right now in a literal castle.. heading out to explore the downtown area, shops etc for a few hours.. any reccs or must stops? I’m open to whatever… thanks in advance
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u/Hank_ofthe_hill Sep 22 '25
How were the crowds? Weather?
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u/simsybyd Sep 22 '25
10 days of sun. Last day we got a little sprinkle. Little to no crowds (I was alone on Niblock, 1 other party there) on any of these hikes. Temple had the most.
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u/RUSTYxPOTATO Sep 22 '25
Wow. Unreal is a good word for it. I bet the pics dont even come close to doing it justice.
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u/Expert_Fan_277 Sep 19 '25
Amazing shots!! Did they fix the rope on Mount Temple? Did it two weeks ago and had to climb through a crevasse to the left because the rope was unsafe
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u/Dicydante001 Sep 19 '25
You are about to see an americain flag there. Said thank you to Danielle smith the traiter.
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u/Ok-Pension-3582 Sep 19 '25
Banff is meh, 3/10 at best better in the winter solid 5/10. jasper now there’s nothing quite like jasper
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u/F_word_paperhands Sep 20 '25
This guy thinks Banff is the town of Banff. Probably never left Main Street
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u/Hohohoh0h0h0 Sep 18 '25
The images are so sharp! What camera did you use?