The stretched out snow wings on the cold dark mountains, the ecclesiastical aquamarine waters of Cavell Pond and one can gaze, transfixed for hours, visualizing warring armies and angels of mercy. The wing- shaped Angel Glacier in slow-motion-meltdown the north face of Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, honors English nurse Edith Cavell who was an angel of mercy helping allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during World War 1. She was executed by the Germans for her actions and beliefs.

We follow the trail starting from the car park, climbing the stairs and past the Memorial for Edith Cavell, crossing a gurgling stream and instead of going straight to Cavell Pond through glacial debris left by the retreating Cavell Glacier, we climb past Teahouse Creek to the Cavell Meadows junction at 500m. A steady flow of climbers, young, old, four-year olds bravely leaning on mini walking sticks, school groups and tourists give us company. A squirrel insisted on following me or the Lays chips packets I was carrying and finally made its move the minute I rested on a rocky perch. My scream sent it careening off among the rocks and few minutes later I felt beady eyes glaring at me for being so squeamish.

Just beyond the junction the panoramic view of picture perfect Cavell Glacier on the far side of the pond, Angel Glacier in center and right above Cavell Pond and the near invisible Ghost Glacier clinging on to the ledge on the left, compensates for the rugged terrain and occasional rumblings and ‘the mountains shrugged’ performance. In 2012 the area was cordoned off due to flooding and ice fall and in 2013 September, though it had partly opened, we had to be content with ledge lookouts. Few brave hearts sneaked down to the edge of Cavell pond when a snowy grumble and ice fall prompted the supervisor to blow his whistle to stop further clandestine excursions.

The lower trail to the Cavell Pond.

The trail continues onwards 526m towards Cavell Meadows and a spectacular view of Mount Edith Cavell, Angel Glacier, Cavell Glacier and Cavell pond.I had stopped midway preferring the stillness of environment to tourist chatter till squirrelly ambitions interrupted my niveous reverie.