Overland in the Americas: Jerk porcupine

We headed from the craziest hostel in the world to one of the most scenic, located in Yoho National Park the Whiskey Jack hostel boasts a dramatic few of a glacier fed waterfall, the Takkakaw Falls. The hostel manager Andrew, a relaxed young lad who strangely does not seem mad keen on the outdoors, is having a very public feud with the local porcupine. In Andrew's words the porcupine is a "jerk", the evidence of this jerk like behaviour can be witnessed by examining the numerous scratches and gnawings on the porch and dorm doors and through the need for Andrew to wrap his car with chicken wire. Much to our dismay we didn't get to see the porcupine, it left us wondering if the latin name of this species is Jerkus elusivus.

The hostel building is the last remaining cabin left from a group built by the Canadian Pacific railway, the rest have been swept away by avalanches over the years. A good job really as collectively they looked a bit of an eyesore, Ralph said as much but rather untactfully before we were told no one was injured in the event!