rickohikes

2014: A Year in Review

Well that year went by quickly! Okay, 2014 isn’t completely over yet, but with the grand Everest adventure just a day away, it feels like a nice day for accountability.

Honestly, I can’t help wondering where 2014 went. I had quite a few goals and I started strong with a great focus. Inevitably, life happened. I enrolled in a personal leadership and life coaching program that has taken up a bulk of my time. It’s not that I was derailed from what I wanted to achieve, but perhaps I took on too many things, and found myself dabbling more often than seeing everything to fruition. Lesson learned. I’m gearing up for 2015 to be the best year ever with a clear focus, but first, it’s time for a quick roundup. I’ve copied the post from January, now with added reflection!

Continue reading “2014: A Year in Review”

Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp: The Itinerary

"Kathmandu Valley Sunset" by Mike Behnken https://flic.kr/p/8PWb5s — “Kathmandu Valley Sunset” by Mike Behnken https://flic.kr/p/8PWb5s

I think it’s fair to say that my mind is slowly checking out. That’s what happens when a trip I’ve been thinking about for years is right around the corner!

It’s the last minute dash to make sure I have everything I need. My vaccinations are up-to-date, and I’ve even added the fancy and expensive rabies vaccine to my list. I’m still deciding on what luggage to bring, how much fleece will be needed for those frigidly cold Himalayan nights, and what comfort snacks I’ll throw in my day pack. I’m sure the dal bhat (lentil soup with rice) will be tasty throughout the trek, but after many days and the inevitable bouts of altitude sickness and diarrhea, a protein bar or Real Fruit gummies will taste like a king’s dinner.

Continue reading “Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp: The Itinerary”

Everest Base Camp and the CNIB

Well it’s crazy to think that in a week I’ll be en route to Kathmandu via Vancouver and Guangzhou.

So. Excited.

I realized that in all the busyness leading up to this trek, I forgot to write about our fundraising efforts for the CNIB! Here is an email I sent out to family and friends. For anyone wanting to contribute, thanks in advance for your contribution!

Continue reading “Everest Base Camp and the CNIB”

Mount Everest: The Mountain is Waiting

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

Mount Everest

It seems like every week there’s a Facebook link floating around with gorgeous scenery of Iceland, or the amazing hiking trails in New Zealand… or “Things you didn’t know should be on your bucket list but should be” kind of lists. With each article I read, the possibilities seem endless. Each time I think: Geeze, there’s quite a world out there just waiting to be explored and experienced.

A few months ago, something began percolating in my mind: I should create a list of worldwide hikes, treks or mountain climbs to do. And then do them! Seemed easy enough. And even though I’m still mapping out the details, there has been a trek inception-ed in my brain for quite some time.

Continue reading “Mount Everest: The Mountain is Waiting”

The Larches from Burstall Pass

Hiking towards the pass... but don't forget to look back! — Hiking towards the pass… but don’t forget to look back!

Alas, the fall season is almost over.

I still can’t get used to the extremely short fall in Calgary. There are no crazy reds and oranges that characterize the autumn of the east, but we do have a vibrant gold for about 2 to 3 weeks. For avid hikers in the Rockies, it’s a small window that should not be missed, so when Ry (my bro) was here, I knew we had to hike in an area where the larches could be seen. Larches are conifers like pine trees, but change colour and lose their leaves in the fall. Calgarians and tourists alike will flock to the Larch Valley near Lake Louise each September to hike among the larches, but it’s ridiculously busy. Like, they need a shuttle bus kind of busy! And since I generally try to avoid crowds, I searched for other options. Pocaterra Cirque is my favourite place to go, but we opted for Burstall Pass in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, which consistently ranks as one of the best places for larch viewing in the Kananaskis region. It would be a sure win for Ry, and a new hike for me. Continue reading “The Larches from Burstall Pass”