Scrambles – HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

Mount Lawrence Grassi: In Photos

After an incredibly busy few months, I was itching to get my scrambling legs going. Mount Lawrence Grassi would be the mountain of choice.

After an incredibly busy few months filled with visitors, weddings and a move (more on the move in a later post…), I was itching to get my scrambling legs going. I mean, how could I make it to mid-August without completing any challenging summer hikes?

It’s blasphemous!

I know.

I wanted to do something in the Canmore area, and having never attempted Mount Lawrence Grassi, I decided it would be the mountain of choice. I’m not going to lie, it was rough on the system. My legs didn’t cooperate the way I would have liked. And I scraped up my leg pretty good due to an out-of-place rock ;), but the views were fantastic as expected. That said, while conquering new mountains is always a fun objective, I probably should have just hiked Ha Ling for the equally impressive views.

To reach the Mount Lawrence Grassi trailhead, park at the Goat Creek parking area where you would for Ha Ling Peak. Walk toward to the Ha Ling peak trail, but pass it and continue along the water for 20-30 minutes until you see a cairn on the left. It’s super easy to spot.

Dear Mountains: I Have Missed You

Alas, it’s been a long break.

A break from blogging, from podcasts, from audiobooks, from working out, and even from hiking. I can go on about the reasons why, but it boils down to a need to step away and recharge. My body knew before my brain did. And when I wouldn’t listen, it made me slow down. I was fatigued. And I was injured. And I was mentally drained. So I finally stopped and listened.

And the break was glorious.

With the summer hiking season in full swing, my muscles moving again in the ways they should move, and some exciting plans on the horizon, I suddenly have the urge to post on and tinker with my blog again. I absolutely love taking photos, and plan to continue sharing my adventures and misadventures. So for the next little while, I’ll be taking a more visual approach. Less writing. More photos.

Writing isn’t coming as naturally to me as before.

So I’m not going to force it.

I’ll just be patient.

Pocaterra Ridge: In Photos

Descending from the first peak. Only 3 to go!

Although the days are getting shorter and colder, the mountains remain open and available for adventure. When my friend Adriane decided to put together a group to hike Pocaterra Ridge in the Highwood Pass area, I immediately said yes. I don’t do a ton of winter hiking, so this was a chance to complete another scramble and hike in my favourite playground before the snow hits. I had visited the area a few weeks prior to see the larches, and Pocaterra Ridge certainly makes a wonderful larch hike around the third week of September. Regardless, the scenery of Highwood Pass can’t be beat any time of year.

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Helen Lake and Cirque Peak

Helen Lake to Cirque Peak. The views are worth all the effort!

Ah the end of the summer is nigh.

There’s been more rain and snow throughout August and September than I would have liked. It’s not that I dislike rain and snow- I actually enjoy both of them from time to time. But I haven’t conquered as many peaks this summer partly because of the weather. So when Saturday’s forecast looked amazing, and with the gradual colour changes that are happening in the Canadian Rockies at this time, I knew I had to do a special hike.

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Middle Sister. Never Again.

Oh Middle Sister.

What wondrous views from your summit. Atop your vantage point, I feel like I can conquer anything. But alas, I will never hike you again.

Just outside of Canmore, there’s a trio of mountains known as the Three Sisters. Iconic and symbolic, they’re hard to ignore. Of the three, Middle Sister is the easiest scramble, and I’ve wanted to hike to the peak since 2010. Since Dan was in town, I knew we needed to hike something intense. Paul was free as well, and when the three of us get together, there’s all kinds of ridiculous. One of Alberta’s famous snow storms in August decided to pass through the day before, which thwarted our original hiking plans. After humming and hah-ing, we decided on Middle Sister.

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