HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

Ha Ling Peak

So I’ve written about Ha Ling Peak before. It’s steep. It’s awesome. It’s quick. And the views from the top are incredible. With a round trip time of about 3.5 hours and an elevation gain of 700 metres, Ha Ling (2408 metres) is also a great one to do if you want to stretch your legs after a day at the desk job. From where I work in Calgary, I can leave the hospital and set foot on the trail within an hour. I’ve mentioned numerous times about how grateful I am to live in a city where this is possible.

What’s notable about this particular Ha Ling climb is that my brother Ry was visiting and he was eager to scramble up his first mountain in the Rockies! As expected, he was not disappointed with the view of Canmore, the Bow Valley, and the Spray Lakes area below. It’s was one of those breathtakng moments where he couldn’t even find the right words to describe the feeling of looking down at the world. Ry has always thought my photos were pretty awesome, but admitted that they never really capture the moment. I would have to agree. It’s that sense of awe that has drawn me in, leaving me wanting more with each and every mountain peak!

Ha Ling wouldn’t be the only mountain adventure during Ry’s stay in Calgary… Continue reading “Ha Ling Peak”

Moose Mountain: In Photos

Ahoy! There's a the fire lookout! — Ahoy! There’s the fire lookout!

Looking for a Not-So-Strenuous Summit Hike in Bragg Creek?

Back in 2010 when I started hiking, I had heard about Moose Mountain. I can’t remember exactly what information I received, but I put it on my list as a strenuous hike that one day… some day… I would complete. Fast forward a few years with many intense hikes to my name, and Moose Mountain is still a summit I had not conquered. And it turns out it isn’t too strenuous at all! Hmm… makes me wonder why I had not completed it sooner. Continue reading “Moose Mountain: In Photos”

El Pulpo Mecanico: Beakerhead 2014

Short post alert! I really need to pay attention to the wonderful events in Calgary.

Through postings on Instagram and Facebook, I had heard about Beakerhead, but didn’t know much about it. I still don’t! According to the website, “Beakerhead brings together art and engineering from across the city, province, country and world to build, compete and exhibit interactive works of art and engineered entertainment during a week-long smash up of art, science and engineering each fall” (www.beakerhead.org).

I decided last minute to head down and check out Saturday’s Beakernight. Clearly it was a popular event- the area leading to the Stampede grounds was excitedly busy. And although there were lots of cool things to see, the star of the show, in my opinion, was definitely El Pulpo Mecanico: the two-story fire breathing robotic octopus. How could one not be in awe?! Anything that shoots fire to the bass and rhythms of music deserves all the attention. Is it art? Yes. Is it science and engineering? Definitely yes. There are just so many moving parts to this thing, from the bulging eyes to the tentacles. Super impressive!

September: A Calgary Winter Already?

Alright, so it’s been an abnormal few days in Calgary. In the 5.5 years that I’ve lived in Calgary, I’ve never seen it snow in September like the last three days. Yes, that’s right. A Calgary winter can sometimes happen in September. Thousands without power. Trees destroyed. Accidents in all quadrants and many cars in ditches. Blizzard conditions. Mother Nature may have wreaked havoc upon the city, but even with all those things, I have to say that it’s been a beautiful few days! When I walked to work, I couldn’t help but marvel at how powerful the dump of snow was. Thanks to my trusty phone, I took several photos to document the walk. It’s definitely one not to forget.

Of course, everyone wants to talk about the weather, which is one of my least favourite topics.

Continue reading “September: A Calgary Winter Already?”

Mount Lady Macdonald: So. Much. Exposure.

Paul makes his way along the knife-edge. Incredible views all around.

Oh Mount Temple. I shake my fist so hard at you right now. They say the third time’s a charm; however, this is the third year that efforts for a Temple summit have been thwarted. It’s not that it’s an impossible climb, it’s just that I have promised two other nerds that we would reach the top together. Between a combination of weather obstacles and logistics between Paul, Dan and myself, conquering Mount Temple will wait another year. Sigh… clearly we needed another epic mountain to take its place. But which one?? Continue reading “Mount Lady Macdonald: So. Much. Exposure.”