In view (to name a few): Lake Louise, Big Beehive, Mount Fairview and a snow-capped Mount Temple
Today’s mountain view comes from the summit of Mount St. Piran, high above the water and crowds of Lake Louise. With rewarding views of the lake below, Mount Fairview, and a snow-capped Mount Temple, what’s there not to love?
As an introvert, I try to venture out to the mountains for a solo thinky trip at least once a summer. It allows me to be at one with myself and my thoughts while surrounded by pristine natural beauty. This hike was one of those trips. Continue reading “Gratitude on Mount St. Piran”
Winter in Alberta can be brutal with -40 degree weather. But it’s not always that bad! In fact, this winter we’ve seen a few chinooks roll through causing the temperature to rise above zero. And then there are the mountains. Growing up in the Caribbean, I’m the first to admit that I’m not a fan of winter, but there is definitely something magical about driving west on Highway 1 and seeing the snow-covered peaks in the distance. Canmore and Banff turn into winter wonderlands: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and dogsledding (which is still on my list!). There’s also Lake Louise Ski Resort, which was just named the most scenic ski resort in the world by USA today and described as “unsurpassed with postcard perfect beauty“. What a great shout-out for Banff National Park and the resort!
Olympic themed ice sculptures
This past weekend was the 20th anniversary of the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise. Speaking of anniversaries, I’m approaching 5 years of living in Alberta (omg…) and I had yet to attend this event. A few of us decided it would make a great day trip, so we drove out on Sunday. It dawned on me: I had not seen Lake Louise or visited the chateau in the winter before! I tried skiing at the resort once, but regarding the lake itself, I’m used to its emerald glacial glory. The festival did not disappoint with enough to see and do for anyone attending Continue reading “Why Winter at Lake Louise is Magical”
So this is going to be a quick entry for last Saturday’s hike :). Robbie’s cousin was in town and we were thinking about a good hike on which we could take her. The tea houses in Lake Louise are always a great option- scenic views; not too strenuous; forests, waterfalls, and glaciers; and snacks at the tea houses themselves (which we didn’t do). I’ve hiked them fairly recently (last August for the Banff Challenge), but it’s always a nice one to repeat. The plan: hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House to have lunch, then take the Highline Trail to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, and then head back to the car. In the end, Nora loved it! At parts, I believe it reminded her of The Lord of the Rings. I can see why :). Our long day culminated with a sushi-gorging dinner. Best. Ever.
Ascending to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea HouseHiking along the Highline Trail
Stats:
Start: 12:30 pm
End: 5:40 pm (with two 20 minute breaks at each of the tea houses)
Distance: 15.6 km loop
After a wonderful 7 days of hiking, $25,000 goes to The Kidney Foundation of Canada!
This morning I awoke in my apartment. It’s a bit of a change from the many days spent being pampered by Fairmont. Did Banff’s Big Mountain Challenge come and go, just like that? It sure did. And I know that it did because I’m ridiculously tired!
After our second attempt at Mount Temple and our successful ascent of Mount Eiffel, Dan and I transferred back to Banff. The last hike of the challenge was Sulphur Mountain, which is iconic for having the Banff gondola ride to the summit. On Monday morning, we were quite stoked that we had made it to the final hike. Only one more hike. A much shorter hike than Cascade, or Fairview and Saddleback, or the Tea House Challenge, or Sentinel Pass, or Mount Eiffel. One more hike and The Kidney Foundation of Canada would receive a cheque for $25,000. It was a good feeling.
To the Sulphur Mountain summit. The last hike in the challenge.
The morning was filled with much excitement. A few friends made their way to Banff to join us for the final hike, and it was all hellos and hugs as we gathered at the trailhead. Global TV was on hand to film parts of the trek for a segment, and Jeff from Banff Lake Louise Tourism would accompany us to document the journey to the summit. Paul from Parks Canada was our guide, stopping occasionally to tell us about Sulphur Mountain, as well as the flora and fauna of the area. As always, there was lots of fun and laughter… and it was educational! Sulphur Mountain was more intense than I thought it would be due to its steady incline and many switchbacks, but we all persevered.
As we neared the top of Sulphur, the group of us gathered, ready to walk the remaining few metres together. I won this contest because of the support of many people, so it was quite symbolic to have a bit of an “entourage”, as we joked :). This contest was also never about just Dan and I. Yes, we did get to hike in the mountains for a week and enjoy the comforts and luxuries offered by Fairmont, but it was all to experience the beauty of Banff and Lake Louise and to tell others about how amazing these areas are, while keeping the ultimate goal in mind: supporting The Kidney Foundation of Canada. We reached the summit to the sounds of cheers and much applause. I knew there would be an event at the summit, but I don’t think I was quite expecting to feel so overwhelmed and so much joy at the end of the hike. I was even caught saying “Oh my God…” on camera! Stuart Hart, Director of Sales & Marketing Development at Banff Lake Louise Tourism, was there to lead the closing ceremony. The mayor of Banff, Karen Sorensen, was also there, as well as representatives from Brewster Travel Canada, Fairmont, Parks Canada, Global TV, Banff Crag & Canyon, and The Kidney Foundation. Some tourists were also present for the hoopla, taking photos and offering their congratulations.
Me holding a cheque for $25000! (Note: It’s not the real cheque… :D)
Stu began his speech by thanking the sponsors, the media, and Dan and myself for a successful and rewarding event. There were many congratulations, hand shakes, and happy faces. It was an indescribable feeling to be standing there with friends, supporters and onlookers. We had just completed something amazing… something big; I knew that much. But I think I was a little beside myself the whole time. A huge thank you to all involved in putting this contest together, and to those present at the closing ceremony. It was then time for a photo op and the presentation of the cheque. I had heard through the grapevine that there would be a massive cheque, and there was!! This was extremely cool. I’ve seen on TV when people are presented with gigantic abnormally sized cheques for grandiose things, so it was quite awesome to help Stu hand over a cheque for $25000 to Diane Kashuba, Manager, Communications for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta branch. (Actually, because of everyone’s kindness, the total raised/matched/won was $26,762. Incredible!) Once the presentation concluded, there were several media interviews with Global TV, Banff Crag and Canyon, and The Calgary Herald. It was all smiles for everyone involved.
Being interviewed by Global TV’s Jayme DollJeff from The Real Banff and I posing for a photo
I’ve been sitting here for a while, trying to reflect on the entire experience. I’m thinking about that initial e-mail from Dan informing me about the contest; the excitement of gaining votes for the competition; coming in second place, but then, by a twist of weird fate, being announced the winner; watching the amazing generosity and support for The Kidney Foundation during the donation phase; living in luxury at the Fairmont Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise; the incredible amount of hiking (about 65 km and 7 memorable hikes) I was able to do over seven days; all of the media attention; sharing this amazing experience with my good friend Dan; and reaching the summit of Sulphur Mountain, great friends by my side, and watching The Kidney Foundation receive a cheque for $25,000. Something that started so small with the submission of a photo turned into something so much more. I’ve met new people, either in person or via social media, and these encounters have moved me the most. It’s a pretty surreal feeling when I hear that someone has received two transplants before, and she is so happy that I’m helping raise awareness about organ donation and The Kidney Foundation; or when someone e-mails me to tell me that she has recently been diagnosed with kidney disease and that she is scared, but it makes her feel better knowing that there are individuals out there helping to combat this disease… and she’s referring to me as one of those individuals. I’ve come to know a mother who lost her son to kidney disease on the day of his scheduled transplant. She has honored her son’s exceptional life by creating a foundation in his name. How could I not be a little bit changed after this contest? The Big Mountain Challenge has occupied my mind for about three months, and I have to say it has been one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had, and unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I never enter contests, and so, I never win contests, ha! I’ve now been reminded that anything is possible. I really don’t know how to thank everyone who supported me, Dan, the Big Mountain Challenge, and The Kidney Foundation of Canada, except by saying a sincere “Thank You” :). This experience would not have been possible without you.
Oh Mount Temple… how have you managed to elude me so?
On Wednesday, when the weather was all clear skies and perfect, we were unable to hike Temple due to bear restrictions. But Mount Temple stood like an incredible beauty. The snow that stood atop the mountain glistened in the sun. Gazing at Temple was as mesmerizing as listening to Beyonce belt out a ballad. But on Sunday, when we were slated to make attempt #2, Temple turned into its alter ego. A fresh snowfall the previous night added a complication to the hike. And the wind was fierce. Sasha Fierce. Would we be able to hike Mount Temple? Or was it untouchable like the unstoppable Sasha Fierce??
What’s that Jeff?? We’re hiking Temple?!?
To backtrack slightly, on Saturday while Dan and I were hiking the Tea House Highline Challenge, I received a call from Jeff from Banff Lake Louise Tourism and The Real Banff. He informed us that we’d be making another go at Mount Temple, and that our guide Joe from www.mountainguide.com would be at the Chateau for 5:30 am. Sweet! Since we needed a 4th, my good friend Paul made his way to Lake Louise, ready with all of his gear, and stoked to tackle Mount Temple!
Ready for Temple with a helmet, ice axe and crampons
The next morning, we left the Moraine Lake parking lot at 6:15 am and hiked through the Larch Valley. It was dark at the start, but as the light began to illuminate our surroundings, we quickly realized that it was a pretty special hiking area. In the fall, the Larch Valley is beautiful, especially when the larches turn a golden colour. Mount Temple, Mount Eiffel and Mount Pinnacle surround Eiffel Lake and the trail up to Sentinel Pass, so it was pretty awesome to see these gigantic peaks around us while we hiked. It snowed the night before, and so the trail was covered with a fresh blanket of snow. I’ve done the hike to Sentinel Pass before, but I’m always amazed how different the mountains look with snow. The clouds were dense the whole time, and it was windy! Mount Temple’s summit was hidden within the clouds. At over 3500 metres, it’s a beast!
Joe assessing the climb to the summit of Mount TemplePaul, Dan and I at Eiffel Lake, before Sentinel PassA snowy hike up Sentinel PassView from Sentinel Pass
The hike up was a bit uneasy due to the snow, but we persevered onward. Once we arrived at Sentinel Pass, the wind was relentless. But looking up at Mount Temple, the wind would be even more fierce. Sasha Fierce. That wind would be unforgiving for the next many many hours if we ascended. So we made the safety call to forgo Mount Temple, yet again. I’m okay with that. Safety first, folks! But Mount Temple has now elluded me a second time. Argh.
After Sentinel Pass, backtracking to start ascending EiffelMount Eiffel (middle) and Mount Pinnacle (right)Mount Eiffel, Mount Pinnacle, and cloud covered Mount TempleA snowy scramble to the summit of Mount Eiffel
The day was not over yet. Instead, we would try to summit nearby Mount Eiffel. Once I looked up at Mount Eiffel from the lake, it seemed like a very acceptable alternative. It was epic! So off we went to make the ascent of snow covered Mount Eiffel. I’ve never hiked a mountain in that much snow before, but it was quite a fun day, and the scrambling near the top was awesome. Don’t get me wrong, we were pretty tired, having just hiked to the top of Sentinel Pass, but once we reached the top, the views were unlike other hikes I’ve done. All of the mountains around us were covered with snow, and Mount Temple loomed just an arm’s length away. By this time, the sun was shining through, and the view of Temple’s summit was now visible. I can only describe it as incredible.
Joe, Paul, me and Dan at the summit of Mount EiffelPanoramic from the summitPanoramic with Mount Temple in viewStopping for photos and lunch at the summit of Mount EiffelAt the summit of Mount Eiffel. Temple totally photobombed my shot!
By the end of they day, we hiked to Sentinel Pass (elevation gain of 732 metres from the trailhead), turned back, bushwhacked to the start of the ridge to Mount Eiffel, reached the summit of Eiffel (3084 metres; elevation gain of 1230 metres from the trailhead), and navigated back through the Larch Valley as the snow melted. It was a very long hiking day of 10 hours. Despite the slips and wind and cold, it was most definitely worth every step!
“Gentlemen, we have conquered Mount Eiffel”Making the long and slippery descentBack at beautiful Moraine Lake after 10 hours of hiking
But it’s not over, Mount Temple. Mark my words. I can be Sasha Fierce too. You’ve been warned!
And speaking of Beyonce, it’s her birthday today, September 4th. She turns 31!
HIKES & HAMSTRINGS 