Sometimes you just have to unplug from the daily routine and the city stimuli, venture out on your own in nature, and think.
I know. It’s so cliche. But how often do you actually give yourself the time… the space… to be at one with your thoughts? To really honour what it is that occupies your mind? To allow yourself a chance to gain some clarity- without the car noises, text message beeps, pressing work and family commitments, ongoing to-do lists, or multitude of other things vying for our immediate attention?
The time leading up to the new year is always exciting for me. It’s when I allow myself some time to reflect on the successes of the closing year, what worked and did not work, and a focus for the upcoming year.
My plan for this year (which is similar to others years) is to think of what would fuel me on a personal and emotional level. From there, I can make a declaration of how I want the year to go, after which I can create action items to ensure that the year aligns with the declared theme.
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”
From Ha Ling Peak: Mountain peaks all around and Canmore down below
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!
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”
HIKES & HAMSTRINGS 