Nihahi Ridge – HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

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.

Nihahi: The Best Dinner Spot in the World

I should eat dinner here every night :) — I should eat dinner here every night 🙂

Now this is a dinner spot with a view.

On Friday, Jess, Dave, Robbie and I headed out for an after work hike. I thought about going to Nihahi, which is where we ended up, but with the nights descending upon us earlier and earlier, we didn’t quite make it to the summit. That ended up being completely okay, though. We all packed sandwiches for dinner and by the time 7:00 pm rolled around, we decided to stop and feast. We chose a spot, about mid-way to the summit, facing west.

I really do live in an amazing place. Calgary is a great city in its own right, but I love living here because of its proximity to the mountains. One minute, I’m working in the Statistics Canada data centre on main campus; the next, I’m eating dinner and overlooking the Elbow Valley while the sun sets behind the clouds and the expansive mountains ahead. The magnitude of the view was enough to create a reflective mood among the four of us, and in some ways, put us in our place. Not all dinners are that awesome in the true sense of the word.

Hiking and Caving Shenanigans

Shenanigans are the best kind of nanigans. And where there’s shenanigans, usually Dan’s around. So yes, Dan was visiting 2 weekends ago for some hiking and caving adventures! I know, I’m a bit behind on my postings. Back off already! But since I haven’t been keeping up, I will conveniently hi-jack Dan’s blog postings about the weekend and link them here. However, I will also share some photos and videos of the epic weekened. EPIC I says.

1) Read all about the great hike at Nihahi Ridge here:

“All The Classy Bitches Drink Mountain Top Scotch”

2) All the going-ons about the caving adventure at Rat’s Nest can be found here:

“It’s a Dark Wet Hole. It Must Be Fun.”

Nihahi. Third time is a charm :) — Nihahi. Third time is a charm 🙂

All the Classy Bitches Drink Mountain Top Scotch

Having already climbed Nihahi, Sergeant Stroker stayed home and relaxed. A little too much. — Having already climbed Nihahi, Sergeant Stroker stayed
home and relaxed. A little too much.

The adventurous group, ready for caving!

Chloe diving into the Laundry Chute. Chloe, NO!

We made it out alive! Yay :) — We made it out alive! Yay 🙂

Chilly on Nihahi!

Since I’m incredibly exhausted at the time of writing this, I will keep this entry brief. I hiked Nihahi today with my friend Adriane. I had done this hike on my birthday, and at that time, I never did reach the ridge. This time, however, we made it! It was a chilly fall day. The leaves are still turning colour, which made for some beautiful views. And since it’s cold enough, the mountains were topped with snow. Gorgeous!

We started the hike at 11:40 and ended at 4:55, so 5 hours and 15 minutes. Not too bad! We hit the ridge in about 3 hours, and thanks to an awesome scree slope, we were down the mountain in no time!

Stopping for a photo :) — Stopping for a photo 🙂

The Elbow Valley... So pretty... — The Elbow Valley… So pretty…

Descending from the ridge. Snow already! :( — Descending from the ridge. Snow already! 😦

Sargeant Stroker. Well, naturally... — Sargeant Stroker. Well, naturally…

Back down to the river. Nihahi- we conquered you!

A 30th Birthday Weekend to Remember!

A High-Fiving Birthday Celebration!

So it’s official. I turned 30 on Saturday. But you know, I’m quite okay with this number. It is, after all, just a number, right? Yes, physical signs of aging come with the territory, but I like to think of age as a mentality- I feel mature and I feel my age, yet I feel youthful, active and I see the world with so much promise. Bring on the 30’s, I say!

Happy Birthday Karmen, Rob…and Me!

A few years ago, shortly after I moved to Calgary, I celebrated my 28th birthday by buying myself a piece of carrot cake, a coffee, and going back to my empty apartment to consume it all. Honestly, it was a great birthday. However, fast-forward two years, and I can truly say that I had a birthday weekend described as epic, made special by great friends *aww*. What was awesome, though, is that the celebrations for the birthday weekend extravaganza were for six birthdays! 🙂 Another great note is that my friend Jenine from Toronto was visiting Calgary, so it was great to have many people together for the festivities.

Ready to hike Nihahi Ridge Trail

“We’re happy to be here!”

Hiking through the meadow on the way to the ridge

A coconut cupcake (with candles) to be eaten at the summit!

A great view of the Elbow Valley

From Friday to Sunday, it was a packed weekend. First up, a night of bowling for Rob’s, Karmen’s and my birthdays. It was a riot: fun 5-pin bowling and tasty pizza, cake and gifts! Early the next morning, and the day I turned 30, a planned day hike to Nihahi Ridge was greeted with fantastic summer weather. It was a quadruple celebration day: Robin’s, Shari’s, Laura’s and my birthdays.

Shari and I

I’m 30 years old and I did it!

Jenine being adventurous 🙂

Nihahi Ridge

After a steady pace to the top of the mountain, we ate like royalty: a baguette, brie, prosciutto, turkey, lunches and snacks, and a 2006 bottle of an Argentinian Malbec that I picked up in Buenos Aires and have been saving for 3 years! Hiking in style is the only way to go, and I guess I was just waiting for the right occasion to crack open the bottle :). Of course, birthday celebrations wouldn’t be complete without cake and candles. We had cupcakes, chocolate cake, and a gigantic coconut cupcake from Crave (To note: Coconut cupcake from Crave = the best cupcake EVER! Thanks Sony!). Needless to say, we had a great feast near the summit, and no, there was no wine left for the descent :). We ended the evening relaxing on the patio at Redwater Grille in Aspen, where I had a flat-iron steak and mushroom risotto served with asparagus. It was also great to chat with my parents and siblings that night. Even though I couldn’t join for the anniversary dinner (To Ed and Lynne: Happy Anniversary!!), we were all together in spirit for the double celebration… *aww*, *tear*.

Robin opening melted cupcakes. Yum!

Such a tasty wine! Totally worth the wait 🙂

One of many birthday cakes

My meal at Redwater Grille. Sooo good.

On Sunday, Jenine and I visited Elbow Falls, hiked the area, and returned to Calgary in time for a session of Bikram hot yoga (… and it felt fantastic!). The weekend ended with a meal at The Keg… and more steak… and wine.

Elbow Falls

Give me my steak!

Thank you to everyone who made this past weekend incredibly special. I turned 30 and celebrated several birthdays with such great people. I had friends and family from home and abroad call/ text/ FB/ e-mail/ and send letters/cards to wish me happy birthday. I ate and drank like they were going out of style! Many amazing memories were formed, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store. What a way to start a new decade, I say… :).

I really am happy to be here! Bring on the 30’s…