Scrambling

Mount Lawrence Grassi: In Photos

August 19, 2016 by Ricky Chin 5 Comments

Looking north toward Ha Ling Peak. It looks so mini from here!

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

May 31, 2016 by Ricky Chin 6 Comments

Descending on Nihahi Ridge Trail — Descending Nihahi Ridge Trail

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.

Mount Thompson and All The Smells!

July 14, 2015 by Ricky Chin 3 Comments

Bow Lake has never looked more beautiful!

Thursday July 2. And that was Peyto Hut, our cozy abode for 2 nights. After an oatmeal breakfast we packed up and cleaned up. One of my tasks was to empty some leftover bison stew and pasta into the outhouse. It is not a fun thing to do. The outhouse, as you can imagine, has a strong pungent stench of the excrement of many mountaineers. And in I go, with bowls of food, to throw the leftovers into the hole. It’s a whole lotta smells!