Full Circle on Thanksgiving

As a six year old, my family took a camping trip to the Canadian Rockies. An adventure to this magnificent landscape at such an impressionable age ratcheted up my interest in the mountains from likely to the inevitable. The hike to Kinney Lake at the foot of Mount Robson was perhaps the most important hike of my childhood. Robson was certainly the first truly big mountain I saw up close, and to this day, the stature of it's 8000 ft Emperor Face is as impressive as ever. In many ways, my work in earth science and progression as a climber only add to the sense of wonder I felt as a child.Today, after a morning of ice climbing, Brad and I headed west and repeated the hike on a perfectly still afternoon. With the place to ourselves, we tracked through fresh powder along the Robson River through the stunning cedar-hemlock forest, my memories as vivid as ever.Gazing across the partially-frozen Kinney Lake, I reflected on how thankful I am to have seen so much of the world, take adventures with friends and family I love, and work in a field I care about. The world is our playground.Be thankful.