Finding our Rhythm

Brad and I are hitting a groove after a somewhat tentative start with marginal weather and an unfamiliarity with the complexities of the range. As things were warm and not yet in condition in the Banff and Canmore area, we headed north to the higher elevations of the Columbia Icefields and Jasper. The past few days have been chock full of good climbing. We typically get up well before the sunrise, climb for most of the day, and scout around before the early northern darkness sets in. Yesterday, we got quite a bit of climbing in at the world famous Weeping Wall. In the afternoon, we made a quick run up Tangle Creek, which was a fun lead for me.On the drive to Jasper, we saw a huge black wolf along the road, most likely following the caribou migration to Mount Edith Cavell near Jasper. This morning, we climbed the fun and classic Melt Out. Despite super cold early temperatures, we were pleasantly greeted with the first sun and blue sky we've seen in days as we climbed the upper pitches.Tomorrow, we'll head back south towards Canmore for our last few days of the trip.

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.