Exploring | Mount Tyrwhitt

What began as a not-so-bad hike up Mount Tyrwhitt ended up getting kinda crazy when we reached the summit and decided to walk the ridge across to the next peak and then go back down to the parking lot from there. Except it wasn't really an easy ridge walk, it was more sliding down some scree to get halfway down the mountain, walking across the sinking scree, and then heading back up the mountain to get to the peak only to have another whole hour of hiking to get back to the parking lot. At least the views were nice and the company was good.

Exploring | Smutwood Peak

Rocky and I made a pinky promise a year ago that we would summit Smutwood Peak when he agreed to help second shoot a wedding for me instead of doing this hike with his wife and sister-in-law. A 4:30 am wake-up call, one synopsis of Game of Thrones, and two moose sightings later, Rocky, Shanelle, and I pulled up to an old logging road and started our trek. This was a tough 20km (especially since this was my very first hike of the season), but getting to that summit made it all worth it. It also helped that I was with one heckin' good hiking crew that made every minute of the trip so much fun. A Saturday well spent in the mountains.

Ptarmigan Cirque

At the beginning of this hike I expressed my desire for more fog. Fast forward to an hour later and I got all the fog I ever needed plus all the rain that came with it. Regardless, a good morning spent with the best of company.

Exploring | Rawson Lake

On the early drive out to Kananaskis we saw not only an outstanding sunrise against the cloudy mountains but also the most brilliant rainbow I have ever seen with my own eyes. At the entrance of the parking lot, we also spotted a moose. Good signs for things to come.

When we made it to the top of the 4 km hike (slowly on my part), we were greeted with a moody view of the lake. We faced pretty much all the elements on our hike up to Rawson Lake - Rain. Sleet. Snow. Howling winds. Once in a while the sun would make an appearance and cast a beautiful light across the mountains.

Once we made it back down, we headed to Canmore for dinner and drinks. A focused effort to be present in the moment meant face-down phones until the bill was paid. During that time I don't think there was a single moment where I wasn't laughing or smiling. 

I can't believe how lucky I am to have found a group of people I love spending so much time with. The day before hanging out I can never sleep because my brain goes crazy with anticipation, like if it's the day before Christmas. This is a group of people who pushes me to be better and who constantly inspires me. A group where I truly feel like myself.

Exploring | Banff National Park (Part II)

From Mount Norquay, we made an impromptu trip to Lake Minnewanka just in time to catch the next tour boat. We opted to sit on the deck of the boat. One of the operators told us that the last people to sit outside only lasted twenty minutes before surrendering to the cold; the views were so great, however, we became oblivious to the chilling wind, darting back and forth to capture every single stunning sight of the lake and the mountains. We made a quick stop at Two Jack Lake after the tour to scope out a forest. Chris, Ernest, and I then made a detour, pulling over to the side of the highway for a quick trek and some last photos of the day. After a lovely dinner at Communitea in Canmore, we finally headed back to Calgary. It's amazing how much you can get out of a day when you're with a group of really amazing people who are down for anything.

The crew: Chris Amat, Shan Fredrickson, Ernest Hon, Vian Esterhuizen, and Katelyn Strang