Skip to main content

Plans for Summer 2023

 Plans for Summer 2023

As my year winds down in Ontario and return home is on the horizon it is beginning to get harder and harder not to make plans for the summer. All the following plans are tentative however I hope to complete most of them.

Banded Peak - I know, this one again. Banded peak has been something I've been talking about doing for almost two years, but have not yet completed. This summer I've made it a must - for real this time. The plan as it stands right now is to hike to Big Elbow in the evening one night, sleep there, and complete Banded the next day. The plan for the actual Banded ascent is very tentative and based how we're feeling in the moment however right now the plan is to hike Banded, complete the traverse to Outlaw and then descend from Outlaw back to Big Elbow for one more night of camping. Even if the plans do change, this is guaranteed to be a highlight of the summer. 

Sunrise Hike - Last summer Dad and I hiked up Forgetmenot Ridge and slept up there to watch the sunrise the following morning. Maybe he will express how he felt about it in the comments, but for me it was one of the best hikes last summer. There is something surreal about waking up on the top of a mountain to watch the sunrise at 5am. I'm exploring a couple options right now on where to complete this summers sunrise hike but as of right now the options include Powderface Ridge (false summit) and Mount Burke. I'm leaning towards Mount Burke for a couple reasons. Firstly, it is on the edge of the mountain range which promises for an incredible view of the sun rising over the prairies. Mount Burke also has an abandoned fire lookout at the top which could make an awesome spot to set a tent up at the top and it could add some protection from the elements and wind. Similar to Banded I think whatever happens with this hike it will provide an array of unique experiences.

Sunrise Hike From Last Year

Other Plans - Besides the two mentioned above, my hiking season remains pretty wide open. I have a lot of day hikes in mind so I guess I'll see where those take me, but I am sure that there will be lots of hiking content this summer. I am going to try to bring a camera when I hike this summer to create more accurate documentation of my hikes. One thing is for sure after being away from the mountains this year - I am extremely privileged to reside where I do. I feel having grown up in Alberta and the mountains they have become deeply entrenched in who I am and I find it hard to be away from them. I'm excited to be home and get the season started and when I do I will be sure to update the blog...

Comments

  1. Jossinet - McGuire ClanJune 22, 2023 at 2:49 PM

    The sunset/sunrise hike was very special. With an evening hike up and a early morning hike back down, we had the entire place to ourselves. The sunset portion was cut off a little by the height of the mountains, but the sunrise was spectacular looking East over the prairies. I'm really looking forward to whatever plan Sam comes up with this summer, and will definitely be tagging along - as long as he doesn't mind waiting up for me!! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

12/08/2024 - Smutwood Peak

 Smutwood Peak 50° 48' N, 115° 24' W Quite possibly the craziest hike of the summer for Sam and I. After completing the fairly lengthy drive to the trailhead, we started our walk around 8:00am. The only other car when we got to the trailhead was a grey Toyota with a Yeti SB 160 loose in the back - kind of weird to just leave it there. The approach to Smutwood peak begins with around 4km of flat low level walking through lush forrest. Even so, the views are incredible and there is lots to keep your eyes busy. Around 2km into the hike there is a pretty incredible falls that we stopped at for some water and a slight breather. One of the reasons this hike is spectacular is due to the fact that during the approach and even on the ascent you are exposed to some of the most spectacular peaks in this region of the Rockies.  On the right side of the approach, The Fist and Mount Smuts can be seen, menacingly looking down at you. Straight ahead Mount Birdwood is visible, a constant remin...
1 comment
Read more

06/01/25 - Windtower II

  Windtower (2nd Time)  This has somewhat become a tradition for my buddy Sam (another different Sam, I'm not talking in the third person) and I (we completed our first summit last year on January 1st). This year we were joined by Sam's buddy Joe, making a trio for the second summit attempt. Last year proved to be quite difficult as were were quite unprepared and were not expecting the length we encountered. The day was shaping up to be a good one as the skies were clear and just as we arrived at the trailhead the sky was beginning to brighten. The car thermometer was reading negative fifteen degrees, but it actually felt pretty mild as it was still outside with little to no wind. Our ultimate push was the summit, but our mindset was to get there in the most fun way possible and we weren't against turning around if the conditions weren't favourable. Joe and I were armed with Microspikes and a Black Diamond Raven ice axe each, while Sam was equipped with dedicated Petzl ...
Post a Comment
Read more

17/07/2023 - Moose Mountain Sunrise

 Moose Mountain Sunrise Hike Heading out later in the day Sunday (around 5pm) the plan was to hike with our gear to somewhere close to the base of the false summit of Moose, set up camp, and then proceed to the summit and return to our camp set up already. The trail fam for the day would be myself, my brother Ben, Dad, Dad's friend Mike and Mike's son Olly - quite an extended fam as compared to usual. The first part of Moose is always pretty mellow; steep double track covered in fallen pine needles. The first part I always find creates the best conversations because everyone is still relatively not out of breath. Today the conversation for Ben and I was how incredibly lucky we are to be able to have the mountains as part of our backyard. The fact that we can both work for the day, come home from work and go sleep on top of a mountain is something that most people do not have the opportunity to do. The only downside of having the mountains as a part of your identity is that it h...
1 comment
Read more