Climbing Things With Carly

Last weekend I was able to visit Canada’s only Interaprovincial park, Cypress HIlls. Situated on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan it was a bit of a drive and we arrived around 11 at night. Just in time to set up camp star gaze and head to bed. The weekend was filled with amazing views, lots of laughs and some mediocre biking. The trails were not very well maintained so biking involved a lot of stopping to lift the bike up and over some very large trees. All in all though the biking was fun. The trip was a typical first camping trip, where everyone forgot something. Between four of us we forgot one meal, a headlamp, a bike helmet and most importantly the adapter for the propane tank to the stove. This proved to be interesting since now all meals were to be cooked over the fire. I have to admit by the third meal we had a great system down and everything we very smoothly, although there is now less hair on everyone’s knuckles. We had gorgeous weather for the weekend and I have now been to the oasis on the prairies and although the elevation wasn’t that high we climbed up the things to ride down on bikes. 

On Saturday I was able to go for a hike up Prairie Mountain, just west of Bragg Creek. This mountain is one of the first in the front ranges that goes above to tree line to some spectacular views both to the prairies in the east and the mountains in the west. The staging area is right at Elbow Falls (which is worth a look). The hike is a leg burner with lots of up in a short amount of time my calves were on fire most of the way up, but the sun and blue sky made up for that a little. While going up the trail is mostly in the trees with brief glimpses of the scenery across the valley. Once we got above the tree line though the wind was howling and I’m talking blow you over if you stand on one leg (I know because it happened) and if you smile too much your teeth got cold like you had taken a large bite of ice cream. Despite wind at the top we were rewarded with amazing views and clear sky. Some people at the top had even brought up a new Canadian flag to mark the start of another great season of hiking. Each time I go out for an adventure it always amazes me how the outdoors really brings people together. The love for the outdoors is something I share with a lot of people all over the world and that is pretty cool if you ask me and remember always climb all the things!!!