Anyone that follows my instagram knows that last summer was all about Tunnel mountain in Banff for me. I went up it 5 times. Its the first summit I have ever made and I was so proud of it, even though its small. What funny is I have done several hikes that were much longer and I have gained 4 times the elevation BUT I had never stood at the top of a mountain that I had walked all the way there. It was a total paradigm shift. And I wanted to share that.
So I proposed a couch to summit series of walks and hikes to my instagram followers. Much like the push up challenge earlier in the season, it was easy for people to say they were interested but not so easy to get people to show up. I ran city meet ups to walk and swim all summer and had only a few people regularly attend. I went on several hikes but usually it was with my brother or one or two people who regularly were going with me anyways. I was disheartened. I am training to become a guide and I wanted this summer to be all about that, turns out I was getting a little taste of how hard it is to get going with these things. I know I have been that person who signs up and then doesn't really go. But still, I had people coming. And I made a few really good new friends. And we still made the trip to tunnel in August and I guided 4 ladies to the top. What a perfect day of chatting on the drive and getting to know one another. Beautiful perfect weather. The smoke from the wildfires had somewhat cleared so the view was better than some other summits this year. And then we all high fived at the top knowing we had showed up and gotten ourselves there! Then hot springs and well deserved lunch. I will be doing all this again this year as I attempt to go work for Parks Canada (hey parks Im for hire!!) as well as plan another series. You see I am aiming for the Everest basecamp trek in 2020 and I have to get some serious km's in, cardio training, summits and pack carrying in multiway treks so that I can do that trip in one piece. I will be putting this together soon and posting about it here and on instagram for people to sign up, I want to go with as many of you as possible! I want to meet new people, practice my guiding skills and teach you all of the amazing things I have been learning all about the past year! I hope to see you soon.
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Authorthere are facts and then there are emotions. This is as honest as I can be about my struggles and triumphs. |