A personal reflection on Mount Albert Edward

 As a child I always loved to explore the forests and I had a deep love for trails. It was all I ever wanted to do - play on the trails at the vacant lot or when we were camping. Heading out on a trail was an adventure and in my mind I was a great explorer going where no folks had gone before. Even as we drove down the highway I was always looking out the windows at the mountains and pretending I was hiking up the hill thinking there must be a way to make a trail up there. 

So now in my adult life I have been so blessed to be able to hike and explore not only the local mountains of my valley but also mountains and trails in three different countries.  I am thankful to have friends who also love to hike which allows me to explore places I could not do on my own. I have to give credit to my friend, Duncan, for teaching me about hiking and instilling in me the dream of climbing up to those "thin places"  - explaining the need to always be prepared for whatever the mountain may give to you that day. 

This past week I headed off to Strathcona Park with my friends and their daughter.  This would be our second overnight camp out together -  last year hiking to Cape Scott - a long but almost flat trail out to the west coast. This year our goal was Mount Albert Edward which is a short but steep hike with the summit sitting at 2091 meters. Higher than I have ever hiked before. 

Our first day we hiked the 11 kms into Circlet Lake at 1200 meters, where we camped for the night. My pack was 38 pounds and a bit too heavy for me so the going in was very slow and what should have been a 3 hour hike became a 5 hour hike. I was exhausted and a little concerned about the next days climb. Throughout the afternoon and evening we met different groups that had hiked the mountain that day. They all said the same thing - the first hour and a half was straight up and a real grind but after that it wasn't too bad. Lots of rocks and slippery dirt coming back down also took time. With the summit only being 5.5 km's away most people had done it within 6 hours. I had to admit I was getting very nervous. I knew my teammate was a slow hiker and so was I going up and if it took people 6 hours, it would probably take us about 8 or more. I was also concerned about the weight of my pack. We were just going up with water and snacks but I knew I needed my pack to be light. My friends were just taking one pack between the the three of them and I didn't want to slow us all down.

The morning of the hike we woke to a few light clouds but we knew the sun was to shine in the afternoon so I did one of the most unskilled things I have ever done out hiking -  I emptied my pack to lighten the load and only took water, snacks and my rain jacket.  I was really nervous and had had very little sleep due to the very cold night and as I waited for my turn at the "toilet" I found myself sitting down on a log and praying. Over the past few years I have drifted off from time of prayer but I was scared and although I know God isn't a place for wish lists I needed to find strength. I sat there deep in prayer asking for guidance and strength and for God to watch over us and bring us safely down from the mountain. It helped me feel more centered and calm.

We set of at 8:30 am and within fifteen minutes we reached the base of the first climb and up we went - up and up and up. It was very steep but the terrain, although rocky and root covered was not as bad as I had feared BUT I was scared. I found we had cell coverage so I quickly texted Duncan telling him how scared I was and was thankful to receive his note of encouragement. Upward and onward we went for about two hours. Most do this in an hour or hour and a half but we were being very cautious plus having to stop to rest and breathe along the way. 

There was a gap in between the two cliffs so we did get a short reprieve crossing a lovely plateau with small lakes and trees. It was very beautiful and would be a wonderful place to stop and spend some time but time was something we didn't really have a lot of. It was a tranquil and quiet place of reflection. The small ponds of water everywhere added to the beauty. 

Halfway up the next steep climb we stopped to rest on a log. An elderly man caught up to us and chatted away about his past hikes and hiking partner. He had a huge blue overnight pack on. He told us about the mountain we were climbing and where we needed to turn and such and said he would follow us to pace himself. 

 At one point he was talking to me and telling me of the dangers of the fog coming and and how one could easily make a wrong turn on the way down if we weren't careful. I told him I had a GPS and he said that was good but that we needed to really look at the markings around us so that we could find our way back. He reminded me so much of my wise friend Duncan and it was comforting. Eventually he went ahead of us and we carried on following the small cairns and ribbons along the way. There were many different trails so we stuck with the ones that looked the most traveled. Eventually we came up into the open and could look ahead and see the summit far off in the distance. We still had a very long way to go. 

After another hour we caught up to the elderly gentleman who was taking a break and so we chatted again. He suggested we could always hike the smaller mountain - Mount Jutland if we were running out of time. He said most importantly "Don't get cold and if that fog comes put on your rain pants. You've all got lights so you'll be okay."  Well none of us had rain pants, I was the only one with a light, we had not brought our toques, I had no mitts and I was now getting scared about the length of time it was taking us. I kept picturing all the gear I had brought but left behind in my tent. I knew better than to climb up a mountain into the snow level without enough layers to keep myself warm.  He pointed out the storm back where we had come and  said "If there is a storm on this side of the mountain there very well could be one on the other side". We couldn't actually see the summit as it was in the clouds.  He headed on up the mountain and I waited nervously for the other two to catch up to us. I kept thinking back to last year when I had hiked up the Old Man Storr on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The fog had come in quite quickly and was so thick you couldn't see more than a foot or two ahead of ourselves. I hoped that it wouldn't happen on this hike. 
Once the four of us were together we agreed on a 2:30 pm  turn around point and off we went. By this time I decided that if we reached the ridge I would be happy. I had no desire to stay up there too long. We passed a few people coming down and they said the view from the ridge was just as good as the view from the top and they had been at the summit in the fog so hadn't had a view at all. Most of them were young people full of energy, just wearing shorts and carrying light packs. One fellow we met was hiking all three mountain summits that day.  

At this point there is no trail just rock after rock. We each picked our way through them trying to follow the cairns placed by others. Every now and then I would get a glimpse of the man way up ahead in the distance. He wasn't going to the summit but going around the summit and down to the other side but each time I saw him I felt comforted to know we were still on the right pathway.

The mountain was wonderful. There were patches of snow that we had to cross. There were lovely little flowers growing out among the rocks, mostly heather but other lovely plants as well. I kept thinking how strong they had to be to grow where there was such little soil and where the weather was so cold for most of the year. 

I mostly hiked with my friends' thirteen year old daughter as we had a bit faster pace but we would wait and the other two would catch up so we never went too far ahead. 

Just before we reached the ridge I found the older man sitting, leaning up against the rock having a break while staying out of the wind. I went up to him and sat down and told him that we were probably only going to the ridge and then turn around. He asked me "Why would you do that? You've made it now, you have time to get to the summit. Just keep an eye on the weather and you have your light, you will be okay". So when we reached the ridge cairn twenty minutes later at 12:30 Brenda said we should go to the summit and sign the log. So off we went. It was so cold and windy up on the ridge. We put on our rain coats and kept moving.  My hands were very cold and I was so upset with myself for not bringing gloves. 

Thankfully there was a distinct trail along the ridge that you could see far into the distance and we could travel at a much quicker pace. Every now and then I could still see the blue back pack way up ahead and as we approached the base of the summit I looked over and saw the man still hiking but way off to the left now, heading around the base of the summit. He was walking at a steady pace. It was quiet moment and it saddened me to see him go but I realized there was something very special about him. He as our "shepherd". He had waited for us along the way to make sure we were doing okay and led us where we needed to go. I hoped he would get to his destination before dark as I am sure we held him up a bit. I truly felt the care he had shown us. 

By 1:50 we were at the summit. The clouds had parted, the sky was blue, the sun shone down upon us and we celebrated our climb by eating wine gums and finding the cache that was hidden up there on the ledge. The summit was marked by a cement block and wasn't all that huge of an area with a steep drop off on the other side.

 It felt so good to be up there and the 360 degree view was just amazing. I could have stayed up there in the sunshine all day however we could see another cloudy storm coming in the distance so by 2:10 we began our descent. 

We moved at a quick pace as we saw the fog coming around the base of the summit. I found myself constantly looking back to see where the fog was. Eventually the fog was in front of us. I felt bad as each time my friends caught up we headed off again giving them no rest but I knew I had to keep us moving. It had taken us 5.5 hours to reach the summit and it took us another five hours to get back to our campsite. 

We were so lucky as although the fog did catch up to us it was never heavy enough that we couldn't see the markers along the way. For the first three hours down though I was very scared and couldn't stop thinking how careless I had been to not pack extra layers in my pack and extra food. I kept thinking about Duncan and what he would say to me if I got stuck up there over night but thankfully we made it back to the lovely plateau before dark and were able to slowly climb down the steep steep cliffs to the campsite, arriving at 7 pm, only an hour before sunset. 

The next morning as I waited for my buddies to wake up I had a quiet breakfast with a small guest. I was still in a bit of shock from what we had accomplished yesterday and was reflecting on our "shepherd". In many ways it was a very spiritual hike that filled me with a sense of awe.  

That day we only hiked 4.5 kms to Kwai Lake where we set up camp and had a day of relaxation in the sun. We had planned to hike out to Cruishank canyon but none of us were interested in moving our bodies 4 km's down another trail. We rested our weary bodies and reflected back on our amazing hike up Mount Albert Edward.

 Kwai Lake is a beautiful small lake and it was so peaceful there. We took an evening stroll around the lake and tucked in early. It was nice to be able to sit and watch the birds and enjoy the sounds of nature. 

The following day we hiked the 7 km's back to our vehicle and looked back to the mountain in the far distance. All of us still surprised that we had actually been up there on the summit. It was an amazing experience for sure. For most folks it is an easy short day hike but for us it was a challenge and I believe the challenge of the day, of overcoming my fears, helped me to grow spiritually and reawaken in me a deeper sense of creation and our Creator. 

This was the most difficult hike I have ever been on and I think all four of us learned a lot about hiking up into places where the snow lays on the ground twelve months of the year. It was such a meaningful hike and experience and I will be ever thankful to our "shepherd" for watching over us and making sure we were safe. Looking through all of my pictures, I can't find the kind gentleman yet I will never forget his lovely smile and face and his wise words to us. I believe he was the answer to my morning prayer and I won't ever forget the way he looked as he slowly walked over the mountain and disappeared over the edge below the summit. 

Celebrations

As I have said many times " I LOVE caching". It is something that always brings me joy. It also sometimes brings me bruises, scratches, soaking wet clothing but it always brings me joy. This past weekend I was up in Comox with friends house sitting for my daughter. We took the ferries over to Hornby Island and went to Mount Geoffrey Escarpment park and hiked the outer ridge trail. It was a fantastic trail and made even more fantastic by the fact that you can drive up to almost the top of the ridge and then just walk along it. 

We were out caching and hoped to find the ten that were along the ridge. Thankfully up in Comox the caches seem to be hid much easier than in some other locations. I am sure there are some tough finds up there but mostly we find them quite quickly which makes the whole adventure much more enjoyable. 

The views were fantastic as we went along. We stopped and enjoyed them along the way. There were four of us so it was quite interesting when we came to the cache area as of course we all wanted to be the one to find it. It can get rather competitive at times. 

Finally we got to the ninth cache and my caching pals were great. It would be my 1000th cache so they let me find it on my own. It was a small cache hid in the trunk of a tree. It was a quick easy find and it was so very cool to have reached this years goal. We found a place to sit to have our celebratory lunch and I was very surprised to see my friends had packed up a small bottle of champagne and glasses. 

The 1000th cache was toasted and following lunch we carried on to find my pals 300th cache. They don't cache as often as I do as their main adventures are spent out on the water kayaking. Sadly the last cache wasn't there so we headed back to the car. 

It was a great hike - not too steep and not too long. We hiked about 3 hours and came back on the summit trail making it a nice loop. 
Back down the mountain we stopped in at Tribune Bay park and picked up their 300th cache and then headed home via the ferries. 

There are so many great places to hike in Comox and Courtenay. All within a short drive. We spent one afternoon caching in Seal Bay and then another day we just hiked Nymph Falls. Beautiful wide river coming down from Comox Lake and the noise from the falls was nature at its finest. 

On our last day we went to Kye Bay and walked along the dyke there and back along the beach. A great way to end four days. 

So now I guess it is on for the next 1000 caches. It will take much longer now as life always gets busy and I don't get out as much as I used to. Plus I have done most of the local caches so it always involves a drive. 

I am so thankful to have such good friends that love to cache and hike almost as much as I do. It is something I love to do but I really can't do it alone nor would I want to. Friendships are so important in life and need to be cherished. 

Family

This past Saturday we had a family reunion with all of the descendants of my Grandpa and Grandma - Edward and Annie Evans. Its been over ten years since we have gathered and we have grown in numbers but also lost a few. There are only four of the seven siblings still with us so it was well past time to gather. 

My family has deep roots here in the valley that I live in. They came here in the 1800's to farm and have been here ever since. Roads are named after my Great Uncles and Great Grandfather. Many of my friends think it is wonderful to have such a long standing connection to the valley and I have to admit it is pretty cool. Sometimes though I think of how huge the world is and how much I have missed out on by always living in the same place. I guess we can't have it both ways. 

102 of us gathering at Glenora hall just outside of Duncan. It was a fun day and I saw many of my cousins that I haven't seen in years. It was great to reconnect and hear a bit about what they are doing and where they are living. 

I am so thankful to have such a large family and so very very thankful that I was able to see my aunts and uncle again. It is so important to stay connected with family. Sometimes we start to take it all for granted and then suddenly they are no longer with us and we have missed out on opportunities to visit and catch up on life. 

It was a good day. Lots of food, lots of pictures and fun. I hope we stay connected...it is so easy now through the internet. Maybe we will gather again in a few more years. Family is such a gift and when 102 family come together it has to be pretty special!

Empty Benches - Lives Well Lived

I have spent these last four days exploring Comox and the Sunshine Coast with good friends. We walked a few trails, spent much time along the ocean and just enjoyed life. Whether I am walking along a coastal path, a path in town or hiking in the mountains I always come across benches. These benches have usually been placed there for people to sit upon and take in the wonderful views. Many are in memory of loved ones, of folks who obviously lived lives well, people who were loved and valued. The benches are a way of saying thank you for the gifts you gave to others in life. 

The conversations these benches have heard and the memories they hold would make a lovely book.  I enjoy taking pictures of the benches, waiting there, to be filled with adventurous folk. 

This past week as I came across these benches I thought about how empty they look, sitting there waiting. In life we can sometimes have that empty feeling inside of us. A feeling of unfulfillment, loneliness or of something just missing. Even when our lives are filled with the busyiness of life, filled with family and friends there can be a small spot of emptiness. 

I am certain there are folks out in our world who often feel that emptiness, that hollow feeling that maybe can come when we don't feel grateful for all that we have. Times when we desire more from life and I don't mean in material "things". It's most likely that those who have little in life feel more grateful for what they have than those who are very blessed in life, but even when life is full there can be a desire for something more. 

Being outdoors always brings me a sense of gratefulness. Grateful for this wonderful planet we live on, grateful for all of natures beauty and all the places I am able to visit. 

Mostly in life I believe we need to be thankful for all of our family and friends, those people whom we love and who love us in return. The people we journey with who will sit next to us on the empty bench and be there with us as we absorb and "fill" that emptiness we may have inside. 

It's important to take that ten minutes each day to stop what we are doing, take a few deep breaths and look at all we have in our lives, count our blessings and let that grateful feeling expand and fill the emptiness we may be feeling. 

We need to have meaning and purpose in life, we have to feel valued and value ourselves. Life is short and we don't want to spend it just waiting, waiting like the benches, waiting to be filled. We need to get outdoors and live life, be adventurous and absorb all of the gifts we have been granted and say "thank you".

To those folks who take care of our planet, to those who build the walkways and trails, to those who place the benches for us to rest on and take in the wonderful views that surround us I say "thank you" for all that you do and all that you have done  - it has brought joy and fulfillment to so many. And especially to those who are always there in my life journeying along beside me, to those who gave me an appreciation for the outdoors and allowed my adventurous spirit to explore the trails, and to those who sit beside me on the benches, for all of you, I am most thankful, you have helped me to feel valued and to be filled with gratefulness. 

Living Life

This past weekend was a long one and in many ways. It was a weekend full of laughter and tears, celebrations and grief, and time spent in the outdoors. Life is so very precious and I always try to make the most of each day and fill it from morning to night with friends or adventure but mainly both. 
It began with the wedding of my daughter's best friend where I happened to run into two of my childhood friends who I haven't seen in some time. It was good to share memories and get caught up with their lives. It was wonderful to witness two young people beginning their life together. There was so much to be thankful for. 

Sunday morning, a friend and I headed over to Gabriola Island to do some caching and to meet up with our kayaking friends on the beach for lunch. It was a beautiful day and we needed to be outdoors. The day before we had lost a good man who left this world way too young. So we spent the morning finding caches and then we received the coordinates of where our lunch gathering would be. Being great "cachers" we had no problem at all finding the lunch "cache".

It was good to be with pals and share stories about our friend , it was a time to laugh and a time to mourn and in sharing our grief the healing process began.  
Gabriola Island is full of parks and trails and we never seem to have enough time there. One could walk for hours crisscrossing the trails near the shore and traveling to all the little beaches. 

Today was our lucky day. Just before heading back we found two caches that we had searched for three or four times before. Today we made the two quick finds and so our bushwhacking effort was well paid for and we left the island feeling quite successful  and a little more accepting of the sadness in life. 

The following day I was blessed to be able to go kayaking with my buddy who paddles as often as I hike, actually more than I hike. We headed out from Genoa bay and traveled down the coastline and around Separation point to Sansum Narrows. It was a glorious day to be out on the water. 

The waters were calm and so it was an easy paddle and a time to be reflective and just enjoy the animal and sea life we saw along the way. I found it especially wonderful as I could look up at the hills I normally hike and see where the view lookouts were. It was great to see it all from the "other side". It is always helpful in life to be able to see things from both sides, it just gives one another perspective. 

We stopped at three beaches, morning hot chocolate break, lunch break and then a final stop to hide a cache and take a swim. Yes, the water was a bit cold but totally refreshing. It was a day of light conversations, sharing of childhood stories and just being thankful for natures beauty. 

It's hard to believe that so much could happen in just three days. Life for one ended, a marriage began, friends explored the outdoors together connecting with nature both on the land and on the water. Sometimes I wonder if I should keep myself so busy but then something happens and once again I am reminded how short life really is and how precious each moment is. 

Time spent with family and friends needs to be valued, time spent outdoors on the trails or on the water needs to be savoured. When the time comes that I am no longer able to hike or explore I want to be able to look back at all the wonderful times I had being out in creation and remember how healing it was. Life is hard, but life is also very good and for me, to keep it all in balance I need to connect with creation often. It gives me time to breath, time to reflect and reminds me of all the good in life there is. The blessing we have here on our island are abundant and they out weigh the hurts and the pain we sometimes feel, a million times over.  Life is good.