What an amazing weekend! I put in a big request with Mother Nature and we were rewarded with a spectacular trip! This weekend was the women's introduction to backpacking course and I hiked up to Taylor Lake with three lovely ladies. Let me tell you, they were absolute troopers!!! Two of them had never backpacked before, and they still showed up with potential snow in the forecast! Well done ladies.
Friday night we met in Canmore, went over what to pack and how to pack it, chatted about different weather sites, and even touched on map orientation! Phew...it was a busy night but we got it all covered! Afterwards the ladies were able to sit back and relax in their room at Solara Resort and Spa.
Getting to the trailhead packs were adjusted and hiking boots were put on. Hiking ~7km and 600m of elevation we arrived at the perfect time…Lunch! What a place to sit and watch the world go by! Flat and durable spots were found and tents were pitched. After laying out our sleeping bags and thermarests the map was poured over and a route was chosen to a tarn at the base of Panorama Ridge. With the completion of a group discussion the ladies headed off in the right direction and soon we were upon the tarn. Well done ladies! Watch out world, these ladies are map pros!
That evening everyone took a turn at making supper. We were treated to testing out two different types of stoves and no eyebrows were singed with lighting them! Appetites were smaller than anticipated, allowing me to live up my trail name and devouring the remaining pad thai. Jackie, however, would fight me for the remaining desert. Did you know that she only has a sense of smell for chocolate?
After lessons on layering and sleeping bags everyone enjoyed a toasty warm night sleep. We couldn’t have planned it any better and just as we retired for the evening we were lulled to sleep by the pitter-patter of rain. I love sleeping in my tent! It is like an old friend!
The next morning everyone enjoyed a wakeup call of coffee. Before heading back to our car the ladies took me over to O’Brien Lake. I have hiked up here a couple times this summer and the beauty never ceases to amaze me. WOW, is really all I have to say!
The next morning everyone enjoyed a wakeup call of coffee. Before heading back to our car the ladies took me over to O’Brien Lake. I have hiked up here a couple times this summer and the beauty never ceases to amaze me. WOW, is really all I have to say!
What a fantastic trip! These ladies were truly amazing! Thank you so much for joining me on such a great adventure!
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