Wawa Ridge

More information to come.

Boulton Creek XC Ski

More info to come.

Previous trips in the area
Elk Pass
Elk Lakes Cabin (Overnight)

Bow Hut

More info to come.

New York

More information to come.

Nashville

More information to come. 

Na Pali Coast Sail

Content to come.

Sleeping Giant Trail

Hike Name: Sleeping Giant

Activity: Hiking

Distance: ~7 km (RT)

Altitude: ~500 m

Elevation Gain: ~300 m

Area: Kauai (HI, USA)

Crew: Steph

Time to End: ~1.5 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Sleeping Giant Trailhead near Kapaa


Additional Info:
After an amazing beach morning in the SUN, we decided we still wanted to do something and settled on heading east and doing a hike in an area we hadn't been to yet. This was another one of my favourites on the island, it wasn't as busy (probably because of the wet weather though), but had amazing views. Felt good to summit something too... ;)

Photos to come.

Awa'awapuhi Trail

Hike Name: Awa'awapuhi Trail

Activity: Hiking

Distance: ~10 km (RT)

Altitude: 1,219 m

Elevation Gain: ~650 m

Area: Kauai (HI, USA)

Crew: Steph

Time to End: ~2 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Awa'awapuhi Trailhead


Additional Info:
We skipped hiking the ridge in between this one and Kalepa Ridge to change up our views a bit. This was probably my favourite hike on the trip! It is a little longer, a bit more elevation gain, and the view at the end is absolutely spectacular. Straight out of Jurassic Park!!

Photos to come.

Maha'ulepu Trail

Hike Name: Maha'ulepu Trail

Activity: Hiking

Distance: ~6 km (RT)

Altitude: 0 m

Elevation Gain: ~100 m

Area: Kauai (HI, USA)

Crew: Steph

Time to End: ~1.5 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Shipwreak Beach


Additional Info:
After a very rainy day,  Steph and I decided to take advantage of the break in the rain/light sprinkling that was going on, and do a hike. The trailhead was only a 3 minute drive from our air bnb & the hike itself wasn't very long so we decided to go for it. We saw a seal on the beach at the beginning which was neat, and the views along the hike were very cool! A crazy view straight out into the ocean into nothingness, sea cliffs, tide pools, etc. I definitely recommend this one, as it was also a change of pace/scenery for us (as we'd only hiked in Koke'e up to this point).

Photos to come.

Canyon Trail

Hike Name: Canyon Trail

Activity: Hiking

Distance: ~10 km (RT)

Altitude: 1,000 m

Elevation Gain: 368 m

Area: Kauai (HI, USA)

Crew: Steph

Time to End: ~2 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Halemanu-Koke'e Trailhead


Additional Info:
After hiking Kapela Ridge, we decided since the weather was so gorgeous and we had already done the drive up to Koke'e, we had to do another hike! We did the Canyon Trail up Waimea canyon, to Waipo'o falls. So Jurassic Park.

 Me and the canyon

Nice waterfall

Kalepa Ridge

Hike Name: Kalepa Ridge

Activity: Hiking

Distance: ~5 km (RT)

Altitude: 1,219 m

Elevation Gain: 176 m

Area: Kauai (HI, USA)

Crew: Steph

Time to End: ~1 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Kalalau Lookout, Koke'e State Park


Additional Info:
Steph and I were recommended to do Kapela Ridge as one of our first hikes. The weather was beautiful and hot, the clouds were rolling in and out, dramatically changing the scenery as we hiked. After we finished Kalepa Ridge, we did the Canyon Trail in the Waimea Canyon. We did get some BEAUTIFUL ocean views, even though I don't have them pictured here.

 Always snappin' pics

 A candid Steph, framed nicely!!

Beautiful.

Morro Peak

Hike Name: Morro Peak

Activity: Hiking/Scrambling

Distance: ~5 km RT

Altitude: 1,676 m

Elevation Gain: 628 m

Area: Jasper National Park

Crew: Ben, Garrett, Leah B

Time to Summit: ~2 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Overlander Trail Trailhead

Additional Info:

We were up in Jasper for the Dark Sky Festival with Garrett and Leah. We decided to do a little hike - and it was unbelievably hot and sunny for a late October outing!

 Taco x Westy Setup

 On the way up

Tres Companions

Westy on the way home at the Columbia Icefield

Grizzly Ultra (Relay)

We were thinking of running the Grizzly Ultra solo, but with the 66+cm that fell in Canmore the previous week (over two days...!!), we were nervous about the trail conditions and decided to do a 2-person relay. The route was altered due to the snowfall and was split up as follows:

New Leg 1 = Old Leg 1 - Grey Wolf - 13km - Elevation 144m (Claire)
New Leg 2 = Old Leg 1 - Grey Wolf - 13km - Elevation 144m (Lisa)
New Leg 3 = Old Leg 2 - Cougar - 12km - Elevation 264m (Claire)
New Leg 4 = Old Leg 5 - Coyote -5km - Elevation 153m (Lisa)
New Leg 5 = Old Leg 5 - Coyote -5km - Elevation 153m (Lisa)

With the stadium moving farther away this year (to avoid mud/snow in the field), the race was still 50km long (~500m added to each leg to run to the parking lot). We came in first in the all-woman 2-person relay!! (Claire carrying the team of course! The 7/123 is our overall standing - accounting for all-men and co-ed teams as well) I had an incredible time running the alternating legs, it was so much fun. I can't wait to do it again, or tackle a full ultra on my own.... maybe. And I will train next time! (I keep saying this...)

I have to write this down to remind myself to fuel better for next time, but I had some killer calf cramps running the final leg. MORE ELECTROLYTES! MORE WATER! They matter!!

Grey Wolf (Legs 1 & 2):

Cougar (Leg 3):

Coyote (Legs 4 & 5):

Egypt Lake Shelter (Overnight)

Name: Egypt Lake Shelter

Activity: Backcountry Camping/Backpacking

Total Distance: ~30 km

# Nights: 2

Date: September 29 - October 1, 2018

Area: Banff National Park

Crew: Ben
Trailhead: Sunshine Parking Area/Gondola Base

Route: 
Day 1 - Sunshine to Egypt Lake Shelter (12 km, ~700m)
Day 2 - Pharaoh Peak (~6 km, ~800m)
Day 3 - Egypt Lake Shelter to Sunshine (12 km, ~400m)


Ben and I really wanted to get out to the mountains for an over-nighter since we didn't get as many in this year as we like to. As the weekend drew nearer, the weather forecast became worse, and as we watched the vacancy rise in Egypt Lake Shelter, we decided to book it. We decided to maybe do a day-hike on day 2 but if the weather was too poor, we were happy with hanging out at the shelter and reading. Luckily, the weather held out long enough for us to summit Pharaoh Peak, and it started to snow just as we returned! The hike out was snowy and low-vis but we had an awesome time... ski season is just around the corner!

I came here with Julia and Jeevan in 2015.

 At Healy Pass (day 1)

Looking over towards Egypt/Scarab Lake. Pharaoh Peak on the right.

Pharaoh Peak

Hike Name: Pharaoh Peak

Activity: Hiking/Scrambling

Distance: ~6 km (RT from Egypt Lake Shelter)

Altitude: 2,713 m

Elevation Gain: ~800 m (from Egypt Lake Shelter)

Area: Banff National Park

Crew: Ben

Time to Summit: ~2 hrs (from Egypt Lake Shelter)

Lisa's Mom Rating: Maybe

Trailhead: Egypt Lake Shelter or Sunshine Ski Resort Parking Lot

Additional Info:

We stopped at Egypt Lake on the way up to Pharaoh Peak (slight detour). It was a cold summit day, we were lucky enough to hike Pharaoh Peak on a Sunday, so it was tracked out in the snow for us from hikers the previous day. It was quite steep in the snow and the wind was very brisk but the view from the top was absolutely stunning. May be some of the best views in BNP. We had perfect timing on this hike, as it started to snow right as we returned to the shelter.

 Ben on the way up

 Myself on the way up

 Still on our way up.

 On the summit!

Couple Selfie!

Canmore Half Marathon

Third half marathon. The Canmore half is becoming a tradition.. Next time I should NOT hike Mount Tyrwhitt the day before. And I will train!

I ran this back in 2015.

Mount Tyrwhitt

Hike Name: Mount Tyrwhitt

Activity: Hiking/Scrambling

Distance: 9.5 km (RT)

Altitude: 2,871 m

Elevation Gain: ~680 m

Area: Kananaskis Valley

Crew: Rachel

Time to Summit: ~2.5 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: No

Trailhead: Highwood Pass Parking Lot/Ptarmigan Cirque

Additional Info:

Rachel and I scrambled Mount Tyrwhitt to go look at the keyhole feature. There was a lot of loose rock so helmets are recommended, as well as lots of communication with any groups that are above or below you!

Summit Trail

Hike Name: Summit Trail - Panorama Mountain

Activity: Hiking

Distance: unsure

Altitude: unsure

Elevation Gain: ~950 m

Area: Panorama, BC

Crew: Stephanie, Christine

Time to Summit: ~2.5 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Panorama Mountain Village

Additional Info:

We were in Panorama for the No-Boat-Houseboat 2018 partayyy for the Labour Day long weekend. Christine, Steph and I decided to hike to the top of the resort and take the chairlift down! Much needed exercise after some pollution the night before... (and the coming nights...)

 The GIRLS

 The VIEW

The GLORIOUS KNEE-SAVING TRIP DOWN!

Mount Rae ii

Hike Name: Mount Rae

Activity: Hiking/Scrambling

Distance: ~10 km (RT)

Altitude: 3,218 m

Elevation Gain: ~1000 m

Area: Kananaskis Valley

Crew: Stephanie

Time to Summit: ~2.5 hrs

Lisa's Mom Rating: No

Trailhead: Highwood Pass Parking Lot/Ptarmigan Cirque


Additional Info:
I have been up to the saddle on a previous trip, where we ran into snow and decided to turn around. Steph and I chose Mount Rae after realizing that the weather was absolutely perfect to do a bigger peak. This was an absolutely killer day, we had too much fun! 

Note: Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40) is seasonally closed. It closes from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to the Highwood House Junction from December 1 to June 14 annually.

 Heading up to the rock ribs to get to the saddle. Ptarmigan Cirque is around the corner to the right below.

Just above the saddle. Amazing views already!

 Up on the ridge to the summit

Northover Ridge (Overnight)

Name: Northover Ridge

Activity: Backcountry Camping/Backpacking

Total Distance: 41 km

# Nights: 2

Date: July 21 - July 23, 2018

Area: Kananaskis Lakes

Crew: Ben, Mark, Laura
Trailhead: Interlakes

Route: 
Day 1 - Interlakes to Aster Lake (14km, ~600m) +3km because we missed a turn (so deep in conversation that we went 1.5km without noticing!)
Day 2 - Aster Lake to Three Isle Lake via Northover Ridge (13km, ~950 total)
Day 3 - Three Isle Lake to Interlakes (11km, all downhill, baby)


Northover Ridge has been on the top of our list for a looooong time. We have been talking about it for a few years, and booked it for September 2017 but had to cancel due to a snowstorm and hiked into Assiniboine instead. We finally got it booked for the summer of 2018 and we crossed our fingers for nice weather.

I'll start talking about booking - book 90 days in advance from the first day of your trip - they are strict. We emailed them at 9am on the 90-day-prior-mark and didn't get one of the 5 tent pads at Aster for the Friday night, so we shifted our trip by 1 day (Saturday to Monday instead) and booked right at midnight to get in. This was actually for the best, since on our hike in, everyone we talked to who had done the ridge said it was insanely windy - including on Saturday (the day we originally planned to do the ridge). Luckily, our ridge day - Sunday - had little to no wind and no rain/snow! We were beyond stoked. Of course.

The first day was pretty funny, as we were all head-down, chatting, following each other and kept missing turns. At one point we walked 1.5km in the wrong direction (at least it was flat!) and had to double back so we tacked 3km onto our day.... nice warmup, right??... right. The trail to hidden lake was a little tough to find (with our heads down & hearts in the middle of the now, as Bennett would say) but once we found it, it was quite obvious and a well-beaten track. I'll point out that the trail in the trees around Hidden Lake is solid too - as older trip reports say it is a bushwhack - it is not anymore.

Aster Lake Campground is a beautiful little spot. We met a guided group who had just summited Joffre that day and also ran into some friends at Aster Lake - which is hilarious, considering it is probably the smallest campground in Kananaskis (with 5 tent pads)! We ate some delicious backcountry tacos for dinner - not even dehydrated - thanks for carrying 2 lbs of raw meat in, Laura! We had also read about a porcupine infestation on previous trip reports and they were the butt of the jokes for the weekend - so we were diligent about hanging our packs and hiding our boots in our vestibules - and were looking forward to laughing at the porcupine shrieks in the middle of the night - but that didn't happen... so update: seems that there are no more porcupine at Aster Lake! Haha.

The next day we hiked Northover Ridge to Three Isle Lake. And what a day it was! The photos will speak for themselves (below), but it was a stellar day with pretty ideal weather. We all agreed that this is the best backcountry trip we have ever done in Alberta/BC. The boys went for a dip in Three Isle lake, we played Shithead (which Mark remained undefeated in?????), then called it a night (at 9:30... bunch'a night owls).

Get ready for a photo overload...!

 Making our way to Aster Lake (Day 1)

 Laura (Day 1)

 U wot m8? (Day 1)

 One of the few scramble sections on the way to Aster (Day 1)

 The entire Aster Lake Campground in 1 pic. Seriously beautiful spot. (Day 1)

 The most scenic outhouse. (Day 1)

 Walking towards Aster Lake. Mount Warrior in the middle background (Day 2)

 Tight on the left path around Aster Lake (Day 2)

 HI MOM (Day 2)

 Joffre, Bennett, Warrior. (Day 2)

 Laura walking towards the pass we have to ascend soon (just right of Center, Day 2)

 ..and the Tarns, which you can random-camp at (they are in BC, Day 2)

 Bennett, Joffre. (Day 2)

 3 studs. (Day 2)

 A group close behind us (Day 2)

 A group not too far ahead of us (Day 2)

 Group pic before dropping down towards Three Isle (Day 2)

 Mark and the huge landscape (Day 2)

 Dropping in towards Three Isle, which can be seen at the end of the valley (Day 2)

 Crew still cruisin' (Day 2)

 Dinner with a view (Day 2)

Heading back to reality! (Day 3)