Pin

You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you.

-J.Muir

2021 had its share of challenges and adjustments. It felt lonely at times and very overwhelming. But every so often, our lives have to be completely rearranged to relocate us where we are meant to be. I went on 21 hikes, walked 206 km and climbed 15,094 meters in elevation. And though I had to stay to the ground more than I wanted following the surgery in August, it was still enjoyable to get out and take things easy. I also think back to how fearless and unprepared I was and realize it is close to a miracle I have made it this far. I am still trying to get over the fear of heights, believe it or not, but it has become clear that little progress is still progress, and it’s me against me.

Heading into the new year with another ambitious list of mountain summits and trails, I can’t say I will miss 2021, but I also can’t wait to see what else I can accomplish in 2022. Here are my top 3 summits of 2021:

Folding Mountain

Homeschooling an 8-year-old roommate was no fun. I hated my life. And Covid. And Kenney. So I headed to Jasper on Highway 16, secretly hoping to get eaten by a bear. A three-hour drive and way too much caffeine made me feel so jittery and anxious that I started to overthink and analyze every aspect of the next 6 to 7 hours of my life. My hiking buddy was my rock during the first 3 hours of the hike. After that, her mental bandwidth has run its limits, and so has my caffeine. We were both so done and ready for a nap. So we bitched until we summited.

Views for days. Wind in my hair don't care.
Folding Mountain
Celebratory drinks are my favourite.

The beginning of the trail is steep. The middle flattens out, and the end makes you hate your life again. And Covid. And Kenney. The scenery, however, is captivating. The views are incredible! There is a bit of scrambling to get to the summit, but it is not as intimidating as it looks. Also, I am not sure how the trail runners do it so gracefully. They are freaking gazelles! We are not. It took us six and a half hours to complete 10 km in and 10 km out and 1200 m of elevation gain. I de-layered a million times. It was windy and cold at the top.

You can park at http://folding mountain brewery, take a picture at the top for a free beer after the hike. Or have a celebratory drink somewhere along the way.

Where is Folding Mountain

It is located west of Hinton on Yellowhead/Highway 16 in an unassuming location next to the road. There is a yellow sign on a tree that marks the trailhead. I am serious. You can park by the brewery and walk a few hundred meters past the cabins. It is most likely the closest mountain to go to from Edmonton, outside of Jasper National Park, so technically, no park pass is required.

What to pack for Folding Mountain

  • All the layers you can think off
  • Gloves/Hat
  • Wool socks
  • Gaiters (snow was still knee-deep in some spots in May)
  • Jackets (windbreaker and puffy)
  • Hiking poles
  • Microspikes
  • Bear spray
  • Food/Energy bars/whatever you think you may want to eat
  • Extra water (there is no water source if you are using a life straw or similar)
  • First aid/Emergency blanket/Navigation
  • A solid hiking buddy

The trek up Folding Mountain

Distance: 20 km total

Difficulty: Hard, Harder, Hardest

Elevation gain: 1200m

Time: 6-7 hours with 1 hour for lunch and a thousand pee brakes

Mount Norquay – Exhilarating Via-Ferrata

Banff and East End of Rundle in the background. Worth the nausea.

Via-Ferrata is an Italian term that means ‘iron path, way.’ It is a protected climbing route with a steel cable rail fixed to the rock, metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges and wires, so the equipment is strong enough to catch you if you fall, but you could still snap your bones. This style of climbing originated in the Alps in the 1800s, where via-ferratas were constructed during WWII to allow soldiers to travel among mountain routes.

We did the Ridgewalker route at Mount Norquay. It took us about 4.5 hours with a distance of only 3 km with less than 300 m of elevation gain. You are 2355 m above sea level, though, and stunning views abound. We got equipped with a climbing harness, carabiners, helmet, belay device and gloves.

Traversing the airy suspension bridge.
The Four Musketeers.

I was so excited my heart was pounding so hard for once I could almost hear it. I can never find my heartbeat. Halfway up, I questioned my choices. There was so much exposure and sheer rock wall I wanted to vomit. But with Banff as a background, it was a great way to explore the mountains without having a climbing experience, also great for those wanting first to test their nerves. You still have to be in the good physical condition and have no fear of heights. Also, maybe no hangover. It was my birthday. We went up the Mount Norquay cliffs and climbed the Memorial, Sunrise and Vista buttresses.

Questioning my choices here.
Birthday Champagne

Since Via-Ferrata, I have started to climb indoors, both top rope and bouldering. This climbing stuff is way out of my comfort zone, and though I don’t have a death wish, it gives me major goosebumps every time I am on the wall. I hate falling, and I wouldn’t say I like the feeling of falling, but as coach Makenzie says: “Climbing is mostly falling.”

Where is Mount Norquay/Via-Ferrata

If you want to give into the ultimate adventure and step out of your comfort zone, you can visit https://banffnorquay.com/summer/via-ferrata/routes/

Mount Norquay is actually a ski resort and is located in Banff National Park. Head west on Highway 1 and take second Banff exit. Then turn right and zig-zag up on Mt. Norquay Road.

What to Pack for Via-Ferrata

  • Jacket/Layers
  • Long pants
  • Hiking boots, they have free rentals, just remember to return them after the experience
  • Sunglasses
  • Water/Food/Snacks
  • Backpack
  • Climbing gear is provided for you
  • Champagne

Tuff Puff

Hiking Tuff Puff lives up to its name.

David Thompson Country is home to beautiful hidden gems also home to no internet connection. Just an FYI if you are soloing it. It always rains there from my experience but the day we went was simply perfect. No park pass is needed either. YET.

This hike lives up to its name: hard on calves and hard on lungs. Cynthia and I had not hiked together since Mount Norquay. It was her idea to summit this one, and I just went along for a ride. It’s an easy drive from Cowtown and further from Deadmonton (like everything else from Edmonton). Either way, David Thompson Highway (or Highway 11) is a scenic drive and not very busy and worth getting up early. Always take the scenic route. Always!

Celebratory shots.
Cynthia and I.
Tuff Puff to the right. Kinglet to the left.

So the trail begins with a steep climb then cruises lazily through meadows and forested paths before rising to meet the alpine summit. It splits between Kinglet Lake and Tuff Puff. It’s 14 km and 1000 meters in elevation gain. AllTrails always gets it wrong. It wasn’t jam-packed, but enough people and doggos to keep you safe. From the bears, and the marmots, and the flying squirrels. Not from the grasshoppers, though. Once up top, you will be able to observe Whirlpool Ridge, Two O’clock Ridge and North Saskatchewan river from the best angles. 360-degree views from there are absolutely stunning and so colourful. The ridge walk has views for days. I could have stayed forever, but I wanted a pie from the Miner’s cafe more. Also, it got windy af.

I want to go back and make the entire loop to camp at Kinglet Lake. Some say it is the clearest lake they have seen and the most peaceful they have been to.

360 degree views for days.

Where is Tuff Puff

Tuff Puff is located on David Thompson Hwy in Nordegg. You will need pull into a small parking area off Hwy 11. The trail is marked with a wooden sign post. After the hike drive to Miner’s cafe in Nordegg to pig out on probably the best bumble berry pie you will ever have https://www.minerscafe.ca/menus.

What to Pack for Tuff Puff

  • Day Pack
  • Layers
  • Hiking Boots
  • Wool Socks
  • Mitts/Hat
  • Hiking Poles
  • Food/Snacks/Water/Shots (I always celebrate with shots, why not??)
  • Bearspray
  • Navigation (David Thompson highway is home to zero reception, zero!!)
  • First Aid

Hiking Tuff Puff

Distance: 14 km out and back trail unless you are doing the entire loop to Kinglet Lake

Difficulty: Hard

Elevation Gain: 1000 m plus

Time: Happy People Do Not Count The Time. But I think it took about 5 hours.

Good things come in threes! You can read about Ha Ling three-peat here: https://sylviasomewhere.com/ha-ling-peak-canmore/

Happy Adventuring and Happy 2022!