Sat, Jul 6 2013 - Mt. Saint Piran (View Original Event Details)
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Optimistic? Yes! Upbeat? Yes! Cheerful? Yes! Electrifying? For one person, yes! When you have a group of eight where each and everyone offered up their positive attitude, it was easy to have an enjoyable time even when the mountains did present us with four seasons in five hours. Come prepared for everything and thank goodness we did because we got it!
It wasn’t a black cat that crossed our path but a grizzly, which was our good omen for the day. We were safe in our vehicles when we had to stop to let it cross the road on our way up to Lake Louise.
We began our hike in cool temperatures under sunny skies. Before reaching the junction to Mt St Piran we already delayered once, then again by the time we came out of the trees for the climb up the open slope to our destination. Three quarters of the way up, we put one of those layers back on as we watched the blue sky begin to turn grey. By the time some of us reached the summit of Mt St Piran, the sky was very dark and we heard thunder in the far off distance. We added on yet even another layer (winter-like layer) as the temperature dropped, the wind picked up and it began to snow/sleet/hail. Then we observed the tell tale sign that we better not stick around when Racquel’s hair stood on end. That may have contributed to why she appeared to be revved up for the balance of the hike.
We made our way off the summit to the open grassy slope and by now the sky turned blue and the snow/sleet/hail stopped. So we stopped for a lunch break and to delayer. Before long, déjà-vu, the sky turned grey and we could here thunder in the far off distance and the story repeats itself. By the time we reached Lake Agnes, it was pouring rain. Now decked out in rain gear, we made our way back down to Lake Louise only to arrive there in sunshine and warmth.
What an adventurous day! It was my pleasure to be in company of each of you today. Your optimistic, upbeat, cheerful attitudes made the day and thank you for that. Thank you to Derek for helping with the driving.
Andra