So, that's a scramble

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!! I know that I don't have to specify Canada because, lets get real only my sister reads these. Yes, yes, I know I am a day late but I was enjoying harvest at my family farm. I was working the combine pretty much all day, and when I wasn't in the field I was entertaining my niece. Harvest is such a fun time of year, I have always enjoyed the gathering of family, eating in the field, and of course seeing what you grew all year long from small gardens to large fields. I hope all of you were able to spend some time and reflect on what you are grateful for in this crazy year we are having!

Now, lets talk about why we are here...

If you happened to catch last weeks read on my hike that I did in Kananaskis, well this will be a bit of a continuation. After hiking Pocaterra the next day we had another early start to do East End of Rundle (EEOR).

This is a common hike in this area and it appears that lots of hikers have done this trail. I have seen people complete this trail in the smallest of Vans shoes. When doing the research to this hike prior to arrival the most common thing said were: Straight up hill, hikers and poles necessary, SCRAMBLE.

Next thing I typed into google, "what is a mountain scramble?" After reading a few lines I felt like I got the idea. Scramble- walking up steed terrain, and a mix of hiking, mountaineering, and rock climbing all while using ones hands. Hmm almighty then. I said in the last post, I am not an experienced hiker but you only get experience by doing things. SO, in preparation for this hike we had water, some food, hikers, poles, a map, and a good attitude.

We had no idea what to expect. The trail head was easily marked so this wasn't a problem. The first bit of the hike was just like what the all trails app had said "steep, straight up the mountain" and it was for a while and you were totally immersed in the trees. After a bit of climbing we reached this HUGE rock. The map showed we needed to go on the right side of it. Well the right side was cliff. So we rock climbed! This was the first of many rocks that needed to be climbed. Some were easier, others took a bit of mapping out on how to get where we need to be in the safest way possible. About half way up the trail we noticed blue squares on rocks, these are trail markers. Watch for those blue squares if you're ever to hike EEOR. We didn't notice these markers until mid hike.

Okay we followed the tail like it showed us, but it led us to this very steep loose rock path. Was this the scramble? I heard that rocks can easily fall and you need to look out for people below you. So, in desperation I sent my brother, who has done this hike before, a picture of the path asking " did you hike this part?" In hindsight, I just sent him a picture of rocks, how on earth would anyone know if it was correct or not! My bother already had no faith in my hiking skills, pretty sure he thinks I'm never prepared for anythings. (If you know me at all, I research stuff all the time and probably am the most prepared in most experiences, but I'm his baby sister and will never believe that.)

Once we figured out that was actually not part of the trail and most likely the rack path of an avalanche we found our way. We did a lot more rock climbing and got to one beautiful view point. Why did no one tell us it would be this much rock climbing? after hiking maybe 20 mins past that view point we were a bit unsure of which path to take next. The clouds were rolling in and it was calling for rain. I thought to myself, climbing down these steep steep rocks will already be tricky, I can't imagine them wet and slippery.

So with safely in mind, slippery rocks and possible lightening we decided to turn back. Did we take the same trail down as what we climbed? NO!! Honestly how does that happen? The most important part it we made it down safe and in one piece.

Lindy and I will be back to summit EEOR don't you worry!! We will be even more prepared than the first time!

Hope you all have a great week

Nicole:)