tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56291193105228755072024-02-21T16:00:14.776-07:002 Litres of Soy Sauce.com - Photography by George MachiHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.comBlogger753125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-83214215881139989492022-12-29T22:18:00.001-07:002022-12-29T22:18:47.645-07:00The Year in PhotosAs we prepare to draw the curtain on another mixed bag of a year, I thought I'd take a moment to reminisce on the past 12 months, and all the good, bad, and Elon that it encapsulated.<br /><br />
For Anita and I, 2022 was another year packed full of mountain adventures, mixed in with some minor speed bumps. We started it off by greeting a glorious first sunrise of the year from atop a mountain at 7:45am, before then catching Covid that same day (car-pooling.. le sigh). We also managed to get 3 separate bouts of Shingles through the year at unrelated times, and Anita would also tear an MCL while climbing a mountain in Italy. <br /><br />
I decided to switch to skiing (after 20 years of snowboarding), but did so for the first time while skinning up a mountain in the backcountry… only to discover once up top that I had no idea how to ski back down. The transition was as smooth as a Twitter change in leadership - comical, painful, disastrous. <br /><br />
We also squeezed in two international trips during the year, which was a welcome return to near pre-pandemic normalcy for us. Between experiencing midnight sunsets in Reykjavik, to ascending recently formed volcanic craters in the Icelandic Highlands, to drinking all the vino and climbing in the Italian Dolomites, to seeing the beauty of the Côte d’Azur, I felt deeply grateful for our privileged positions in life. <br /><br />
Despite all the unrest and troubles throughout the world, I hope that you were able to chase some adventures, big or small, in the past 365. And fret not if you didn’t, here’s to brighter days, and the promise of new opportunity in this coming year. All the best! <br /><br />
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Previous annual mosaics:
<a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-year-in-photos-pandemic-season-2.html">2021</a> |
<a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-year-in-photos-pandemic-edition.html">2020</a> |
<a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-year-in-photos.html">2019</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-year-in-photos.html">2018</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2017/12/another-year-in-books.html">2017</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2016/12/another-year-in-photos.html">2016</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-year-in-photos-bring-it-on-oh-sixteen.html">2015</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2014/12/a-year-in-photos-where-did-2014-go.html">2014</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2013/12/a-year-in-photos-bring-on-twenty_29.html">2013</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-annual-year-end-soapbox-rant-and.html">2012</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2011/12/year-in-photos-see-you-in-oh-twelve.html">2011</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-in-photos.html">2010</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-photo-mosaik.html">2009</a>
</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-42354453418100291052022-03-14T22:19:00.003-06:002022-03-14T22:19:46.902-06:00Shingles, Snow, and Summit Brews<p>
On Friday, I got shingles. On Saturday, I slogged up this steep mountain, and washed down my prescription antivirals with a beer while on the summit. The doctor, nurse, and two PhD students with me looked on disapprovingly. But really, the word ‘approvingly’ is feature in there, so let’s not focus on the negatives, alright?
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-33902469903907542732022-02-05T10:18:00.006-07:002022-02-05T10:18:49.359-07:00Sunrises of the year so far<p>
I assume your social media feeds are like mine - an endless tire fire of people bickering, and articles about shitty people doing shitty things... I don't know about you, but I don't find wading through it very fun. If we're friends here, it's because there was some common ground between us, and chances are there's more of that than what we differ on.
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So a quick reminder in case you've been circling a well of anger and despair for the past while: it's okay to seek some light and levity through the darkness. We all could use some more of it. </p><p>
(I don't usually wake up early enough to get out to a nicer vantage point for sunrise, but even so, there have been a few nice ones from the comfort of my upstairs window this year).
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-10465203128115367472022-01-02T10:49:00.004-07:002022-01-02T10:51:18.095-07:00It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life...<p>
Someone once joked that I eat mountains for breakfast. So it felt kind of fitting to start off 2022 with a 3:00am wakeup to go catch the first sunrise of the year from atop a summit, before most had even awoken to nurse their hangovers. We would be the only group to actually make it to the summit for sunrise, and Anita and I stubbornly stayed long enough to ensure we saw the full palette of colours from pre-dawn to fully risen colours of the sun in the sky. It was -26 degrees at the parking lot, and with the wind strafing our faces up top at 7:45am, it felt far colder than that. But while our faces and hands were frozen, I felt a sense of warmth knowing we'd started off the year exactly as I'd envisioned - in the company of good friends, with the promise of new light washing over us.
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In the words of the wise Nina Simone, "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life... and I'm feeling good"
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We got to summit while the sky was still quite dark, but the colours of the incoming sunrise were the most intense.
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<br />Minutes later, the skies brightened up and headlamps were no longer necessary.<br /><br />
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<br />There are worse views to start off the year.<br /><br />
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<br />The winds were vicious as we stayed up top. We would only stay long enough to see the full range of colours crest as the sun rose beyond the horizon, before batting a hasty retreat.<br /><br />
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<br />Bellwoods Brewing Roman Candle IPA<br /><br />
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-35592334560903109702021-12-30T23:36:00.007-07:002021-12-31T08:32:04.951-07:00The Year in Photos - Pandemic, Season 2<p>
Another year is in the books, and as we prepare for Pandemic season 3 (the TV show that no one asked to be renewed), I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past 365. It seemed unimaginable that things could get worse than 2020, but that didn't stop 2021 from proclaiming, "Hold my beer." Between endless news cycles of climate crises, the continued erosion of public belief in science, and ever worsening societal division over Covid, masks, and vaccines, it was easy to fall into a deep well of despair over the state of pretty much everything.
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But even in this darkest of years, I did manage to find some temporary moments of light, in the company of friends with a shared passion for getting up at ungodly hours to trudge up piles of rocks. I spent every free moment chasing adventures in the mountains, once again setting all new personal bests over last year's stats:<br />
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<li>bagged Mt. Smuts, one of the most difficult scrambles in the book</li>
<li>53 different peaks summited in the Rockies</li>
<li>165,687 ft of total elevation gained </li>
<li>593 kms trekked, hiked, and scrambled</li>
<li>360 hours and 15 minutes total time spent bashing up peaks (21,615 minutes)</li>
<li>150th unique peak summited (cumulative) in the Rockies during the summer</li>
<li>Temperature Range: bagged summits in as low as -27 degrees, and as high as 36 degrees C</li>
<li>55 total days spent in the mountains</li>
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Aside from chasing summits, the rest of year consisted of working in a new and challenging role in Covid response, teaching my first in person photography class in a long time, taking my first sets of flights (one for leisure, and one for work) since 2019, catching a Raptors game in Toronto, throwing out my back rolling out of bed (but then foolishly deciding to climb a mountain that day anyways), watching a lot of prairie and mountain sunrises, drinking 159 different craft beers, and otherwise napping on the couch like the 90 year old I am.<br /><br />
It was hard to find a variety of photos that weren't just entirely mountains, but here it is... my annual mosaic of the year in photos.<br /><br />
May 2022 be a little less Covidy, and a whole lot more civil for us all. Cheers, friends!<br />
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Previous annual mosaics:
<a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-year-in-photos-pandemic-edition.html">2020</a> |
<a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-year-in-photos.html">2019</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-year-in-photos.html">2018</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2017/12/another-year-in-books.html">2017</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2016/12/another-year-in-photos.html">2016</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-year-in-photos-bring-it-on-oh-sixteen.html">2015</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2014/12/a-year-in-photos-where-did-2014-go.html">2014</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2013/12/a-year-in-photos-bring-on-twenty_29.html">2013</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-annual-year-end-soapbox-rant-and.html">2012</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2011/12/year-in-photos-see-you-in-oh-twelve.html">2011</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-in-photos.html">2010</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-photo-mosaik.html">2009</a>
</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-23112484161165485682021-11-29T22:24:00.001-07:002021-11-29T22:39:14.999-07:00Elbow Falls<p>The original plan was to bag another peak on Sunday, but a change in the forecast to a full day of rain dampened our enthusiasm, and we opted to forego a summit adventure. I really wasn’t keen on being drizzled on for 7 hours while slogging up a peak, so instead we played local tourist and checked out Elbow Falls near Bragg Creek. Normally these falls would be overrun with people, but owing to the cooler weather, and the fact that we went as daylight was starting to fade, meant that we had it mostly to ourselves.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51714490006/in/dateposted/" title="Elbow Falls-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714490006_94707b60dd_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elbow Falls-17"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51715352600/in/dateposted/" title="Elbow Falls-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715352600_7f1ea2223e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elbow Falls-1"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51714484366/in/photostream/" title="Elbow Falls-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714484366_52f3430b80_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elbow Falls-3"></a>
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I like how this shot makes it look like the falls just pour into a contained pool.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51713694987/in/photostream/" title="Elbow Falls-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51713694987_e490bf3c68_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elbow Falls-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51715356850/in/photostream/" title="Elbow Falls-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715356850_cfcfe8dd49_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elbow Falls-11"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51714750263/in/photostream/" title="Elbow Falls-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714750263_7bc682a7c1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elbow Falls-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51713740567/in/dateposted/" title="Elbow Falls-22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51713740567_6e7976d4dc_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elbow Falls-22"></a>
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"Art" (or in this case, an accidental click of the shutter while moving the tripod).
</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-11366365691706766842021-11-23T23:05:00.003-07:002021-11-27T10:34:05.005-07:00Trip Report - Mt. Elpoca East Ridge<p>
I can’t find the words to describe how beautiful this minor ridge in the Highwood Pass was this past weekend. Even despite the cold biting 60 - 80km wind gusts, and some steep postholing en route to gaining the ridge crest, we agreed it was a super fun adventure. Check out the photos to see some of the interesting terrain we got to tromp around in.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51700488987/in/dateposted/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-75"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51700488987_304d66cf17_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-75"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701962549/in/dateposted/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-83"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701962549_a941a5a760_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-83"></a>
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Traversing this steep snow slope just below the ridge crest was probably the crux of the day.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51702172080/in/dateposted/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-36"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51702172080_707fffee93_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-36"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701961029/in/dateposted/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701961029_78d2f5b851_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701564233/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-26"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701564233_7bbe41690e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-26"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51702172220/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-29"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51702172220_ba2e687643_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-29"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701564293/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-33"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701564293_9dc57c1440_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-33"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701283301/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-34"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701283301_458006014c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-34"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51700489197/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-47"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51700489197_56c77568d1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-47"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701566403/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-51"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701566403_8db8b2ce84_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-51"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701962764/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-55"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701962764_0a3ccb2faa_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-55"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51700489012/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-57"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51700489012_bbdc1fccec_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-57"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701566208/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-66"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701566208_07e4e74480_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-66"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51702173915/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-77"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51702173915_d7d7816e28_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-77"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51700488612/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-87"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51700488612_a249345cf5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-87"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51702173850/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-89"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51702173850_4ce74d25d4_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-89"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701284661/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-90"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701284661_95e4025c3d_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-90"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51700488812/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-93"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51700488812_a9d787b8b2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-93"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701962314/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-96"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701962314_d0b4cfb9b0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-96"></a>
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Eighty Eight Brewing Co's Hydration Station Hazy Pale Ale with Electrolytes. Almost too cold to finish, but still super yummy.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701962514/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-99"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701962514_e845f067e9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-99"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51701284781/in/photostream/" title="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-103"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701284781_d57026cd4c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Elpoca East Ridge - Nov 2021-103"></a>
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-45724528360012924002021-09-12T10:33:00.006-06:002021-09-12T10:33:54.637-06:00Date Night at Sensei Bar<p>
In lieu of the mountains, the missus and I went on a date night and we checked out the newly opened Sensei Bar, just off 17th Ave. They served up an interesting mix of cocktails and asian inspired share plates.
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The place was small and cozy, and they had us seated beside a couple of dudes. We weren’t intentionally eavesdropping, but they were loud so it was hard to drown out the one dude constantly peppering his partner with questions about the food. “What’s a kohlrabi?” “What’s char siu?” “What’s gochujang?” "What's matcha?" “Is this the bison?”
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Now if you haven’t eaten much asian cuisine, I’d get why you might not know what char siu or gochujang are. But isn’t kohlrabi a fairly standard item at the local grocery store? Has this guy legit never wandered through a produce department before?
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Time for a poll: do you know what kohlrabi is (eg: is this guy in the minority), or am I just expecting too much produce knowledge of others?
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51456261971/in/dateposted/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51456261971_a79660777c_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-3"></a>
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Muddle Plum cocktail - Sloe Gin, Brandy, Hibiscus, Aperol, Lemon, Egg White
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51457216860/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51457216860_82f5a4c2fc_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-2"></a>
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White Grape Mojito - Pisco, Rose Water, Honey, Lime, Mint, with some infused citrus smoke.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51457217440/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51457217440_49f83a4526_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-6"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51456999199/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51456999199_456a24fe94_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-10"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51456509823/in/dateposted/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51456509823_7fff051f74_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-4"></a>
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This was the aforementioned kohlrabi. It was diced into cubes, lightly picked/ marinated, and served alongside some sweet purple yam puree and a light bit of soy sauce.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51456261451/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51456261451_930c8d487b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-12"></a>
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Potato crusted miso cod served with snap peas, tartar sauce, and crispy coconut polenta and cilantro oil. The purple dollops were described as pomme puree, but I think they were just purple yam puree again.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51457217005/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-7"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51457217005_40f8692a9c_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-7"></a>
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Pork and Shrimp Truffle Dumplings served with chilli oil and anise shoyu
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51456261026/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51456261026_afc941b77d_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-5"></a>
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Two Baos - Tempura maitake mushrooms (with miso pineapple mayo, kimchi, tarragon carrot, and cilantro) and Ebi Prawn (with kohlrabi, anise sweet soy, scallion, and sesame)
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51455493352/in/photostream/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51455493352_64d312e702_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-1"></a>
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Cucumbers served in a gochuchang type sauce, with black and white sesame seeds. I don't remember the exact details, but it was yummy.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51457000574/in/dateposted/" title="Sensei Bao Bar-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51457000574_b08fe41554_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Sensei Bao Bar-13"></a>
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For dessert, we had the 'lollipops', which were lychee cheesecake lollis coated with pop rocks, served alongside matcha coated sponge toffee, a dollop of tapioca, and then some gooseberries. This dish was supposed to be whimsical, but it felt more non-sensical than anything as the flavours didn't really pair well or complement each other. But pop rocks are always fun.
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-9169948747897875062021-03-17T22:54:00.000-06:002021-03-17T22:54:29.461-06:00Thunder Mountain<p>After losing an hour's sleep, Anita and I headed out bright and early on Sunday morning to the Crowsnest Pass area, and scrambled up the long and beautiful ridge of Thunder Mountain. With the bright blue skies, warm sun, and generally mild wind, everything about the adventure felt invigorating, and the views were epic. But if you asked Anita, she might have used some other choice four letter words to describe the outing. She was tired, grumpy, and disinterested most of the day... but still soldiered on all the way to the summit.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176067/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-20"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176067_1ceda10586_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-20"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048175997/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-21"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048175997_eb6de1ded5_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-21"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048090531/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048090531_ac88e52680_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-3"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176947/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176947_221f8741e0_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176967/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176967_0b69905430_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-1"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176782/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176782_f84091bcb9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-5"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51047359638/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51047359638_489df7ebce_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-6"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048090316/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048090316_2d5e8434c5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-8"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176527/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176527_bf0c64a8ef_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51047359403/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51047359403_17559597f4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-10"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51047359253/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51047359253_a3b1c9ebaa_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-11"></a>
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Summit Brew: Rural Routes Brewing It's Prounounced Chow-dah New England IPA. Delicious thirst quencher for a long day in the sun.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048090131/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048090131_909197713d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-12"></a>
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Mr. Tubby gets to see the summit too. Miss you tons, buddy.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51047359208/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51047359208_29bd9dfd52_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-13"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048090046/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048090046_104a05a2ef_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-14"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176322/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176322_bf888f87ea_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-15"></a>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176352/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176352_51ff1bf42b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-16"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176192/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176192_c365da1c0b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-17"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/51048176167/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048176167_fc73f774a0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Scrambles - Thunder Mountain - March 2021-18"></a>
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-7281857947611491652021-01-19T21:41:00.001-07:002021-01-19T22:57:45.903-07:00Blue skies, beers, and ... a buttplug<p>
This weekend's summit adventure featured bright blue skies, beers, and ... a buttplug? More on that in a second. We took advantage of the still relatively snow-free conditions, and headed up Porcupine Ridge in Kananaskis. The approach to the summit was a relatively straight forward, but interesting hike with some minor bits of scrambling. Once at the summit, there was an interesting looking extension off to the south, that involved crossing a really narrow exposed ridge. Naturally, I couldn't help myself, so went to investigate. Thinking about the most difficult scrambles we've done over the years, this ridge was probably the most exposed one I've crossed yet. See the photos, and decide for yourself whether you'd have the cajones to cross it.
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Anyways, back to the buttplug story. A dude we follow on Instagram has been putting up unofficial summit register containers on various peaks in the Rockies, and they usually contain a notebook, a mickey of Fireball cinammon whisky, a magnum condom, and some other random odds and sods. Well this particular summit box had those, plus a tube of pre-rolls (joints), and what appeared to be a gently used buttplug. Call me immature, but we guffawed for a lot longer than we should have. All in all, this was an awesome outing.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854205583/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854205583_a45705f843_z.jpg" width="640" height="309" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-22"></a>
<br />That little red dot in the middle of the spine is me, gingerly making my way back down. (photo taken by Keith)
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855015852/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855015852_aa174c4da1_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-10"></a>
<br />This is what the ridge looked like from a highpoint to the east of the summit.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854925501/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-23"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854925501_2baf4f021f_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-23"></a>
<br />The ridge was thin, with steep drop offs to either side. With the intermittent wind gusts, I sat to take in the views before slowly making my way back across to safety. (photo taken by Keith)
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855015992/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855015992_ddac5f9d9a_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-8"></a>
<br />This is what it looked like from my vantage point, as I was making my way back across.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854926706/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854926706_b64f1472f2_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-1"></a>
<br />The low winter sun created some beautiful flaring around Keith.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855016397/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855016397_219503a2d3_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854926601/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854926601_045193072a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-3"></a>
<br />Looking towards the summit.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855016242/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855016242_b816a951a3_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-4"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854206548/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854206548_50d1b54f5c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-5"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855016077/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855016077_a59ab3b474_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-6"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855015822/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855015822_29cd1fcdd5_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-12"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854926176/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854926176_bd2f277963_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-11"></a>
<br />Summit brew: Snake Lake Brewing Company's Brighter Horizons Tropical Pale Ale.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854925981/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854925981_539dff5680_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-14"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855015697/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855015697_dbfff3d06d_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-13"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855015577/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855015577_0809661b1b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-15"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854925881/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854925881_5c1850134c_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-16"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855015412/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855015412_11b9016854_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-18"></a>
<br />We saw one other character decide to climb the tower. He made it to the top, which is more than I could say. I opted to turn around just below where he is in this photo, knowing that ascending this section would mean having to downclimb it after.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854925746/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854925746_3cefd2727f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-19"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854205668/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-21"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854205668_73ca199387_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-21"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50854925646/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-20"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50854925646_829a08c69b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-20"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50855016012/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-7"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855016012_726ced3c7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Porcupine Ridge - Jan 2021-7"></a>
<br />And finally... here's the aforementioned butt plug. Pro hiking tip: always bring sanitizer for mountain adventures. You never know what you may end up coming into contact with.
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-23370523129511028212021-01-12T17:56:00.000-07:002021-01-12T17:56:10.278-07:00Peer Pressure Printing<p>
During a recent video call, a colleague pointed out that for a person who takes as many photos as I do, I surprisingly had a blank wall behind me. And my rationale for this was that I don't look at the wall behind me in the office... but I succumbed to the commentary, and selected a bunch of photos to print anyways. Because there's no motivator quite like peer pressure and judgement.
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So a couple hours, and 30 odd bucks later, I picked up these 8x12 enlargements, and all I can say is... print some of your photos. There's nothing quite like holding large physical prints, and collectively displayed as a set, they can look pretty awesome together. Even if you did get them done at Costco, and the quality is as mediocre as a Michelob Ultra.
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For those that are interested, this random assortment of photos includes scenes from: Ottawa, Zanzibar, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Beijing, Newfoundland, Chile, Tibet, and the Canadian Rockies.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50829915656/in/photostream/" title="Print Englargements - Blog-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50829915656_8b71e5035f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Print Englargements - Blog-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50829170198/in/dateposted/" title="Print Englargements - Blog-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50829170198_dc1a77efae_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Print Englargements - Blog-1"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50829170038/in/photostream/" title="Print Englargements - Blog-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50829170038_04eb7a15e4_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Print Englargements - Blog-3"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50830004642/in/photostream/" title="Print Englargements - Blog-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50830004642_e4104f3db4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Print Englargements - Blog-4"></a>
<br />And this is how the images look as a set, hung on the wall.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50829915491/in/photostream/" title="Print Englargements - Blog-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50829915491_d60cfc9dca_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Print Englargements - Blog-5"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50830004612/in/photostream/" title="Print Englargements - Blog-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50830004612_0fab44508e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Print Englargements - Blog-6"></a>
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iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-11246313378431692742021-01-02T10:53:00.000-07:002021-01-02T10:53:21.116-07:00First summit, sunrise, and summit brew in the books<p>
Turning 40 in the midst of pandemic restrictions meant a low key new year's eve for my birthday. But we kicked off the new year with a 4:15am departure to greet the first sunrise of 2021 from atop a mountain. The colours were spectactular, and owing to the wind, we were the only ones on the actual summit during the sunrise. Dropping back to below treeline, I cracked an 8% Imperial IPA for my first brew of the year by 9:00am.
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<p>
So 9 hours into 2021 and I'd already bagged my first summit, first sunrise, and first summit brew. What can I say, it may be a new year, but it's definitely the same old(er) me. Happy new year everyone!
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50792065227/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50792065227_26a2dbcc7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-4"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791952241/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791952241_1f38eacd8a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-1"></a>
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The colours as we approached the summit, whilst also seeing the city lights of Canmore.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791202898/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791202898_dac14bb5c0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50792066412/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50792066412_1ec7d0ec95_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-5"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50792065837/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50792065837_aaa6558d82_z.jpg" width="640" height="271" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791202183/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791202183_f1b4826341_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-8"></a>
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Soaking in one last glimpse of the sunrise before hastily making a retreat back down to escape the wind.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791201743/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791201743_a66d29da0d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-12"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50792065787/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50792065787_d44b3ed3c5_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-10"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791201863/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791201863_2d9355e694_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-11"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791950601/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791950601_50714f3a87_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-13"></a>
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Summit Brew: Cabin Brewing Super Duper Saturation Imperial New England IPA.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50791201113/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791201113_e5353943d4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-15"></a>
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This chubby little bird was hoping we would drop some food.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50792065477/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50792065477_353c3acb17_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Ha Ling - Jan 2021-14"></a>
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-50600574871737872792020-12-29T22:23:00.000-07:002020-12-29T22:23:53.566-07:00The Year in Photos - Pandemic EditionAs we prepare to send off 2020 with a most deserved two finger salute, I suppose we should spend a second reflecting back on this year that has managed to feel like it took forever, while also flying by at the same time. Dumpster fire of a year that it was, overall, I can’t complain about my past 365. I managed to spend a ton of time with my favourite people while properly socially distancing on remote adventures in the wilds of the Canadian Rockies.<br /><br />
My mountain stats for the year include setting all new personal bests:<br />
<ul>
<li>50 days spent in the mountains</li>
<li>47 peaks summited in the Rockies (22 more than my previous one year record) </li>
<li>140,699 ft of total elevation gained (50,000+ ft more than last year’s)</li>
<li>470 kms trekked, hiked, and scrambled</li>
<li>314 hours and 46 minutes total time spent bashing up peaks (18,886 minutes)</li>
<li>100th unique peak summited (cumulative) in the Rockies during the summer</li>
<li>bagged my second 11,000’er in the Rockies</li>
<li>saw more bears than in any previous single year</li>
</ul>
Between bouts of mountain adventures, I baked a lot of things out of sheer boredom, caught the Mumps, spent dozens of hours yelling at political news cycles on TV, threw out my back tying my shoe, drank 130 different craft beers, read 20 books, and otherwise laid around the house like a potato.<br /><br />
It should come as no surprise then, that my year end selection of photos features a lot of mountains, interspersed with food, beer, and incredible prairie sunsets. <br /><br />
Wishing you and yours all the best in 2021!! <br />
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<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50777950697/in/dateposted/" title="Mosaic 2020 - Final-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50777950697_8d528d2471_c.jpg" width="667" height="800" alt="Mosaic 2020 - Final-1"></a><br />
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Previous annual mosaics:
<a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-year-in-photos.html">2019</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-year-in-photos.html">2018</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2017/12/another-year-in-books.html">2017</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2016/12/another-year-in-photos.html">2016</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-year-in-photos-bring-it-on-oh-sixteen.html">2015</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2014/12/a-year-in-photos-where-did-2014-go.html">2014</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2013/12/a-year-in-photos-bring-on-twenty_29.html">2013</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-annual-year-end-soapbox-rant-and.html">2012</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.ca/2011/12/year-in-photos-see-you-in-oh-twelve.html">2011</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-in-photos.html">2010</a> | <a href="http://2litresofsoysaucecom.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-photo-mosaik.html">2009</a>
iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-15089391681465466732020-12-14T22:16:00.004-07:002020-12-14T22:16:58.872-07:00Trip Report: Little Galatea, Round 2<p>This past Saturday's adventure was a sweaty and sweary affair, as we sought redemption on a peak we failed to summit last year due to snow. It almost became a failure again, as we encountered some steep slippery slopes that were difficult to gain any traction on, resulting in some choice words and hanger induced temper tantrums. Anita struggled in vain to make any headway, sliding back down with each step up. After finally making it to the first false summit, there maaaay have been an awkwardly entertaining moment of her muttering 'Faaack this... this is faaacking stupid' in response to Jas asking her if she was doing okay. She most definitely was NOT okay, nor having a good time. :)
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<p>Despite this, the weather was a combination of bright blue skies, beautiful low winter sun, and rare windless conditions along the ridge, so I parked Anita at the false summit, and ran up the remaining two high points to tag the actual peak. Cause I was NOT interested in doing this for a third time. The views were phenomenal, and made for some gorgeous photos, particularly as the sun was setting on our descent. Take a peek, and see if you can hear Anita swearing in some of the photos. :\
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721751216/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721751216_7ebcf37ac7_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721013783/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721013783_59534520f1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-3"></a>
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Keith blazing a trail up towards the summit, being careful to stay well back of the corniced ridge.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721750586/in/dateposted/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721750586_7ed4ec0626_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-12"></a>
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This is where I parked Anita, and told her "DO NOT GO ANYWHERE." Because on one side, you couldn't tell where the rock ended, and the cornice began, and on the other side, the slope was so steep that if you slid, you wouldn't be able to stop.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721013698/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721013698_cb39e29331_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-4"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721750971/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721750971_2ab7746125_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-6"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835962/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835962_cd93109cbc_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-5"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835767/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835767_75813fea96_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-8"></a>
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If you look really closely, you may be able to spot a red speck on the bump in the bottom centre of this photo. That's Anita, chilling in the sun while we pushed on for the true summit
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835877/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-7"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835877_6e0e01d4ba_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-7"></a>
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There she is, in the middle.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721013408/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721013408_59bc50d494_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-10"></a>
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Summit brew: Common Crown Brighter Days Citra Pale Ale.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835747/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835747_2ae1714629_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721750691/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721750691_9e5564f2c2_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-11"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721013278/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721013278_554e159c35_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-13"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835422/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835422_12ca6510f9_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-15"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721750436/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721750436_e96fb346ea_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-16"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721013088/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721013088_03f323e9e6_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-17"></a>
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As we descended, the light rapidly fell, and we were greeted by these magnificient last rays of sunset, and alpenglow.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835192/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835192_64c40991cf_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-19"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835127/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-21"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835127_9c769611c1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-21"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721750296/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-20"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721750296_8a07f2139b_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-20"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50721835042/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50721835042_a169f34dea_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Snowshoeing - Little Galatea - Dec 2020-22"></a>
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-59862808155966359802020-11-05T23:50:00.009-07:002020-11-06T08:33:17.062-07:00Dear Stomach: I'm sorry - A midweek Date Day in YYC<p>
Anita and I took the day off with intentions to go hike something, but ended up staying in town and checked out a couple new hot spots in the local food scene. For lunch, we hit up Orchard, a modern Mediterranean joint in a beautifully decked out space in the Beltline, and for dinner we snagged a table at Ponshu, a recently opened Japanaese izakaya by the same team behind Ajito. Both were great visual treats, with stylistic presentations that you feasted on equally with your eyes and your stomach. Between the two places, we ordered 14 dishes, which was definitely too much. Chalk this one up as another entry in the "Dear Stomach: I'm sorry" diaries. But another lockdown is probably just around the corner, so despite my current stomach discomfort, I REGRET NOTHING. </p>
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Warning: viewing these photos while hungry is a bad idea.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571976076/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571976076_16ee191e61_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236513/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236513_6165b34707_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236288/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-7"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236288_3c70cbfeb3_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-7"></a>
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Beef bolognaise with penne, arugula, and grana padano.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50572111122/in/photostream/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572111122_36920a5be4_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-8"></a>
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Mussels with lardo tomato broth, fennel, grilled sourdough and chili flakes.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571975986/in/photostream/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571975986_ea12177735_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-6"></a>
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Tomato panzanella with broccoli, crostini, shaved vegetables, grapes and soy sesame vinaigrette.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236453/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236453_8709295da8_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-5"></a>
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Cheese stuffed garlic bread with seasonal herbs.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571976141/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571976141_eaa6cc6990_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-10"></a>
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Seasonal fruit tart with raspberries, blackberries, and rhubarb.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571976036/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571976036_ec0fb8c322_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-4"></a>
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E9 Brewing Co. IPA.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571976226/in/photostream/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571976226_b1ba471565_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-3"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236708/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236708_b0cf2283ea_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-12"></a>
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Ceviche with scallop, shrimp, salmon, tuna, ikura, octopus, and tosaka seaweed, topped with ponzu jelly and soy olive dressing.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236758/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236758_aba3fc6311_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-11"></a>
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Yuzu Sidecar, and Yuzu Ginger Ale.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50572111077/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572111077_dc23d3fdb7_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-14"></a>
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Assorted sashimi with tuna, sockeye salmon, and toro with gold flakes. Served with actual fresh grated wasabi.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571975941/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571975941_f56435c4ae_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-15"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571975891/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571975891_58146805ce_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-16"></a>
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Sea urchin carbonara udon with crab meat, masago, and shiso.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50572110877/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572110877_7606fa471e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-17"></a>
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Habanero pork cheek with ginger soy sauce and green onions.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236358/in/photostream/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236358_0188ae1af2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-18"></a>
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Salmon tuna yukke with yuzy teriyaki sauce, chips, and quail egg.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50572110807/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572110807_891d0f9477_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-19"></a>
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Crab stone bowl bibimbap with crab butter, snow crab, and masago.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50572111142/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572111142_892120a6da_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-13"></a>
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Snow crab sushi with miso mayo, masago, ponzu jelly and sesame.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236243/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-20"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236243_4255fa5323_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-20"></a>
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Raspberry panna cotta.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571236203/in/photostream/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-21"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571236203_66b1d023e5_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-21"></a>
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Matcha creme brulee.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50571975731/in/dateposted/" title="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571975731_8d174255bd_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Date Day in YYC - Nov 2020-22"></a>
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Double baked pandan coconut croissant, double baked butter croissant, and everything muffin.
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iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-60741851471087897942020-10-26T23:12:00.000-06:002020-10-26T23:12:05.712-06:00Winter Wonderland ... in Autumn<p>Autumn in Calgary can be a real mixed bag. This past Sunday, it was full blown winter and -26 degrees for the start of our hike up Forgetmenot Ridge. Even despite wearing five layers up top and two layers on my legs plus gaiters and thick socks, it was still cold enough to frostbite your nuts. But hey, the bright blue skies and snow covered trees made for some magical winter scenery, so... worth it?
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535659066/in/dateposted/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535659066_51df879ba3_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-17"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939543/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939543_c0df43cf1f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-10"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939528/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939528_787bb58132_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-11"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535812707/in/dateposted/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535812707_08937726c3_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-1"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535812467/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535812467_235889ca66_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-4"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535812387/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535812387_9948681c58_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-6"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939603/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939603_d9c1c37194_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535811937/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535811937_1b2d119359_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-12"></a>
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Summit Brew: Dageraad Brewing - Jumo. Tart Kveik Ale.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939413/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939413_ec8b3034e3_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-13"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535811842/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535811842_455b6400f5_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-14"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939253/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939253_7f07fc0171_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-15"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939348/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939348_10906b8b6c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-16"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939228/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939228_d878c5e02f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-18"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50534939023/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50534939023_e82342272e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-19"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50535811782/in/photostream/" title="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-20"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50535811782_c49ee75240_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Snowshoeing - Forgetmenot Ridge - Oct 2020-20"></a>
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-29159501123426774732020-10-06T00:03:00.004-06:002020-10-06T22:39:20.527-06:00I had a brain fart... AKA the story of how we spent our anniversary apart<p>
Sunday was our 12th wedding anniversary. But due to a scheduling error (and by that, I mean I had a brain fart, and rescheduled a previously postponed climb up Mt. Athabasca to this day), we didn't celebrate it together. As it turned out, at around 3:45am that morning Anita and I were respectively doing the following:
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<ul>
<li>Her: at home, playing a marathon session of Tetris, and finally deciding to call it a night</li>
<li>Me: on the road (and had been since 2:45am) to the trailhead parking lot</li>
</ul>
<p>
Mt. Athabasca is an alpine mountaineering objective in the Icefields Parkway (with an alpine start time of 4:15am at the trailhead), so I stayed overnight in Lake Louise to shave a couple hours off the drive that morning. Pro tip: when you need to get up at 2:00am to drive 2 hours and then mountain for 10 hours, it is not in your best interest to stay up late in your hotel watching documentaries like "Searching for the Abominable Snowman" on the National Geographic channel. (For those who are curious, they didn't find him)
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The route up the mountain itself was interesting, involving a couple hours of hiking by moonlight, before strapping on the crampons, harnesses, and roping up for some technical glacier travel. As we got to the AA Col (the saddle between Mt. Athabasca and Mt. Andromeda), we hit thick cloud cover rolling in, with howling wind, snow, and zero visibility all the way to the summit. Despite the weather getting real nasty above the 3000m mark, and a complete lack of summit views, it was a pretty cool adventure to summit another one of the 11,000'ers of the Rockies.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50426160841/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50426160841_0b459ec891_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-1"></a>
<br />After a couple hours of hiking in darkness, the sun finally rose and we could see the glacial terrain we were entering.
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<br />Visibility started to deteriorate.
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<br />On the summit ridge... you can't actually see, but directly on our left is a steep drop down the North Athabasca Glacier. A slip here would be bad news.
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<br />At the summit, 3480m above sea level. Searching for any signs of clearing weather...
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50425465008/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50425465008_998d0f53e1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-10"></a>
<br />Our guide thought we were crazy when we broke out the summit beers. But it was rather cold and windy, and we had a technical descent left, so we opted to save them for later.
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<br />The Icefall section of the Andromeda Glacier.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50426161076/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50426161076_0ddb076537_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-18"></a>
<br />It's hard to tell scale from here, but the Icefall is hundreds of meters tall.
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<br />Andromeda glacier on the left, Athabasca Glacier in the distance.
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<br />A trilobyte fossil. My first time seeing one of these in the wild.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50426331627/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50426331627_1151f9405d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Mt. Athabasca-22"></a>
<br />Summit Brew (back at the parking lot): Fitsimmons and Cold Garden collaboration - Mango Fandango White Tea Wheat Ale. Mt. Athabasca is the peak covered in clouds directly to the right of the beer.
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-44397564924481441672020-09-28T00:31:00.000-06:002020-09-28T00:31:49.682-06:00Larch Madness at Little Arethusa<p>
Just another pleasant fall day in Alberta... you know, complete with snow squalls, 60km wind gusts, and minus temperatures in the Highwood area of Kananaskis. We saw the uncertain weather forecast for Saturday, so decided to tackle an easy peak. There were literally hundreds of hikers in Arethusa Cirque out hunting for Larches, those golden hued conifers that will shed all their needles in the next couple days. But once we started the ascent up the ridge to Little Arethusa peak, we left the crowds behind, and would have the entire summit to ourselves, owing to the wind.
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<br />September in AB... a crapshoot for weather.
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<br />Last of the larches. These colours will likely be gone by next weekend.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50391125847/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-24"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50391125847_64f215d702_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-24"></a>
<br />The base of the cirque was muddy and slick, and got progressively more wintery as we ascended.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50390262458/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50390262458_75a124a333_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-2"></a>
<br />Gaining elevation above the cirque, this was where we broke away from the crowds.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50390262143/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50390262143_07b4163c3b_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-4"></a><br />The colour of the golden larches really popped when contrasted against the wintery backdrop of the Highwood area, as the sun peaked out intermittently.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50390262298/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50390262298_806308e8ec_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-3"></a>
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<br />A nice calm fall day… no adverse conditions whatsoever…
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50390952821/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50390952821_9bc5995e4a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-9"></a>
<br />See? Perfectly calm.
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<br />Summit Brew: Duclaw Brewing Sour Me Unicorn Farts Glittered Sour Ale. Disclosure: It was so cold and windy up top, I saved the beer for after we got home.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50391126587/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50391126587_10e370e702_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Little Arethusa - Sept 2020-16"></a>
<br />Conditions got briefly worse as we prepared to descend. A wall of snow swept in, and pelted us with sideways blowing snow pellets that hurt your face.
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-43292958935467660452020-09-16T22:57:00.001-06:002020-09-16T22:57:16.179-06:00Trip Report - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway)<p>Anita and I took Monday off to head up Boundary Peak in the Icefields Parkway. This peak overlooks the Athabasca Glacier, whose name you might recognize as the site of the tragic snowcoach rollover accident from earlier this summer. Difficulties on our trek were minimal, aside from some minor throat irritation from the thick smoke of the forest fires in the US. It felt like we were wandering through a vape shop for most of the day. Views of the glacial terrain were obscured as a result, but the smoke did add some moodiness to the photos.</p>
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Assuming the air quality doesn't deteriorate much further over the next couple days, Jas and I will be hitting this area again on Saturday morning for a 4am start on a guided climb up the massive glacier seen in the photos.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50350516578/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50350516578_452d139efd_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-15"></a><br />
Summit Brew: Born Colorado Brewing Second Summer Citra Pale Ale.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50351372502/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50351372502_87fd6cea27_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-16"></a><br />
Adult lunchables! Featuring Genoa salami, turkey breast, gouda cheese, and little melba toasts.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50351217211/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50351217211_028be048b4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-19"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50351217346/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50351217346_d901b2499c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Scrambles - Boundary Peak (Icefields Parkway) - Sept 2020-18"></a>
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-90278256090715189942020-09-07T22:14:00.008-06:002020-09-07T22:19:00.737-06:00The Tashkent Metro System<p>Ugggghh... how is it September already?! And single digit temperatures? Frick. With no international travel upcoming in the forseeable future, here's a look back at our last trip (a year ago!) in which we spent a day in Tashkent, Uzbekistan touring their underground Metro stations. I wouldn't fault you for thinking that USSR era Metro stops would be about as interesting as a North Korean paperclip factory, but hear me out. Built during the 1970's, these stations were suprisingly ornate and extravagant, some even bordering on outlandish, compared to the typical austere architectural style of Soviet realism. A token to ride the Metro cost 1400 Uzbek Som, or the equivalent of $0.18 Cdn. And because there was no time limit to your usage of the system so long as you did not exit a station, we spent less than $1.00 Cdn that day to see numerous architectural curiousities that more resembled museum lobbies than Metro platforms. I hope these photos do something to sate your wanderlust.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318427991/in/dateposted/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318427991_b554552b6c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-2"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318609802/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318609802_3497871544_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-3"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318609747/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318609747_9e422b60dc_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-5"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317762108/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-7"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317762108_21ce0bee02_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-7"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318609172/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318609172_80043e116d_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-6"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317762053/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317762053_2beec22101_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-8"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317762183/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317762183_b3521bb547_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-4"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318426906/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318426906_d43777d4da_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-18"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318427711/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318427711_e26c2b336f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-9"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317761643/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317761643_bdb905cf8c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-15"></a>
<br />Not actually taken inside a metro station... these next couple pics were just interesting interior domes inside a mosque we saw on this same day.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317761733/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317761733_fd6df7c1a1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-14"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318427566/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318427566_43e0418eea_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-13"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317761868/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317761868_84a83a9c55_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-12"></a>
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Now back to the Metro stations.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317761938/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317761938_5de78ef02f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-10"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318609542/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318609542_560dabacab_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-11"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317761493/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317761493_eab5416eb4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-16"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50317761428/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50317761428_3702d6be59_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-17"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318609902/in/photostream/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318609902_615f056cdc_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-1"></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50318740397/in/dateposted/" title="Uzbekistan Metro-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50318740397_e100d7f50f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Uzbekistan Metro-19"></a>
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As I've already mentioned, 1400 Som was the equivalent of 18 cents Cdn. So this is what walking around with a couple hundred bucks (Cdn equivalent) in a largely cash transaction based society looked like.
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-16202614929678169022020-08-29T23:14:00.001-06:002020-08-29T23:18:37.033-06:00Ashley and Tim: A 2020 Love Story <p>I know it may not seem like it lately, but I do on occasion take photos of more than just mountains. Mind you, these photos do also feature mountains, but only as the supporting cast to the starring roles played by Ashley and Tim. These two lovebirds were celebrating their one year wedding anniversary, and figured why not dust off the wedding formals for a tromp around Lake Louise. </p>
<p>I love how these turned out. Having such an idylic backdrop and a beautiful couple as models almost makes me look like I know something about taking pictures. Almost.</p>
<center> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50283993618/in/photostream/" title="Ashley and Tim-29"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50283993618_a9a6c6026f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Ashley and Tim-29"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50284003973/in/dateposted/" title="Ashley and Tim-83"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50284003973_8dee984521_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Ashley and Tim-83"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50284004333/in/photostream/" title="Ashley and Tim-85"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50284004333_0cdfa77cb0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Ashley and Tim-85"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50284825032/in/photostream/" title="Ashley and Tim-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50284825032_d55cb4224b_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Ashley and Tim-6"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50283987683/in/photostream/" title="Ashley and Tim-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50283987683_7bf9f899cc_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Ashley and Tim-3"></a><br />
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Because what could be more 2020 than this?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50284834247/in/photostream/" title="Ashley and Tim-37"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50284834247_442c444349_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Ashley and Tim-37"></a><br />
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</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-58523456873147585742020-08-17T22:50:00.001-06:002020-08-17T22:50:30.934-06:00Trip Report - Mt. Niblock<p>Just wanted to share some photos from this weekend's adventure, scrambling up Mt. Niblock in the Lake Louise area. This was my fourth summit in 7 days, and I felt every single step of it on the outer sides of my hips. I'm no doctor, but I think either my IT band or Tensor Fascia Latae muscles were screaming at me 'WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US?!!' for the entire day (and for the entirety of the giant mountain we hit two days before that too...). But apparently, I'm hard of hearing, and just ignored them.</p><p>Anyways, I digress. The trek up Niblock involved 1241m of net elevation gain, hiking up two massive steep scree bowls, climbing up a cliff band beside a waterfall, and also ascending a fairly exposed ridge to gain the summit. At times, it felt like a slog, but the views at the top were unbelievable. This summit view easily lands in my top five, with a great closeup of a massive glacier, views of Lake Louise and Lake Agnes, as well as views of hundreds of peaks in the Icefields Parkway and leading into BC. Oh, and the photos of everyone scrambling at the top are pretty epic too. Take a peek, and you'll either 1) be inspired to go bag this one for yourself, or 2) be terrified by the steep exposed ridge traverse. (Hopefully more the former).</p><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239538682/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-23"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-23" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239538682_c7d2543887_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239324591/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-2"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-2" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239324591_511f064390_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
Anita heading up the second scree bowl.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238676413/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-1"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-1" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238676413_9b14293505_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I spotted a family of White Tailed Ptarmigans, perched along the cliffs, just below the ridge (2700m above sea level).<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239324496/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-4"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-4" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239324496_297ccac70b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We sheltered behind a cliff wall, to escape the howling wind threatening to blow us over the edge.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239539827/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-5"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-5" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239539827_317735ea25_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The windgusts were strong, and you even had to hold on to your strapped on helmet.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238677968/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-6"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-6" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238677968_24ef66fb87_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Traversing across a rocky ridge, just below the summit. It was pretty airy and exposed.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238677908/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-7"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-7" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238677908_4d924c8a26_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238677628/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-11"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-11" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238677628_d3b3fd8df0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239323961/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-12"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-12" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239323961_1b244f3399_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
On the summit of Mt. Niblock.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238677463/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-13"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-13" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238677463_fa1133763e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Anita soaks in the views.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239323791/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-14"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-14" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239323791_ec3e3372ae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I was there too!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239539122/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-15"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-15" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239539122_b530f39577_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238677243/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-16"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-16" height="216" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238677243_79c2845773_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Summit pano. For a mountain of only moderate technical difficulty, this view is an amazing reward.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239538992/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-17"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-17" height="216" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239538992_eceda3a511_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238678133/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-3"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-3" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238678133_0bdc12b2fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Summit Brew: Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. Ring Pop Double Dry Hopped IPA.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239539057/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-18"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-18" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239539057_35219bc6f5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239323616/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-19"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-19" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239323616_7c54826ef5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239538847/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-20"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-20" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239538847_f947d2c00f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239538792/in/dateposted/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-21"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-21" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239538792_86c657d5d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239323401/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-22"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-22" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239323401_c048b34747_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238676798/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-24"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-24" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238676798_a319fdb9dc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50238676738/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-25"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-25" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50238676738_587d0fc64d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239323106/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-26"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-26" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239323106_26853d611d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239538237/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-27"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-27" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239538237_f6d80146e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239538132/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-28"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-28" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239538132_f1390127e7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50239322706/in/photostream/" style="text-align: left;" title="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-29"><img alt="Scrambles - Mt. Niblock - Aug 2020-29" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50239322706_b8360d48a7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Looking back at the summit (right), after dropping back down to Lake Agnes.<br />
</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-78773004051904072662020-08-03T23:36:00.000-06:002020-08-03T23:36:29.165-06:00Milestones on Dolomite PeakThis past Sunday, we tagged Dolomite Peak in the Icefields Parkway, and achieved a pretty big milestone in the process. I hadn't been keeping count of my peak bagging numbers, but did a quick tally on Friday night and discovered that I had scrambled up 99 unique peaks in the Canadian Rockies. It felt rather appropriate then, that checking off number 100 would happen on a difficult scramble that would scare off most others. The route was very technical, and involved climbing up a steep and narrow chute full of loose rock, that required a lot of carefully coordinated movements on both the ascent and descent to prevent unleashing deadly rockfall onto each other. <br />
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I was super proud of the fact that Anita bagged this peak like a champ, despite a very slow and difficult descent that involved a few moments of terror and sliding uncontrolled down a steep slope. As it turns out in retrospect, we discovered that this was Anita's 60th unique peak scrambled in the Rockies. So it feels extra special that we both hit personal milestones while conquering such a difficult and technically demanding mountain. <br />
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Trust me on this one, you'll want to check out the photos.<br />
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<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616263/in/dateposted/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-17"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616263_afb82a616c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-17"></a><br />
Anita and I, looking towards Mt. Hector.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187414187/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187414187_1e797f1b50_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-3"></a><br />
The imposing cliff bands of Dolomite peaks 3, 4, and 5 loom above.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187162166/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187162166_4b03e9fd87_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-2"></a><br />
Taking a breather, before the technical scrambling begins.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616883/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616883_2054003e34_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-4"></a><br />
Climbing up towards a narrow chute.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187162006/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187162006_e104fd65da_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-5"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616783/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-6"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616783_8995724925_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-6"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616678/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-7"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616678_63531f1a58_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-7"></a><br />
Just below the summit, but still some route finding and scrambling to go.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616643/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-8"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616643_076659bc76_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-8"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413777/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-9"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413777_9c2ca76447_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-9"></a><br />
Summit of Dolomite peak 4.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413737/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413737_68512ee3ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-10"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413682/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413682_0f43de330f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-11"></a><br />
Stunning views from the summit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413627/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-12"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413627_7744177b33_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-12"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413642/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-13"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413642_9b5ede549b_z.jpg" width="640" height="243" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-13"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187161586/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-14"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187161586_6fa025b9c3_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-14"></a><br />
Summit brew: Cabin Brewing's Cool As Cucumber Lime Gose. Super refreshing for a hot day.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616373/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-15"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616373_44f0db77cd_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-15"></a><br />
Looking further up the Icefield's Parkway, with Cirque peak in the foreground<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616328/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-16"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616328_a162192a40_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-16"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616238/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-18"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616238_262d2bc5e5_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-18"></a><br />
Starting the descent. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50186616138/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-19"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50186616138_2ec61b0926_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-19"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413327/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-20"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413327_e57d7572b6_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-20"></a><br />
Taking in the views from an adjacent high point before dropping back down to the descent gully.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187161251/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-21"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187161251_1aa3448c2d_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-21"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187413167/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187413167_1cc029bda6_c.jpg" width="533" height="800" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-22"></a><br />
A whole lot of technical downclimbing involved on the descent.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187161086/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-23"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187161086_0392a86884_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-23"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187412952/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-24"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187412952_528eec3b59_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-24"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187160946/in/photostream/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-25"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187160946_2ae053f145_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-25"></a><br />
Some awkward movements needed to bypass a loose ledge.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50187414252/in/dateposted/" title="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50187414252_88cfe68d45_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Dolomite Peak - Aug 2020-1"></a><br />
The 7 imposing peaks of Dolomite, as seen from the below the ascent gullies.<br />
</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-42954341234193969992020-07-27T21:41:00.000-06:002020-07-28T07:42:12.274-06:00Neowise and the Milky WayThe comet, Neowise. The galaxy, Milky Way. Too bad they were in opposite parts of the sky so I couldn't get them together in one single photo... but both were still cool to see. The comet was very hard to see with the naked eye, but was fairly obvious in long exposures in camera. Enjoy!<br />
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<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50161132157/in/photostream/" title="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50161132157_5dbf0b9413_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-4"></a><br />
The Milky Way, looking south. Trees in foreground lit up by a passing car.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50160884771/in/photostream/" title="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160884771_ce40132ef8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-2"></a><br />
The comet Neowise, visible to the north, rapidly fading as its trajectory pulls it further and further away from Earth.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50160884666/in/photostream/" title="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160884666_76a2b34860_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-1"></a><br />
See ya in another 6000 years or so, space rock.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50160884341/in/photostream/" title="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160884341_12e225ae4b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-5"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50160884461/in/photostream/" title="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160884461_0bba8e30a4_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Neowise and Milky Way - Blog-3"></a><br />
</center>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629119310522875507.post-21882355679552338332020-07-22T17:56:00.001-06:002020-07-23T00:10:41.442-06:00Serendipity Peak, aka "Operation: Eat all the Robax and Advil"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">If your friends drive 4.5hrs bright and early on a Monday morning to get to a trailhead, but then upon arrival, you pull a muscle in your back while tying up your laces, do you: A) call it a day and disappoint everyone? or B) tough it out and hike for 11 hours on a steep mountain, and hope it doesn't seize up more on you during an inopportune moment? Asking for a friend. (Me. I'm asking for me. I'm your friend.)<br />
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So anyways, I managed to reinjure my wonky back before the hike even started. Naturally I went with option B, Operation: Eat all the Robax and Advil, and maybe wash them down with a beer on the summit after 6 hours of struggling up the mountain. I'm no pharmacist, but I'm guessing this is not the recommended course of treatment for lower back strains. (Yup, consulted Dr. Google. It's not.)<br />
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I'll spare you the details, but I will say this mountain broke me. I don't often have thoughts of turning around when the summit is in sight, but if Jas or Jill had hinted they wanted to stop, I would have happily obliged. But since all three of us are stubborn AF and refuse to be the one to admit defeat, we soldiered on all the way to the top. If you're looking for a recommendation for a pleasant hike, stay the heck away from Serendipity Peak. You'll get some awesome shots along the ridge to the false summit, but it's not worth it. 10/10 would not do again. The end. <br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142502047/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-39"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-39" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142502047_60d7fd1654_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
On our descent, the sun lowering towards the horizon set this field of wildflowers aglow. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142490367/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-1"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-1" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142490367_ea05efab33_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50141713638/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-3"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-3" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50141713638_a9a5df1069_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
I climbed over the prominent bump in the left, and then downclimbed it to get here, rather than continue to traverse across the rubble slopes. It doesn't look too bad here, but there's a section with two smooth slabs with no handholds on it...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142253481/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-7"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-7" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142253481_88e8c68a13_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50141716198/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-11"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-11" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50141716198_cb63c443af_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
That smile would not last...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142492922/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-14"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-14" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142492922_fd19ca9fde_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Some steep loose terrain. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142255076/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-17"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-17" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142255076_8071367e6e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142507892/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-15"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-15" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142507892_86ab153d06_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142258771/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-22"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-22" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142258771_5d754308c5_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
Smiles briefly returned when we finally hit the summit ridge.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50141721453/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-25"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-25" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50141721453_1df93c140b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142498582/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-27"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-27" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142498582_ffe158eac4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Unenthused? Defeated? Resigned? Concerned about the descent? Likely all of the above.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142261246/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-30"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-30" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142261246_1681579ab0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50141822738/in/dateposted/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-26"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-26" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50141822738_1515a4814e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Summit Brew: Situation Brewing Page Turner IPA.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142264826/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-33"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-33" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142264826_dfb02148d9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Beginning the descent.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142500762/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-34"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-34" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142500762_06b0bbd644_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
What you don't see in this photo are the curses, the 'stop your faacking singing', and bans on us saying 'We're almost there.'<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50141725023/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-37"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-37" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50141725023_27d20ff806_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
The sun peaked through the forest to just perfectly strike this one single flower. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/65605979@N02/50142264226/in/photostream/" title="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-38"><img alt="Scrambles - Serendipity Peak - July 2020-38" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50142264226_04a809f278_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
A riot of colour as we made our way back through vast fields of wildflowers.<br />
</center></div></div>iHeartDimSumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443318673221902687noreply@blogger.com2