"Too much rocks/ boulders" - McGillivray Canyon

Anita and I switched it up yesterday, and rather than try to summit a peak, we went to explore a gorgeous canyon instead. So I googled the route, and I kid you not, some genius wrote this review on a trail description: "Too much rocks/ boulders [sic]. I fell twice on the creek crossing the logs and rocks. Water was cold. 1 star." Now, I'm no expert... but this is like a yelp review where you ordered a soup and complain that it's too wet, and that you stabbed yourself in the face while trying to eat it with a fork. And that's why they should require you to pass a test before you're allowed online. Or outside. Or to dress yourself.

Anyways, dumbass internet users aside, the canyon was stunning (check out the photos), and owing to the fact that the parking area was well hidden, we only saw a couple others all day. Highly recommend, so long as you understand there are "much rocks/ boulders", and if you fall in the creek, you'll get wet.














Bit of an obstacle course. You try walking up a slippery log, with ice covering the walls for your handholds.























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The Stans: Kulikalon Lakes

I began combing through the thousands of photos from our time in Central Asia, and much like when presented with a menu featuring too many delicious options, it becomes overwhelming to make a selection and so you end up closing your eyes and pointing at something, only to be disappointed that you chose a veggie burger made of plant based egg substitute with soy fries. The "burden of choice" is alive and real, my friends.

So as I wasted entirely too much time trying to rationally curate a collection of photos to sum up the entire trip, I realized it was hopeless, and instead selected a very limited set from the beautiful first camp on our trek in Tajikistan. After a long-ish day of hiking, we reached the cirque of Kulikalon Lakes, three alpine tarns fed by the enormous Chimtarga glacier. We could not have asked for a more picturesque panorama to pitch our tents in, and were lucky to have seen both a beautiful sunset and sunrise here before moving further up into the mountains.


Sunset over one of the lakes.


Anita and Jas survey the landscape as we first neared our camp in the late afternoon.


Taking a moment to soak it all in.








This was actually taken at night, well after sunset. It was a full moon that evening, so even deep into the evening with the stars out, it was still amply bright.


Reflections at sunrise.

Trip Report - Smutwood Peak

Random story: I got on the bus recently, and absent mindedly presented the driver with my credit card, rather than my bus pass. He looked directly at it, but didn't appear to notice that I flashed a black card at him rather than the brightly coloured pass. Which goes to show that if you act like you own the place, you are unlikely to get questioned. Nuggets of wisdom, by George.

Anyways, here's a few shots from this weekend's hike up Smutwood Peak (weird name, I know). It's called that because it's adjacent to Mt. Smuts, and Mt. Birdwood, so someone unofficially portmanteau'd the two. The hike was 19km round trip, with 850m of elevation gain and all around awesome views, but was also super tiring. My legs felt like they were going to fall off by the time we got back to the car. Someone get this guy a massage, stat!






































Summit Brew: Bellwoods Cat Lady IPA. Anita had a lemon tea.

Trip Report - Read's Tower

Jas and I set out to bag Read's Tower this past Saturday. We gained the 928m of elevation in under 2 hours, which is a pretty fast pace considering our geriatric bodies. The day started out nice, but the weather turned to rain, snow, and cloud cover as we approached the summit. I like how the photos at the top look like we were shooting an ad for the North Face or some other outdoor gear brand. Jas may yet still have a career as an 'insta-influencer'. Now, if you make it all the way to the end of the photos, I promise you will be rewarded by a shot of an incredibly detailed and life-like snowman that was freshly erected that day.


Social Media Influencer?


The clouds, rain, and light snow rolled in as we hit the summit.


It's me!




Summit of Read's Tower on the right, Mt. Sparrowhawk on the left.












Summit Beers: St. Ambroise Pamplemousse IPA, and some random Mikkeler Sour.










See... I told you there'd be a snowMAN. I had no hand in building this sculpture, but I will admit to giggling immaturely at it.