2008.12.07
Caracas. Well... I don't think I will visit it again. A big dirty city, full of half rotten glass skyscrapers, and unfulfilled dreams of greatness. It's hard not to love Chavez for sticking
it to the idiot Bush at every opportunity, but it's also hard not to shake one's head with disbelief, when one sees how little he managed to accomplish building his "heaven on earth".
2008.10.14
Latest scrambles. After failing last year, I managed to conquer Mount Borgeau, near Sunshine
Village (2930 m - elev. gain
1500 m). I also reached the summits of Mount Lawrence Grassi (2685 m - elev. gain 945 m) and Middle Sister (2769 m - elev. gain 1400 m), near Canmore.
2008.09.14
I spent two days in Skoki, near Lake Louise. The plan
was to do two interesting scrambles to the summits
of Mount Richardson and Ptarmigan Peak. First day
was ok.
I successfully used a break in several thunderstorms,
and with visibility almost near zero,
I managed to reach the summit of Mount Richardson
(3086 m - elev. gain 1450 m). Unfortunately an overnight
rain turned into a serious snowfall, which prevented
me from doing any scrambling the next day (perfect
weather). I had to turn around and go home. The walk
back to Lake Louise was very enjoyable due to beautiful,
winter-like views. After all, it had been at least
partially a successful trip, too bad it looks like
summer hiking is over. Pictures below:
2008.09.04
Unfortunately, it has been snowing in the Rockies.
Expecting lousy weather for the long weekend, we took
Felix and drove all the way to Washington State, US.
The weather was excellent so we spent a few days camping
near North Roosevelt Lake, working on our suntan and
drinking beer. Felix was the only very busy one, "saving"
sticks from the lake.
Happy Labor Day!
2008.08.26
The weather is totally crazy. Plus 34 on Monday and plus
7 by Thursday. Fortunately it got a little bit better
for the weekend, so I was able to do the last scramble
in August. The Tower (3117 m - elev. gain 1260 m) near
Kananaskis Lakes. Interesting hike, interesting route-finding
experience and (of course) a lot of loose rock.
Excellent views from the summit.
2008.08.18
Below are a few pictures from another two beautiful scrambles
I managed to do. Eiffel Peak (3084 m - elev. gain 1230
m) near Moraine Lake and The Fortress (3000 m - elev.
gain 1100 m) near Kananaskis Lakes. Awsome views, especially
from the summit of the first one.
2008.07.31
July turned out to be a really good month for scrambling.
The weather was not that great but I managed to summit
three relatively high mountains. Storm Mountain (3092
m - elev. gain 1050 m) near Highwood (don't mistake it
with higher Storm Mountain near Castle Junction); Mount
Sparrowhawk (3121 m - elev. gain 1350 m) near Spray Lake
and Mount Chester (3054 m - elev. gain 1150 m) near Kananaskis
Lakes. I hope August is going to be as successful.
2008.07.06
Long, long winter this year. It was snowing in the Rockies
until mid June. Spring/Summer hiking season started really
late, so no great ascents, yet. Bunch of conditioning
hikes (Bourgeau Lake, Grotto Mountain, Yamnuska, etc).
The most interesting was the loop hike around three summits
of Mount Edith, combined with the ascent of the north
summit
(2554 m). Below are a few pictures of one of the most
picturesque peaks in the Rockies, Mount Louis (2680 m).
2008.05.18
I spent a couple of weeks in Wrocław, Poland. May
is basically summer there, so the weather was excellent
and a beer is more reasonably priced than in Canada so,
no complaints. By the way the city center is beautifully
restored and very colorful (and full of pretty girls,
yeah!).
2008.04.06
I'm trying to stay in shape, so I made a few winter ascents
in the Rockies. Grotto Mountain (2706 m - elev. gain 1425
m), Yamnuska (2240 m - elev. gain 900 m), Heart Mountain
(2135 m - elev. gain 875 m) and Mount Baldy (2192 m -
elev. gain 800 m).
A few winter pics below.
2008.01.10
Sir
Edmund Hillary dies.
2008.01.01
You think you know the world? Check your traveler IQ.
Very interesting tests
here.
2008.01.01
I wish you all a very adventurous year 2008 !!!
