2023 - Update #2

Well, I didn't do much better of a blogging job in months 4,5, and 6...  Here is what we got up to the last few months:

Mandy and I both went on big trips in April/May.

Mandy visited Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, and some others) and Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia) with some of her highschool girlfriends.  She journaled her trip in a blog which you can find here.  I went a pretty amazing trip of my own with my dad to Ireland, Northern Ireland, and a quick side-trip to Scotland.  I also kept a blog which you can find here.

As for the hikes here is what happened:

White Buddha, Elbow, Kananaskis - June 21, 2023:

Mandy and I headed out for a quick hike.  We decided to do the White Buddha Alt Route, which heads up the hill beside White Buddha, then becomes a ridge walk to White Buddha itself.  We descended the normal way and headed back to the parking lot.  It was a very fun walk, with a bit of bushwhacking and a ruffed grouse mating ritual demonstration!! 😂

Heading Up The First Hill

Somebody Was Decorating This Tree

Dew On A Plant - Took Me Five Tries To Get This Picture Right 😂

Prairie Mountain From White Buddha Summit

Summit Selfie

Little Ware, Sheep, Kananaskis - June 30, 2023

Mandy, Hannah, and I headed out early to attempt Little Ware off the Gorge Creek Road in Kananaskis.  It is an area I have been wanting to do for a while now.  The approach is pretty long, and the ascent gets quite steep, but the payout is 360-degree views.  It was a beautiful sunny morning, and we had the summit to ourselves.  We decided to head down via the Eastern ridge, which was all easy bushwhacking, and made quick work of the return leg.  Our customary stop for a pop and a bag of chips in Turner Valley, and we headed home three happy hikers!

Three Musketeers!

Starting The Approach

A Beautiful Indian Paintbrush

Summit Shot, Looking Towards Bluerock Mountain

A Little Chippy Checking Out My Poles

Summit Shot - Mount Burns, Bluerock Mountain In Background

Mount Burke, Lower Cataract, Kananaskis - July 2, 2023:

Mandy, Sammy, Professor Lexie, and I headed out early on a Sunday to beat the crowds and the heat.  Sam and I had done this one last year, and were excited for Mandy and Lexie to experience it for their first time.  The weather was gorgeous, and our timing was great - had the summit to ourselves!!

Check out Sam's amazing blog here for a better trip report on this hike.

Out Of The Trees, And Onto The Scree

Mount Burke North Peak

Mandy Coming Over The Rock Ridge

Lexie Opening The Window To Get A Better View 😂

Abandoned Fire Lookout At The Summit

Mandy Bundled Up At The Summit

Lexie Above The Clouds!!