Our Canada 2018 trip began at 5:00 AM on July 28th
The day of travel lasted until 8:00 PM when we set up camp beneath the Selkirks with anticipation in our hearts. The next morning was early as well, as we prepared for the helicopter rides that would split the groups and leave us in isolation with the mountains for the following week. An average day in Canada may have looked like this: Breakfast crew wakes at 6:00 and cooks spam and oatmeal or pancakes for the group while the rest of us manage to pack our bags for the day – some clothing, food, water, and lots of gear. As breakfast crew winds down lunch crew brings out sandwich makings for everyone and then we are off by the time the sun has risen over the ridge to the east. Our day Our first few climbs were to the south up a glorious snow field that provided some of the best glissades of our lives. Most of the peaks that we hit had easy rock summits that just required a fixed line. As the week progressed, we climbed north towards the glorious Findlehorn. An unsuccessful summit attempt resulted in a great first ascent of a daunting rocky peak along a ridge descending from the summit. On our last day, we climbed an aesthetic peak we dubbed the “False Findlehorn” that had been looming over our camp all week. This was the most technical of out climbs, which required loose boulder scrambling, a fixed line, a steep snowfield, another fixed line the the summit, and a double rappel down another snowfield. Unfortunately, our most hardwired summit was enjoyed inside a quite cold, wet, cloud. As the helicopter arrived the next morning, I felt a sadness that we had only had one week to scratch the surface of the wonders of this beautiful place.
The story of Canada does not end in the mountains. On our return we were treated by the Canadian hot springs and then the incredible barbecue abilities of Mike Poutiatine. Though we had left Canada at this point, the values learned in Canada had not yet left us.
-Finn James, Group A participant
