Spring has sprung.
The foothills and valleys are awash in a diverse array of green; the colour of renewal, fresh energy and new beginnings. The vibrant chartreuse of fledgling tamarack highlights large swaths of deep forest-green spruce. Lavender Prairie Crocus, fuchsia Moss Campion and cream Mountain Avens peek up through the scree, if you take the time to notice.
We’ve cracked open our windows, rolled our bike tires, floated our boats and flung the Frisbee.
A sure sign of the changing of the seasons, this past weekend we hiked. Clear of winter snows and a short drive from home, Wasootch Ridge in Kananaskis was the shoulder-season pick. A quick ascent afforded us 360-degrees of mountain bliss within minutes.
Exploring Wasootch Ridge. Photo by Chloe Vance.
Up on the ridge, a gregarious weather system came out to play. The wind tousled our hair, giving us a giant noogie. A cool drizzle gave bare arms goosebumps and coated our cheeks in a fine mist. Moments later, rays of intense sunshine enveloped us like a bear hug from a long lost friend.
Sitting still in the mountains, we listened as the wind wrapped itself around towering peaks and filled valley bottoms. It rustled aspen leaves free from the hold of their buds and awakened our spirit of adventure from its wintry hibernation. We felt our souls being welcomed back to the snow-free high country as we peered down on a rainbow hanging low in the Porcupine Valley.
Like a prairie crocus unfurling petal-by-petal, we emerged into the new season.
Spring has sprung, and with it, a new season of adventure is upon us.
Chloe’s family is confused as to how a little girl from Toronto developed such a passion for the wilderness. Wanderlust has led her to guide expeditions in the far North, circumnavigate New Zealand by bicycle, and found a non-profit organization that runs outdoor experiential diabetes education programs. For Chloe, moving to the Bow Valley was a no-brainer. Inspired by her new backyard and all the gritty, interesting people she has met since moving here, she delved into writing.
