Batteries Recharged
Posted on April 15, 2007
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I went camping this weekend, and it was excellent. Four people (two of whom are rather tall) crammed into one tiny Japanese compact (sub-compact?) car for four hours each way, plus a number of shorter trips into town, as well as up to the Maligne Canyon. On top of this, because the massive eight man tent that we had planned on using was “misplaced” by Shane’s sister, we had to fit the four of us into a much smaller (though, technically, four person) tent. It was a very snug fit. However, given that it wasn’t particularly warm at night, being forced into such close quarters probably kept us from hypothermia.
Despite the tight conditions of both the car and the tent, the weekend was very relaxing. Roaring fires, beer, brandy, and a couple of cigars all combined with a whole lot of “guy talk” (I had forgotten how disgustingly over-the-top some of my friends–and I–can be when we’re away from “polite company”). It was a blast to hang out with the guys, since I hadn’t seen any of them for several months (several years, in the case of one person).
It was also very, very cool to take the Maligne Canyon trail walk in the spring. I visit that trail nearly every time I’m in Jasper, but I’ve never seen it frozen over like it was this time. It’s apparently even more impressive in the dead of winter, but it was still incredible to see most of the water frozen solid. Normally, the canyon is a fairly loud place. The sound of fast moving water is ever present. At this time of year, there is only a faint sound of water moving beneath the ice for much of the way. Toward the fifth bridge, the water is fully thawed and freely moving, but prior to that point, it is almost entirely frozen over. It is so frozen, in fact, that we were able to walk along the riverbed for quite a long way. If you’ve ever visited Maligne in the summer, you’ll know how cool it was to be able to actually walk inside the canyon. The walk along thick sheets of ice, which in a matter of weeks will become fast moving liquid water, was a very awe inspiring activity.
I have little to say, really. It was a good time hanging out with the guys, and visiting a place that I love for the first time in a long time. The mountain air, the warmth of the late night fires, and good company made for an excellent weekend. My batteries are now recharged–just in time for the several “new beginnings” that I expect to experience in the coming days.
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