I love the spontaneity of jumping in my Qashqai and heading to the mountains with no plans and no clear destination in mind. As a solo female, it’s probably not the smartest thing to do but I always tell someone when I am exploring a sketchy new route or mountain. (Often it is because I usually pepper them with questions about a route or parking.)
But I love my solo adventures. There’s something incredibly liberating about packing up your car, heading down the highway and singing at the top of your lungs. I’ve always had a curious mind and a deep love for adventure. In the grand scheme of things, I haven’t lived in the Canadian Rockies that long so everything is new to me!
My solo adventures have enhanced my confidence and resilience.
Recently I headed out to Highway 40 for a quick jaunt up Mount Baldy north route. I love this stretch of Highway 40 that runs through the heart of Kananaskis County, starting near the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. I park at an pull out on the east side of the highway across from the trail.
The north route up Mount Baldy is straightforward. Almost immediately you begin climbing a trail winds through a forest. It is not long before you have the option of scrambling over some slabby rocks or taking a bypass route around the slab. I was excited to try my new Scott Supertrac Ultra RC shoes so I took the scrambling route.
On my way back, I got caught in a little traffic jam waiting for some climbers to clear the slab. I went over to them at one point to offer more support and encouragement to the lady in the orange helmet. I thought to myself, I was lucky to have had the summit to myself for a few minutes.
The final push to the summit required careful feet and navigation over loose rocks. I always seem to take a different route to the summit. It never feels the same but the panoramic view from the top was worth every step.
Weather in the mountains is always unpredictable. Along this highway, it could be sunny and bright at one end then drive five kilometres, and there’s moody skies and rain. I was happy to report this day was just right.
I had considered following a guy who I spotted running over to the south summit. I hadn’t done much intel on the traverse so I just did an old and back before going over to Baldy Pass for some extra kilometres. Luck would have it, I ran into the runner who was coming down from the pass. We chatted a bit about the traverse and mountains in general. I had thought about going up to Midnight Peak but I wasn’t in the mood for wet feet again.
As I ran down to my car, I thought about the beauty of solo adventures, especially in a place as magnificent as the Canadian Rockies. Truly they are more than physical endeavours. They’re a form of self-expression and a testament to our inner strength and curiosity.
I encourage anyone reading this to embrace the spontaneity and freedom that comes with solo adventures. Pack up your car, hit the road, and head for the mountains.
Do you go on solo adventures? Why or why not? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.