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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2011 : 5:24 PM
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*all photos taken via smartphone*
I hit the trail a smidge before 10:30am and up I went on the familiar path that is the Elk trail. The Queen's cup is out, as is the Bunchberry. The flora seems to be furoiusly trying to make up for lost time and the late season this year. There is a big Tiger Lilly just full of buds just below the lookout.
 
Made it to Elk summit in a little under an hour and a half at a good steady pace. One of the good things about my present set of circumstances is that it gives me more opportunity to get out than I have been given in the past 3 years and I intend on taking advantage of that opportunity. Actually it could be easily argued that I need that opportunity.
Today my planned destination was Thurston with some reading material in hand. When we are faced with deep emotional trauma it takes time to process the events surrounding that trauma. I've had two such incidents happen in the past 2 and a half years. One being the incident that resulted in my daughter's severe lifelong disability and the other being a life altering betrayal by a person I loved and trusted. The mixture of both in such a short timespan would be enough to send anyone over the edge but I have two young children that depend upon me so I don't have the luxury of insanity.
I've read quite a few books in my search for closure, one that has helped tremendously is Shirley Glass's "Not just Friends". It should be made prerequiste reading for anyone in a commited relationship and comes highly recommended.
Today's reading material came from a well meaning family member; Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now".
With this tucked away in my pack I headed down the ridge to my objective. As I traveled I saw the Moss Campion is in full bloom, the Indian Paintbrush has started and the odd Chocolate Lilly can be found.
  
Someone had recently gone through with clippers and removed some of the new evergreen growth around the trail. It was only a half hour extra to 2nd peak and then another three quarter hour or so to Thurston. The snowpack is well consolidated in Thurston Meadows and it feels quite nice on the feet in the hot temperatures today.
Once at Thurston Summit I take a summit photo and turn around to have lunch and read at the meadow on the lower slope. The avalanche lillies and another small white wildflowers are in bloom here.
 
Krista waits patiently to lick out my yogurt cup (a little routine we have) and I go into my pack to grab my nalgene...oops - now how did that not manage to make its way in there? Too many other distractions I suppose. I drain the rest of what is left in the little 800ml bottle I had managed to pack, shrug it off and start reading. I'll be a bit dehydrated but not die of thirst. I had some fruit along with me and that would have to do.
After spending a good hour and a half with Eckhart I'd come to two conclusions; the first, the man is a wee bit esoteric.
The second, being present is a beautiful skill. It's something that ironically enough is taught to us by our children as well as things like meditation and yoga and for me, hiking/backpacking falls in there as well.
However part of being human is in analyzing the past, especially around painful events, so that you can understand them and avoid them in future where possible. It's a survival mechanism. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to understand what has happened, the events are just tragic or simply make no sense. In these cases it's much harder to get closure and let go but as a good friend told me; you can't reason with crazy, you can only disengage.
He also had some interesting things to say about the need for being right vs doing the right thing how that relates to relationship addiction vs love. You can always choose who you want to spend your time with but ultimately the only person you actually have to live with is yourself.
Thank Mr. Tolle.
Speaking of the power of now, by now I could feel the skin on my legs and arms crisping up.
I pack up and head back down making good time. I meet a hiker at the big cairn. He looks up at me and asks how far I went. "To Thurston" I reply. He looks a bit bewildered. "I thought this was Thurston". I smile "common mistake". I point out the last bump in the ridge to him and let him know there are a good set of tracks to follow and if he wants to get there, it's pretty straight forward.
Then I head down the ridge towards Elk. Just as I get past Winger camp, what a pleasant surprise; I meet Flowing Brook. We hiked down together in the forest chatting away. Thanks for being a good sounding board Lynn. |
Edited by - exscape on 07/06/2011 5:32 PM
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4663 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2011 : 5:58 PM
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I know where you're coming from Jenn, I discovered hiking through a dark period in my life when I first came to BC and it helped me to heal.
Ever since, it always helps me to clear my head and put things back into perspective |
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32 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2011 : 6:02 PM
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I really enjoyed reading this. Not only because I like the trail to Thurston, but also because Tolle has profoundly influenced my life as well. I've only read "A New Earth", but "The Power of Now" is definitely on my list. Tolle is a truly gifted teacher.
Cheers! |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2011 : 11:51 PM
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Your relative gave you a good starting point to practice living in the now . You need a bit more practice though Jenn because I saw possibly hundreds of Chocolate Lillies on the ridge between Elk and Thurston (said in the spirit of love).
Keep up the good work!
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 12:03 AM
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Yeah I'll admit my ability to do so has been challenged to a breaking point these days.
There was once a time when I was much better at it. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13091 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 07:00 AM
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And Jenn, real love is nothing without sacrifice. That's when your children, cat, dog, all come first before your needs do, and you are a live example of just that. Well that, and you're a good source of motivation for everyone on this site lately. Remember, we're rootin' for you, keep your stick on the ice
Wise words...
"However part of being human is in analyzing the past, especially around painful events, so that you can understand them and avoid them in future where possible. It's a survival mechanism. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to understand what has happened, the events are just tragic or simply make no sense. In these cases it's much harder to get closure and let go but as a good friend told me; you can't reason with crazy, you can only disengage.
He also had some interesting things to say about the need for being right vs doing the right thing how that relates to relationship addiction vs love. You can always choose who you want to spend your time with but ultimately the only person you actually have to live with is yourself."
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Chilliwack, B.C.
Canada
373 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 09:26 AM
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| Great report Jen! Was this just yesterday you were up there? If so, suprised we didn't cross paths, I would have been up about a half hour ahead of you, only went a portion of the way to Thurston though. Should have packed sun screen! |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 10:18 AM
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Thanks Mick, you're a gem. Kelsey I was actually up there on Tues; there was a "baby delay" between the writing and posting of the report plus a little technical delay in sorting out how best to export the photos from my phone.
Mike maybe we can get out on a hike sometime and have a philosophical Tolle discussion. It's interesting that before I was given this book I'd discovered a copy of New Earth while on a little walk with my daughter and a friend. It was hidden in the shelter on the Galiano buffs trail. |
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Herbal tea drinkin, tree huggin, view seeking, tortoise paced, ultralite wannabe
Vancouver, BC
Canada
2847 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 11:28 AM
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beautiful. And so is the report  I second Mick's comments. And add my own favourite:
And this too, shall pass.
Hope to spend some time on the trails with you again sometime in the near future. |
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Chilliwack
1285 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 3:37 PM
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"And this too, shall pass" is one of my favorite sayings during hard times... because it's very true.
I'm curious how the mossies were, esp. out towards Thurston? I remember when Augustine and I hiked to Thurston a couple of summers ago and the number of mosquitos that were trying to attack us was just c-ra-zy! No fun at all. (even though the hike itself was nice).
Glad you are finding time to think and reflect and grow... |
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map hatin', coffee perc totin', garbage collectin', backpacking, action hero wannabe, who loves to hide out in Garibaldi park and will have his scouts sing if you keep him awake at night
2479 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 4:02 PM
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Another nice TR, Jenn.
Another great quote for you, from one of the greatest modern day philosphers:
"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx |
Edited by - Marc on 07/07/2011 4:03 PM |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13091 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 4:33 PM
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| Well if Groucho said it then it has to be true eh :) |
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Chilliwack, B.C.
Canada
373 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 4:41 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Kanike
"And this too, shall pass" is one of my favorite sayings during hard times... because it's very true.
I'm curious how the mossies were, esp. out towards Thurston? I remember when Augustine and I hiked to Thurston a couple of summers ago and the number of mosquitos that were trying to attack us was just c-ra-zy! No fun at all. (even though the hike itself was nice).
Glad you are finding time to think and reflect and grow...
Haha! The mossies are in full swing it would seem. They love my blood! Not bad once on the ridge, but in the trees just before the lookout, I couldn't stop for long without a swarm forming. |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 4:42 PM
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Groucho was a very wise guy! Keep on keeping on Jenn . |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 5:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by giverhard
quote:
Originally posted by Kanike
"And this too, shall pass" is one of my favorite sayings during hard times... because it's very true.
I'm curious how the mossies were, esp. out towards Thurston? I remember when Augustine and I hiked to Thurston a couple of summers ago and the number of mosquitos that were trying to attack us was just c-ra-zy! No fun at all. (even though the hike itself was nice).
Glad you are finding time to think and reflect and grow...
Haha! The mossies are in full swing it would seem. They love my blood! Not bad once on the ridge, but in the trees just before the lookout, I couldn't stop for long without a swarm forming.
They were hardly there on Tuesday. There was the odd small biting fly but no skeeters but there was also a good breeze so it might have been keeping them at bay.
With every great adversity in life comes the opportunity for growth. That which does not kill me makes me stronger.
Marc who is this Groucho guy? Any relation to the Marx brothers? This youngin needs a history lesson
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Edited by - exscape on 07/07/2011 5:09 PM |
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Terminator shade wearing, summit questing, double Grinding, Gordo voting self annointed 'dumb ass' and Aconcagua Bagga who dreams of Robson, Teton, The Judge, and.....and....
Port Moody, B.C
Canada
2211 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2011 : 5:15 PM
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| Great report. |
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Peak scrambling, camera dodgin', knife toting gal who hikes with panties on pack & hangs clothes in trees
Port Coquitlam, BC
Canada
417 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2011 : 07:52 AM
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Good report Jenn, and very emotional for me at this time. I wish you all the best. I know you are a strong woman and will get through this evem stronger.
On another note, "to reflect on life", I too went hiking/camping overnight with my nephew to Strike/Thunder Lake mid-week and came across the chocolate lily --- the favorite flower for me on this hike --- I took an amazing photo on his camera, if I may say so , which I'll try to post sometime later.
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
782 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2011 : 8:35 PM
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| Hiking is always therapeutic...feels good to be outdoors |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2011 : 8:49 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by solo75
Hiking is always therapeutic...feels good to be outdoors
Amen brother Solo! |
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surrey, british columbia
Canada
198 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2011 : 9:45 PM
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Wow! That Smartphone is pd smart.
quote:
The mixture of both in such a short timespan would be enough to send anyone over the edge but I have two young children that depend upon me so I don't have the luxury of insanity.
Thank God for the children. All the best to you exscape. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13599 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2011 : 09:41 AM
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Always enjoy your TR's and the photos turned out great. To add to a few other posts; walking and hiking brought be back on life's track after a depressing period in life. Getting back into the outdoors to be with the natural world made me feel live again, and then a lot of weight loss came after and then felt 100x better.
This TR has particulary got me thinking to do an evening hike up Elk after work.
Yes, Logan Lake is my home.... but soon I will moving to be closer to this area and where most of my work has been.
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Elk Thurston by Smartphone with Eckhart Tolle.
