Yesterday was an incredible day, filled with both happiness and fear. We decided to hike Ha Ling Peak, just outside of Canmore. Just me, the puppers and two girls under 10.
How Ha Ling got it's name
Ha Ling is probably the closest, steepest peak you can get to from Calgary, so it makes a good day trip. According to wikipedia in the late 1800s a man bet a Chinese cook $50 he couldn't climb to the peak in 10 hours. Not only did he plant the flag once, but he did it again with a much bigger flag so that they could see it from town.
The ascent
Climbing up was a little icy, and with all kids full of the sound of complaints. It's too early, I'm tired...how far is it, are we there yet. With crampons and strong legs we pushed on to the summit. Once we cleared the treeline there were fewer complaints and more exclamations.
"It's so beautiful."
Getting to the peak
The best bit of Ha Ling is that the views are panoramic in 360 degrees. On one side you can see the spray valley, and on the other you can see Canmore and beyond. On a clear day like we had you can see for miles.
This is when the adventure started
After making the summit, we started our descent. Of course being covered in snow, sliding down was just too tempting to pass up. The first little bit was perfect. Long slides, no trees and enough flat areas to catch your fall. Once we got into the trees though sliding on the trails was just not enough for the girls, and they begged me to take the "short cut." After a day of making good decisions, I made a bad one and we decided to cut through the trees to the bottom.
Thankfully I went first. I started my slide, leaning on my back boot. After about 10 seconds I realized I had made a horrible mistake. It was much too fast. Sliding out of control, I dropped to my belly and luckily grabbed a tree on the way by to stop my fall. Panic setting in, and yelling to the top I screamed.
"Don't come down. It's too icy, too fast."
But unfortunately they didn't hear me. Two rocket children were barreling down the hill towards me. Clearly also out of control, fear in their eyes. Adrenaline set in. I had to stop both of them from being crumpled by trees. My kid got to me first, I caught her hard and spun around. Putting her ass down in the snow, I didn't have time to think about whether she was ok. I charged up the deep snow just in time to catch her cousin before she went straight into a pile of branches.
No harm, no foul.
It's not often as a parent you're actually scared. Usually you give them enough rope to have adventures, but they're not in any real danger. This time, it felt a little more real. Ultimately they would have been stopped by the snow, or worse a tree. They probably would have just been a little banged up...
All of this happened in seconds. Once the adrenaline stopped pumping and we all had a chance to catch our breath we continued more slowly down the hill.
It was a good lesson for them, and a reminder for me. The mountains can be as dangerous as they are beautiful. Hopefully they'll take that lesson into the rest of their lives.
"Make good decisions."
Note: Some people will call me a bad parent. But I personally believe that some times you have to have adventures, and close calls - to remind you that bad things can happen. My girls will grow up knowing how to climb, and how to have fun, and how to be safe. And I hope not too many close calls like that when I'm not around. You can't protect them forever.
Ooph, scary stuff those times can be. I definitely would not call that bad parenting, especially since when you found out the danger you tried to tell them to not come. I am often the one trying to get others from "over-protecting" my son, since he's getting to the age that he needs to start making some of his own decisions and learning how to do things himself, obviously within reason. Plus, I think anyone getting their kids to engage with nature instead of plopping them in front of the TV is doing a damn good job, regardless if they send them down icy mountainsides ;)
I try not to be over protective. I don't want her to grow up sheltered and not willing to take a risk...that said...I could have done without that panic :) Oh well....I'm old as dirt and I'm still learning.
Wow fantastic, this is really amazing, very calm to see this one sight. You shot him accurately
One less than optimal choice does not make a bad parent. In fact, I would say having them out there was the real deal. Children need to know that the world isn't always safe an secure. It's part of learning.
Less than optimal....good way to describe it :)
You know what my first thought was? "I wish my dad would have taken me hiking. So no, you are not a bad parent, you are actually a really cool one with good reflects too. Good thing you caught both of them.
I love getting her out to the mountains. I hope one day she'll take her kids too.
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A big scare. But you are right. You can't protect them forever. And they only thing you can do as a parent is giving the best knowledge we have and hope that they learn.
Well...she knows now not to crazy slide down a mountain. Lolz
Woah, that's a real life post story!!! :O
Was a crazy day. I'm still a little shook
OMG you got my quite thrilled reading about your sliding adventure! The end good- everything good. I bet the kids (and you) will remember it fondly and vividly for many years much more than if nothing happened. Glad you all safe bro! Thanks for visiting my blog. Following you!
Thanks much! Yeah i'm guessing they'll remember it. "Hey dad, remember that time..." :)
Glad nothing bad happened in the end.
Me too! I don't like to think about it.
Wow, what an adventure. Glad things worked out!
How long did it take you round trip?
About 4 hours...give or take, with a lunch at the top. Down was pretty fast...lol
Crazy man. That's awesome that you take them up here though. They'll remember this stuff forever. Looks epic
It's pretty epic for being so close to town. A good one to do if you dont' feel like driving.
Many have trouble getting their kids to and from Wal*Mart - You get them up and down a mountain, and only mildly terrified. lol
Love that you include your own amazing photos with the story. Great post!
I never think about it that way. Although walmart can be an adventure too.....
It is truly impressive as are you photos.
Thanks much!
Great article man, great photos as well!
Great post story from the real world. My kids are still too young for something like that, but I have the same feeling when trying to balance safety and adventures.
I'll let you know when they are a bit older and we can start doing some "real" hiking :)
I started my kid pretty young. She did her first 5km when she was 2...we just never let her know anything different. Safety and adventure the same thing all parents face I guess...I can only imagine what my parents went though....eep
That would certainly wake you up!!! Aaaand you'll never do that again.
My heart was racing while reading your post. I can't imagine going through it, well I can in a way too. I'm a mom, a grandmom. Been there done that way too many times in different situations.
Glad to hear it all worked out and everyone is safe and now know that there is no short cut on the mountains :)
Well...I can't say never ;)
I'm glad everyone is ok too. My heart is still racing!
Mine too!!! lol You'll probably be uber cautious for a while....on high alert, then you'll find your footing (good word choice right?) again. Whew. It would be interesting to ask the girls in 5 years what they remember....just to see how it changes in their minds and yours.