Darkness and Dinosaurs: Spelunking with a Tyrannosaurus Twist
Curiosity killed the cat? Well, mine took me caving...
Destination: Canyon Creek Ice Caves; Moose Mountain, Kananaskis Country, AB
Trail Stats: 13km Out & Back Trail; 486m Elevation Gain
This day was full of “firsts”.
I would say it was also a big push outside of my comfort zone, but that “comfort zone” proved to be simply one I had conjured in my mind. In retrospect, aren’t they all…?
As someone who is not a fan of heavily trafficked, “touristy” trails, hiking in big groups or being out during the “high-times” on weekends, I was a bit apprehensive to be doing all of the above.
I typically go to the mountains to escape civilization, to disconnect, to remove myself from the chaos, the hustle-and-bustle, and the many pressures that go along with the former. I’ve said this before, but I am very much so an introverted extrovert. I do love being a social butterfly, I love organizing and hosting events, but I also deeply value my me-time, and time spent with those I feel connected to whether in deep conversation or utter silence. My mountain time is typically dedicated to the latter, but this time I packed my bags and zipped my introvert away with the rest of my gear. As with many times in the past where nerves, fear, apprehension and desire for control have tried to prevent me from trying something new, I was elated with the outcome of this experience. Though I won’t be committing myself to hiking with a small village on a consistent basis, this was yet another of life’s examples that, more often than not, evading certainty and routine works out in ways you could never have fathomed, and certainly those in which none of us would discover if we lived life within the confines of our comfort zones.
On top of the trepidation that went along with hiking in a rather large pack of utter strangers (organized through a hiking group), I also anticipated the tight, dark depths of the caves to evoke more apprehension than what I ended up discovering.
All in all, not only did I meet some incredible people, but I reignited a part of my inner child I had only just begun to reconnect with.
We set out on this beautiful sunny Saturday and began the 5km stroll (I would say hike, but the first 5km is indeed a leisurely and uneventful stroll down the road leading to the base of the mountain). If you’re not immersed in a group of people eager to chat and make the time fly, or if this kind of low-intensity walk isn’t your idea of a day in the mountains, I would highly recommend biking this portion. Regardless, we made the most of it, and by the time we reached the beginning of the ascent to the caves, new friendships were flourishing abundantly.
The climb to the caves is rather short and by no means technical in terms of “scrambling”, but if you’ve never tried your hand at hiking anything but the well-beaten path, just be aware that you do indeed need to maneuver yourself up and over various parts of this rocky slope. If you choose to do this hike in the spring or fall, I would definitely suggest micro-spikes once you part from the pavement. Poles were also helpful on this particular day, as there was still a decent snow pack at the base of the mountain.
The cave could be seen from the early segments of our stroll, though upon arrival its gaping mouth of an entrance seemed ever-more magnificent in magnitude and appearance than from afar. The views looking out over the mountainscape were beautiful, and we took the liberty of sitting to enjoy lunch at our luxurious lookout.
The description of the day’s “firsts” certainly would not be complete without honorable mention of the fact that I got to witness the Earth’s last walking Dinosaur!! Not just any Dinosaur either – A T-Rex (one who has a great affinity for sandwiches and likes to tempt fate and the extinction of his kind by taking photos and twerking Tyrannosaurus style at the cliff’s edge)….
In all seriousness, this is Dino, known in the world of social media as @dinopeaks, in the human world as Richard Pastores, and in the land of heart and soul as an incredible being out to do incredible things.
A Little History:
Richard, “Dino”, started his Jurassic journeys through the Rocky’s in October of 2017. Not unlike many other great beings and endeavours that have risen from rock-bottoms, Richard birthed the idea for Dino out of his own hardships and decided to turn his struggles with depression and anxiety into a motive to make moves towards bettering the world around him and the lives he touches along the way.
After borrowing a friends dinosaur costume to summit Opal ridge in a rather unique fashion, Richard began to derive great happiness from the smiles, joy and laughter elicited in others he encountered as the more prehistoric shorter-armed version of himself.
For Richard, Dino became his ticket out of darkness, and a way in which he was able to become a light for those around him.
Soon after discovering the potential Dino had to enhance his own life, Richard set out to begin using that potential for a greater purpose and started fundraising for various charities, all while climbing mountains and standing atop summits in his Tyrannosaurus suit. His first hike to increase his impact raised $1100 for Kids Cancer Care Calgary. Since then, he has raised further funds for Kids Cancer, the Make-a-Wish foundation and the Calgary Food Bank. Richard hopes to expand his horizons through supporting different charities, getting others involved in the movement and one day writing an inspirational children’s book on his adventure.
One small step for Dino, one big impression on mankind. Richard, if you’re reading this, thanks for being an incredible human. The world needs more like you.
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*To support Dino and his future ventures, you can find him here:
https://www.instagram.com/dinopeaks/
https://www.facebook.com/YYCDinoPeaks
*Stay tuned for future fundraisers and Tyrannosaurus Summits*
So, after befriending a dinosaur and enjoying some pre-spelunking snacks, we traded our sunny cliff-side views for the dark depths of the unknown. Illuminated by headlamps, guided by intuitive curiosity and fuelled by child-like captivation for adventure, we began our journey into the cave.
The first few hundred meters were pretty cool (pun intended). Pillars of ice and frozen formations embellish the cave from floor to ceiling, each a spectacle of their own amidst the various light and shadows cast by our headlamps.
Upon reaching the back of the more spacious section of the cave, a large mass of ice glazed the walls to our right, its intricate layers of formation and cracks interspersed throughout its expanse made it seem evermore so like a work of natural art. I gazed at it for several minutes in awe.
The temperature differences throughout the cave, especially in comparison to those outside its entrance are rather drastic. Standing against the ice wall was definitely a tad chilly. If you decide this adventure might be for you, pack layers! I can only imagine the temp difference to be more and more of a shock as we approach summertime. Inside the cave the ice wasn’t melting at any rapid rate, that I can say for sure.
We spent some time poking through various nooks and crannies and wiggling our way through some of the tighter canals that all seemed to loop back to the same ice-walled room. Rumour had it that there was more though, and a few individuals in our group had gone much deeper in former trips so our search for this elusive passage continued…
Alas, we found a tunnel. The route was certainly not for the faint of heart or any claustrophobic soul. Yet, there was something simply magical and truly exhilarating about being so intricately in touch with the cool rock as we crawled, slid and quite literally dragged our bodies through one crevice after another.
We found a few dead ends and finally found ourselves in an area where the ice had narrowed the way forth to such an extent that it would not have been wise to attempt any further progression. According to some who know the area and the caves well, there are routes that are accessible during the warmer months. And, if one truly knows what they’re doing, they can squeeze, climb, and rappel their way through the caves and reach a “chimney” that leads to the mountain top. HOW FREAKING COOL?!? I will definitely be back to explore these caves more - perhaps next time with a guide or some well-seasoned spelunkers.
Growing up, I have always had an affinity for rocks, and certainly no aversion to getting down n’ dirty. From the time I can remember, I’ve been clamoring my way up, over and across just about any natural (and household) ‘formation’ I could challenge myself with. I was also notorious for my rock collections and I spent many a summer gather the most precious and prestigious stones my eyes laid upon (and by “prestigious” I mean the ones of the coolest shapes and most attractive colours to my youthful eye, of course). I spent countless hours at our cabin on the Shuswap and just about any other place I ventured scouring the beaches and paths for Sarah-approved stones. I even found a fossil or two (of which, I may add, there are many along the path to the caves).
Spelunking brought a joy to my inner child that I was not anticipating. My recent introduction to the world of rock and ice climbing has elicited this same feeling - a euphoria and high that I really can not describe.
It’s as though that little girl in me is saying “See, you never have to stop playing. We can both co-exist.”
I truly believe play and the pursuit of your passions are what enable you to truly LIVE this life to its fullest.
I’d like to add here that I am by no means encouraging any of you to start a rock collection (speaking from experience, they also don’t sell well - at least not from a “Lemonade Stand” turned “Rare Rock Boutique”).
If anything, I’d like to encourage those reading this and anyone who spends time in nature to do so with the intent to leave our Earth in the way you find her. And, whenever possible, in a better state.
I was incredibly lucky to be raised by my Mother – a woman with an incredible reverence for the Earth, for nature’s beauty, and for showing love and compassion to the ground we walk upon. In the short time I was given to spend with my Father, I also developed an immense appreciation and love for physical activity. I know not everyone is raised in a way that encourages education, exposure and admiration for the Earth, for movement, and for the incredible power each behold, but it’s never too late to start.
It’s never too late to explore.
It’s never too late to challenge yourself - to step outside your comfort zone, to get outside, period.
It’s never too late to become curious, to ask questions, to research, and to make a change - in your own life and in the world around you.
It deeply saddens me how we, as human beings, lack such a regard for the treatment of our planet.
We are slowly destroying the place we call home.
If we all left this world, she would flourish. If she ceased to exist, we would perish.
Yet, here we are, killing her in more ways than I could even begin to account for.
Let’s be better. We, as a collective, can do SO much better.
I challenge you to do one thing today to show your respect and gratitude for Mother Earth.
Pick up some garbage, donate to a charity taking action to preserve this land, or merely take it upon yourself to do some research as to what changes have happened, are happening, and are possible.
We could be the end…
OR, we could be the beginning; the ones to initiate the first steps towards a greater future - a future where we live in harmony; a future more magnificent than most could ever begin to imagine.
Maybe it won’t affect you directly in your lifetime, but I think we all owe it to the sea, the sky, the soil and every element that embraces us, feeds us and makes our life today possible.
We owe it to the greatest Mother of all to start striving for change.
In closing, I’d like to thank you for joining me today, and invite you to take a
Deep Breath
It is a hard time in the world.
I hope wherever this finds you, you feel seen, you feel heard, and you know that you are loved.
As always, it is an honour to share my words and experiences with you.
I am grateful for the beauty this Earth shares with me, the many lessons she continues to teach me, and I am thankful to be able to continue to share that beauty and those lessons learned with you.
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My Hope…
I hope the sun breathes light into your soul.
I hope the moon encourages you to make waves, while serving as a reminder that you can shine no matter what phase you are in.
I hope the wind carries some of your worries away.
I hope the trees remind you that success isn’t always achieved with great momentum, for in stillness we may still grow.
I hope the Earth grounds you.
I hope you find peace in her silence and pleasure in the many moments she invites you to soak in.
I hope you spend time barefoot on the ground.
I hope you throw your head back to stare at the clouds.
I hope you know it’s never too late - to move more, to love more, to be more.
I hope you spend time in nature - to reconnect not just with the Earth, but with your great big beautiful soul.
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With Love & Grace,
From My Big Little Soul to Yours
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