It was an new and challenging experience for four local youth who participated in the SADI hiking trip to Mount Robson.

Robson is a world-renowned wilderness site and is the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. The mountain offers some of the most spectacular vistas in the world.

Carri Kemp, Jackie Edwards, Sam Austin and Brain Hermiston as well as Randy Wheeler and myself made the seven-hour drive to the park.

We had many oohs and aahs as we approached the rockies and Mt. Robson itself. When we arrived we geared up for the first seven-kilometre hike into Kinney Lake. It was the first time for all the youth to carry all their clothes, food and sleeping gear that they would need for the next five days.

There was much chatter and excitement as we started on this well established trail. On the trail the summer flowers were beginning to bloom, the glacial feed, unearthly blue, river tumbled pass and the mountains came closer.

Kinney Lake our first camp site was surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and birds . We went to sleep and woke up to the sounds of birds and waterfalls. After a restful sleep and a quick oatmeal breakfast we headed off for our longest day a fourteen kilometre hike primarily uphill.

The highlights include crossing over a suspension bridge, checking out Emperor Falls and approaching Berg Lake and Mt. Robson.

It was a long day but everyone was in good spirits and helped to prepare a great cook stove supper and homemade cookies.

The next day was our rest and stay day so we had a good sleep in followed by a feed of pancakes. At midday we headed off to explore Mt. Robson glacier.

We were soon to have one of the coolest experiences ever.   

At the toe of the glacier was a cave we entered — we had to jump through a curtain of water. Once inside the cave it was like being in a great big blue crystal. The whole group was awestruck.

We then topped off the day with the girls making cheesecake for the group which we then ate by the lake and the icebergs.  It was one of the best Canada Days ever.

The next day we headed back down to Kinney Lake. The youth were struck most by how high they had hiked up and how going down is also tough on the body.

The kids were also starting to get the hang of the whole camping experience so they put together a delicious supper of spaghetti and garlic bannock. That evening we sat by the lake eating cinnamon buns, drinking tea and chatting about what we had gained from being with each other and from the experience itself.

The next day it was a quick start with tents down, gear packed and instant oatmeal for breakfast.

At the end of the lake we took some great group photos and then after that the race was on. The troops could just taste a good restaurant burger. If only we could have run that quickly on the way up. When we got back to the van smiles of success were great to see.

The questions on everyone’s minds were where is the closest shower, the best burger and when can we do this again?

Sounds fun!  Check with SADI to see what sort of actives are coming up 494-9722.