Chapter 1: My Roots in the Great Outdoors

Growing up in Edmonton, Alberta, a region characterized by its flat landscapes, I had little exposure to hiking. As the famous actor Robin Williams humorously remarked, the terrain is so flat that one can still spot a runaway dog from miles away! My childhood interactions with nature were limited to playing in the ravine nearby with my brother.

Falling in love with the outdoors was a seamless experience. I vividly recall my first sight of the Canadian Rockies during the summer of 1986; it was a breathtaking moment etched in my memory. My aunt took my siblings and me to Expo 86 in Vancouver, BC, and we traveled on a Greyhound bus for about 14 hours. The stunning mountain ranges, with their majestic glaciers, left a lasting impression on me. I found myself glued to the window, exclaiming “ooh” and “aah” as we passed through. Although I had seen pictures before, nothing could compare to witnessing those colossal beauties in person—likely somewhere around Jasper or Banff, Alberta.

Years later, in September 2008, I moved to Vancouver, BC. By that time, my outdoor activities were limited to casual runs in Edmonton's river valley. My physical pursuits were primarily indoor sports like basketball, strength training, and a bit of martial arts. Honestly, I was somewhat of a wimp, but I loved pushing my physical limits.

In 2010, I began a romantic relationship with my husband, who I had met in high school. He moved from Edmonton to join me in Vancouver that June. Unlike me, he had prior hiking experience and was eager to introduce me to this long-awaited adventure. Luckily, a colleague from work also shared a passion for hiking. In July that summer, the three of us set out to hike “the Chief” in Squamish, BC, marking my very first hiking experience.

Section 1.1: The First Hike Adventure

Since I didn’t own any hiking boots, I made do with my running shoes and was completely unprepared for what lay ahead. As an enthusiastic shutterbug, I took my SLR camera along to document the experience—this was before smartphones were commonplace! Accompanying two seasoned hikers turned out to be a wise decision.

We fueled up with a hearty McDonald’s breakfast and commenced our journey around 8:30 am. At that time, my fitness level did not match my ambitious spirit. In the preceding two years, I had indulged more in culinary delights than in physical activity. It was time to face the truth: I was not in shape, and this mountain was about to make that evident!

The hike involved navigating various natural stairs, minor rock climbing with a rope and ladder, and, of course, taking in the stunning views from multiple peaks. With an elevation gain of 600 meters and an intermediate difficulty rating, it typically takes about six hours to complete the 11-kilometer round trip.

As I struggled up the natural stair climb, I was overtaken by seniors who appeared far more fit than I was. Embarrassed, I was approached by an elderly gentleman who asked if I was okay. I assured him it was my first hike and that I was fine. He kindly advised me to breathe deeply and take one small step at a time. I was so focused on the climb that I barely took any photos—only managing a few shots at the trailhead and the summit.

Despite the challenges of my first hike, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment and became immediately hooked. Though I was sore for the following week, my enthusiasm for future hikes soared. I promptly invested in a pair of proper hiking shoes and was ready for more adventures.

Subsection 1.1.1: A New Challenge Awaits

In August, my husband and I hiked to Garibaldi Lake, which featured a steady incline rather than stairs. This trek covered a longer distance of 18.2 kilometers round trip, with an elevation gain of 972 meters, typically taking an average of 6 hours and 32 minutes to complete.

The pristine turquoise lakes, the cheerful songs of birds, and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment were incredibly empowering. And that is how I truly fell in love with hiking!

Chapter 2: Transformative Lessons from Hiking

In this video, titled "My Creepy Post-Thru-Hike Experience (Storytime)," I share the intriguing stories and lessons learned during my early hikes.

The second video, "13 Lessons That Drastically Improved My Hiking Experience," outlines valuable insights that have significantly enhanced my hiking journeys.