15.12.2008
We've just returned from our second trip to Ecuador, and still very much in love with the country. This time we flew in to Guayaquil, and spent the first part of the trip in the small fishing village of San Clemente. A quiet place but a spectacular beach and very friendly people. Of course, we had to join the local expats for Happy Hour! I can see why they would want to retire there, that's for sure. We finished up our short trip in Cuenca, which was great. We walked around some different areas to check how things were developing and we're still quite happy with our decision to buy a place. Can't wait until it's finished!
Shona
07.12.2008
Caracas. Well... I don't think I will visit there again. A big, dirty city, full of half-rotten glass skyscrapers, and unfulfilled dreams of greatness. It's hard not to love Chavez for sticking it to the idiot Bush at every opportunity, but it's also hard not to shake one's head with disbelief, when one sees how little he managed to accomplish building his "heaven on earth".
Andrzej
14.10.2008
Latest scrambles. After failing last year, I managed to conquer Mount Borgeau, near Sunshine Village (2930 m - elev. gain 1500 m). I also reached the summits of Mount Lawrence Grassi (2685 m - elev. gain 945 m) and the Middle Sister (2769 m - elev. gain 1400 m), near Canmore. Awesome!
Andrzej
14.09.2008
I spent two days in Skoki, near Lake Louise. The plan was to do two scrambles to the summits of Mount Richardson and Ptarmigan Peak. First day was ok. I successfully used a break between thunderstorms and, with almost zero visibility, I managed to reach the summit of Mount Richardson (3086 m - elev. gain 1450 m). Unfortunately, an overnight rain turned into a serious snowfall, which prevented me from doing anything the next day. I had to turn around and go home. The walk back to Lake Louise was very enjoyable due to beautiful, winter-like views. Overall, it was at least a partially successful trip, too bad it looks like summer hiking is over.
Andrzej
04.09.2008
Well, we tried to spend an enjoyable long weekend camping in Sandpoint, Idaho. The operative word being *tried*! Wow, we tried every campground in the area and everything was full. So, we ended up spending the night in a motel (a very expensive one, at that) and drove to Washington, where we found a decent campground on a lake, not far from the BC border. No idea what it was called but we did end up having a couple of beautiful, peaceful days. Felix gave us a scare when he took off and jumped onto some big rocks but, thankfully, he didn't hurt himself. On the way home we stopped in the cute little village on Moyie, in B.C. Weekend saved!
Shona
26.08.2008
The weather is totally crazy. Plus 34 on Monday and only plus 7 by Thursday. Fortunately, it got a little bit better for the weekend, so I was able to do the last scramble for August. The Tower (3117 m - elev. gain 1260 m), near Kananaskis Lakes. It was an interesting hike, with complicated route-finding and (of course) a lot of loose rock. Excellent views from the summit.
Andrzej
18.08.2008
A few pictures from another two beautiful scrambles I managed to do. Eiffel Peak (3084 m - elev. gain 1230 m), near Moraine Lake, and The Fortress (3000 m - elev. gain 1100 m) near Kananaskis Lakes. Awesome views, especially from the summit of the first one.
Andrzej
30.07.2008
July turned out to be a really good month for scrambling. The weather was not that great but I managed to summit two relatively high mountains, Mount Sparrowhawk (3121 m - elev. gain 1350 m) near Spray Lake, and Mount Chester (3054 m - elev. gain 1150 m), near Kananaskis Lakes. I hope August is going to be as successful.
Andrzej
06.07.2008
Long, long winter this year. It was snowing in the Rockies until mid June. Spring/Summer hiking season started really late, so no great ascents, yet. Bunch of conditioning hikes (Bourgeau Lake, Grotto Mountain, Yamnuska, etc). The most interesting was the loop hike around the three summits of Mount Edith, combined with the ascent of the north summit (2554 m).
Andrzej
15.06.2008
An exciting weekend of rock climbing in Cougar Creek, near Canmore. Lots of sun, warm rock and good company (Peter Smolik and Andrzej Slawinski). Good times!
Andrzej
18.05.2008
I spent a couple of weeks in Wrocław, Poland. May is basically summer there, so the weather was excellent and a beer is more reasonably priced than in Canada so, no complaints. By the way the city center is beautifully restored and very colorful (and full of pretty girls, yay!
Andrzej
30.04.2008
I work hard ...really hard. At least 70 hours a week, and often I don't get a day off, so I decided it was high time to treat myself to some much needed R&R. I picked Hawaii because it's an easy place to travel solo, and a place that Andrzej has no interest in seeing. I chose a Waikiki Beach hotel, in Honolulu, because of its proximity to the beach and everything I would need for a hassle-free week. I ate, I swam, I read, I soaked up the warmth, I stared endlessly at the ocean and, most importantly, I rested. I thoroughly enjoyed the daily rain showers, and subsequent rainbows. I even did a little exploring, visiting the aquarium and a local art fair. It was a blissful week which left me completely recharged and ready to once again take on the world.
Shona
06.04.2008
I'm trying to stay in shape, so I made a few winter ascents in the Rockies; Grotto Mountain (2706 m - elev. gain 1425 m), Yamnuska (2240 m - elev. gain 900 m), Heart Mountain (2135 m - elev. gain 875 m) and Mount Baldy (2192 m - elev. gain 800 m).
Andrzej
