Moose Mountain or Swan Lake "balety"

 10 October 2020

Moose Mountain, 2437 m, is a popular mountain in Kananaskis region, southwest from Calgary. It featured in the award winning movie "Brokeback Mountain," which, as you all know, is about a love of one man for another. The trail is 13.8 km long (return, guidebook), or 16 km according to my GPS. The altitude gain is roughly 600 m, which makes this moderately strenuous trail very popular. 

The trail was closed until 30 September for some upgrades to the observation post. That is why, perhaps, when we arrived around 10:00, we barely found a parking spot. Again we were blessed by the participation of some young people - Paulina, Tomek and Minhi, talented doctoral students, took the opportunity to explore our wonderful Canadian mountains. 

Without further delay, our strong party of eleven hit the trail. The trail initially goes down, which, unfortunately, needs to be recovered on the way back. 

Coming out of the forest the group was still full of youthful enthusiasm. 

However, on the more exposed terrain we were hit by a very cold wind. Even Minhi reached for her "layers."

Well-dressed Tomek was ready to fly!

Close to the summit ...

... coming in close contact with Barbara's warm body, Mikele concluded that ... he didn't have to go any further! In fact, why should you go to the top of the mountain when you can be on top ... of the world!

On the summit the youngsters found a nice cover for themselves ...

... while the "grown-ups" sought shelter behind the walls of the observation post. 

Assuming, incorrectly, that this was our last trip of the season, Barbara pulled out her ballet dress. 

This quickly led to some indecent behaviors that can only be referred to as "balety" (ballets) on the top of Moose Mountain. 

It was only Roman who summoned the girls into some more peaceful postures. 

However, there was a positive aspect to this development. Beata and Andrzej decided to fund a new award for our next 2020 Photo-Competition. The new category will be called "Wideo z przekrętem" or "Video with a twist!" What an exciting idea!

I used this opportunity (of calmer ballerinas) to "double" on the number of Peter's Angels (Aniołki Piotrusia)!

Then it was time to run to safety (away from the wind).

Tough group (carefully arranged by Ewa): Piotr, Beata, Andrzej, Teresa, Roman, Barbara, Minhi, Tomek, Paulina and Ewa. Taking picture and thus missing: Mikele. In the background: the Dome, or a false summit of the Moose Mountain. 

The lower we got, the more festive the mood was. We were also exhilarated by this inscription:

This board was saying something else when we were going up, but some creative hand rearranged the letters. A tribute to the "Brokeback Mountain" crew? 

There were also "momenty" - moments of entertainment! In the absence of Basia U., it was Tereska who decided to take off ... her longjohns!

Not without impact on our mood was the joyous anticipation of a cold beer in our favorite hangout in Calgary ... the 4th Spot Kitchen and Bar!

What can be better than ... fresh mountain air, the joy of hiking and a lovely company of friends! 

Ach, yes, it can be a sunrise over the downtown of Calgary seen from the Nose Hill (next morning)! 

Tomek suggested that perhaps it is time to change the name of our Club, as we now have a few enthusiastic members from Calgary. Polish Men and Women Hiking Club of Alberta?

The season is not over - stay tuned! 

(PR)

P.S. Thanks for Andrzej, Michał and Roman for permission to use some of their photos.