Baldy Pass, Mt. Baldy South & Midnight Peak, Season Opening

Finally it was time to go to the mountains! And what Season Opening it was! Sixteen members of the Polish Men and Women Hiking Club of Alberta attended. 

Gennady, Piotr, Barbara, Beata, Andrzej, Teresa, Łukasz, Joasia, Marta, Elżbieta, Małgosia, Jarek, Basia, Mike i Michał. Missing (taking picture): Andy. All hiked 10 km (return) to Baldy Pass (+550 m), then seven participants topped Mt. Baldy South (2145 m), while two "Harpagons" made both Baldy South and Midnight Peak (2348 m). 

For I and Mike, the trip started most auspiciously the previous evening with the delicious pickle soup, served by our charming hostess, Barbara, combined with Mike's "signature dish" - a shrimp salad. It loaded us with a lot of positive, if not sexual, energy. 

In spite of the fact that 16 participants were coming in a few groups, all were more or less on time. 

The only exception was Teresa who promptly received spanking from the Vice-President, still buzzing with that shrimp energy. 

We hit the trail around 8:45. Over the 5 km to the Baldy Pass, a "natural selection" took the place, with some hikers being faster than the others (which was expected). Andy had a great contribution to the success of the day by bringing two radiotelephones. He also graciously accepted the role of the Sweeper (Zamiatacz), sweeping and motivating all who lagged behind. 

By the time I reached the Pass, with Marta, Łukasz and Barbara, two Harpagons - Gennady and Michał "The Killer" Kilarski - have already embarked on scrambling of the more ambitious object - Midnight Peak, 2348 m -

- visible on the right from the route to Mt. Baldy South. Harpagons as they are ...

... they didn't have any difficulty reaching the top. In the meantime ...

... letting those most tired to recuperate on the pass ... 

... I led the group of the "Magnificent Seven" toward our secondary objective - Mt. Baldy South. 

Shortly before the False Peak we encountered the crux ... 

... which discouraged some people. Beata didn't feel like going any further but she graciously let her husband to go! This is a stunning example of marital harmony! 

I have to agree however with one of the comments made about the route on All Trails.  The route is described as “a great introduction to scrambling for a novice hiker, short true scrambling section, with lots of good rock to try out, and miserable rubble section quite short.” (AllTrails)

The Magnificent Seven pressed on fearlessly!

Małgosia was the first one on the summit (around noon) ... 

... which put Barbara into meditative mood ...

... while inspiring Joasia poetically. 

In spite of Andrzej's wild dancing on the top ...

... with her head "in the clouds," Joasia went straight into the Great Invocation! 

It was also great to have Łukasz and Teresa with us on the top. Not wanting others to wait too long for us, we spent maybe 15 minutes on the top. 

It was a good decision. On our descent we were hit by a very strong cold wind. My eyes teared so badly that I had difficulty seeing the trail. 

This didn't stop Barbara from making a somewhat phallic snowman. Barbara maintained later that hiking "released her Kundalini!"

It was only Jarek who, around the False Peak, brought us some weather improvement. (This reminds me that I need to file a complaint to Ania Kupnicka for not keeping "her winds" under her control). 

The Magnificent Seven (missing the author). 

Back at the crux, we met the Harpagons, Gennady ... 

... and Michał, who promptly helped Małgosia negotiate the crux ...

... before proceeding to Mt. Baldy South. All realized that down-scrambling can be more tricky than up-scrambling. 

A few moments later we encountered Andy and Elżbietą ...

... and also Mike. All advanced quite high above the Baldy Pass in spite of having "health conditions." 

Back at the parking lot, all seemed happy and content, which is not so easy to accomplish with bigger groups. They all had their "release," each according to one's potential. 

The mood was further improved by "pikusie," so thoughtfully secured by Barbara. 

In a somewhat smaller group of 10, we later had a meal in our favorite hangout - "The 4th Spot" in Calgary. Intensive and a very fulfilling day! Great thanks to you all!

(PR)

Supplement:

The Magnificent Seven on top of Mt. Baldy South. 

Parts of this hike/scramble are also shown in this great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-8IBRI1Vr8