12 July 2025
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Yamnuska is a "cultish" mountain in Bow Valley, near Canmore. Long-time Mecca of climbers, predominantly from Calgary, Yamnuska is also popular with scramblers (those willing to do the whole traverse of Yamnuska) and hikers (those finishing the hike at Raven's End).
Yamnuska is so attractive that the song related to it has become the Club's anthem. Not surprisingly, this time Yamnuska was visited by over 20 members of our Club, including the cream of it - all these beautiful women!
The whole trip started very auspiciously with a delicious rhubarb cake baked by Ela Lipiecka, which we tasted right away, cutting big pieces with Joanna's "majcher" (big knife).
If not sainthood, in the Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel, he was definitely considering stardom.
And Andy was not the only one experiencing great things on the day of the hike.
Most of us met at Yamnuska's parking lot before 8:00 am. It took a bit of coordination - good job, Trip Leader, Andrzej Jedrych ...
... as some people came from Banff and others from two different camping sites. For the joys of getting together, and the first part of the hike to Raven's End, you best watch the movie - "Darmobity na Yamnusce" (8:58). We were later caught up by two Annas (Kulig and Mateescu) who came straight from Edmonton. The moment of our connection is also best seen in the movie.
It looks that on the way up Andy was only growing in strength ...
... and confidence.
He was being taken care of by Maya who however seemed to disapprove of Ania Slysz's photography.
At Raven's End everybody rested and refueled. Then Maya who was positively flying that day ...
... persuaded everybody, even those somewhat hesitant, to ....
... go to the chimney! ("Wszyscy do komina!" - All to the chimney!)
It must have been the closeness of the chimney that helped Julian and Gosia feel ... close to each other!
One have to admit that the whole route ...
... is well signed ...
... though exposed at times. You can't get lost ...
... which means, you cannot avoid ...
... the chains!
This was where Roman found himself "in his element!"
While "dancing on the chains" ...
... he guided one lady after another through this difficult section ...
... including Lulu, the dog. Some ladies handled the chains well.
Anna had no problems ...
... neither did Maya who made this trail many times.
Bo did fine, perhaps because she was "excited from behind" by Dragan ...
... and it was a "pikuś" (easy) for Joasia.
I was particularly proud of Basia who once claimed she had the "fear of heights" but swallowed the chains in no time. She seems to have been fearless since she is with "Pan Michał."
The chains happened to be most challenging for Beatka who appeared to be "taken from behind" by two men at the same time ...
... and who looked like she was ready to run away after passing them.
I was glad I was not around her at this point as she likely would "spuściła mi lanie" (beat me up) for suggesting this trail. (Mel Brooks: "Too many chains, too little beating!") As Jola Wójcik a few years back on Roche Miette ...
... Beatka later reported that she would rather give another birth than to have to do these chains again.
Luckily she found quick comfort in the loving arms of her husband. Which brings me back to Andy ...
... who negotiated the chains ... with his broken hand! In this way he officially joined the elite group of "the Club's harpagons." (tough guys)
Shortly after the chains, they all, in two waves, reached the summit ...
... when the frenzy of photographing took place. Even Beatka was smiling to the cameras! From the left: Ania K, Beatka, Joasia, Maya, Ania M, Bo, Ania S, Gosia, Basia and Tereska.
Are we lucky to have them in our club or what?!
Even Madame Lulu appeared to be enjoying the vast spaces.
Dragan enticed some some of the ladies for extra summit celebrations (which, I assert, we officially discourage in our club) that led to ...
... "power napping" by some.
Going down was not a small matter ...
... as could be illustrated ...
... by Ania S.
Everybody (including I, Bożenna and Holly who were descending from Raven's End) reached the parking lot safely ...
... though as indicated later by Andy, he was going down "like a zombie," as if with his head in dark clouds. Oh well, stardom is not accomplished easily!
Though reaching the parking lot mostly with "empty minds," which in itself is considered by some to be a sign of spiritual progress ...
... all appeared tired but happy at the evening fire ...
... experiencing love ...
This included Beatka who, luckily for me, "mellowed down." Cmok! (a kiss)
"Earth, water, air and fire cleanse the minds faster than the minds can cleanse themselves!" (Leonard Orr)
I thank you all for permission to use your photographs. Also, please, forgive me if I omitted anyone. It is not easy to prepare a balanced story with over 20 participants.
Great thanks to Andrzej, out Trip Leader, who arranged everything and coordinated it smoothly.
Until the next trip ...
... with Love and Support, Piotr.
(PR)
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