Mountaineering with the "Old Folks"

Nearly each summer I volunteer as a Camp Manager and amateur leader on one of the Club's mountaineering camps. The past few have been camps catering to a "more mature" group where, generally, I have been one of the younger members in attendance.

This year's camp was at Lake O'Hara, based out of the Elizabeth Parker Hut. This is actually the first time I've had much chance to explore the O'Hara area. My general feeling is that it's a bit too developed (lodge, campground, bus access...) and too many people.... My previous visits have been overnight stays and then moving on out of the area the next day. This time I did get to most of the significant parts of the area: McArthur Lake, Odaray Prospect, Morning Glory Lake, Lake Oesa, the Alpine Circuit, Mt Yukness, Opabin Plateau.... And it all happened in great weather. A group of us also had a quick climb of Mt Schaffer, a 5.4 rated climb - mostly a scramble but with a couple of "interesting" bits, especially if you're climbing without a belay....

As always with groups of this kind, most participants are kind, pleasant, interesting people who are very glad to get out into the mountains and share hikes and climbs, and who are very grateful for everything you do for them to make the camp more comfortable. As well, you usually have someone who is more critical of everything and perhaps another who might have trouble walking along a trail alone without getting lost. Always an interesting mix.

The food (supplied by Yamnuska this year) was excellent. The guide, an older, very experienced fellow from Calgary I've worked with several times over the years, was excellent and fun to be with. You always learn a few new tricks watching how these guides handle situations with "clients".

I haven't decided about next year. Impending foot surgery might decide for me and maybe it's time to "retire" from this for awhile. Still, Lake O'Hara, it was great to visit you this time. Pictures have been posted of the week.