I first met Dorothy shortly after she signed up for my international trip - a Nordic walking tour of Italy’s Amalfi (trip blog post: here)  coast in 2018. I paired Dorothy to room with my friend and fellow Urban Poling instructor, Marguerite, of Elk Point, Alberta. As Dorothy lives in Devon, not too far away from Marguerite (see feature article about Marguerite here), the two got together before the trip and fast became friends. They came to visit me for a pre-trip hike in July, two months before our departure for Italy where we did a short hike to Grassi Lakes.

The Amalfi coast trip that fall was unforgettable:  the hikes, the accommodations and the camaraderie of the group.  Everyone appreciated Dorothy’s quirky sense of humour and Dorothy succeed in completing and enjoying all the hikes, with a pretty fit group of hikers. 

Next spring, I invited all the people I have introduced to Nordic walking here in Alberta to join me in participating in the Rocky Mountain Soap Women’s Run/Walk event here in Canmore.  Dorothy and Marguerite accepted the invite along with several other of my gal pals and Urban Poling instructors. A few other hikes were organized over the weekend, including the Three Sisters Creek Trail and Tunnel Mountain in Banff, which Dorothy and Marguerite completed.

In the early spring of 2020, I invited many of the same women who had joined me for the Rocky Mountain Soap event, to come and join me for a few days of winter activity.  Dorothy jumped at the opportunity and enjoyed some great winter snowshoeing in Canmore.  This solidified Dorothy’s transition from client to friend.  In June, I organized a two hour horseback riding adventure with Boundary Ranch for a few of my “Women of Rock” friends and Dorothy signed up.  After the two hour ride, we went on a short hike up Ribbon Creek, when I remarked that the hike up to Ribbon Creek falls would be a super back-packing trip.  Dorothy’s eyes lit up!  Later that month, along with my friend Karen, we took Dorothy on her first-ever overnight backpack trip.  Dorothy loved it and I am proud to say that this introduction to backpacking has led Dorothy to experience more backpacking this year. 

In September of 2020, Dorothy was a paying guest again, hiring me to lead her and two friends up the Ha Ling peak trail.  Dorothy was thrilled to make it to the end of this trail, high up on the saddle of Ha Ling.  Then, in November, Dorothy became my number one repeat customer by joining me for the Mountain Vistas hike. She also hired me to lead her and her son up the Troll Falls Trail.  Also in November, there was another hike with friends up Elbow Valley to Edworthy Falls. 

 This year, Dorothy signed up for my inaugural group hike to Burstall Pass along with four other individuals.  For one reason or another, the other four individuals cancelled one by one.  It was that kind of summer!  That left just one paying customer …. Dorothy.  You bet we went ahead and did it!  It was my favourite hike of this hiking season and it certainly wowed Dorothy.  But what was really rewarding for me this season was to see all the other super ambitious hikes Dorothy has completed with new hiking friends and other tour leaders.  She hiked to the summit of Whistlers and Sulpher Skyline in Jasper, as well as exploring Parker Ridge.  She made it to the summit of Coliseum in Nordegg, enjoyed hiking the Iceline Trail in Yoho, spending a few days at the Stanley Mitchell ACC Hut.  Dorothy also completed a backpacking trip to North and South Molar Pass in Jasper. 

In speaking with Dorothy recently, I was jealous to find out she is planning a trip to an Alpine Club of Canada hut at Jacques Lake in Jasper with friends.   They are building a pulk sled to pull there gear for the 10 -12 km snowshoe hike into the cabin. 

Whew!  What a season!  I can’t wait to be an armchair spectator to Dorothy’s 2022 hiking adventures.  By the way Dorothy, you haven’ done my Watridge Lake/Karst Springs hike yet and let’s do Burstall Pass again during larch season.  I promise I will give you a “frequent flyer” discount!