The simple three hour hike to Helen Lake is said to be one of the best in the Icefields Parkway. And of course these guys and I can verily attest. As we pursued further towards Cirque’s Peak, three hours turned to a full day hike — from the sunny morning to the evening tempest.

How refreshing it was to venture out from the Parkway to the wooded hills, towards creeks and rivers, meadows and waterfalls.The steep first hour would leave anyone in sweats and perhaps wanting a quick granola break on a cliff overlooking the glimmering Bow Lake and and its neighbour the Crowfoot Glacier. The breeze cooling our necks felt fucking heavenly.

Trekking on, we reached a meadow and enjoyed its flat and shrubby stretch with a view that made me feel like Frodo. Aiming towards the slopes at the horizon, we continued to meet higher peaks and cliffs.

We took another break on a creek that led to a waterfall. A sip from the natural spring made me feel one with the earth and had me convinced, with the water cupped in my hands, that life could be that simple all the time.

A few more hours of scrambling with sweat and pressure, I found myself clinging on to an edge. Still I scrambled higher — with my bulky camera contesting gravity.