# Summiting Mount Temple *July 28th 2023* So... this happened. Last month, I climbed my first 11,000 ft (3500m) mountain with a bunch of friends. It's one of the hardest hikes I have ever done and one of the best feelings in the world: defeat all forms of self doubt around my ability to tackle new challenges.
📷: Andrew
One of my friend had the goal of summiting a 11000er this summer (one of the 56 peaks in the Canadian Rockies over 11000ft). She had her eye on Temple Mountain (11627 feet) because it was the closest in the area and one of the easier 11000ers to tackle. When i first heard of it, I dismissed the idea because I didn't think i was able to do it. I had been dealing with a hip injury (FAI and labral tear) for the last 2 years and despite every conservative measure i had tried, physio, osteo, acupuncture, dry needling, massage, PRICE, you name it, things were not getting better. The only thing that seemed to help is taking a break from running (which is my favorite thing in the world to do up to that point). Needless to say, this is hard on my mental health and confidence. When my friend told me about her idea of summiting Temple, i had already been off running for over 4 months without any signs of being able to return to the sport. Hence, I immediately put off the idea of doing an intense hike that would make my hip in even worse condition. Also, I read the scrambler's guide to Mount Temple, which was a double-edged sword because while it prepared me better for the trek, it also nearly scared me away. I haven't had much scrambling experience in the past and that guide is definitely doing a good job as turning away the faint-hearted! I was pretty nervous and honestly a little terrified. But if you know me, you know that anything that scares me also attracts me! I love to lean into my fear and see what comes up! Yes i do have an injury and i haven't had much scrambling experience, but i am still in hiking fitness and have all the right safety equipment. I am sure I can do it if i took it slow... right?
📷: Christian
The route involves a pretty well marked trail with switch backs for the first half and a very difficult scramble for the second half to the summit. When the trail gets busy with too many hikers in the scree, rock falls are common from hikers above and few fatal accidents have happened in the past. To add some extra logistical difficulties, Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles this year, which means we have to find another way to get there. So to beat the crowd, our group decided to go early, - and not just a little early - we went all out. At 1AM on a Saturday morning, a group of 10 ambitious, sleep-deprived souls ventured into the dark. We drove 1h to Lake Louise where we parked, then biked another hour in the dark with our headlamps to Moraine Lake.
📷: Andrew
At about 3:30AM, we found ourselves at the trailhead. We began the hike at a swift pace. As trees opened up and we stepped into the meadows, it was quite special to see the contours of the mountain range with stars in the background. By 5:30AM, we had reached Sentinel Pass, the start of the scramble, and the sun has just begun to give the surrounding mountain a glorious, mystical pink glow. We took a break to watch the sun rise, put on our safety equipments (hiking poles, helmets), and mentally prepare ourselves for the difficult 2km scramble ahead with more than 800m of elevation. The real trudge has only just began!
*Pink glow of the surrounding mountains*
Taking it slow but steady, one step and pole stick at a time, we began the ascent. The air is getting thinner, the day getting brighter, giving rise to ever more incredible panoramic views of the surrounding valley. The scree is not well marked, except by a few cairns here and there. Getting on the wrong path can be extremely dangerous as it may lead to areas with unstable rocks and cornices, so we had to keep our focus and constantly check our surroundings. Ath the same time, melting snow in the gulley of the mountain face opposite the valley from us triggered an avalanche that sent rippling rumble all around. While my friends were impressed and excited to watch the dusy snow powder rise in the air, I was trying not to shit myself - quite literally. My stomach was growling the whole time and I had to unfortunately dispose of some 💩. I tried my best to stear away from the main trail in the safest measures possible.. Sorry mountain and other hikers 🙈.
*Steep scramble*
The group is getting spread out and split into smaller groups as we ascend. I was towards the end of the pack, using the hikers in front of me as visual guide and motivation. The distance between my friends ahead and behind me steadily drew larger, eventually others disappeared into view. There was no sound other the my very own breath, foot steps and inner voices. Looking around, all i could see was the rawness of nature and my own shadow - an oddly serene experience. I developed a pounding headache since we arrived at Sentinel Pass that was getting worse by the minute. I wasn't sure if it was from the altitude, the sleep deprivation or physical exhaustion, or a bit of everything. I took some ibuprofen which did nothing. As I try to keep my composure and keep hiking, a part of me began to panic: what if i'm getting altitude sickness and pass out, how am i going to get rescued in the middle of the scramble, is it be or is it hard to breahte, i feel dizzy, am i going to pass out?! I tried to breath into these overwhelming thoughts. One slow deep breath at a time, as long as the current breath is there, I would take a step forward, exhale, and keep going. So just like that, I did the last 1.5 hour of scramble by myself, using nothing but my own mental toughness.
*Climbing over a 15ft crux - the most technical part of the hike*
📷: Christian
By 8:30am, 5 hours since we started the hike, I had reached the summit! The last ridge walk to the partly snow-covered summit offered indescribably beautiful views of peaks, glaciers and lakes. We quite literally were on top of the world as we watched the cloud inversion rise under the warm sun. We had the summit to ourselves and didn't encounter other hikers until we were well back into the descent! Interestingly, as soon as I knew with certainty that I was going to make it to summit, my headache disappeared. This was the affirmation i needed: the headache was was compounded by fear and doubt. As soon as belief replaced doubt, the headache was gone. Proving to myself that i am capable to doing hard things despite uncertainty was a moment of happiness and triumph in its truest and most epic form. Like entrepreneur and writer Nat Eliason put it so well > The ability to do hard things is perhaps the most useful ability you can foster in yourself or your children. And proof that you are someone who can do them is one of the most useful assets you can have on your life resume
*White cross on the summit commemorating hiker who died after falling from Mount Temple* 📷: Christian
We followed the same path down and by 1PM, almost 10 hours since the start, we reached Moraine Lake. What a contrast between the eerie darkness of 3AM and a busy crowded area full of tourists by the time we came back! We finished off the day with a cold plunge into the glacier-fed crystal blue Moraine Lake and biked back to Lake Louise.
*Blue Moraine Lake in the distance*
It was the most challenging hike I have done so far, and definitely one of the most beautiful and rewarding! I'm so proud of myself and my friends for accomplishing it!