Mt. Carlyle

This was our mountain adventure this summer - three days at Mt. Carlyle. This is a first for us, to stay in a lodge up a mountain. How very nice it is not to have to shlep a tent and all the cooking stuff up the mountain and to find such a comfortable place waiting for us on top! We set off 10 strong: myself, Éric, Mum, Dad, Chris, Devon Durickan, Ellen, Molly, Lily and Alice. The kids are all good hikers now though Eric and Chris and I were definitely doing our share of food transportation. I think that next year we need to fit up the kids bigger packs! Mum and Dad made it both up and down though Dad was seriously questioning the guide book's claim that this was an 'easy' hike.

Dad, making his way up the final stretch of up on tiered legs. 

Another patch of snow behind him.

Mum and Dad having just made it to the saddle. Some contentment though also some alarm when realizing that they were now going to have to descend 350m to the lodge.

Day two, a smaller group of us set off to climb one of the peaks nearby - Misty peak, a fun hike up and a beautiful view from the top. There is something special in being at the top of a mountain and seeing more mountains in every direction as far as the eye can stretch.

At the top, our party of hikers. Meo and Doco and Alice and Ellen stayed in the meadow below looking at flowers and watching the hikers above.

With so much rain this year we could even have a camp fire at the top complete with smores and songs.

Breakfast at the Carlyle lodge. Chris is on deck for breakfasts, assisted by Devon - burritos and pancakes. Yum!

At the saddle on the way out.

And the long descend has begun. Meo has requested Devon to help her down the first steep descent after he did such a good job at helping her up the same incline.

The remains of the Con mine bunk house. This was the highest altitude mine in the area. Two prospectors lost their lives here in a November avalanche.

Stopping for a refreshing dip in a beautiful icy lake on our way down. I can't remember the name of the lake - Mum?

Meo, getting nearer the bottom!