 Grotto
Mountain
- Canadian Rockies
Grotto Mountain in 3
hours 59 minutes round trip on the ACC trail including one
food/liquid/rest stop and the photo shoot at the summit.
It took me 1:59 to gain the ridge
and that is just over 1000 meters according to my topographic map. I
think I did the 900 meters to the top of
East End of Rundle in
1:28 but it was a cooler day. Then the total ballooned to 2:28 when
I arrived at the main summit of Grotto Mountain.
I had to
stop once just before the ridge to sit down, eat some dates, drink
some water and get un-dizzy. The afternoon heat was brutal.
Sound fast? Not
Olympian but I did have to run
near the bottom to get it done in under 4 hours.
The going was hot on the way up; I had a late start. This was my second time up this mountain,
this time to get pictures so you can see for yourself what a nice view it is.
Some of my friends just shake their head as if I'm a bit whacko for going so fast but I kind of enjoy it. They like the runners high too but are just not willing to go far as I
to get it.
However it is perhaps a bit risky to push too hard
and also one can relax better over the long run if extreme sport is
toned down a bit. I may slow down soon as I have read that
stress makes neurons sensitive. In essence what I'm doing here is
abusing the mountain like a drug. It has a potentiating effect on
your neurons and makes them hyper-sensitive. I'm sensitive enough
already dam it!
If your a guy and you
get off on this type of thing, get a girl friend. FAST!
Otherwise just lay in
your bed at night alone and twitching like a big twitchy neuron!
On the way up Grotto
Mountain I had a nice opportunity to photograph a Dall Sheep. I should really get a better camera with built in zoom though.
The ACC trail starts
form you guessed it, the ACC hut in Canmore. The way is a very dusty
and worn in trail. At the top, the view is panoramic.
On the way back down
I took a tumble while running down a steep section that was ruble
on top of slab. The feet aren't well connected to the ground on
sections like this.
The dust stuck to my
sweaty body making me look like a coal miner. What fun!
I then
continued with my mad descent.
Near the bottom I
started to run harder so as to keep my total time under 4:00 hours.
When I got back to the car I was satisfied, content and wet.
P.S. I didn't see any
caves or moose bones on this go round.
Later!
CANADIAN MOUNTAIN PANORAMAS
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25. Grotto Mtn.
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499k |
 his is the true joy in life, the
being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap
heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish
little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world
will not devote itself to making you happy.
George Bernard Shaw
1856-1950, Irish-born British Dramatist
©
CanadasMountains.com + Tim L. Helmer
Friday February 08, 2008 11:34 AM
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