Heart Mountain

	Top: Heart Mountain Alberta Bottom: The decent ridge from the rest slab. I don't know if you can see people or just trees on the ridge?

Lucky number 7 eh?

Hummm?

This was my third time to the summit of Heart Mountain. The day was overcast but the temperature fine.

After the first summit I noticed a little scarlet headed singing bird propped on a green bough and singing a song. I believe it was a Western Tanager, and it allowed us to watch from close range for a few minutes.

On the way down I laid upon a rocky slab. I glanced over at my friend.

She was laying there peacefully on the slab two meters away, her eyes closed. She seemed to have a concerned countenance but was otherwise silent and restful. Looking back to the summit I could see the party of two that we passed on the way up, scampering along the ridge.

I have been up to the top of this popular little mountain twice before in previous years. On the first expedition I expeditiously dropped off the ridge into the intervening valley before reaching the third summit. That was a big mistake!

Map of the Heart
Mountain Route

The valley is a tangle of trees, living and dead, as well as boulder fields, and steep, slippery, mossy logs. Not an easy way out.

 

The second time was the first time I competed the ridge proper. On the way down you may get a visit from the resident marmot near the rocky gully.

If you see him, say Tim says hello for me won't you?

If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.

Chinese Proverb
Sayings of Chinese Origin

As much as I converse with sages and heroes, they have very little of my love and admiration. I long for rural and domestic scene, for the warbling of birds and the prattling of my children

John Adams
1735-1826, Second President of the USA

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing
1810-1884, American Writer

Don't waste time trying to break a man's heart; be satisfied if you can just manage to chip it in a brand new place.

Helen Rowland
1875-1950, American Journalist