The reward of a long, uphill hike

This was a view taken just over a year ago along the Larch Valley trail in the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park, starting from near Moraine Lake. Way down below and well out of sight, is Moraine Lake. It's a long, uphill hike, with 10 (?) switchbacks. Though it nearly killed us, the views were, of course, spectacular. I don't normally do hikes like this, which makes it so much harder when I do go on one, maybe once a year or even less often. Plus, I am so unfit! Taken on 3 October 2011. Funny how this scene looked so beautiful last night, but this morning, when I look out of my windows, snow does not look at all welcome. Snowing heavily and it looks like there is plenty more to fall from the sky. The roads are going to be treacherous, but unfortunately, I have a routine dental appointment to get to.

SNOWFALL WARNING - heavy snow over southern Alberta through Friday. A rather chilly -6C today, with windchill -13C. I guess you could say that winter has truly arrived in full force. However, compared to what the folks on the east coast are going through, I feel I am extremely lucky - to have a home with warmth and lighting, plenty of food and water, and everything else that makes life bearable. My heart goes out to those who are going through such hardship!