Yes, I skipped out of the office – again –  but the sun was shining and the mountains weren’t just calling, they were screaming at us to come play! We chose Mount St. Piran, one of the easier scrambles out of Lake Louise.

Swiss guides came to the area in 1899. (Photo: M. Kopp)

Following in the footsteps of the Swiss guides who built this switchbacking trail off Little Beehive, we sauntered up the deceptively easy grade.

Enjoying the view. (Photo: M. Kopp)

Near the summit around 900 metres above Lake Louise, the grade becomes less friendly for a short piece, before topping out with superlative views of Mount Lefroy, Temple, Niblock and Whyte – to name just a few.

Summit cairn. (Photo: M. Kopp)

So what writing idea emerged from this workday spent in play? I think I need to research and write a humorous piece with a message about life near the summit from the perspective of ptarmigan, ground squirrels and marmots.

“Drop the cracker, drop the cracker, DROP THE CRACKER!”

“Aww, come on you cheapskate!”

We didn’t – nor do we ever – feed the wildlife, much to their apparent dismay. Habituated wildlife becomes life without wild – and where’s the beauty in that?

Golden-mantled ground squirrel. (Photo: M. Kopp)