Tag Archives: hiking

Unexpected returns from slacking off!

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Summer’s charging ahead with very little time for writing beyond the Brooks-Range blog – but that’s as it should be, all play and little work in this short period of warmth. Flowers blooming, sun shining, insects buzzing, feet moving, bears roaming – all sounds good to me. Yup, even the bears.

Enjoying the open alpine of Yoho’s Kindersley Pass. (Photo: M.Kopp)

Hiked Kindersley Pass in Yoho National Park this past week and met a grizzly bear on the way. It appeared disinterested in us as we backed off and peered around the trunk of a large tree. Quietly it moved off the trail, ghosting into the woods before our eyes.

Safety off the bear spray, canister in hand, we yelled our approach for the next kilometer or so, kept eyes open for any movement in the trees and heaved a big sigh of relief when we reached the alpine – open – slopes of the pass. Most memorable piece of wooded trail I’ve hiked in a long time.

My mind started racing with a couple of article ideas as we walked. See that’s the great thing about not working, stories can unfold even as you are out enjoying life.

What stories are you experiencing this summer?

“If one advances confidently in the directions of his dreams,
And endeavours to live a life which he has imagined,
He will meet a success unexpected in common hours.”
–          Henry David Thoreau

Back and blogging again

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“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamouring to become visible.“- Vladimir Nabakov

I showed a friend some travel pics a while ago and he asked, “Why aren’t these, and stories of your adventures, on your blog?”

Cinque Terre’s Blue Path at sunset, Italy. (Photo: Megan Kopp)

Good question.

I guess it’s safe to say, I’ve been busy. It may be true, but it’s probably a bit of a cheat.

Lazy? Perhaps a little.

Unfocused? Yup.

Unsure if maintaining this blog was really necessary? Definitely.

I’ve recently come to the realization that promoting yourself is not only necessary, it’s rather critical for a freelance writer. Letting people know who you are and your specialties is important  – especially if one your niches is something like enjoying the outdoors through self-powered travel. It can be a somewhat small market for a writer.

That being said, here goes a toot or two – and no, you don’t need to stand back from the monitor!

  1. I’ve got a hiking article on Italy set for online publication in September.
  2. Several weeks ago I received feedback from my spring continuing education travel writing course at Mount Royal University – and this, copied directly by staff from comment sheets, is what the students said:

What did you like about the course?

  • Megan was very well prepared, knowledgeable, provided a great deal of relevant information and resources
  • That Megan encouraged so much class participation – we all critiques each other’s work.

What changes would you like to have made that would improve the course?

  • Nothing it is great
  • I liked it as is
  • Nothing at all – WOW!

Other Comments:

  • Megan was informative, knowledgeable, humorous, helpful, encouraging.

I may be blushing, but I’m also focused, knowing that what I say can have an impact and that what I write can be useful to others.

What about you, do you think it’s important for your writing and work to have an impact?

At Work, On the Road

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Have computer, will travel.

Finished up edits on my latest kid’s book in between hikes through Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and BLM lands outside of Colorado National Monument.  Life is good!

A walk up to Montana's oldest guest ranch just outside Yellowstone.

Glorious Grand Teton

Hiking to Rattlesnake Arches Canyon, Co

Fall in Alberta

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“Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Writing is not enough, we must do.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

September has been a month full of trips close home. From one day hikes to weekend canoe trips to five days along the Cowboy Trail, I’ve had the good fortune to experience a few of the unique stories Alberta has to offer. This province is rich in natural and cultural history and I’m going to do my best to spread the word!

Sitting on a Brahma bull at Fantasy Adventure Bull Riding is an adenaline rush! (Credit: Megan Kopp)

Meeting a mountain man named Bear at Wild Horse Mountain Ranch and Outfitters had me reliving the past. (Credit: Megan Kopp)

Awakening to a sunrise on the Red Deer River is a magical experience. (Credit: Megan Kopp)

Hiking Big Beehive above Lake Louise is a golden opportunity this time of year. (Credit: Brad Kopp)

Get Outdoors

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“Some people dream of worthy accomplishments,
while others  stay awake and do them.” – Unknown

I read a blog post the other day that made sense. In a nutshell the piece reviewed a NYTimes article suggesting that getting outdoors was good for the brain. Getting unplugged helps improve brainpower – I could’ve told you so. Of course, as you probably realise (just read through my posts) it doesn’t take much to convince me to go play.  Yes, the life of this freelance writer is pretty good – and I’m smarter for it!

Looking up to the col and Northover Ridge (Credit: Megan Kopp)

From the col looking down at Three Isle Lake (Credit: Brad Kopp)

High point on Kananaskis Country’s Northover Ridge (Credit: Brad Kopp)

Backpacking Adventures

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“The best cure for a sluggish mind is to disturb its routine.”
– William H. Danforth

Took time out from writing for a short overnight backpacking trip into Kananaskis Country’s Ribbon Lake.

Slipsliding Away
On the way up to Buller Pass (one of three routes into the subalpine lake), we came across a group of eight Danish tourists and their mountain guide.  One of the hikers slipped coming off the pass, cut her hand and almost fainted at the sight of blood.  By the time we reached them, she was snugly wrapped with a guide’s tarp , feet elevated.  Brad, having emergency rescue experience from both the Parks Service and the Fire Department, agreed to hold up to see if she was going to be able to hike out.  Luckily, once her hand was bandaged, she was able to stand and start down the trail – and we were able to continue our hike.

Thunder, Lightening and Bears
As we reached the summit of Buller Pass, huge raindrops started splashing down.  Ominous grey clouds threatened. We threw on raingear, and beelined off the rocky summit – just before the thunder and lightening show.

Hiking over Buller Pass (Credit: Brad Kopp)

Well into the alpine meadows below, we crossed several snow patches before looking closely at the tracks next to ours.  Big fat ol’ Grizz!  Going in our direction and fairly fresh.  Yo Bear!

Camping in a Moose’s Dining Room
Tent set up in between rain showers, we chilled lakeside and enjoyed the peace and quiet – until a young, greyish coloured cow moose burst out of the willows and romped through the lake splashing up a storm.  As the rains picked up, we realised the moose wasn’t trying to escape bugs, she was playing!

The zoom on the camera wasn’t good enough to get more than a dot in the distance, but that’s alright. The next morn we returned to camp from a walk to the Ribbon Falls headwall to find a bull moose chowing down on the shrubbery right around the eating area.

Moose in Camp (Credit: Brad Kopp)

Wild Ice & Other Adventures

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Lake of the Hanging Glacier (Credit: Megan Kopp)

We hiked in B.C.’s Invermere Valley these past days off and re-visited Lake of the Hanging Glacier.  Our first trip to the area was an overnight backpack trip years ago with our five-year-old daughter.  Back then, it took us most of the day to wind our way through the forested trail alongside Hell Roaring Creek, up the switchbacks, across the avalanche slopes and out onto the subalpine meadow camping area. 

After setting up our tent, we strolled the 1/2 km or so up to the lakeshore.  The Commander and The Lieutenants stood guard at the end of the glacial blue lake.  Jumbo Glacier flowed over the mountaintops and down the valley, one finger reaching into the water.  My daughter was captivated by the icebergs bobbing in the lake. 

“Do you want to try a piece of ice?” my husband asked her.

“Yes!”

He found a longer stick in the avalanche debris littering the shoreline, waded out in the frigid water and started to pull a small berg closer to shore.  My girl was dancing beside me.

“Why are you so excited?” I asked.

“I’ve never had wild ice before!”

This adventure came back in a flash as we stood on the shore a few days ago, watching the icebergs bob and dance in the waves.  It put my mind to thinking about all of the mini-adventures and stories that have come out of our travels.  “Wild Ice and Other Adventures” – sounds like a book title.  And why not? 

“Write it down. Written goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants;
cant’s into cans; dreams into plans; and plans into reality.”  – Unknown

Writing and Hiking: The Perfect Combo

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Hiking Utah (Credit: Ally Kopp)

In my last post, I started with a Thoreau quote about moving feet leading to flowing thoughts. Apparently Henry David and I aren’t the only ones who have made this connection.

Writers Who Hike

1. Kevin J. Anderson. This whole blog is cool, but his best post (as far as I’m concerned) is the one where he talks about dictating while hiking. Now I haven’t given this a whirl yet – mainly because I’m a bit of a clutz and I can see myself so busy with the tape recorder that I’d walk right into a tree – but I can see its potential.  I think I’ll give a go while resting on a mountain pass or seated streamside at camp.

2. 100 Hikes.com. This is the inspiration of hiker/writer Kolby Kirk and I love the post where he scans pages from his hiking journal to share.  What I wouldn’t give for 1/10th of his artistic talent.  But beyond sketches, the information he records is used to help him write blogposts down the line.  I do the same thing with my Nomad Adventure Journal for articles, blogposts, and just to keep a record of trails hiked.

3. Hiking Lady blog. Carol Roberts is a hit for me simply because I’m a woman who hikes and the information contained within in her posts matches my interests.  Her goal is to “make it easy and fun for women to embrace the outdoors!”  Gotta love that.

Do you have a blog about writing and hiking (or canoeing or climbing or mountain biking or trail running or…)?  Post your link in the comments section!

 “At some time in everyone`s life they will stumble across opportunity.
Sadly, most people will pick themselves up and walk away
as though nothing had ever happened. ”
– Winston Churchill