Wild Her Ways: Women's Hiking Studio

Another L*D Sunday training walk for the Calgary Police Classic Half Marathon Sept 19th.

And wearing blue and enjoying being outside with great women whose hearts are as big as the blue skies of Calgary--for Parker.

So much fun that 18km turned in to 19km! Flowers, sunshine, beautiful city, and the beautiful Bow River.

How to have a beautiful night:

1. Meet up with 12 fabulous and fascinating women who want to walk 10km together.

2. Choose a path beside the beautiful blue Bow River as the soft evening breeze makes your hair flow like a slow-mo shampoo commercial.

3. Get to know each other, discover the adventures you want to have and what lights you up at this time in your life!

4. Let the beautiful setting sun make your face glow.

5. Walk your final km on a funky Sunnyside residential street full of history, bright cheery murals, flourishing flower gardens, and the sweetest cafe.

6. Get some fresh air in your lungs, blood flowing through your muscles and end with a smile on your face.

Yes. That's the WHW way! 🥰

What a day… what a day! 💜

Mount Buller certainly did not disappoint.

We arrived at the trailhead to a smoky sky and wondered how much it would affect our day. Thankfully, as we climbed higher, the smoke gradually lifted just as the scenery became more and more spectacular.

The beautiful old growth evergreens surrounded us as we veered off the High Rockies Trail to begin our climb up the South Buller Pass. The forest was bursting with colour—brilliant red paintbrush, yellow and lavender asters, beautiful old evergreens, and delicate little angel hair horsetail ferns. The chipmunks and groundhogs and tiny tiny birds flitted over under and across the trees. The trail views opened up wide on the Buller Mountain side as we crossed an old forest fire area that was burgeoning with wee toddler scotch pines and vibrant purple fireweed. We followed high above Buller Creek past Mount Engadine and made our way beneath the impressive slopes of Tower Mountain before arriving at a beautiful waterfall, where we stopped for a well-earned snack.

At the three-and-a-half-hour mark, we settled in for lunch, deciding to save the Buller Pass viewpoint overlooking Ribbon Lake for another adventure soon. No need to push ourselves time-wise--the mountains remind us that they’ll still be waiting for us.

It is with great sadness that we now cancel our search event tomorrow. Our hearts are with Parker's family and all those who love him as they face this devastating loss.

To every volunteer who offered to help tomorrow, to every Wild Her Ways woman (and daughter) who showed up Friday and Sunday, to every Wild Her Ways woman was prepared to come out and search, thank you. Your willingness to give your time, your energy and your heart to help bring Parker home was an incredible act of community and compassion.

Sometimes, in the face of unimaginable circumstances, all we can do is show up for one another. Thank you for being willing to do exactly that.

Please take care of yourselves. May Parker’s family and loved ones be surrounded by comfort and support, and may everyone who was touched by this search find some comfort in knowing that so many people cared.

With love and deepest sympathy to Parker’s family. ❤️

Who could imagine the shenanigans a group of 50+ women can get up to at 8:30 on a Sunday morning?! 😂

Today’s 15 km walk was no exception—finished within minutes of each other and beat the heat with style. And unlike poor Maggie May, the morning sun when it's in our face only makes us look more gorgeous! ☀️😎

Along the way we may have jaywalked unnecessarily, walked illegally under the Centre Street Bridge, “evicted” a few kids from the mist playground at Eau Claire, almost flirted w firefighters on Kensington Road, Goldilocks-ed some kids playhouse, and teased Kara about her redheaded Scotsman dreams and her water vest. 😂

What a riot of a morning!

Thanks, ladies, for the laughs, the energy, and the company. This group is something special. ❤️