2006: Climb to Pulpit Rock Overlooking Nelson, BC

A gypsy tour with my soul sister Angie. A welcome rest from our individual lives with the load of responsibilities.

A new car, a 10 hour drive to a new destination for both of us. It’s hot! Touching 33 degrees at times.

The beauty surrounding us – vista after vista. Each corner of the serpentine highway opens to another – Wow, just look at that! Stopping as the spirit moves us, another little town, another little café or shop or just to look.

The beauty of Slocan Lake nestled in the surrounding mountains is awesome. The reflections, the cliffs, the shore, the viewpoints, the excitement of the road, the eagles, the relief of reaching our B&B in New Denver. Tea by the lake, what a fabulous start to another day of our adventure holiday.

Carrying on to Nelson, we explore, and spend time at the lakeshore sitting in the park looking at the mountain before us. We determine to climb it the next day.

It’s a cool start at the bottom. The cover-up comes off 10 minutes into the climb. The heat seems to climb at the same rate we are. This is a moderate hike? Who rates them? Mountain goats? I’m going to have a word with that young jock at the tourist info centre! The steepness has my hands grasping at rocks and branches in places. When there is a spot level or wide enough, it’s a welcome stop for a breather and a drink of water. The trail alternates between steep and moderate, climbing at all times. From time to time there is a welcome breeze, cooling the sweat. It is tinder dry, with powdery dust between the rocks and the roots. We wonder how the trees and shrubs stay so green, tasting the occasional berry as we climb.

The others on the mountain are mainly women, interestingly enough, meeting us on their way down. It’s tricky in places to find a place to step aside. A few twosome climbers as we are, but mostly women alone, very fit looking women of a variety of ages. We ask how far to the top when we are almost at our limit, my hair is dripping into my eyes. ‘About halfway’ comes the unwelcome advisory. After a breather, there comes a steely determination, we will make it. Careful about the placement of my feet, accidents can happen when your knees and thighs are like spaghetti. Blessing my sandals, they have carried me comfortably many many miles of walking through different weathers, climbing heights or hiking woods or walking level pavement.

Talking, laughing, encouraging each other, bolstered by the glimpses of the valley beneath us, we climb. And pull out on the top of Pulpit Rock! This is God’s Church! Yes, it’s well worth it. A little sign tacked to a tree advises us that we are at 2963 feet or 903 meters. Stupendous view, seasoned with the enjoyment of knowing only meeting the challenge of the climb makes it possible. We’ve earned it by the sweat of our brow, and the sweat everywhere else.

The climb down, oh brother, there’s that other set of muscles, the ones not used going up. The weather is changing rapidly, clouds are rolling in, the wind is gusting, a welcome cooling. Careful, accidents can happen when your knees and thighs are trembling. Telling myself this is excellent for those butt muscles, I am building thunder thighs. At long long last we’re down. It’s been – 2 hours – is that all? Back to the B&B, showers then lunch.

We are sitting in a Thai restaurant with views of the mountain and enjoying looking up at Pulpit Rock, clearly visible across the lake, congratulating ourselves. The sky darkens dramatically, the wind gusts, suddenly the mountain disappears behind a curtain of rain so heavy that it looks like a blizzard. The lights blink several times. Within minutes, the gutters are running with water. We look at each other and run for the car, getting soaked within a few steps. Shopping? Most of the stores are closed. Is it because the power is out or is it because it’s Sunday?

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