First Steps

Sun. 19 February:  Oakridge and Braeside

A tentative amble around the neighborhoods of southwest Calgary showed me that I might be ready for more challenging trips ahead – although it has only been just over three weeks since my operation.

This sunny morning was ideal for a walk, although at this relatively early hour, not many people were out yet, apart from a few dog walkers.  Even on this city walk, there were two fine glimpses of the snow-clad mountains to the west. 

My route took me westwards on a line with 98th Avenue all the way to the Indian Reserve fence – from where I could look over the trees to the tops of the Front Ranges.  Now swinging back eastwards I followed a fairly straight line through Braeside all the way to the “Berlin Wall” of the fence along 14th Street.
 

From there I turned north, crossed Southland Drive, and climbed up through the expensive neighborhood of Pump Hill to the secret open hillside where once a windmill stood half a century ago.  Here were the best views of the day, across to the mountains – a spectacular setting.  And finally back westwards along 98th Avenue to home.

This trip of just over eight kilometers proved that I was capable of something more challenging next time out.

Statistics
Oakridge & Braeside
Sun. 19 February
Total Dist.	8.5 km (hike)
Height Gain	50 ft.
Max. Elev.	3,642 ft.
Time	1 hr. 33 mins.

Other Stats.
Start hike:     9.08 am Return:        10.41 am	Start Temp:    0 deg.C Finish Temp:+3 deg.C Sunny, light cloud, cool W. breeze