O Lord my God, You are very great!
On Thanksgiving Monday, my good friend, Robert Lizak (Calgary), and I hiked to the top of Sulfur Mountain at Banff. It has become a tradition that each time I visit Robert and his wife, Maria, and their children, he and I attempt to outdo our last attempt at the hike. On October 9, it was a sunny zero Celsius at the base when we began our trek. As we parked the car, we noticed a small group of Europeans starting the climb (Robert commented that we would pass them on our way to the top). We checked the centre at the bottom of the mountain where the Gondola begins and were overwhelmed with busloads of Japanese tourists who seemed to be herd-like in their approach to the ticket booth and to the restrooms. After ensuring that we were dressed appropriately for the day (there was thankfully no snow on the trail), we headed to the gate.
We set a quick pace at the beginning of the hike and made it about half the way up in 40 minutes (It was a good thing that I had been working out on an inclined treadmilll for a few weeks before!). While the lower half of the trail has some short turnbacks, the upper half is more challenging. Because of a sheer rock section on that face of the mountain, the turnbacks are longer and steeper. I had to stop a few times to catch my breath or just to hear Robert encourage us along the way. We passed the European group about three-quarters of the way up and pressed on (albeit a little more slowly than the beginning – <grin>).
At the bottom of the trail, there is a sign that states that the hike will last between 2 to 5 hours. Our previous trek up the mountain took 2:15 – that was in 2002. Our attempt this year lasted only 1:36 – yes, we were pretty happy with that! Of course, we will try this climb again sometime within the next year and try to beat even that time.
While at the top, we were able to see the now closed cosmic ray station (1950s-1970s) that sits a short distance from the tourist centre. And incredible number of people were roaming about the top dressed for summer – crazy – the temperature with windchill was closer to -10 Celsius! After an apple or two, we paid the $11.50 fee to take the Gondola down the mountain and prepared for a dip in the Banff upper hot springs!
Of course, while at the top, I prayed Psalm 103 – it has now become a ritual. I find the sight from the top to be absolutley incredible. It shows forth the beauty of our Lord’s authorship of creation. I can’t help but sing the words by which we start each day – “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great!… who has stetched out the heavens like a tent…” It is a blessing to see with my eyes, and to see beyond what my eyes see.
