The Logistics of a Pivot: Lessons from the Bow Hut Route

The air at the trailhead was already warm, but I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. I was standing there with 16 other women—most of them strangers—staring at a route that AllTrails warned was for the "experienced" only.

Just a week ago, I had been broken on a "doable" trail. I was the girl counting to 50 steps before needing a 30-second recovery. I was the girl who told her friends to leave her for the bears. My confidence was as shaky as the loose scree I knew was waiting for us.

But I had taken the week to honour the recovery and nourishment my body needed, and I had a plan.

I’m the girl who packs "just in case." My pack was heavy (around 35lbs), but my strategy was heavier. To quell the fear of running out of energy (and food), I had spent the previous afternoon acting like the CPA I used to be. I audited the altitude, the -2°C alpine nights, and the distance. I calculated the calories I’d burn and the carbs, fat and protein I’d need to recover.

The Climb

As we moved along the trail, the world became a sensory overload in the best way possible. I could smell the spruce sap, warm from the sun, and feel the gentle breeze on my skin.  I could hear the distant, low roar of the waterfall. Then came the ravine. I remember the adrenaline as I climbed over a massive chock stone, the fast-flowing glacial water rushing underneath. I was nervous about getting up and over this giant stone and how the weight of my pack might impact my centre of gravity - thankfully it served to hug me onto the rock.  That 8’ tall boulder was a mighty big stretch for my 5’4” body to reach the holds I needed to pull myself up.

The first big challenge tackled, onwards.  We navigated old rock slide paths, our boots crunching on ancient stone, little pikas dashing in and out of the rocks.When the burn in my legs begged me to stop, I reached for salty dill pickle fava beans. The sharp tang and the crunch gave me a momentary anchor, a hit of electrolytes and energy to keep the "redline" at bay.

And then, I saw it. The hut. A tiny speck of safety high above us. A roaring waterfall in the distance.  Just two creek crossings and a section of steep, loose switchback to go.  I could do this.  I felt the splash of a creek crossing hit my legs, carefully choosing each stone, praying they wouldn't shift under my feet.

That last climb almost did me in.  I was seriously questioning my life choices at this point, certain I would spend the following day in the hut alone, while the rest of the ladies hiked to our next objective - The Onion.

The relief of finishing that final ascent was a physical weight lifting off my chest.

The Recovery

That night, I stared at my freeze-dried meal. 800 calories. 70 grams of protein. As usual after physical exertion, I didn’t feel overly hungry.  However, I knew from past experience that I still needed to refuel within a 30-45 minute window or I’d spend the rest of the evening feeling like the hungry, hungry caterpillar.  My old "societal expectation" brain thought: There is no way I can eat this much. But I chose to trust the math and what I know about my body. I ate every bite.  I felt satiated, not overfull.

I woke up on Day 2 feeling like a million bucks. Historically, a hike like that would have sidelined me for days. Instead, I headed toward The Onion with two friends, feeling like a kid exploring.

The Arrival

By the time we waded into the glacial Bow Lake with our cappuccinos, I didn't care about the strange looks from the tourists. I had found my alignment. I had traded the safe, lucrative accounting path for a life where I scout my own routes.

I’m Reagan, and I’m a puzzle-solver. I use my "CPA brain" to analyze the data of your physiology, but I use my education and intuition to help you find the strategy that actually feels right.

The logistics for this summer’s hut trips are already in the works. I can’t wait.

What route are we scouting for you?

Reagan, CPA, CHNC™ Founder, Blueprint Holistic Wellness