hiking ha ling peak: worth the struggle or just pain?
We woke up at 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise at Ha Ling Peak in Kananaskis, Alberta. The drive was peaceful, but as soon as we hit the trail, reality set in. The first half hour was all uphill—my knees started complaining right away, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was too old for this kind of adventure. The view was supposed to be breathtaking, but all I could see was the back of my friend’s backpack as he powered ahead. We kept going, stopping every few minutes to catch our breath, and I started questioning if the view at the top would really be worth it.
By the time we reached the summit, my legs were jelly, but the mountain scenery was stunning—snow-capped peaks, endless sky, and a cold wind that made me wish I’d brought another layer. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the climb down would be even worse on my knees. Has anyone else tried this hike? Did you think the view made up for the pain? I’m torn between feeling proud and wondering if I should stick to flatter trails next time. Sometimes I think these Instagram-famous hikes are just a trap for people like us who want a little adventure but end up paying for it with sore joints for days.
#HaLingPeak #Kananaskis #HikingAdventures #Travel
