Outdoors – The Average Adventurer

Your 2020 Dream Staycation: Rent-A-Hostel

October 15, 2020October 15, 2020Bre Mirynech

It’s no secret I love to travel. It’s been a big part of my life for the last 5+ years and I am someone who usually has a trip in sight that I am looking forward to, saving money for, and planning. After travelling for over 7 months in 2018/2019, I spent the latter half of 2019 back home in Banff working hard to help pay off those travels. To me, travelling is always worth every penny. You can’t put a price on those kinds of experiences and memories. By the start of 2020 though, I was already itching to plan a trip for later in the year.

Fast forward a few months and as you know, chaos hits, the world stops, I find myself laid off for a few months, then eventually back at work working my butt off again just to get on top of life in the current state of the world. 2020’s been fun, right? Unfortunately, travelling didn’t seem like it was going to be in sight anytime soon. Instead of letting myself get too down about this (ok, I’ll admit I was pretty sad for a little while), I decided to focus on what I still could do: explore my own backyard.

Northover Ridge: Exposure, Lakes, and Wildflowers

May 20, 2020Bre Mirynech

Northover Ridge is a 36 km loop located in the Kananaskis Region in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park along the Continental Divide. With roughly 1500m of elevation gain, it takes you through amazing terrain, several beautiful lakes, high up on a stunning ridge traverse, and starting/ending your trip at the wonderful Upper Kananaskis Lake. I am grateful to be able to say that I’ve done quite a few backpacking trips here at home in Canadian Rockies, but this was one that had remained on my list for the past few years. I had heard about its beauty, its intensity, and its spicy ridge traverse. It intrigued me and caught my interest because of these things but for some reason, either campground bookings or timing with days off with friends, it just never happened.

The Strength in the Struggle

August 11, 2019Bre Mirynech

I keep staring at the word count at the bottom of this screen. 0 words, it reads. Why can’t I find the words to say when there are so many thoughts and emotions running through my head and heart? Maybe it’s a fear of being vulnerable and opening up about something that makes me feel weak; about opening myself up to any of you who read this. One thing I’ve picked up on through conversations with others recently however, is that what’s going on in my head doesn’t just happen to me. For this reason, I am choosing to open up and share it with you.

Adventure, mountains, the outdoors. Chances are if you’re reading this blog, you’re someone who enjoys those things as well which is why you stumbled across this page. All of those things are something I chase. They are my passion. They light a fire in my soul like I’ve never experienced before. They make me feel alive. They connect me with the truest version of myself. I have managed to build quite an amazing life around them.

Everest vs. Annapurna

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

Everest and Annapurna. Maybe these names mean nothing to you, or maybe you’ve heard of them before throughout your research for adventures. Everest and Annapurna are both names of 8000 meter peaks located in Nepal. They are also the names of the regions for trekking where these towering mountains are located.

It’s no doubt that the Everest and Annapurna regions of Nepal are the two of the most popular spots for trekkers, and there’s plenty of reasons why. These areas hold world class trekking, climbing, not to mention jaw-dropping views and beautiful scenery. However, trying to pick exactly which area to go for your adventure (assuming you don’t have the time for both), is often a big decision for trekkers.

5 Tips for Waste-Free Adventures

February 26, 2019March 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

It’s no secret that I love the outdoors. I try to get out and spend time with Mother Nature as much as I possibly can. Whether it’s hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, or touring in the winter on my splitboard, time spent in wild places refreshes and resets my soul. I need it. I crave it.

Another thing that’s not such a secret, our climate is changing. I know, it seems to be a controversial topic, but even if you don’t necessarily believe in global warming, it’s pretty hard to deny that things are changing. Our glaciers are receding, our summers are filled with more and more wild fires, our climate is hitting extremes on both ends of the temperature spectrum. Again, if you choose to disagree go ahead, but these are things I’ve seen up close with my own eyes where I live. Even in the last five years, I have noticed a difference in our backyard. Read more →

US National Parks

January 9, 2019March 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

I consider myself a very fortunate person to be able to live in such a beautiful place as I do. For those of you who don’t know, I get to call Banff National Park home; I may be biased (ok, I definitely am), but I’d say its one of the most beautiful parks and its definitely my personal favourite.

2018: Grow, then grow some more

January 1, 2019March 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

2018 is over. I am not sure about you, but I honestly have no clue where this past year went. I am fairly certain I blinked and then here we are. 2018 was a not an easy year. I say that for myself personally, and I say that from things I’ve read, heard, and seen from others. When people ask “how was your year?” my instant reaction is “oh, it wasn’t the best.” Although, when I stop to really think, it was actually a pretty good year. Hard and challenging do not equal bad. Hard and challenging I am realizing, have equaled growth; a hell of a lot of growth. If there is one word to sum up my year, it is exactly that. Through the good and the bad, I learned a lot.

Winning the Lottery- The Wave

December 20, 2018March 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

Visiting the wave is like winning the lottery. But seriously, you have to win the lottery to have a chance to visit this jaw dropping, peaceful, other worldly place. Is it hard to get a spot? Yes. Is it completely worth every effort in an attempt to get a spot? A million times yes.

What is The Wave?

For those of you who are perhaps hearing about The Wave for the first time while reading this, The Wave is a very unique, sandstone rock formation located in Arizona, just over the border from Utah. It is located in an area called North Coyote Buttes, in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness. It requires a three mile hike in to access it, with no official trail. The round trip hike is six miles (ten km), plus whatever hiking you do once you are at The Wave! Read more →

Christmas for the Adventurous Female

November 23, 2018March 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year! Well, maybe you agree or disagree, however, like it or not, Christmas is around the corner. Crazy right!? Where did 2018 go? I have to admit, I love Christmas. The feeling in the air, the kindness of others, the beautiful snow against all the lights. Its cheesy, I know, but I have always loved this time of year.

Christmas however, is pretty commercialized. Shopping, cards, stockings, events, oh my! It can be pretty overwhelming. Amidst it all though, I absolutely love giving gifts. I love planning it out and finding something thoughtful from the heart to give my loved ones; something I know will absolutely make their day. A lot of years I make gifts, however, being on the road this year hasn’t left me with much space for getting creative. Read more →

Raw and Real: Mountain Life

August 26, 2018March 30, 2019Bre Mirynech

Its no secret that “adventure” has become somewhat of a popular thing these days. Adventure sports are becoming more popular, the adventure industry is booming with business, and people travelling the world is at its peak.

I made the decision to move to the mountains from Ontario nearly five and a half years ago. When I first moved to Banff for a summer, it opened me to a whole new side of myself that I didn’t know existed. I was drawn to explore this side of myself more so I made the move permanent and I have never looked back. Over five years later, it is still one of the best decisions I have ever made. However, that does not mean it has all been easy. Read more →