Golden Ears Trail: West Canyon parking lot to summit of North Ear. Hiking trail only (12 kilometres; suggested time: 7 hours; elevation change: 1,500 metres). Follow the West Canyon Trail from the parking lot to Alder Flats. Beyond Alder Flats the trail switchbacks upward on an old logging road then heads steeply uphill to Panorama Ridge. Most of the elevation gain is made in this stretch. Listen for the nasal squeak of pikas in the rock slides. Impressive view of Pitt Lake to the west and mountains to the east and north are possible from Panorama Ridge. The ascent of the North Ear is made from the left (east) side across a permanent snowfield. Extreme caution is advised and proper equipment is recommended. Drinking water may be scarce in dry weather between Alder Flats and the snowfield.

The round trip to Golden Ears is an overnight expedition for all but the fittest hikers.

Overnight camping areas are located at Alder Flats and on Panorama Ridge around the mountain shelter which, itself, can accommodate up to 8 people. Expect snow on Panorama Ridge into July. This trail is long and strenuous and should only be attempted by experienced, well-equipped backcountry travellers. No open fires are permitted in the backcountry.

*excerpt from http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/golden_ears/hiking_trails.html

Wish me luck!!

Do you share your good news with your friends right away?

I would.

And at the same time, I expect the same from my friends.

I remember I used to get really upset when I found out about my friend's good news from a 3rd source. I felt hurt. I found myself saying, "What am I to you?" I was frustrated that my friends don't treat me the same way that I treat them. (Perhaps this has to do with the fact that I grew up with the mentality of treating others as I want to be treated.)

And then, I learned to see it differently: perhaps how the others treat you is how they want to be treated.

Then spawn a lot of evil and selfish thoughts.

But over the years, I learned yet another perspective: everyone has a different metric system: some people treat mere acquaintances with upmost sincerity, while others don't even trust their closest friends (if they even have any). I also learned to hold little expectation from friendships, and embrace everything that I get in return, because I'm just 1 out of the hundreds of people that each of my friends would encounter. If they don't have enough space for me in their life, it's only a normal thing; but if they make the effort to reserve a spot for me, then I shall do the same for them.

But perhaps, another 10 years down the road, I'll once again see things differently.