3 Day Solo Backpacking at Pharaoh Peak in Banff National Park

[@HoneyandMe]

There is no shame in knowing when you're done. Fear is what keeps us safe. The views were absolutely amazing and I know they are ones I will never get around to seeing, so I appreciate having gotten to see them in this video.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I'll be back but I'll camp there and tag 3 of those peaks in round 2.

[@wuhanflu9936]

Oh, and freeland lied. She does not go to that church, she's Ukrainian. Does a muslim go to a catholic church? If you want to know about freeland, the UK CBC is called bee bee sea. Then add "torch" to see hundreds of thousands of those people from WWll that Freeland is a part of. @@IdRatherBeHiking

[@Smart_nap]

That’s my sentiment.

[@nvtruant5994]

I spent 17 years in Search and Rescue specializing in mountain rescue and avalanche rescue. You made a wise and brave decision! It’s a fool who doesn’t recognize and ACT on reducing risks. You have to ask yourself “what are the consequences of pushing further?” If it’s life threatening or major injury then unless you’re extremely skilled AND the conditions are ideal DONT GO! I’ve done too many body recoveries.

[@kumardivye]

It takes a brave man to accept when you're not ready for the mountain, and even a braver man to show the real deal on KZbin! Most people would just edit out the not so glamorous parts of hiking! Great video and keep on creating such good content.

[@foundwheels1939]

I did The Pharaoh during the larch change in the rain, snow and grey overcast. No trail and no other foot steps up the mountain, there 3 foot snow drifts at times. It was my second time in the area but first attempt at the summit. I was solo, wet and cold. Every unstable step needed to be packed down before proceeding as boulders, slabs and voids were hidden bellow the shallow fall snow pack. "One step, one more step," one step at a time I made it through. An avalanche and rock fall came down across the pass in a thunderous glory. The sun peaked through the clouds as I reached the summit contrasting the top whites of the clouds to their darker grey undersides, the summits were decorated with white snow like flour on fresh baked bread, the tree lines began sprinkled with yellow larch trees blending in lower to a wet dark green forest. The blues of the three lakes were vibrant under the sun. The moment was glorious. Shortly there after I realized I had forgotten my head lamp. I trekked down slowly and carefully with cold water sloshing in my boots knowing a bad step through the snow could ruin my ankle or send me tumbling down in my own glory but when my feet hit dirt again I ran. Stopped in by the shelter at Egypt Lake and stoked the fire to dry up. I knew I was hiking in the dark there was no chance in getting back before the end of dusk. So I ran. I ran up Healy pass and as far as I could until the darkness was to dark to spot rocks and roots and there I was alone in the dark. I trudged through the mud blindly, only the gaps in trees and snow lined trail guiding me back. There were times I felt I was sleep walking it was so dark. Bear country may have occupied my mind for much of it. But made it back. I loved every suffering minute.

[@macwm722]

Panic attack. No problem. I like you. You're an interesting person.

[@mountaingirlzstuff4314]

I love the Rocky Mountains 😁

[@stanettiels7367]

Good man. Know your limits and never be afraid to turn back. It takes a braver person to turn back than being scraped off the mountainside in a bag. I’m not afraid of heights but when I used to mountain climb, if there was a significant drop either side of me, I’d get uncontrollable giddiness. I think it’s vertigo but I’m not a doctor. Most times I’d overcome it but sometimes it was impossible for me to stop. Just randomly getting giddy and losing balance. Then it’s dangerous and time to turn around.

[@lorenzopalyama6151]

Pharaoh peak I feared as well. Not for the same reasons. I did this hike solo, at night. while on top I got caught in a thunderstorm, so I had to go down that exact scramble in pitch darkness as the thunder clouds inched closer... yeah. lol.

[@neilquinn]

Never a bad idea to bail if you're not comfortable. I tend to just try to put my head down and power on, but when you're solo it always feels a lot riskier too. I also find some of those steep paths or trails with bad skree to be pretty bad. Sometimes too it can mean you're doing it the hard way and there are better paths/trails to get to where you want to go.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I followed a group ahead of me who went a much harder way... I should have known considering they weren't wearing helmets

[@neilquinn]

@@IdRatherBeHiking Makes sense. My area don't have to worry about it much but I've often heard of hikers accidentally ending up on climbing or mountaineering routes from maps. At least you didn't get shelved out and totally stuck! I def get stressed in these situations too.

[@thejughead138]

I am proud of you bro! I am scared of heights also, but i still enjoyed hiking up mount Seymour with my Canadian bro years ago! I can't wait to get back to Canada next year for more hiking! Love & respect, from the UK bro.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Nice, I've been up there once. Millions of black flies when I was on Seymour haha. Ya heights is something you can work on over time but with no footing I'm done.

[@thejughead138]

@@IdRatherBeHiking I intend to scale Lion's peak when I am over in B.C. next year. Respect to you brother. 🙏✌️👍🖖✊👊🤜

[@tiopolis]

Incredible episode. I'm sure it will be memorable to you for a long time. Keep hiking and I'll keep watching.

[@sheripacori2097]

Your videos pulls me in. Nice shots of the surrounding vistas. Keep up good work.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

cheers!

[@dalehagglund]

Regarding the Egypt themed names: 1922 was the year Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered by Howard Carter, so I'd guess that was the inspiration for Wheeler.

[@giselemichaud3771]

you were 3/4 the way up and I got so nervous watching you I had anxiety for you before you did. I thought you were going to keep pushing yourself.... but that was you intuition telling you to stop ....so glad you went back down

[@elevatedarchives]

Good on you man for knowing when to bow and not letting that ruin your day in any way. 🎉😀🤙🏻👍🏻💥💯

[@lindamann6609]

I’m so glad you were happy. Our backyard being from Calgary. We have done the hike to Egypt lake cabin and then hike from there. 3 days of pleasure. Also did it from sunshine gondola to Egypt lake cabin. You need to try that. No regrets there. Just a long hike to Egypt lake cabin. You did a great job.

[@andaroocomedy]

This is the best youtube channel. Increible hikes, inspiring commentary, and great views. Keep it up mate!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I appreciate that friend. Stay tuned I've got some amazing hikes and 2 first ascents coming!

[@thejughead138]

@@IdRatherBeHiking I am looking forward to it! I would post my hikes over here in the UK, but our scenery is puny compared to yours!!! Lol! 😅🤜👊✊🙏

[@barbaraclark9423]

View looks great even where you were … I have fear of heights, yet am always drawn to the mountains … glad you made it down safely.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Luckily the views were good where I failed. Stay tuned my next video is one dedicated to fear and conquering it.

[@brucecon]

You’re awesome David, just love your stuff.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I appreciate that!

[@MM-wl2cq]

Good for you to recognize your limits and bail. And I love your enthusiasm and drive - keep it up! One thing I noticed is that your footwear is totally inadequate for such complex terrain. You would definitely benefit from a pair of sturdy mountaineering boots? I also wouldn’t rely on a trailhead map to plan your trip, regardless of how closely you study it. On-site route visualisation and experience will always tell you more than a vague map. Just sayin’…

[@briannadawn3812]

a hot girl counter 😂 & in reference to you mentioning some big youtube hikers who “don’t have panic attacks…” isn’t necessarily true, some of them very well could have had a panic attack at some point but chose not to document it or post it for everyone to see. i’m sure you’ve heard the saying “the internet is a highlight reel” because most choose to only show life’s highs, leaving out the bad and every low. Only the ones who are brave & true to themselves by being vulnerable choose to show all of it, like you, which in my mind makes you more relatable and likable and i’m sure most would agree. i suffer from anxiety and panic attacks as well so i felt for you on that mountain cuz i know what you were going through. I think you handled it amazingly, keep being real and true to yourself…emotion is what makes us human!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

ya the internet is a highlight reel basically. Ya the panic takes over... overwhelming feeling, not a good one.

[@Jenyb420]

I climbed to the base of one out in exshaw about 30 years ago.. I was done lol.. much respect David

[@notfakeshortz]

Hey! Love these vid, love moose on the loose too! Im a runner but now, after watching you im gonna hike more! From Langley

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

What I find is hike up run down its the perfect mix of everything. Running uphills doesn't yield that much time savings unless you're kilean jornet and the speed up as almost as fast as the speed down haha

[@dhosquet]

Another epic video dude. Great camera and editing skills.

[@amyrobinson3119]

It looks hard I lived in an Rv for a year and very much a panic so I get it that things look better on 🎥.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

just so crazy steep near the top.

[@danielfegley2735]

You have nothing to be ashamed of although feer makes the situation harder you had every resign to be scared I'm not sure I would have even tried to go up as far as you did and you didn't give up you found an other way to the top great view thanks for sharing all that you experience it's what makes your videos worth watching , I can't believe the price for walking on the grass is it really that fragile or rare and who is around to inforce it

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

the grass thing is weird, there were no notices of it I saw anywhere except up there. My brother who lives in the area confimed he has hiked the ramparts before so it was open before but they have it protected now. I don't understand how the government has strict protection laws in one place and clear cut logs another place.. no wonder no one trusts the government.

[@Smart_nap]

Love this. Pretty girl counter- hilarious! I wonder how many of them were tallying up the sweaty dudes!😂

[@anatomyconspiracy9416]

America is Egypt in the Bible. America is the old world, so the old place names are subtle hints to their true origin.

[@sadfacts7751]

Well done Sir)

[@Miderguy_]

Oh, how I long for Summer to come back.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

its coming! almost here!

[@lifeisawesome6710]

A lot of drama for nothing, same for carnavon lake video with that said great videos!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Not everyone feels fear the same way.

[@amyrobinson3119]

No need to be a hero your already a hero…

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

haha, sometimes

[@RYANONTHERUN]

Amazing views any fish in those lakes?

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

great question, im not a fisherman but im guessing there are weird park rules about that being in a national park

[@michellehewitt6850]

You didnt fail ..i wouldnt have even tried that lol

[@andybiker-hiker4343]

A great video notwithstanding the struggles you faced. Umm... footwear? Shales, sandstone plates must have high, lace up sturdy boots

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

The hike was 42 km of trail and less than half a km of that shale sandstone which is why I kept with trail runners. If half the hike was that stuff I'd have boots on.

[@giselemichaud3771]

Seems like there aren't any mosquitos bothering you. plus I notice the floor of your tent isn't attached so it must be mainly bug free eh!😉

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

no mosquitoes at all

[@sajspeed69]

Love your content!!! Hot girl counter lol. 😂😂

[@krizdennis]

runners were probably running to shadow lake

[@23takumi88]

How long does a hike take with all the filming I bet on adds a huge amount of time and effort... Keep it up fellow islander☺️

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

It really depends on the hike, in general it adds 10% extra distance going back for the tripod and time wise I'm a fast hiker without cameas, day 2 took me just over 11 hours with cameras probably 8 hours without.

[@23takumi88]

@@IdRatherBeHikingawesome☺️💪

[@53andME]

So dramatic 😅

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

haha agreed, I'm actually switching up my style of storying telling to be more vlog less produced in the future here, so this is the last episode in that old style, aka dramatic style. If you check out my Athabasca video you'll see the difference.