A couple of photos of our recent hike up Mt Purgatory (as it were) have already been posted. Note also this one to the right. Verily, that very sign sits in Goldstream Park—yet another piece of evidence that the Middle Ages follow you everywhere.One pilgrim recorded a log of the journey...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007: Mt Purgatory, Finlayson, what you will
By 11:20 am, six courageous souls had gathered at the foot of the mountain. The weather was fair and promising, though characteristically damp. We pilgrims examined the salmon briefly but were eager to make our journey.
Before setting off, we consulted a map—surprisingly or not, Jerusalem was not marked, and as true medievalists we consequently felt slightly disoriented. After only an eighth of the way, we began to feel “the weight of our sins” (i.e. the toll that exclusive studying takes on the body).
Along the way we lost two of our members: one to illness, the other to compassionate ministry to the sick. The four remaining clambered onwards, nervously laughing in the face of treacherous slopes.
When finally the Garden of Eden—the summit—was reached, we rested and enjoyed lunch. A timeless lesson was learned: Ryan makes good quesadillas. Now deep into the bush, we were not ashamed to commit such barbarous acts as using a straw for an eating utensil.
Great sights were seen from the mountain top: golf courses as far as the eye could see and flying johns, not to mention Beautiful British Columbia’s breathtaking wilderness. The journey downwards, with rising winds and slippery rocks, inspired increased religious fervour and oblations were nearly promised for our safe return.
By 2:30 pm, we returned to whence we had set out, having been preserved from both great injury and whistling cougars.
Look out for equally exciting MSCU events in the near future!
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