I'm going to write about something that is close to my heart. My pregnancy journey through hiking.
I was told many times while I was pregnant that my life was going to change which it did but what I wasn't willing to give up was my passion. Hiking is the one thing that makes me feel alive and I wasn't about to give that up just because I was going to have a baby. I will say I know many people do not have positive experiences with being pregnant nor do people enjoy it. I am mindful to those who might have not had a similar experience to me and do not intend to brag. This is not my intention, my only intention is to share a truly amazing experience that I got to have. I never take it for granted that I was able to resume regular activities during my pregnancy as I know for many this is not the case for everyone.
I hope this does nothing but inspires people to see a positive side of the beautiful growth of what women can do. Even if that didn't involve hiking mountains during your pregnancy - you are still a bad-ass. Carrying a child is a blessing and it's something magical.
I made sure to ask my doctors if I could keep hiking while pregnant and they all said it would have been worse if I stopped as my body is used to this activity. So I listened my body when needed and continued doing what I do best and that is hiking. Baby or not - this wasn't going to stop me.
My first real hike during my pregnancy was Alone Mountain near Comox Lake. This was the very beginning of my pregnancy. I had no idea I was pregnant here until later looking back. This was a daunting hike for me, it was a super long day and I was wondering why I was so slow. Now I know why, because my body was literally creating a human.
The next big hike was Lone Cone on Meares Island near Tofino, I had no idea I was pregnant here either, this was days before I found out I was pregnant. I actually felt super good on this hike, I had a lot of energy and was moving quicker than my friends. It's crazy looking back on that hike now.
It's now June of 2019 and I've now realized I'm pregnant, my husband and I had crushed Lomas Lake, another big hike and I felt really strong here. I was around 1 month pregnant and feeling super motivated on what my body was allowing me to do. Another big hike was Jewel Lake up the Saddle of Arrowsmith, as you can see from the photo below I was so excited to be there and fast forward to 2023, I carried Graeson to that same spot years later.
During the first few months I didn't tell anyone I was pregnant, I really didn't want anyone to think I would slow them down or I didn't want people to treat me differently (sounds strange) but I really didn't want my friends to go at a slower pace because of me or be concerned for me. I liked the challenge of keeping up to them and I didn't want that to change if I had told people I was pregnant. So I had hiked 5040 that summer of 2019, which I have brought Graeson earth-side this past summer of 2023.
My husband and I kept up our regular adventures on our days off, we tackled Menzies Lookout and went on a Banff road trip and crossed off many hikes there such as the Big Beehive, Devils Thumb near Lake Louise. We did Peyto Lookout and Bow Lake Lookout, I was sleeping in the back of Cody's truck this trip and it was super uncomfortable and we were eating hot dogs for 3 days. I was pretty cranky some days but still super hyped that I was crossing off some things I've always wanted to do. At the end of it I was pretty tired, I never felt sick during my pregnancy which I'm super grateful for and I know this is not normal. Most people feel sick, trust me I was waiting for it but it never came. I actually thought something was wrong with me lol.
We did Tunnel mountain in Banff and did the other little touristy hikes such as Johnston Canyon and other little waterfalls. We stopped at Ladner Creek on our way home and while some may judge me - I like to live life on the edge. Baby or not. We actually saw a Grizzly out here too. I wasn't scared - being pregnant I never felt more secure with myself and my abilities to keep him safe. I felt so strong, it was the coolest feeling. I really felt like I could do anything.
We hiked to the lookout of Mt.Horne, I always love to look back on my bump photos as there's usually a cool view in the background. Not your typical bump photos.
My sister and I traveled to Port Angeles to visit my Dad, we tackled Pyramid Peak. This is when people thought I had a beer gut. I didn't start to show for a really long time and shocked the shit out of my followers when I announced my pregnancy at 20 weeks.
From here I completed Mount Beecher, where I remember eating sardines - apparently this is great for brain development. You're welcome Graeson - maybe that's why you are so smart. Did Triple Peak where my sister was not impressed. This is a more technical route and people thought I was being irresponsible by hiking this trail. I had the attitude alongside my one doctor that I am not disabled just pregnant. I stuck with this mentality my entire pregnancy. We did Century Sam, I still would like to go here with Graeson now - we just have never got there because of the gate situation.
It's September and I'm still trying to squeeze in as many alpine hikes as I can so we did Landslide Lake, which when Graeson was just over a year old we brought him back when he was here earth side. Just a casual 30+K right? Still can't believe I carried my 1 1/2 year old there later. We did Mt. Cokely and climbed the chimney route (super fun) and smaller hikes such as Robertson River Falls.
Completed Brigade Lake where I thought my water broke LOL - definitely just sweated my body weight. Hormones are a crazy thing. You know a lot of people asked me if I was ever scared if something ever were to go wrong, I didn't even have a Garmin at this time. No service most of the time and I guess I was just willing to risk it where some might have not. Obviously everything was good and I never experienced anything scary out here and for that I thank god and my angels looking down on me while I was out there. Looking into the distance at Mt. Klista, I said one day I will hike you and I did with carrying my Graeson in 2023 at three years old. Everything always came full circle in that way, showing him my world has been my favourite and I hope he will always cherish it like I have.
I completed Mt.Benson, Heart Lake, End of Vipond Rd Bluff in Nanaimo, Notch Hill and a favourite was Minna's Ridge. Being that it's October the days are coming to an end for the Alpine. I started to do things that were easier for me. Probably for the best lol. We got in some hikes when I visited Powell River such as Kelly Falls, Scout Mountain and Valentine Mountain.
I am now starting to feel like a baby beluga with my belly but I still felt really good so we got out to Christie Falls which Graeson has been to now earth side many times. I completed Maple Mountain, Mount Wells, Ammonite Falls and I wanted to take some Maternity photos on Notch Hill. My photographers who are family were laughing as I was literally in hiking boots under this dress LOL! My kind of style. I wanted my maternity photos to reflect on the experience I had and that was close to nature, connecting my mind, body and spirit out here. It was a beautiful time in my life and I'm so glad I could be in my nature bubble during the whole thing. I had a lot of time to think out there, and not be thinking so much of the "what ifs" the uncertainly of what was to come, the pressure of what society tells us what to do and what not to do. I could be Alyssa out here and not viewed as anyone but myself and I could continue to feel like myself as my body altered. That was the most important part of my pregnancy journey. Embracing the change but with a familiar surrounding in doing so.
It's now January 2020 and the world is still normal before covid shut the world down. We got out to Stocking Creek Falls and the next part you might also think was irresponsible but again I knew what I could and could not do. Yes I went snowboarding at 35 weeks pregnant. Why? Because I could, I felt so damn confident in my pregnancy body and I got the okay from one doctor out of 5. That was a good enough answer for me and it was GO-TIME. Yeah I only lasted a few runs and did not fit my snowboarding pants and my family had to help bind my boots as well help get off the chair safely. But hey I did it with flying colours, I definitely had a few weird looks in the lunch area lol. There's always a risk, I could walk on the street and a car could hit me. I don't live by what ifs' I just live my life as if I had until next month to live. Baby in me or not, I just continued to live my life.
The last few hikes I had in me at this point were small little walks by my neighbourhood in Linley Valley and Beach Estates Park. I would like to state I'm almost certain I was meant to stay this active during my pregnancy as my birth was nothing short of traumatizing. Bringing my son into this world has been the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. I had to push with everything in me and they had me in the most awkward interesting positions to birth my baby. My doctor said if I hadn't been so active - my birth could have been a very different situation. So I'm so thankful I was able to move and be strong for my birth and I like to think hiking built me to have that strength for the most important day of my life.
It has been nothing but a journey to say the least, from this part to packing my little Graeson on earth side. Showing him the ropes, to building confidence out in the sticks, to seeing him crawl to taking his first steps out here. This has been my biggest goal of entering my new life - showing the world you can still have your passions, you can still have things for you, you can absolutely live the same life you had before. It's just altered and more work.
Bringing my son hiking has not only been therapeutic during such a strange time during the pandemic but it's a time where my son and I bond without any distractions, no screens and time I will never regret spending with him.
My son is my everything, and seeing him love what I do and hearing the phrases every now and then like "I miss the mountains" or "I love hot-springs mom, when are we going back to one." are the most heart warming things that I love so much to hear. My child has such a wild imagination, he is so strong, resilient and curious little boy. I want to think me exposing him to the elements - I am doing something good in the world. I am creating a good human hopefully, one who can appreciate the small things in life such as a good sunset, the warmth of a fire or mother natures baths or the beautiful colour of an alpine lake.
This is dedicated to my son, I hope you never stop exploring, I hope you always stay curious and I hope whenever you have a bad day you find yourself amongst the trees to figure out your problems. You will always have nature to heal you, to soothe you and nurture you. Becoming your mother was a beautiful transition and nature helped me. I love you and I can't wait to see more of what you and I will do together Graeson.
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time. I hope this inspired you to always believe in yourself and know you can do anything you put your mind to. I'll have to write another one with all the places Graeson has been in his short life already. I think it would be a good one to look back on.
XO LYSS
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