Ranch life in the mountains – experiencing nature

When I first arrived at the ranch, I stayed for 4 months to experience life in the Canadian wilderness. Coming from France, my ordinary life was very different as I was not accustomed to living in nature, but I was eager for the challenge. Initially planning to stay for 2 months, I was so inspired by my daily successes that I decided to extend my stay by an additional 2 months to deepen my experience in the mountains. Every day, I felt grateful for living in such an environment interconnected with nature.

I then moved to Whistler, where I stayed for a year and a half. During this time, I maintained close contact with the ranch community and visited frequently. This allowed me to find a balance between a busy social and work life in Whistler and the remote wilderness of the Canadian mountains. The mountains here are different – wild and offering many adventure opportunities. While I was content in Whistler for a while, I soon found myself seeking more. I wanted to challenge myself, experience exciting adventures, spend time in nature, and work outdoors. Consequently, I returned to the ranch for another summer and fall, and my experience was truly amazing.

Amazing doesn’t mean easy. From day one, I was challenged to take ownership, responsibility, and accountability, committing fully to everything I did. My journey began with looking after the ranch by myself for a couple of days. I then spent a week cooking for everyone, successfully delivering all meals on time. My main struggles were following recipes and procedures, as I’m usually more inclined towards creative cooking. This experience taught me precision and guaranteed results.

My responsibilities at the ranch were diverse and included barn organization, saddle repair, guide school training, leading horse-back riding trips, cooking, housekeeping, mechanical work, and water system management. After improving my skills in packing, shoeing, horse care, and camp management, I took on the role of lead guide for our pack trips. This meant being responsible for myself, the other guide, the guests, the horses, and the overall trip organization. It was a significant responsibility, but everything went smoothly. Our guests were amazed by their experiences, learning about mountain riding, connecting with nature and their horses, and getting involved in conservation efforts.

I also led a hiking pack trip, combining my love for hiking with an amazing adventure. As we climbed the mountains, I felt increasingly grateful for the hard work of our horses, safely carrying us on those rugged trails.

At the ranch, I became involved in various maintenance projects, including setting up a new water boiling system. This involved digging trenches, laying pipes, insulating and winterizing the system, sourcing parts, problem-solving issues, and cutting and moving firewood for the boiler. This experience showed me how much can be accomplished with a plan, creative mindset, knowledge, and commitment to a project.

As October arrived, winter approached fast. Living in nature made this transition much more tangible. We prepared our camps and the ranch for the coming season. The empowered women’s crew wrangled the horses from the alpine, bringing them back to the ranch for winter care and rest.

Now, as I reflect on these experiences, I’m ready to embark on new exciting projects and winter adventures.

Alexia, France