Hikers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to come climb Sulphur Mountain Sept. 9 in support of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church.
“It should be a very good time, time to set aside to just reflect…and challenge yourself a bit,” said Fundraising Committee member Karen Wourms.
This is the fifth year that the church has hosted the Angels on High fundraiser to support the construction of a church building in Chestermere.
“We don’t have a home in Chestermere,” she said, “We have our celebrations in the St. Gabriel the Archangel school gym.”
The goal with the fundraiser it to get a church in Chestermere for the parish that along with hosting church services can also be a home base for youth activities and the local Knights of Columbus.
The parish serves about 500 parishioners each weekend coming from Chestermere, Delacour, Strathmore, Langdon, and Conrich.
For the fundraiser, all climbers are asked to register and get sponsors for the climb.
“We’ve got over 30 climbers registered so far,” said Wourms.
There is no maximum limit for climbers.
The church is also selling raffle tickets for wine, beer and dining gift certificates. Tickets are available after weekday masses, or through the parish office.
This year’s Angels On High has chosen to summit Sulphur Mountain in Banff.
“It’s quite a scenic spot,” she said.
This year’s climb will be an easier family friendly climb compared to past climbs.
“The very first year that my husband went they…hired guides and had helmets and ropes and it was quite advanced,” said Wourms.
“This year we’re trying a more gentle climb.”
Past climbs have included Castle Mountain and Mount Chester.
The way the Angels on High climb is structed see’s climbers getting started early in the day so that they can summit at about noon, have a break for lunch and take a group picture before heading back down the mountain.
Wourms said that this year they will be starting the climb at about 8:30 in the morning.
“It should take two to three hours to reach the summit and then people have the option of coming down by foot or taking the Gondola down,”
The climb is about five kilometers long with a 655 metre gain in elevation.
When Wourms started participating in the climbs, she said she wasn’t much for mountain climbing and didn’t like heights. She has since come to enjoy the fundraiser because of the relationships that have been created out of it.
“I’ve come to enjoy it because of the team,” she said.
“It’s like a group adventure, and when you get to know the people that you’re hiking with you develop relationships,” said Wourms.
Register for the climb online at www.saintgabrielparish.ca/index.php/aoh/registration-aoh-2017.
