By Gian Singh Kotli (LINK COLUMNIST)
It was extremely a pleasant and inspiringsight for all hikers to see a littlechild struggling and adjusting his littlesteps to tread the much talked aboutdangerous Grouse Grind leading tothe top of Grouse Mountain in NorthVancouver. I had climbed about ¾ ofthe Grind when I found this amazinglittle thing in action. Really it was a verypleasing sight to see this little kid exertingto face such a tough situation. I hadto stop to enjoy the great feat of thisGod gifted rare kid. I talked to his DadAndrew and Mom Jocelyn and theytold me about his joyful nature. I wastold his name is Avery and he is only 2years five months. To me it was all themore amazing.Several times Avery failed in hisgrip and slipped down on his belly. Buthe would again start making effort tofind a good grip with his little handsand tuck his foot some where. Reallyhis effort was amazing and love for thegame admirable. It was quite surprisingthat whenever Avery missed his step orslipped down he did not look towardshis parents who were keeping close eyeon his daring move. Nor he ever criedfor help. He did not even look aroundto find whether other hikers are lookingat him or not. He was completelyabsorbed in his effort. SometimesAvery has to use all his four to maneuverthe bigstone steps, almostof his size,to move up. Itwas equally admirableon thepart of parentsthat not evenfor once I heardthem say Averydon’t do this,don’t climb, youwill slip, will gethurt. Rather Isaw them keep cool and let Avery climbup, fell down, rise up and try again inwhatever way he can. Avery was inaction for quite a long time and forquite a long distance. He never knewabout his fatigue or soiled clothes. Allrequests by parents to stop his venturewere easily ignored. At last the time wasover for Avery. Dad asked him to stopand come over. But the response wasas usual. When Dad held him from thejacket and picked him up, Avery made aslight cry. But before he could make anotherbig cry he was nicely enjoying thebest ride of the world; clinging nicelyon the back of his Dad. He forgot tocry. It was extremely an inspiring experience.I expressed my happiness withthe words, “May God bless your son.He is a Champion in the making.”It was Thanksgiving Day on Monday,October 14, 2013. Because of holidaylarge number of young boys andgirls, health lovers, enthusiasts, childrenwith parents and adventurers were continuingtheir hike to the top. It is to bekept in mind that the Grouse Grindhike is not a smooth trail. It has unsystematicand haphazard steps of stones,rocks, tree roots and the like, of differentsizes which always put a tough challengeto the mental and physical prowessof the hikers. Grouse Mountain isaccessible only by Skyride (Gondola)that can take 100 persons at a time tothe top in five or six minutes and theticket is about $43. The Outside magazineof U.S. named the Grouse Grindtrail as one of the 10 most dangeroushikes in the world. But it has neverdampened the spirit of hikers of allages including children and seniorswho come here to enjoy its hard hikefrom all over the world.Gian Singh Kotli is a CertifiedTranslator English/Punjabi by The SocietyofTranslators & Interpreters of BC& President, Punjabi Press Club of B.C.]Grouse Grind photos- 1 Gian SinghKotli with a Surrey family.2. Little kid hiking Grouse Grind.
