TRAIL TALK

An Interview with Carole and John Moslin

(KHC members since 2011)

As Interviewed by Lori Rilkoff

February 2021

“John sent me a private message after a KHC hike to Red Plateau and asked if I would like to do a hike and have supper with him – just the two of us.  We hiked Tappen Bluffs together and he even brought dark chocolates that were all melted but it melted my heart too!”  

And so began the romance between two KHC members!  For this February’s Trail Talk, what better way to honour Valentine’s ardour than to introduce you to the now happily married Carole and John Moslin who met on a KHC hike and fell in love?  They attribute much of their love for the outdoors and for each other to their experiences on the trails with KHC.  

LR:  How did the two of you initially hear about KHC?

CM:  I heard of KHC from a co-worker who had invited me to join a few her and a few friends on a hiking trip to Lake Louise.  She was an avid hiker and had seen a few posts on my Facebook page about me hiking locally with my daughter and suggested I join KHC.  Bonnie Smith (a former KHC member) praised her experience with KHC as well. Soon after, KHC was featured in the Kamloops News.  I contacted the number provided in the article and joined!

JM:  I believe I heard about it in the newspaper as I was not on Facebook at that time.

LR:  What was your hiking experience prior to joining KHC?

CM:  My hiking experience was minimal – just local short hikes in the Shuswap with my daughter who encouraged me to get outdoors and get some exercise. I was hesitant at first as I feared even going on walks in case I ran into a dog (I had a traumatic past experience with a dog attack), let alone have a bear encounter!  But when my friend asked me to join her in Lake Louise and suggested I join a hiking club, I could not pass the opportunity to join KHC!

JM:  I had done quite a bit of solo hiking in the Trophies, the Coquihalla  Lac le Jeune, and Stake areas, but I didn’t know too many local trails.

LR:  Can you tell us about the first KHC hike that you signed up for? Did you both do your first KHC hike together?

CM:  I did not do my first KHC hike with John, as I had not yet met him.  My first hike was in June 2011 with (KHC hike leaders) Clive Giolma and Katherine Roberts to the Balancing Rock and hoodoos in Savona.  I was really excited and nervous as it was out of my comfort zone. As we drove up on a logging road, I saw a black bear and my thought was: “What the heck am I doing?” Once we arrived at the trailhead to the hoodoos in the middle of nowhere, Clive proceeded to give us a talk about bear safety and staying in a group. Later, sitting on top of a rocky mountain in plain view of the hoodoos, I felt absolutely ecstatic and so amazed at the scenery. 

JM:  My first hike with KHC was the Adam’s River trail, led by (KHC hike leader) Katherine Roberts. I had not met Carole yet.  I remember some people unloaded 2 llamas from their trailer to bring them on the hike. It was a bit interesting to say the least, but I am still hiking with KHC!  It has been a very positive experience, meeting so many like-minded people and it is much safer. 

CM:  I believe the first time John and I attended the same hike was Watching Creek – we exchanged a few words as new hikers do. We registered for a number of the same hikes over the next two years, not knowing we would be together. In September 2013, John asked me out to go for a hike and dinner together. Our first hike first with KHC as a couple was Battle Bluff in late October 2013.

LR:  How has your life changed since you began hiking with KHC?

CM:  My life has changed drastically as this is how I met my soulmate, John, in 2013 and who I married in 2017. Love, adventures and a lifelong companion to share my life with changed my whole life’s path! I have also made long lasting friendships with people whom I have travelled with and hiked with in Utah and to the Everest base camp. None of this would have been a part of my life if not for KHC. It has changed my whole life for the better – physically, emotionally and spiritually. I feel so privileged to be able to explore and see sights that most do not get to see.

JM:  My life has changed drastically too since joining KHC. Learning so many local and distant trails that were all new to me, meeting my wife Carole on a KHC hike – first in September 2011 while hiking Watching Creek, and then crossing paths on the trails many times until finally two years later, I asked her out.  We have been together over 7 years now, getting married 3.5 years ago. I have also been on so many memorable hikes with KHC, meeting many like-minded people which made it possible to travel to Utah six times with other KHC members – being with Carole on four of these amazing trips – kayaking off the Baja coast, and spending a month trekking in Nepal with Carole and friends who we met through KHC.

LR:  What is one of the best moments you’ve ever had on a KHC hike?

CM:  For me, one of my best moments was when John and myself both signed up for a KHC event for Lake Louise in 2014. This was the same trip I did with my friends in 2011 and I was so excited to share this experience with John and to be able to return to nearby Lake McArthur with him by my side. 

JM:  There have been so many memorable hikes with KHC including hikes in the Coquihalla area, Wells Gray, Rogers Pass up to the Canadian Rockies. One of the best KHC events was the trip to Lake Louise in 2014 which was led by (KHC hike leader) Katherine Roberts, and we camped at Lake O’Hara.  Hiking all these trails was amazing.

LR:  What is it about hiking that appeals to you the most?

JM:  Hiking is such a positive experience – nature has its own beauty, with the sounds, smells, and sights being so inspirational.  The climbing to the top of a mountain gives such a feeling of accomplishment. Sharing the trail with others builds friendships, relationships, and your health physically and mentally.

 CM:  The sense of wonder and serenity I feel every time I am on a trail, little treasures found, the scenery and encountering spirit trees. I often feel like a kid in a new playground, with visual and sensory sights just waiting to be found and appreciated.

LR:  What would you say to a new Club member who may be hesitant to come out for a first hike with the Club or maybe the first hike they’ve ever done?

CM:  Join! Start with a shorter hike and read the description to ensure it is a fit for you.  Open yourself up to new experiences, friendships, companionship.  Take a risk as the rewards are countless. And…as a bonus, it is exercise and good for your health!

JM:  Once you join KHC, read through the posted events to find one that suits your physical abilities.  Some events fill rapidly so I would encourage new members to check the website often, once or twice a day, to get a spot on the hike.  If the event fills up, keep checking for a cancellation. Take a chance – the friendships are unlimited!