Choosing to Standout ⚜️
📸 by Myles Pasion
Where yin meets yang.
A few weeks ago I was hiking the Arethusa Cirque in Kananaskis, Alberta during larch season 🍂🌲
The hike is known for its larches and the beautiful sweeping ridge you hike along once you’ve scaled the elevation.
Now if you don’t know about larches they are coniferous trees that change colour and lose their needles like deciduous trees 🏆🪡
And they are really quite unique.
On our hike, our lichen-loving friend Callahan said “Do you think larches just didn’t see the other coniferous' around it and thought it had to shed its needles like the others who lose their leaves?”
Or … did it fully see those just like it and still choose to be different?
Choosing to be a bridge between two kinds?
I like to believe it was the latter but regardless a larch is infamous and HIGHLY sought after in autumn for its turmeric-coloured needles and utter uniqueness.
May we all see the ways we are the same and different - and above all else, celebrate our uniqueness. Our larch-ness 🍁🌲
Article FAQs generated by Chat GPT:
1. Why do larches shed their needles, and how does this behavior benefit them compared to other coniferous trees?
Larches shed their needles as a unique adaptation to survive in harsh, cold climates. Unlike most coniferous trees, which keep their needles year-round to conserve energy, larches lose their needles in the fall to reduce water loss and prevent damage from heavy snow accumulation during winter. This shedding allows them to thrive in environments with short growing seasons and cold winters, where retaining needles could be more of a burden than a benefit. By dropping their needles, larches can better manage their energy and resources, giving them an advantage in surviving extreme conditions compared to other conifers.
2. What specific characteristics make the Arethusa Cirque hike special during larch season, beyond the presence of larches?
The Arethusa Cirque hike is special during larch season not only because of the golden larches but also due to its sweeping alpine views and unique terrain. The trail takes hikers through a varied landscape, from dense forests to expansive, open ridges with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The timing of the hike in autumn, when the larches are at their most vibrant, creates a striking contrast between the yellow-gold needles and the dark evergreens and rocky terrain. This combination of breathtaking views and seasonal colors makes the hike particularly popular among nature lovers and photographers alike.
3. How can we practically apply the metaphor of “larch-ness” in our lives to embrace and celebrate our uniqueness?
To apply the metaphor of “larch-ness” in our lives, we can embrace our own uniqueness by acknowledging the ways in which we are both similar to others and different. Just as the larch bridges the worlds of coniferous and deciduous trees by shedding its needles, we too can stand out by choosing to honor what makes us distinct while still recognizing the shared traits that connect us to those around us. In practical terms, this could mean being willing to break from the norm in our personal or professional lives, choosing to follow our own path even when it diverges from the expectations of others. The key is to celebrate our individuality, not by isolating ourselves, but by confidently expressing the qualities that make us who we are, just as the larch confidently transforms each autumn.