Two former Ponoka residents are celebrating the generosity of supporters for their Aslan Mountain Marathon Challenge - a fundraiser benefitting local high school students.
Organized by Ravi Jaipaul and Ryan Bell, who are now based in Calgary, the challenge - held July 20 on the Skoki Loop near Lake Louise - has brought in $20,000.
Each year, the scholarship goes to a Ponoka high school student who has overcome obstacles in his or her journey to graduation, and the inspiration for it came from Jaipaul's young son Aslan, who passed away in 2022.
"This year's hike was incredibly rewarding and even more challenging than last year," said Jaipaul.
"Each step pushed us to our limits, with the 30-degree heat the entire time, and the huge 42.2 kilometre length. But overcoming those obstacles made the experience all the more fulfilling. The growth we experienced as individuals and as a team was profound.
"The team, to be honest, was really quite strong and handled the challenge well."
Around the time of his Aslan's passing, Bell and Ravi had already been doing a yearly hike, so they decided to honour his memory and legacy by establishing a scholarship in his name.
Last year, the team, which numbered about a dozen, scaled three peaks in a single day - Ha Ling near Canmore, Tunnel Mountain in Banff, and Cirque Peak north of Lake Louise.
This year, they opted for one continuous marathon-length hike.
Bell said that enthusiasm for the venture was high as the team set out.
"Especially for the first 80 per cent of the trail - we were in super high spirits and feeling really good," he said, adding it's those last few kilometres that can be a bit on the tough side.
But they pressed on.
He noted that the route was of course very different from last year - but that was part of the plan.
"It was like a wilderness adventure. You had to take all your stuff so that packs were a bit heavier. I asked the group which year was harder - but there was no real consensus. Most said it was just different. It was about 17 kilometres longer than last year, but almost 1,000 metres less in elevation gain," he said.
"Those two aspects balanced out quite well."
For Bell, the hike offers more than only a tremendous fundraising opportunity.
"When you're out there, you realize that life isn't so complicated," he said.
"The rivers are flowing, the animals are doing their thing - nothing out there 'cares' about what is happening in the cities and town," he said with a chuckle.
That kind of serenity can't help but adjust one's feelings about modern life with its rushed pace, he added.
"To know there is that stability, and that sense of 'unchangability' out there, it all really gives me a new perspective about life."
Meanwhile, the guys are thrilled with the support they have received.
"Raising around $20,000 is a monumental achievement and reflects the incredible generosity of our community," said Ravi, who graduated from Ponoka High School 20 years ago.
"It’s truly inspiring to see how many people believe in our mission and are willing to contribute to Aslan’s legacy. The $20,000 means we have enough scholarships to give out for our entire lives, which is truly a dream come true for us."
Beyond the hike, Jaipaul said he also loves the peacefulness of the great outdoors.
"I love the tranquility of the mountains, the fresh air, and the sense of connection to something greater," he said.
"Hiking teaches me resilience, humility, and gratitude. It’s a reminder of the beauty in life’s journey, and this event specifically has helped me heal from the loss of our boy," he added.
As for next year, it's a bit of a wait-and-see at this point.
"The hike took a lot longer to recover this year, so I’m taking it one year at a time. While I’m excited about the possibilities for next year, I want to focus on the impact we’ve made this year and how we can continue to grow and support our cause in the future."
Meanwhile, even though the trek is a tough one, Jaipaul only has to think of the students they are helping, and ultimately his late son, for a sense of renewed purpose.
"Remembering why we’re doing this - supporting scholarships and changing lives - gave me the motivation to push through, one step at a time, until we reached the final 42.2km length. When fatigue sets in, I (also) draw strength from the memory of Aslan and the support of our community," he said.
"My inspiration also comes from the Ponoka Composite students we’re helping and the legacy we’re building in Aslan’s name. Knowing that we are creating opportunities for others and making a real difference in their lives drives me to keep going."
