Merry Christmas

Lots of great gifts for hikers out there that won’t hurt the pocketbook.  Here are some ideas for you :  1) a pair of smart wool socks, 2) a bear bell, 3) small mesh bag, 4) drybag, 5) a whistle, 6) a trail map, 7) a compass, a watch with carabiner that hooks on to the daypack, 9 ) a memory card for a digital camera, 10) a memory card case – Staples has one for $5.99 holds 6 cards, 11) batteries for camera, 12) battery charger, 13) a first aid kit, 14) bear spray, 15) a rain cover for daypack, 16) a national park pass, 17) a pair of trekking poles, 18) a hiking book, 19) a hiking hat,  20) sunscreen, 21) insect repellent,  22)  carabiner, 23) stainless steel water bottle, 24) a pedometer, 25)  headlamp, 26)  binoculars, 27) a camera tripod, 28) a swiss army knife, 29) a roll of duck tape, 30) rope,  31) a travel towel, 32) an emergency blanket, 33)  moleskin for blisters, 34) a trowel, 35) lip palm, 36) a hip pocket all weather note pad, 37) a tick plier, 38) camp suds, 39) waterproof gloves, 40) a toque, 41) a subscription to Explore Magazine and or Backpacker magazine.

Hikers are easy to buy for Christmas. Surprise your hiker friend with a small gift at Christmas time….The above items can be found at most outdoor stores such as MEC,  and box stores – Canadian Tire, Walmart, Home Hardware etc.

End of West Highland Way

Recently, I had the opportunity to hike the West Highland Way in Scotland with my wife and nephew on vacation.  The West Highland Way is 95 miles (152) kms and involved eight days of hiking with an average of 10-14 miles a day. The most important piece of equipment on this hike for all three of us were the trekking poles. Next of course was the rain gear.

Trekking poles were used on the uphills, downhills, flats, crossing brooks & streams. With the amount of rain in Scotland, the poles were a godsend in helping us with our balance and crossing streams on the trail and brooks. I was amazed at my skill jumping rocks by planting my poles as I move forward. 

At this year’s Hike the Highlands Festival, Nordic Walking Instructor Linda Murray, pointed out quite early in the workshop that Nordic poles are for everyone. My 27 year old nephew used his poles everyday and thanked me for this gift. Please find below a few pics with our poles.

One of my favorite things to do in the fall when leaves are turning is to hike Franey and later visit Mary Ann Falls.  Did both this weekend with my nephew and got lots of pictures. Unfortunately, the leaves were not at their full peak but the streams and the falls were flowing good with lots of water.

There was some snow on top of Franey and it was cold and windy. The view was incredible as usual and it made for some great outdoor photography. The rain later hit for a bit but we were well prepared with our rain gear plus our mid layer. We learned alot about hiking in the rain and layers while hiking in Scotland recently where it rained most days. Hiked with our trekking poles.

Below please find some pictures of Franey and Mary Ann Falls.

On Thursday, October 15th, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Hike Nova Scotia are offering a 3 hour guided hike to the summit of Franey Trail, Ingonish Centre beginning at 11:00 am.  during the week of Celtic Colours Festival. Meet at the parking lot at 11:00 am. by the Trailhead sign.. Please bring your lunch and water for this hike as well your camera for some great photos of fall foliage.

In the evening,  Celtic Colours Festival will be hosting a concert ” The Hills are Alive at St. Peter’s Church in Ingonish beach beginning at 7:30 pm. Performing at this concert at Winnie & Patricia Chafe, Jim Payne &  fergus O’Bryne, Martin McGinley & Michéal Cherry, and Jimmy McBride. Tickets are $20.00 and they are still some available for the concert. Contact Celtic Colours for more information at their website or toll free at  1.877.285.2321

What an amazing 10 days of hiking ….with great people, partners and sponsors. The 6th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival will be a memorable event for so many people.  One hiker indicated how spirtual, uplifting and incredible experience this festival had been for her. She can’t wait for next year. 

Hikers in this year’s festival came from across Canada – British Columbia to Newfoundland & Labrador, US, Great Britain and Beligum. An amazing bunch of individuals that shared stories, laughs and moments together and made this an incredible festival.  Our festival team enjoyed meeting all of you and sharing this hiking experience with you.  

I would also like like to thank our festival team – our organizing committee – Sandra Curtis, Lisa Dixon, Shaune Warren, Bill Danielson, David Rasmussen and Heather Dixon, registration chairperson- Heather Dixon and her volunteers – Elaine Wallace, and Regan Warren, trailhead registration volunteer and sweeper Sharon Proctor, all our guides & sweeps, evening presentors – Wally Hayes, John Francis Lane, Marie Stradeski, and Lori Burke. Our partners – Cape Breton Highlands National Park,  Glenghorm Beach Resort & Thirsty Hiker Pub, Les Amis du Plein Air, ECBC, NS Tourism ,Culture & Heritage, DCBA, and all sponsors to be featured in our next post.   An amazing team that can be very proud of its work.

Below are some photos from Chrissie Hawley, Lisa Dixon and Sharon Proctor of the 6th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival.

Franey Hiking Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Sunny conditions prevailed on Day 8 after early morning rain and over 80 hikers enjoyed hikes at Franey, Freshwater Lake & Look-off and Smokey Towers. Today hikes featured outstanding views and cameras were very busy.  The Outdoor Nature Photography workshop with Wally Hayes attracted a great crowd and continued in the evening. Lori Burke ’s presentation Hiking In Europe was outstanding and opened alot of eyes with trip preparation tips. 

Day 9 , Sept. 19th features Guided Wilderness Hike, Clyburn Valley and Broad Cove Mountain Hikes. In the evening, the festival will have its closing ceremonies.

The festival concludes on Day 10, Sept. 20th with hikes at North River Big Falls – highest waterfalls in Nova Scotia beginning at 9:00 am. and Red Island, Indian Brook at 10:00 am.

Moose on Skyline Trail

Day seven of the hiking festival concluded our visit to Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay areas in the Highlands.  Many were sad to leave as hikers saw incredible coastal scenery, moose & whales and enjoyed the Acadien culture, music & hospitality. Thanks to new partner Les Amis du Plein Air for their warm welcome and incredible Nature Bookstore.

On Day seven , over 80 hikers were treated to sunny conditions today and enjoyed hiking on Skyline, Fishing Cove and Le Chemin du Buttereau trails.

Once again, the Skyline trail did not disappoint as hikers were treated to amazing 
coastal scenery, and to several  moose. Some hikers reported seeing 8-or 9 moose on their hike.  Guides John Francis Lane, Sandra Curtis and Nathalie Aresenault kept us on a good pace, stopping and  highlighting the many unique points of this trail. 

On Le Chemin du Buttereau, Guides Marieve Therriault and Tom Wilson helped  hikers to learn more about 30 Acadien families, their heritage and see the house foundations where they once lived.  On Fishing Cove hike, guide Derek Quann  took hikers through an Acadien forest to a small cove where several Acadien families  lived & fished and operated a small lobster cannery.  Some great coastal scenery and 17 forest canyons on Fishing Cove trail. 

The day ended with a great presentation by Marie Stradeski on ”Trekking in Central and South America in particular Costa Rica and Peru. Some amazing colours, pictures, scenery and music were enjoyed by a nice crowd. A perfect way to end a great day of hiking …wanting more.  

The festival is now going into its final weekend.  Friday, Sept. 18th hikes include Franey, Freshwater Lake & Look off and Smokey Towers. Light rain or showers are expected today so dress accordingly. The last workshop of the festival – Outdoor Nature Photography with Wally Hayes takes place on Friday, Sept. 18th.  Meet at Cape Smokey Provincial Park parking lot at 1:30 pm.  Day 8 Evening presentation – “Hiking in Europe” with Lori Burke at 7pm. at Conference room, Glenghorm Beach Resort, Ingonish  plans to attract a good crowd.

Third Pool, Salmon Pool Hiking Trail

There is something special about hiking along the river and hearing the water rush by you. Guide Daniel Aucoin ask us to relax and hear the sounds of the forest.  He also caught our attention when he would draw for prizes along the hike.. Mushrooms, toads, and cabins were just some of things hikers saw along the way including four pools. Salmon fishing is catch & release on Cheticamp River. 

Hikers from Beligum, Georgia, and BC joined us in today’s hike at Salmon Pool. Later in the evening, hikers were treated to a social at the Cheticamp Visitor Centre hosted by Les Amis du Plein Air. Hikers enjoyed Acadien and English Folklore music, refreshements and food.  The Nature bookstore was open and hikers in the festival received a 10% discount off all items.  

 Day 7  of the festival features hikes at  Skyline, Fishing Cove and Le Chemin du Buttereau, all located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. In the evening, there will be a presentation on  ”Trekking in Central and South America – Costa Rica and Peru. at 7:00 pm. by Marie Stradeski .  This presentation will take place at the festival headquarters, conference room at Glenghorm Beach Resort, Ingonish. It plans to be another special day in the Cape Breton Highlands for hiking  with sunny conditions and a high of 16 degrees.  

Day 8, (Sept. 18th) of the festival features hikes on Franey,  Freshwater lake & -Look-off and Smokey Towers. The last workshop of the festival – Outdoor Nature Photography with Wally Hayes takes place on Friday, Sept. 18th.  Meet at Cape Smokey Provincial Park parking lot at 1:30 pm.  Day 8 Evening presentation – “Hiking in Europe” with Lori Burke at 7pm. at Conference room, Glenghorm Beach Resort, Ingonish  plans to attract a good crowd.

Roberts Mountain, Pleasant Bay

Day 5 of Hike the Highlands was all about avoiding rain and we did it. All three hikes  we got in. The last hike of day – Roberts Mountain lived up to expectations & more. It provided hikers with spectacular coastal scenery. Local guide Tina Roach, Pleasant Bay, indicated the Mountain was named after Robert MacLeod, one of the three families that had came over in 1800’s from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Hiking up Roberts Mountain was a great day for hiking with poles,  up and down a mountain. I remember the proper techniques  instructor Linda Murray had demonstrated the day before at Nordic Walking workshop.

First hike of the day was Lone Shieling, a short hike led by guide and park interpreter John Francis Lane who provided hikers with an interpretative talk on the crofter’s house, the acadien forest and some studies being done in monitoring.  The second hike of the day was MacIntosh Brook, a short hiking trail to falls and one of the five geocaching sites in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Guide Lisa Dixon took us to the geocaching site and to falls which were flowing quite good due to the rain lately. MacIntosh Brook is also a picnic site and campground and has an excellent picnic shelter and washrooms.

Day 6 hikes are Otter Brook, the first half of Pollett’s Cove and Salmon Pool. The day ends with a social evening for hikers at the main theatre at Cheticamp Visitor centre. Hosted by Les Amis du Plein, a co-operative organization that runs the Nature Bookstore and a new partner in the Hike the Highlands festival. The evening will feature Acadien and English Folklore music, refreshments and food. The Nature bookstore will be open from 7-9 pm.

Nordic Walking Workshop - Hiking with Poles

Day four of  Hike the Highlands Festival was an important day for hikers – it showed us the importance of hiking with poles and the proper techniques.  It also emphasize dressing in layers and use of rain gear as the day involved showers.

Our instructor, Linda Murray started off the nordic walking workshop at North Highland Nordic Ski Trails, Cape North, by saying hiking with  poles is not just for older hikers but for younger people as well. Both her 29 year old daughter and husband hikes with poles all the time.

The benefits of nordic walking are incredible for your body  -  easier on your knees and hips, better balance, increased aerobic workout (20-40% more with poles), and a full body workout.  Our instructor, Linda Murray demonstrated the proper way of going up the hills as well down and stayed with us for the next hike at Sugar Loaf Mountain - an up and down hike.   

The day ended with a great evening presentation by John Francis Lane, park interpreter on Species at Risk, Cape Breton Highlands National Park.  We were amazed at how big the female American Eel was and the silver colour.

Day 5 hikes include Lone Shieling, MacIntosh Brook and Roberts Mountain.  All three hikes today are on new trails.