Nordic Walking – Hiking With Poles

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.

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Three Peaks Challenge – A Gruelling 24hrs Experience

At Hike the Highlands Festival this year, you will have the opportunity to meet and hear hiker Lori Burke talk about her amazing experience – preparing and completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge (Wikipedia)in 24 hours..  She will be presenting on Friday, Sept. 18th at 7:00 pm. at conference room, Glenghorm Beach Resort, Ingonish at 7:00 pm. Be there for this amazing story….

So what is the Three Peaks Challenge (official website) ? Well it involves hiking Ben Nevis (4,409 ft),  Scafell Pike ( 3,209 ft) and Snowdon (3,560 ft) Mountains for a total 42 kms. It also involves driving  765 km.  Organizers recommend a non-hiker to do the driving as well prepared the food.  All this in 24 hrs….Wow….

Below is a video show a group that completed this amazing challenge –

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Backpacker Magazine – Ultralight Camping Guide, August 2009

The August 2009 edition of Backpacker magazine is full of great ideas for summer hiking and camping. Billed as the “Ultralight Camping guide. It features : 1) 81 Summer skills on Navigation, survival, weather, first aid, and wildlife, 2) 33 ways to slash weight, spend less, and double your hiking comfort., and 3)  30 crowd -free sactuaries hand-picked by rangers, guides and our map experts. Plus it includes gear reviews on hundred dollar hikers, summer sleeping bags, gregory backpack, pot, waterproof fire starter and more.

Something that caught my eye recently was a video by Backpacker magazine – How to cook bacon and eggs in a paper bag ?  See below :

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Where would you go on an International Trip in 2009 ?

Backpacker Magazine

Backpacker magazine  asked its readers the same question and in the March 2009 Issue of Backpacker  page 10, provided the results of their survey. a) Where would you go ? Top 3 – 45% said New Zealand would be the first choice, 16% Europe and 15% Australia.  b) What international mountains top  your life list ? Top 4 – Canadian Rockies, New Zealand southern Alps, Swiss Alps, Scottish Highlands, c) Would you hire a guide – 38% said yes, 62% no, d) What inspires you to travel to a foreign country for a trekking vacation ?   Top 5 answers in order – Scenery, discover different/exotic trails, explore different cultures, visit iconic treasures and get away from the daily grind. e) What activites are you most interested in foa multi-sport vacation – trekking, kayaking or paddling, wildlife watching, mountain biking, mountaineering, road cycling.  What would you do ?

The March 2009 issue of Backpacker also features Travel like a Pro tips at home, en route, arriving, health, on trail and going to extremes and  the world’s best  unknown treks. They include -1) Pyrenees Traverse, France,  2) Cape Wrath, Scotland,  3) Zillertal Alps, Austria , 4) Tongario Northern Circuit and Heaphy Track, New Zealand , 5) Cordillera Apolobamba, Bolivia, 6) Overland Track, Australia , 7) Sarek National Park, Sweden, 8) Rolwaling and Khumbu Valleys, Nepal, 9) Polar Route, Greenland, and 10) Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

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