Here are a few shots from my 3-day backpacking trip in Algonquin Park on the Highland Backpacking Trail. I took them via a pretty terrible point-and-shoot as this trip was for a course with Algonquin College. I didn’t feel I could afford to spend the time fussing with my DSLR. We started with 30 degreeContinue reading “Highland Backpacking Trail”
Category Archives: Outdoors
Search and Rescue
We spent most of a Thursday reviewing map and compass skills as well as discussing in big broad strokes the search and rescue function primarily as it stands in the province of Ontario. By 2:30 we were itching for a scenario. We broke ourselves into search and rescue teams of three, a first aid team,Continue reading “Search and Rescue”
Maps, Compasses, and GPS
I used to hang the map inserts from our National Geographic subscription for decoration on my walls. I’ve received 2 globes in my life as gifts: once from my parents for my kindergarten graduation and a much needed update many years later from another family member. I’d spin it and spend hours imagining what lifeContinue reading “Maps, Compasses, and GPS”
Rock Wall, Challenge and High Ropes Courses
I stepped gingerly into two circles of black nylon webbing, cinched them around my quads and double-backed their tails through the buckles so that they appeared (c)losed rather than (o)pen.
River Touring: Sea Kayaking
Day One: Thursday started off chilly, close to the freezing mark but with warmer temperatures on the way. We sat shivering in our stinky, damp borrowed wetsuits in the amphitheater at WT, listening to Greg introduce his co-instructors Steve and Eric and watching a few short videos on ocean kayaking to give us some perspective.Continue reading “River Touring: Sea Kayaking”
River Touring: Whitewater Rafting
For our third week of skills, we learned how to guide a whitewater raft down Class I rapids. This was week one of two weeks of “river touring” instruction.
Swiftwater Rescue
Skills days at Wilderness Tours (WT) happen on Thursdays and Fridays in the first term. Otherwise I sit in academic classes Monday to Wednesday and bounce back and forth between Pembroke and Toronto on the weekends.
Fall Camp
Contrary to popular belief, summer does not end with the Labo(u)r Day weekend. I re-discovered this the hard way, sweating buckets overnight in my brand new MEC TGV 2 tent and slapping at imaginary insects crawling up my arms. Welcome to your new program, career change, and new life! Air conditioning? Long gone. Showers? ForgetContinue reading “Fall Camp”
Mountain Life
The insulated quiet of the fresh snowfall was broken by our huffing and puffing as we blazed a trail on snowshoes through two feet of new powder.
Kate Monahan Outdoors 