Issue #11 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LOCAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SCENE

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Outdoor adventures to try this summer

SUMMER/FALL 2005

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GREAT OTTAWA CYCLING TRAILS WHITEWATER VS SEA KAYAKING BOULDERING IN THE GATINEAUS PROFILE PAUL MASON

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CAMPING DEHYDRATED FOODS YOU CAN MAKE

JOGGING STROLLERS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW! PG 26

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KAYAKERS: WHICH TYPE ARE YOU? PG 10

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES TO TRY THIS SUMMER! 1) WHITEWATER RAFTING 2) SAILING 3) HIKING AN AERIAL PARK 4) BOULDERING 5) CAVING 6) WHITEWATER KAYAKING PG 8

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FEATURES

3 Arnprior’s outback perfect single-burner 5 The stove from the top down: 14 Exercise Nordic walking on Ottawa’s Stretch your legs in

COLUMNS

2 Publisher’s letter 4 Riverkeeper update 11 The Book Nook 12 Camping tips 22 Gear Talk 30 Urban Spice 32 Cool Gear section 40 Golf tips 42 Profile: Paul Mason 46 The Green Pages 48 The Last Biscuit

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COOL GEAR SECTION USEFUL PRODUCTS TO GET THE JOB DONE PG 32

pathways

Dehydrating food is simple and fast Cycling the Capital: four great trails to make your day Mind over matter: how to overcome sports injuries Adventure Racing: Local adventure athlete Ray Zahab faces toughest challenge yet

BOULDERING IN THE GATINEAUS: LEADING THE WAY PG 23

Cover: Tyler Curtis does a bow stall on the Ottawa River near Parliament Hill.

(Photo by Robert Faubert, www.holeriders.com)

Summer is a time for choices.

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ill this be the summer that you choose to get into the best shape of your life? I’ll challenge you. At 41, I am committed to lugging less of me around our great outdoors. My adventure started with training all winter to run a half-marathon. I completed the race slower than in the past, but my chip-time was a whole lot faster than I thought it would be. (Insert backpatting here.)

The recipe is easy enough. Start with a solo fitness agenda that includes cycling and walking. Then add running three times a week and a touch of inline skating on our scenic local pathways. The group fitness approach includes an entertaining balance of sprinting around the way-too-few Ultimate Frisbee fields (no back-patting for the National Capital Commission here) and walking on local golf courses.

Lastly, curl some weights because hauling the kayak on and off the car roof won’t quite do it.

With all this exercise working up a sweat, I’m going to get wetter this year, too. Whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing on local waterways provides both fun and exercise at the same time.

And that’s the focus of this issue of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine. Getting out there.

On page eight, we’ve outlined six outdoor adventures you have to try this summer. Do one, or do them all. The list includes whitewater rafting, climbing among the trees in Camp Fortune’s new aerial park, bouldering or rock-climbing with friends, sailing with local clubs, taking whitewater kayaking lessons, and scenic spelunking in the Lusk, Bonnechere or LaFleche caves.

I’m branching out this summer. You? :)

e-MAILBAG “I received a copy of the Ottawa Outdoors magazine when I went to my captain’s meeting for v.ball (OSSC), and I think it’s well put together! The articles are a good read and I like the ads for different places.”

Lyn-Marie Stufko “What does it cost to get a year’s subscription to your magazine to New Zealand? I’m far away from home and really miss Ottawa (especially the winters... but NZ ain’t too bad either... ;o) ).”

Shelley Ball “Congrats on a great local read! Keep it up.”

Charles Morrow PREVIOUS ISSUE PUBLISHER’S COMMENT

Brooke Broadbent

Meredith Brown

David Kawai

Jennifer D’Aoust

Brooke nourishes his soul while canoeing in the morning mist, trekking on rigorous century-old Spanish pilgrimage trails and cycling in nature. Here he finds spiritual inspiration for his writing and poetry. See www. brookebroadbent.com.

Meredith, an avid paddler and skier grew up in the Ottawa watershed. Her passion for healthy rivers led to the challenging and rewarding job of being the Ottawa Riverkeeper. She and her family currently live on the Gatineau River.

David has just completed his third year at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and works in communications at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

He is an avid climber and an aspiring world traveler.

Jennifer D’Aoust has competed and placed top in Canada at two consecutive Boston Marathons. She competed in Ironman Canada 2003, and Ironman USA 2004 and is a trainer at SummitForm Fitness Solutions in Ottawa.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

Editor Brant Scott Design and Layout Terry Terrade, Dave Brown Graphic Illustrators Keith Milne Contributing Writers Harry Gallon, Meredith Brown, Allen Macartney, Ken Whiting, Jo-Anne Mary Benson, Chantal Macartney, Catherine Chatham, Max Finkelstein, Rick Balson, Kathleen Wilker, Julie St. Jean, Jennifer D’Aoust, Kevin Haime, Brooke Broadbent, Brant Scott Contributing Photographers Harry Gallon, RF Stock, Wilderness Tours, NCC, MEC, Yannis Souris, David Kawai, Catherine Chatham, Flagstick Magazine ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Dave Brown Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published seasonally every four months.

Email: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8687 / 888-228-2918 Fax: 613-860-8687

SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONTRIBUTORS

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Managing Editor Allen Macartney

Send your subscription info and cheque to the address below or visit www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

A big thanks to photographer J. David Andrews who provided Ottawa Outdoors with the great cover shot in our last issue. Look for his book, Gatineau Park: An Intimate Portrait, in book stores near you.

Dave Brown, Publisher and Editor-in-chief

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Dave Brown

Ottawa Outdoors Magazine 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Suite #107 Ottawa, ON K1V 7T4 Tel: 613-860-8687 Fax: 613-860-8687 Email: Info@OttawaOutdoors.ca Internet: www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

CONTRIBUTIONS

Ottawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with colour slides or high resolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or emailed.

No unsolicited contributions will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Publisher may publish any and all communications with Ottawa Outdoors magazine, and may edit for clarity and style.

CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Return undeliverable covers to 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Suite #107, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1V 7T4. Return postage guaranteed.

Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2005.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of any materials published in Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is expressly forbidden without consent of the publisher unless otherwise agreed between partners.

Printed in Canada.

ARE YOU AN OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE? If you would like to submit articles or photos to Ottawa Outdoors magazine, please email us: www.OttawaOutdoors.ca Editor@OttawaOutdoors.ca

Stretch your legs in Arnprior’s outback Hiking the Nopiming Game Preserve

BY HARRY GALLON HARLES MACNAMARA had a way with animals and people.

As he hiked the forest adjacent to Marshall’s Bay on the upper Ottawa River in the early1900s, he visualized a living, breathing sanctuary for future generations. Equipped with his camera, field glasses, sketchpad, notebook, hot coffee and lunch, Macnamara scoured the woods for the life forms that fed the greater whole. He documented the breath and bud of the forest, a living organism shaped through natural change and inevitable succession.

Macnamara’s October 4, 1925 journal entry reads, “The leaves are just beginning to change colour. The green is fading to yellow, and a maple here and there is turning to scarlet. There is scarcely any air moving down here, but in the sky, fleets of small white clouds are sailing up from the west. It makes me feel small but gives me a sense of protection.”

Macnamara shared his vision with local landowners, and with their support in his back pocket, lobbied the Ontario government to protect what gave him a sense of protection.

On December 22, 1920, the lands were declared a game sanctuary.

The Crown Game Preserve stretched to the north bounded by the Mississippi and Ottawa Rivers, to the east by the line between lots 22 and 23 on the 5th concession in Fitzroy Township, to the west by the Madawaska River and to the south by the Canadian National Railway. The lands remain a game sanctuary to this day, and it is one of only a handful in Ontario located on private land.

Macnamara named the sanctuary “Nopiming,” an Ojibwa term for “in the woods.”

The Macnamara Nature Trail, located on the eastern edge of the town of Arnprior, is the gateway to the Nopiming. The interpretive trail is

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4.5 kilometres in length and maintained by the Macnamara Field Naturalist Club (MFNC). Beyond the maintained trails are many kilometres of stone, wood, foliage, soil and animal life undisturbed by the human hand. With the exception of a cluster of homes and cottages between Pocket Bay to the east and Indian Point to the west, nature has been left to evolve on its own.

“I’ve always felt at home in a natural setting, and this is the perfect place,” says Maryanne Koot of Arnprior, a member of the MFNC who has hiked the Nopiming for 15 years. “Being here gives me peace of mind, but it is never dull in the forest. I love seeing what stage of growth plants are in, what’s blooming and what’s in bud.”

I tighten up my well-worn hiking boots and stretch out my limbs.

It is a beautiful mid-May morning. The sun is bright, but the air is cold.

I hoist my backpack, weighed down by my camera, notepad and lunch.

Macnamara would be proud.

I feel the solid rock beneath my boots. The flora and fauna of the Nopiming share a rich existence on a scant layer of soil. The sanctuary is anchored by the Canadian Shield, where billions of years ago, heat and pressure transformed the existing rocks into the metamorphic rocks found here today. Exposed escarpments of Precambrian marble mark the trail.

High above the forest floor waves the tree canopy, fighting for species domination and succession. White ash, butternut hickory, large-tooth aspen, eastern hemlock, white pine, white birch, mountain maple, striped maple and sugar maple all take breath – and space – where they can.

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PHOTO BY HARRY GALLON

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PHOTO BY HARRY GALLON

Between the rocky floor and leafy ceiling is a rich and interdependent tapestry of plant and animal. A slow ascent brings me to Stop #4 on the trail, where a creek flows into Goodwin Bay on the Ottawa River. Beavers have widened and deepened the channel and a small pond upstream contains a beaver lodge.

Wildflowers bud along the edge of the creek: blue vervain, boneset, swamp milkweed, Joe-Pye weed, jewelweed and purple loosestrife are beginning to bloom.

I ascend the trail and follow the boardwalk to a lookout tower. A marsh spreads out before me where yellow bullhead lilies grow during the summer months. Shrubs and small trees are creeping into the stagnant waters and the marsh will eventually become a swamp forest in future generations. Succession never rests.

A small peninsula extends into the water. An abandoned two-room shanty is rotting to ruin on the narrow strip of land. The empty windows, the eyes of the structure, must have afforded a fabulous view to the occupants at one time: to the south is the marsh and to the north is Goodwin’s Bay and the open waters of Lac des Chats.

I lunch at Stop #12, the most western edge of the maintained trail. I refuel with coffee, a peach, ginger cookies and two cheese, lettuce and onion sandwiches — a Macnamara hiking staple.

At one time, this was a field owned by the McLachlin Lumber Company.

The property, still referred to as the Brown Farm, was abandoned more than GETTING THERE The Nopiming Game Preserve is located 25 minutes west of the Corel Centre in the town of Arnprior. Take the Arnprior exit off Highway 417, turn right at the stop sign, turn left on Madawaska Boulevard, drive one kilometre, turn right on McNab Drive and look for McLachlin Trail parking lot on the right side.

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50 years ago and left to the dictates of nature. A mini-forest of staghorn sumac has taken over, but they are aging and few seedlings are growing to replace them.

Sugar maples are encroaching on the stand. Once established, sugar maples usually dominate a forest and they support birds like red-eyed vireos, eastern woodpeckers and scarlet tanagers. Many other species cycle through the year in the Nopiming, including pileated woodpecker, wood duck, barred owl, eastern screech owl, great crested flycatcher and white-breasted nuthatch.

I crest the plateau at Stop #18.

Some major force has removed the original species, white pine, from this area.

Perhaps it was fire, or human hands and the long arm of logging.

I descend down the trail and loop back to the main trail where ferns grow to the sides. Abandoned trails and roads are filled in and grown over with the daisy-leaved grape fern. Nopiming mammals range in size from the tiny deer mouse and flying squirrels to rabbits, raccoons, porcupines, foxes and white-tailed deer. They find food and shelter on the forest floor and among the rotting trees that feed the cycle of natural regeneration.

Back at Stop #4, I rest at an abandoned lime kiln. It was built by the McLachlin Lumber Company in the mid- to late-1800s and was likely last used more than a century ago. The limestone structure is a crumbling testament to natural (and inevitable) succession.

What man can mark, nature can erase.

Natural change ends at the parking lot and kiosk desk. My legs and feet remember the climbs and descents over ancient stone. I’m flushed and the air is sharp in my lungs. I’m invigorated, awake and aware of the living and breathing whole that I am part of. It’s good to be one.

The preserve and sanctuary is nature in action, succeeding, as it should. Strap on your boots and become a piece of the action.

Hike at your own pace.

Harry Gallon is a resident of Antrim who works as a freelance writer, editor and photographer. He enjoys camping, fishing, canoeing and biking with his two boys.

OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER SEEKS FRESH BLOOD TO MONITOR ECOLOGY

BY MEREDITH BROWN, OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER WHAT DO YOU SEE when you look into the Ottawa River?

Perhaps you see the perfect fishing hole or a source for drinking water. Maybe you see a cool pool for a refreshing summer swim, the ideal paddling route or just an abandoned shopping cart?

When I’m on the water, I imagine the river 200 years ago, with towering red and white pines along its shores and thundering rapids.

Presently, in many sections I see extensive shoreline alterations, concrete, treeless gaps, pipes spouting waste, dammed rapids and dwindling wetlands. These blights are at variance with the impressive biodiversity of migrating birds, sturgeon, reptiles and mighty muskellunge.

I imagine the future. Will my daughter be able to swim in the river and eat its fish without the risk of unsafe mercury or dioxin levels?

With Ottawa Riverkeeper on the job, we hope the future is secure. We act to protect the ecological integrity of the river that flows through us. We want future generations to have safe access to the river for swimming, fishing and drinking.

Riverkeeper is on the job to raise questions and speak for the river. Right now we are looking at a proposal to build a new boat bypass in an ecologically sensitive area that filters drinking water and harbours spawning fish. We advocate that a perfectly good alternative for moving boats around the Chats Fall Dam already exists.

Why do we continue to pour raw sewage into the river when the technology exists to prevent it?

Why is Atomic Energy of Canada Limited allowed to store radioactive and toxic waste in shallow trenches near the Ottawa River? We should learn from the notable plume of radioactive waste moving into the river from its Chalk River Nuclear Facilities.

Ottawa Riverkeeper is acting on these issues and others because the river needs our help. Our voice is only as strong as our membership. If you believe in the preservation of the Ottawa River and its many tributaries, you can help. Become a member of Ottawa Riverkeeper by visiting our web site at www.ottawariverkeeper.ca. Consider volunteering, or sign up for our free e-newsletter and find out what you can do to make a difference.

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY LATE AFTERNOON RAIN pours down in torrents as it had for three days. An icy rivulet runs down the inside of my raincoat, before it settles in the bottom of our canoe. My wife and I are paddling down the Yukon River, following the 1898 Klondike gold rush route and passing through a virtual Arctic rain forest.

“A mug of steaming hot chocolate,” she calls back from the bow. “That’s what I’m thinking about.”

“Me too,” I answer.

“There’s a ghost town up ahead.

Let’s call it a day. I couldn’t be wetter if I was swimming.”

Minutes later, I’m pumping up my Coleman stove as a horrible thought occurs. What if it doesn’t start because of the rain? I’ve never had problems with it before, but… With a tinge of trepidation, I turn it on and hold a sputtering match above the burner.

Poof! It lights with a delightfully satisfying blue flame and soothing hot chocolate is just minutes away.

Not all camping stoves start as consistently as mine. Luckily, I had chosen one perfectly suited to our wilderness trip.

Single-burner stoves come in a variety of sizes, from micro-weight stoves that would fit into a breast pocket

— excellent for overnight cycling or backpacking trips — to heavier stoves that combine a fuel tank with the burning element.

Before you buy a single-burner camp stove for weekend or monthlong treks, ask yourself one important question: What kind of trips do I go on? Your answer will reveal what size of stove you need, the type of fuel, and much more. If you’re cooking for more than several people you’ll need a twoburner stove — probably Coleman.

If all of your trips involve car or canoe camping, stove weight and size won’t concern you — just convenience.

However, if you’re interested in PHOTO BY MEC

Is there a perfect singleburner stove for you?

summer fun a t Trailhead

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

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weekend cycling and backpacking treks, your main issues are reducing bulk and weight. There’s no stove that is perfect for all types of camping, but choose the one that best suits your needs.

LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) STOVES

PHOTO BY RF STOCK

LPG stoves use fuels like propane and butane. Fuel is available in convenient pressurized metal canisters that simply screw onto the stove and light quickly – just turn it on and strike a match. Almost maintenance-free, these stoves are a favourite of mountain climbers and are available throughout North America at many hardware and outdoor stores.

Excellent examples of stoves using this fuel include the MSR Pocket Rocket ($55), Primus Technotrail ($70) and the Brunton Optimus Crux ($95). Besides their feather weight and diminutive size (they’ll pack anywhere), they require very little maintenance and burn hot.

Are these stoves perfect? Not quite.

They have several disadvantages. You’ll have to carry at least two fuel canisters for even a weekend trip, and pack them out for recycling. Other drawbacks include the cost of fuel canisters — about $5 for 1½ hours of heat — and the fuel doesn’t burn well in the cold. Forget these for winter camping unless you keep a canister inside your coat to warm it up.

Fuel canisters from different stove manufacturers use various fuel mixtures, so you can’t use an MSR canister with a Primus stove without risking a flare-up and possibly an explosion. Also, because these stoves are so tiny, they tend to be less stable and fall over unless you constantly hold

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MULTI-FUEL STOVES Multi-fuel stoves are white gas stoves that can burn several other fuels, such as kerosene, car petroleum, jet fuel or diesel.

They’re great if you’re travelling into remote areas of the world and don’t know what type of fuel is available.

Generally more complex to operate and not as clean burning, multi-fuel stoves are heavier than most other single-burner stoves, and require regular maintenance in the field. Expect to pay a premium price from $115 to $150.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE } Never let a stove’s fuel tank overheat. Fuel, fire and heat make for a dangerous combination. } Pay strict attention when lighting your stove — it’s when most burning accidents happen. } Before using, check you stove and fuel container for leaks. } Make sure all controls are off before packing a stove into a backpack. } Stay with your stove at all times when it is lit. } Avoid cooking in enclosed spaces where toxic fumes may build up. Besides, tent material is highly inflammable. } If flames appear anywhere but on the top burner (where they’re supposed to be), turn off the stove immediately and extinguish the flames with sand or some other smothering material. } During winter camping, white gas can give a serious freezing burn if you spill it on skin because it has a very low freezing point. The colder the temperature, the more care you must take to avoid contact when filling a fuel tank.

onto the pot. And, their tiny burner tends to heat one relatively small part of a frying pan, leaving the outer edges cool.

These drawbacks aside, LPG stoves are excellent for short trips or rugged, overnight backpacking outings.

WHITE GAS AND MULTI-FUEL STOVES White gas (sometimes called naphtha) is an inexpensive, hot-burning fuel found everywhere in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

You’ll find it in hardware and outdoor stores and even Wal-Mart. Sold in bulk one- to four-litre containers, it burns clean, lights easily and is excellent for summer or winter camping. Usually, white gas stoves require pumping to pressurize the fuel container, making them slightly less convenient to use than LPG stoves. Also, spillage can occur when you pour fuel into the tank.

The Coleman Exponent Feather 442 stove (my favourite) features an integrated fuel tank and costs about $75.

This rugged stove has built-in, fold-out legs that provide a very stable cooking platform. A burner-bowl and potsupports will protect the flame in windy conditions. Though heavier than most other single-burner white gas stoves by several ounces, it nests easily in the coffee pot I bring on backpacking/skiing trips into Gatineau Park.

Coleman’s Exponent Apex II stove ($85) includes a separate fuel tank that screws into the burner via a short tube. It is a good stove for one or two people on an extended canoe or backpacking trip.

Its low-slung design offers great stability in windy conditions. In addition to white gas, this model also burns car gasoline and will even run on kerosene with an optional generator. (See the sidebar on multi-fuel stoves.)

The MSR WhisperLite and Dragonfly models are both very durable and somewhat similar to the Coleman Apex II stove, but with important differences. Both use clean, efficient white gas, but the Dragonfly will run on other, more widely available fuels — perfect if you’re planning a wilderness trek in South America or Asia. Although the Dragonfly is louder and bulkier than the WhisperLite, its legs are more stable on uneven ground. An outstanding choice for small-group needs during backpacking, weekend cycling or canoe trips, the Dragonfly even hooks up to the MSR Outback Oven, allowing culinary experts to indulge their IMPROVE talents by baking YOUR STOVE’S cakes, brownies PERFORMANCE or cookies. The • Use a lid when cooking to WhisperLite reduce fuel consumption. sells for about • Use a windscreen. A strong $75 and the wind can reduce the effectiveness of your stove by Dragonfly is up to 50 percent. about $135.

MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE

• Clean and maintain your stove before each trip —light it to make sure it’s still working.

• If winter camping, don’t use your stove to melt snow. This wastes fuel. Melt a bit of snow in the bottom of a pot, then add a little snow to the liquid. Let it melt before adding more snow. Heat up the water to keep the cycle going.

Try to avoid ending up with the wrong stove for your needs.

It’s easy to dream about that once-in-a-lifetime trek you might take to Patagonia, and forget about the five or 10 weekend trips you’re planning into Algonquin, La Verendrye or Gatineau Park this year. Be practical.

Besides, most of us have several stoves – just in case bargain-basement seat-sale tickets appear for the Andes Mountains or the Yukon River.

Allen Macartney is the Managing Editor of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine, and is planning a 2,000 kilometre solo canoe trip into the Arctic.

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Outdoor adventures to try this summer Whitewater Rafting

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT ♦ Just look at the photo!!! Yahoooo! There’s several outfitters nearby that are ready to take you, your friends or your family for a great adventure. Call any of these companies: Wilderness Tours www.wildernesstours.com; RiverRunners www.riverrunners.com; Owl Rafting www.owlrafting.com; New World Rafting www.newworld.ca

sailing

PHOTO BY NCC

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT ♦ There’s nothing like the wind blowing, your boat on edge, and the mist cooling you as you skip along the surface of the water. Really, it’s a complete rush. Try it once, go for the day, even get certified. You’ll definitely get hooked. Call any of these companies: Britannia Yacht Club www.byc.ca; Nepean Sailing Club www.nsc.ca; Ottawa New Edinburgh Club www.onec.ca; Ottawa Sailing School www.boattraining.com; Barry’s Bay Outfitters www.barrysbayoutfitters.com

PHOTO BY JESSE HENDERSON/CURVED SPACE STUDIOS

caving

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT ♦ To quote one of our writers (Heather Burke) “. . . just when you start to work up a sweat, you arrive at the caves and the comfort of their natural air conditioning. Spend lots of time wandering, crawling, splashing and swimming through the ancient cavities, appreciating the quiet beauty.” That’s why you’ll love it. Call any of these companies: Lusk Caves (Gatineau Park) www.capcan.ca/gatineau/nature/luskcaves_e.asp; Bonnechere Caves www.bonnecherecaves.com; Lafleche Caves www.aventurelafleche.ca

rockclimbing

PHOTO BY CAVES(AERIAL (LEFT) DAVE PHOTOS BYLAFLECHE YANNIS SOURIS PARK)KAWAI DAVID(RIGHT) KAWAI (BOULDERING)

PHOTO BY WILDERNESS TOURS

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT ♦ Outdoor Rock Climbing can be a very rewarding activity. Just as physically challenging as gym climbing but substantially more complex and ultimately more engaging. You can inquire about guide services and places to climb at an outdoor equipment store, or better yet, consider getting in touch with some of these nearby instruction businesses: Equinox Adventures www.equinoxadventures.com Adirondack Rock and River www.rockandriver.com Passe Montagne Climbing www.passemontagne.com Outward Bound www.outwardbound.ca TryThat Adventure Sports www.trythat.ca

Whitewater kayaking

18-feet above a small crash pad, Leah Butcher trusts her hand and foot holds on a high-ball boulder problem in Niagara Glen, Ontario.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT ♦ It’s totally social with great instructors with you to help you along. Kayaking right on the waves is an unique experience we know you’re going to love.

And once you nail your roll, there’s nothing cooler. Lots of courses are offered by different companies, but here are a few to get you started: Liquid Skills Kayaking www.liquidskills.com; Down to Earth Kayaking www.downtoearthkayak.com; Wilderness Tours www.wildernesstours.com; Equinox Adventures www.equinoxadventures.com; Riverrun Whitewater Resort www.riverunners.com PHOTOPHOTO

BY WILDERNESS TOURSTOURS (LEFT)

BY WILDERNESS

aerial PARK

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT ♦ Firstly, because you’ve probably never seen something like this. Secondly, we think it’s a great adventure because you’re up exploring and having fun in the trees. It’s great for you, or for the family as they often have two or three different levels of routes. Look to enjoy suspension bridges; Tarzan ropes; wooden footbridges, nets and giant zip trek lines. Both companies are ready to show you the way. Camp Fortune www.campfortune.com; Lafleche Caves www.aventurelafleche.ca

Are sea and whitewater kayakers the same animal?

BY KEN WHITING HAD YOU TOLD me a couple of years ago that I’d be cruising along in a 17-foot sea kayak with a huge smile on my face, I would have thought you were insane.

Why? Because I was a “whitewater kayaker” and as far as I was concerned, sea kayaking was about as exciting as bird watching. On the flip side, if I were to tell most sea kayakers that they would enjoy paddling in whitewater, they would likewise think I’m insane.

After all, whitewater kayaking is clearly an activity reserved for adrenaline junkies, testosterone-laden extremists, and suicidal risk-takers with nothing to lose, right?

Wrong!

To assume that whitewater kayaking is about challenging Mother Nature to a one-on-one duel is just as absurd as assuming that all sea kayakers are simply looking for an alternative to walking. I think the truth is that most sea kayakers and whitewater kayakers hit the water for very similar reasons.

We feel a draw to the outdoors and the kayak is our vehicle of choice. The kayak allows us to escape the increasing pressures associated with our rapidly changing world. On the water, we are free. No cell phone, no e-mail, no “real world” stressors whatsoever — just us and the water.

For those sea kayakers who are at least intrigued by the idea of whitewater kayaking, all you need to become a whitewater kayaker is a good attitude and a healthy appetite for fun. By stepping foot into a sea kayak, you have taken a step that very few people will ever take, and that simple act reveals a mindset that makes you a good 10

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Happy and exhausted – Ken Whiting after another great day on the water.

candidate for learning to whitewater kayak.

Whitewater kayaking does not need to involve running waterfalls and hard rapids, just as sea kayaking doesn’t need to involve gruelling expeditions through heinous conditions.

The majority of whitewater kayakers are out there to learn an exciting new sport and to have fun with friends and family. For these paddlers, whitewater kayaking is a remarkably safe sport. It surprises people to hear that the accident rate among whitewater kayakers is exceptionally low — way below that of other outdoor sports like skiing, hiking or mountain biking.

Does it shock you to hear that whitewater kayaking doesn’t require a lot of muscle power? Contrary to popular belief, the job of a whitewater kayaker isn’t to fight the river, but to work with it to accomplish our goals. If you can paddle your sea kayak, then you can paddle a whitewater kayak.

Finally, I’ve often heard, “I’m too old to start whitewater kayaking.” The simple truth is that you’re never too old to learn something new, so if you’ve got the physical ability to paddle your sea kayak in blustery conditions, then you can learn to whitewater kayak. The skills you’ve developed as a sea kayaker will help immensely. Conversely, the

skills you develop as a whitewater kayaker will go miles to increasing your confidence as a sea kayaker.

The past decade has been full of exciting changes and growth for whitewater paddling. This growth has fuelled technological advances in equipment design, which have made it much easier, more comfortable, and more fun to progress, regardless of your shape or size. While this has led to substantial leaps in what can be done in a kayak, it has also made the sport much easier for newcomers to learn.

So, how does one get into whitewater kayaking? The best way to try your hand at whitewater kayaking is to take a course with one of the many reputable kayak schools. Once you’ve learned the basic skills and concepts, there are paddling clubs everywhere that help to gather kayakers of similar skills and mindset.

So get out there and give whitewater kayaking a try, but please consider yourself warned — addiction rates are extremely high and we accept no liability for the ensuing fun!

Ken Whiting was the 1997-98 World Whitewater Freestyle Champion. He has produced an awardwinning series of instructional kayaking books and videos, and leads kayaking trips to Chile. Look for his new book ‘The Ultimate Guide to Whitewater Kayaking’, and his new DVD ‘The Ultimate Guide to Sea Kayaking’. Check out www.helipress.com

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

THE BOOK NOOK

BY JO-ANNE MARY BENSON

Hit the hammock with your favourite outdoor book S

CORES OF RECENTLY released books are available to both excite and inform the outdoor enthusiast.

Veteran campers, hikers, and athletes will find titles that offer solid advice with unique perspectives to augment their own knowledge base. Here are a few suggestions for upcoming excursions.

If you are looking for a challenging sport that offers great camaraderie, adventure racing is perfect. Adventure Racing by Jacques Marais and Lisa de Speville (Human Kinetics; $24.95) offers an excellent overview that ranges from a historical perspective to current competitions. The solid practical advice includes research and preparation, race completion, and describes how participants can get the most out of their experience.

The book is generously illustrated, colourful, and carries a factbased format for easy absorption and reference. This title can be used as a training tool or enjoyed as a “behind the scenes” glimpse of adventure racing.

The new Eyewitness Companion Series includes Backpacking & Hiking by Karen Berger (Dorling Kindersley; $30). Of particular interest to outdoor enthusiasts, this compact little gem has valuable

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READING TIME WELL SPENT Leave No Crumps Camping Cookbook, by Rick Greenspan and Hal Kahn (Thomas Allen/Storey Publishing; $22.95) Fitness Walking by Therese Iknoian (Human Kinetics; $22.95) Paddling and Hiking Ontario’s Southern Shield Country by Kas Stone (Boston Mills Press; $24.95 ) The Trailside Cookbook – A Handbook for Hungry Campers and Hikers by Don and Pam Philpott (Firefly Books; $19.95)

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL In the Wake of the Joman – Stone Age Mariners and a Voyage Across the Pacific by John Turk (McGraw Hill; $32.95) Mystery of the Nile – The Epic Story of the First Descent of the World’s Deadliest River by Richard Bangs and Pasquale Scaturro (Penguin Group; $25.95)

FOR THE KIDS DK Smithsonian Series: Bug Hunter, Birdwatcher, Rock and Fossil Hunter, Star Gazer (DK Publishing, $14.99 each)

material on preparation requirements, trail advice, and emergency response.

It is filled with tips and techniques, checklists, illustrations, and it employs the strong visual format that’s typical of publisher Dorling Kindersley. Chapters that focus on choosing a destination and organizing a hike are a particularly good read. This title is ideal for planning a journey.

The Happy Camper -- An Essential Guide to Life Outdoors (Firefly Books; $24.95) by acclaimed outdoors author Kevin Callan, is heavily supported with photographs, checklists and index boxes.

It shares his knowledge, philosophy and enthusiasm as it promotes environmental awareness. It provides hints on capturing memories, and addresses various types of camping. This well-presented package will assist anyone in getting the most out of their outdoor experiences.

Jo-Anne Mary Benson is an Ottawa area resident, frequent traveller and long-time writer/reviewer who specializes in travel literature, nature books, and material about the outdoors.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

11

BY CHANTAL MACARTNEY

Bugged by bugs?

Tell them to take a hike BUGS! YOU JUST CAN’T escape them. Rain!

You can count on it. Should we just stay home?

No worries. Read on.

NO BUG MAGNETS, PLEASE Fragrant soaps, perfume, shampoo and scented deodorants are bug magnets. Avoid using them the day before you go into the outback and don’t bring them with you.

Loose clothes provide plenty of ventilation and are comfortable for long hikes or canoe trips. Tucking in pant legs and shirt tails will also minimize bug bites around ankles, wrists and waist.

Wear plenty of bug spray, especially around your neck, behind your ears and on the crown of your head. These places are often forgotten and provide easy access for black flies and mosquitoes.

Reduce exposure to biting insects by steering clear of tall grass and dense undergrowth, which are prime breeding places for mosquitoes, tics and black flies.

PACKING YOUR GEAR Before heading out, line backpacks with big garbage bags or dry bags. Place your clothes and sleeping bag inside and roll the bag shut to prevent water from getting in.

Remember, it takes a long time for things to dry out in the wilderness!

Every morning, when repacking your bag for the day, pack the things used often at the top of the pack for easy access. Put items at the bottom that you won’t need until you set up camp for the night.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

WILDERNESS INSECT PROTECTION BEFORE SETTING up camp, check your campsite for anthills, wasp or hornet nets. No one wants uninvited visitors, especially at meal time.

Mosquitoes and black flies love still water during breeding season in May and June — something to consider when setting up your tent. Find a fairly breezy spot (usually on high ground) to cool you down on hot days and keep away flying pests. Bugs hate smoke, so why not keep a camp fire going?

When car camping, a screened canopy makes a good makeshift kitchen. It’s not quite rustic outdoor camping, but it will keep the bugs out!

DRESS FOR SUCCESS Wearing synthetic sock-liners under your wool or synthetic socks will help your feet stay warm and dry. The sock-liners absorb sweat and dampness and allow your feet to breath. They also reduce blisters.

Shoes should fit properly. If you buy new shoes or boots before your trip, break them in by wearing them around town before hitting the trails. This will minimize the chance of blisters and avoid sore feet on the trip.

Remember to dress appropriately for the temperature outside and your daily activities.

EAT RIGHT Purify all water before you drink it, no matter how clean it looks. You can boil it for

3-5 minutes, treat it with purifiers like iodine, or pump it through a filter.

If you get tired easily or find yourself feeling cold, eat an extra snack and have a drink of water. Staying hydrated and eating healthy snacks will build energy and stoke up your internal furnace.

At the start and finish of each day, eat a hot meal. During the day, unless the temperature is low, stick to snacks and cold lunches. This way, you can spend more time on the trails or on the water, and less time worrying about repacking the stove and utensils.

When it’s cold and rainy, no one wants to prepare dinner. Take freezedried meals as easy-to-prepare dinners.

Sitting under a tarp out of the rain, you’ll appreciate the quick, warm meal much more.

WRAPPING UP LOOSE ENDS Even if your route is well marked, you should know how to use a map and compass before you set out on your trip.

When setting up the tent, find a leafy or mossy area. This will be softer to sleep on, drain better, and you won’t wake up damp.

Give a copy of your itinerary, route map, the number of people, emergency information, leaving date, and expected return with a friend. Make sure the person is willing to look for you if you don’t get back on time.

When you climb into bed, pull out the clothes that you want to wear the next day.

Put them in the sleeping bag with you so they’re pre-heated for morning.

In the morning, unzip your sleeping bag to remove any moisture from the previous night. To restore loftiness, shake it and let it air out on a clothes line or branch before stuffing it into its bag. Avoid rolling it up every time, especially to store it for prolonged periods because it causes the down or insulation to bunch up and it won’t keep you as warm.

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PHOTOS BY RF STOCK (LEFT) WILDERNESS TOURS (RIGHT)

CAMPING TIPS FOR NOVICES AND EXPERTS

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In 1975, Joe Kowalski pioneered rafting on the Ottawa. Since then, WT crews have named the rapids and pioneered the routes, introducing more than one million people to the excitement of whitewater than all others combined. Other activities they have waiting include: Whitewater rafting Whether you’re up for the high adventure, or out to enjoy some gentle family rafting, WT staff will take you down the river channels to make your day.

Mountain biking Explore 600 acres of scenic trails or bike the spectacular whitewater of the Ottawa River on the beautiful Rafters to Rapids Trail. Beginner, intermediate and advanced levels available.

Whitwater kayaking Radical kayak designs featuring shorter lengths have turned the paddling world literally upside down. Whether you call it rodeo, freestyle or playboating, it’s hot, it’s now and it’s “holy land” is the Ottawa River. While the technique and boat designs make hot boaters hotter, they take the steep out of the learning curve for beginner and novice paddlers. There has never been a better time for you to start paddling.

Great lodging WT features hearty wholesome food with vegetarian alternatives at each meal, and licensed dining. Cozy accommodations and scenic campsites blend well with the indoor lounge with pool tables and fireplaces. Also, enjoy their heated sports pool and large hot tubs.

Don’t forget the large sun deck and lively nights with sing along guitar and dancing.

Everything you want to know about planning your adventure away can be found by contacting Wilderness Tours in either of the following ways. Enjoy!

Telephone: 888-RAFT-NOW, Email: raft@wildernesstours.com, www.WildernessTours.com.

PHOTO BY CATHERINE CHATHAM

Exercise from the top down Nordic walking has running on the ropes

BY CATHERINE CHATHAM YOU CAN WALK the walk, but the talk these days is all about those poles.

Nordic walking isn’t speed walking, nor does it refer to a new piece of equipment at the gym. Most sports that require poles are now labelled as “Nordic,” including Nordic walking, snowshoeing and inline skating.

WHO STARTED IT? Nordic walking evolved from Nordic (cross-country) skiing when Scandinavian skiers began walking with poles to enhance their summer training.

The benefits of maintaining upper body strength and increasing cardiovascular fitness outdoors were quickly recognized and equipment was developed to make this athletes’ training program available to everyone.

The International Nordic Walking Association (INWA), founded in Finland in 2000, has a great web site at http://inwa.nordicwalking.com.

Since its inception, Nordic walking has become the fastest growing fitness sport with 500,000 Finnish participants and an estimated 3.5 million walkers worldwide.

Nordic walking is finally getting the attention of North Americans, with programs now available in the U.S. and Canada. Publications like Running Room Magazine and Chatelaine are espousing the benefits of Nordic walking, so it’s evident the sport is coming of age on this side of the border. Watch for

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

Nordic walkers down by the Ottawa River, along the bike paths and up on the Gatineau trails by the end of this summer.

NORDIC WALKING BENEFITS Nordic walking has many benefits that appeal to a wide variety of people and their exercise needs.

Using poles brings a new dimension to walking or running with its upper and lower body workout. It works the whole package, and is superior to walking or running without poles. By using more muscles, more calories are burned — the Cooper Institute claims using poles can increase calorie expenditure by as much as 46 percent over regular walking.

Nordic walking can increase cardio output by up to 25 percent over regular walking, so it’s an excellent fitness program to increase cardio-vascular fitness.

There is a lower rate of perceived exertion (RPE) with Nordic walking compared with running or walking without poles. This is important for people new to exercise who might be tempted to give up if they feel their exercise program is too exhausting. Just like reputable clinics for runners, Nordic walking programs recognize that many people (particularly those just starting out on an exercise program) often need

support to reach their exercise goals.

Nordic walking is excellent for people who have joint injury in the hips, knees or ankles, as well as those recovering from joint surgery or replacement. According to orthopaedist J. Richard Steadman of Vail, Colorado, poles decrease the load placed on joints by about six tonnes over the course of a mile (1.6 km). Poles also add stability as they increase joint mobility, which may account for many seniors including Nordic walking in their early morning mall walks in winter. Nordic poles work just as well on carpet as they do on asphalt, grass and gravel.

Working hunched over a computer all day? Exercising those upper body muscles by swinging the arms relaxes the muscles that hold tension in the shoulders and neck. It can also be an effective part of a crosstraining program for marathon runners when long runs result in upper body tension and reduced shoulder mobility.

Nordic walking can be part of an athlete’s training program, where interval, hill training, bounding, and running techniques with poles can be used to increase the heart rate and build endurance.

NORDIC WALKING CLINICS Like any sport, beneficial Nordic walking is based upon technique.

Though not difficult to learn, it is worth taking a workshop or clinic with a certified instructor. After learning how to change attachments and adjust the straps, you will learn the Nordic walking technique by building one skill on top of another (e.g. first arm swing, then pole strike, followed by swing-through phase, wrist release, toeing off, and more).

Nordic walking is a practice in coordination where unloading and loading at the correct gait phase decreases impact on the spine. A wrong pole plant can jar the upper body joints and restrict proper arm swing, which builds tension in the shoulder and neck instead of releasing it. Proper release and reconnecting with the grip handle

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“PILATES ON THE GO” There is a strong link between Pilates and Nordic walking. Pilates teaches postural awareness and realignment through core strengthening, and Nordic walking engages the core muscles of the body while focusing on upper and lower body alignment. The poles reduce the impact on the spine by lifting and propelling the body forward. Not surprisingly, Nordic walking is also known as “Pilates on the go.”

Nordic Walking is fun, especially when done with a group. It can get you out of the office and into the sunshine and parks. A walk at lunch time, after work or on the weekend lifts the spirits as well as your stride. So grab a friend and try putting a new bounce in your step.

Catherine Chatham is a certified Nordic Walking Instructor, Pilates Instructor and Registered Massage Therapist. She owns and operates Calm Connections Massage Therapy and Pilates Centre at 42 Holland Avenue, where she has recently introduced a Nordic Walking program.

Catherine can be contacted at 792-3223 or info@calmconnections.com

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Dehydrating food is simple and fast Dry it — you’ll like it!

BY MAX FINKELSTEIN A CANOE TRIP RUNS ON ITS BELLY. What did paddlers on long expeditions eat before the age of freezedrying and packaged food? In the days of the fur trade, the entire enterprise was fuelled by pemmican, dried peas and cracked corn. Pemmican is dried buffalo meat, pounded between two rocks and mixed with an equal amount of melted fat. Marrow and dried Saskatoon berries were often added “for superior quality,” according to fur trader and explorer Alexander Mackenzie.

Pemmican keeps for months and even years. It was eaten raw in chunks, or mixed with flour and water and cooked into a stew called “rubbaboo.” Just a pound and a half of pemmican — equivalent to eight to 10 pounds of fresh meat — would sustain a hard-working voyageur all day. Packing in lots of calories per pound is all about dehydration.

I’m a great fan of drying your own food. Commercial dried foods are expensive, the serving portions are small for hard-working paddlers, and sometimes they taste a bit strange. Drying your own food is simple and it’s the most efficient way to preserve food. It takes one-sixth of the space and it’s nutritionally superior to canned food. No preservatives or chemicals need to be added, and carefully dried foods will keep for years.

I use a commercial food drier (American Harvest — Harvest Maid) to prepare most of my trail food.

The unit is simple to operate and I can dry a prodigious amount of food in a very short period of time. Up to 11 trays can be dried at one time. Or, you can build your own solar or electric food dehydrator (see Agriculture Canada Publication 1739/E), or use your imagination. Opportunities for drying can be found at any heat register. The key is to have good air flow and to dry foods at temperatures below 110º F. Trekkers have the option to prepare dried food meals by cooking the meal in advance, spreading it out on the trays, and turning on the dehydrator. Or, simply buy commercially prepared spaghetti sauce, salsa, canned beans, frozen vegetables, and other foods at the grocery store, and spread them out on the drying racks.

When dried, spaghetti sauce and salsa resemble the sole of an old leather shoe. They rehydrate in hot water in a few minutes and bear a remarkable resemblance to the original. Don’t buy cheap spaghetti sauce — it tends to be more watery, so it takes longer to dry and there’s less “leather” at the end of the process. Sometimes “yuppie” spaghetti sauces have large pieces of vegetables, which dry more slowly than the liquid portion. If the sauce is lumpy, run it through a blender before drying for the best results. The same principle applies to drying salsa, which is a real treat that spices up any camping meal.

Dried canned beans are amazing. Standard beans in tomato sauce rehydrate exactly as they came out of the can. But don’t stop there. Take advantage of the great variety of canned beans available and try adding rice or another grain for a very nutritious and tasty meal.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

PHOTO BY RF STOCK

is essential to maintain circulation to the fingers and flexibility of the wrists and elbow. An improper lean can decrease core muscle engagement. A certified instructor teaches proper techniques for getting the full benefits from a Nordic walking program.

You will also learn how to use heart rates to monitor your level of activity and plan a program to target your fitness goals. It’s important to understand proper warm-up and cool-down exercises to decrease the chance of injury, too.

An instructor can advise you on pole size and explain the different qualities of poles. With poles costing between $80 and $130 a pair, walkers will want to be sure they have the right set for their needs. Nordic walking poles are available for rent in Ottawa at Calm Connections, and Trailhead offers them for rent or sale.

Nordic walkers who engage in activities that put stress on wrists and elbows — such as computer work, painting, playing golf or racket sports — may want to spend the extra money to buy a pole with an ergonomically designed handle.

15

Fruit leathers can be quickly made from fresh or frozen fruit and canned or bottled apple sauce (again, avoid the cheap brands). Blend or squash the fruit with the apple sauce, which contains pectin. It will bind the goopy mess into a tough sheet of “leather” when dried.

Spread the mixture onto the dehydrator’s custom plastic sheets or use plastic wrap on the drying trays. The leather can be eaten dried, but I like it better rehydrated into a sauce for bannock or pancakes.

Vegetables are important for adding nutrition, variety and colour to your meal. I buy good-quality frozen vegetables — peas, beans, corn, and carrots all dry very nicely. Simply open the bag and pour the contents onto the drying racks. No preparation, no washing, and no chopping is necessary.

I also slice up plenty of onions and add them to the mix.

For my carnivorous friends, I will make up a batch of beef jerky. I simply use lean ground beef, add my favourite spices, and press flat into 1/16inch strips. Cheap, good and simple!

However, I have had a few failures. My attempt to dry coleslaw resulted in a gooey glob of green mush. In an inspired moment, I tried drying frozen orange juice to make a super-concentrate. Don’t 16

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

waste your time on this one.

And I will admit that sometimes my dried peas are a little chewy.

But, the only real limit is your imagination. Drying is fun. Just dry it. You’ll like it.

My fuels of choice for long expeditions are oatmeal, bannock, noodles, beans and grains, with liberal quantities of cheese, peanut butter and dried fruit.

Some great food comes already dehydrated from the store. I pity the people who travel with me if they don’t like oatmeal, because that’s what they get every morning. I mix up the oatmeal at home, adding dried fruit and powdered milk to the mix. The secret to creamy oatmeal is to start cooking it in cold water, and heat it slowly over a fire. It can be cooked over a camp stove, but constant vigilance is required to avoid burning. Don’t worry about cooking too much. If there is any left over, add some flour and fry it up for lunch. I get about eight kilometres to a cup of oatmeal.

Bannock is my other main staple.

Bannock is trail bread, made with flour and baking soda. I’m not sure who invented bannock, but it has been a staple trail food for almost two centuries. Everyone has their own particular method and recipe for baking bannock.

Inuit folks I’ve travelled with use lots of oil, so the bannock bakes quickly.

It’s deep-fried like a giant doughnut, very filling and satisfying on a blustery day in the Arctic when your body’s cells are crying out for fat. Bannock is a great source of energy because flour, after all, is simply dried seeds. I get about 16 kilometres per cup of flour when it’s baked as bannock. Don’t overlook the power of flour to add dumplings to stew for packing in lots of extra calories.

Paddler, author, environmentalist and raconteur, Max Finkelstein works as the Communications Officer for the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.

He has paddled over 22,000 kilometres in North America, Europe, Africa and Australia. He is the author of Canoeing a Continent: On the Trail of Alexander Mackenzie, and Paddling the Boreal Forest: Rediscovering A.P. Low.

HERE’S A SAMPLE LIST OF FOOD FOR A TWO-WEEK SOLO TRIP: SUPPERS: Ó Noodles, parmesan cheese and dried spaghetti sauce (1,750 mL bottle, dried = three meals) Ó Dried kidney beans (1.3 cups = four chili dinners) Ó Fantastic Foods Chili Mix (one bag) Ó Dried black beans (one heaping cup = three meals of beans and rice) Ó Rice (three cups – bring extra “minute” rice to add to soup at lunch) Ó Couscous and lentils (2 cups = three meals) Ó Three boxes Kraft Dinner (1.5 boxes fills me up, but bring extra for extra-hungry nights, or one for lunch) Ó Oil (one small bottle) Ó Spices: curry, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, garlic Ó Add to each meal: Ó Dried onions Ó Dried tomatoes Ó Dried peas Ó Dried green beans (from the garden) Ó Dried corn Ó Sultan brand Crispy Fried Onions (available at Brian’s Food Basics) DESSERTS: Ó Tapioca and custard powder mixed with dried fruits and fruit leather Ó Pop Tarts: they pack a load of calories into a small package and can be fried up over a fire — you’ll be amazed at how the sugar frosting doesn’t melt!

BREAKFASTS: Ó Oatmeal with dried fruit (raisins, dates, apples, apricots) and milk powder Ó Brown sugar Ó Granola (to sprinkle on top) LUNCHES: Ó Peanut butter (one pound) Ó Honey (one squeeze tube) Ó Jam (one squeeze tube) Ó Dried soup (one serving each day) Ó Bannock mix — flour, baking powder, salt (8 cups = eight single-portion loaves) Ó Tortillas (package of 10) Ó Dried humus (available at local health food store) Ó Butter (one squeeze tub, about ½ pound) SNACKS: Ó Gorp (I mix my own) Ó Chocolate bars: Mars Bars are the densest and my choice for cold weather. Eat More bars don’t melt and are my choice for hot weather trips.

DRINKS: Ó Tea, coffee, powdered milk, lots of hot chocolate, juice powder, and hootch. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL MASON

HYBRID FOOTWARE RUGGED YET COMFORTABLE

Photo: Murdo Murchison

Jen MEC member since 1995 Paddling on the Hayes River

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

17

PHOTO BY NCC

Cycling the capital Four great cycling trails in Ottawa’s outback

BY RICK BALSON

O

TTAWA IS THE national capital in more ways than one — it’s the capital of cycling in Canada. We are blessed with a vast network of bicycle paths and streets with designated lanes for two-wheeled traffic. Ottawa is just a big small town — pedal for an hour in any direction from downtown and the city is in your rearview mirror.

Here are four cycling routes for the average cyclist that are mostly suitable for young children or parents pulling a trailer. So, don the helmet and pack that spare inner tube — time’s a wastin’!

RIDE 1: BELLS CORNERS TO CARLETON PLACE Difficulty level: Easy Duration: 2 to 4 hours each way, depending on rest stops Distance: About 33 km each way Riding surface: Mostly hard-packed dirt covered with packed stone dust Starting in Bells Corners, you will begin a steady ascent to Carleton Place, passing through suburban housing and old farmland. The terrain varies from cedar and birch to marsh and wetlands.

A pleasant ride for families and those seeking some rural quiet and glimpses of bullfrogs, beaver, red-winged blackbirds and other indigenous fauna.

The trail – most of which is in very good condition – is part of the abandoned CPR roadbed, and is a very gentle uphill climb all of the way to Carleton Place. That makes it downhill all the way to Bells Corners! This could be a two-day trip with a stopover in Carleton Place, or for the more ambitious, it is a long one-day ride (remember the downhill part).

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

RIDE 2: ANDREW HAYDEN PARK/ROBERTSON ROAD LOOP Difficulty level: Easy, but some climbing on the outward ride Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours return Distance: 5 to 22 km round trip Riding surface: Varies from paved roads/ bike paths to hard-packed dirt From Andrew Hayden Park, west to the Nortel campus, and further west and south you’ll find a beautiful network of relatively flat paths through pastures, a cedar forest and a mixed hardwood forest. You’ll even be cycling on parts of the Trans-Canada Trail. Start/finish at Andrew Hayden Park – a great place for a picnic. This ride is fun for riders of almost any age. A trailer might prove a challenge in certain places.

Starting at Andrew Hayden Park, follow the paved path beside Carling Avenue heading west. In 2.3 kilometres you’ll see Nortel’s head office. Cross Carling and cycle through the entrance keeping to the left. From here, you’ll find connecting paths that lead to Robertson Road and many adventure routes just begging exploration.

RIDE 3: CHELSEA TO GATINEAU (HULL) Difficulty level: Medium to difficult Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours on the down ride and almost double that time to ride uphill for the average weekend rider Distance: About 18 km each way, including the 4.7 km circle route to Parking lot 8 Riding surface: All paved roads but variable quality

This ride is for more adventurous riders, especially if you want to do it as a return ride.

The Gatineau Park section is largely on public roads that tend to be narrow with (sometimes) broken surfaces. Be sure your brakes are in good shape.

There is a bike shop (Greg Christy’s) in Old Chelsea. There are also a number of excellent places to eat in Chelsea, which tend to be very busy. Although you can use a road bike throughout this ride, a hybrid (touring bike) or mountain bike might provide more comfort as the road surface is sometimes rough.

Casual riders will enjoy a short circle route portion that goes downhill all of the way into Gatineau. That requires leaving a car at the bottom of the ride so you can run a shuttle back up to retrieve the other vehicles.

Start at Parking lot 8 (P8) and do a short circle route via Lac-Meech Road for about 2.5 km to the intersection with the Gatineau Parkway. Turn right onto the Parkway. The road surface is paved and in good repair. You’ll see lots of ponds and creeks along the way, so watch for birds and possibly other animals.

Now you are ready for the 9.5 km run down to Centre Asticou – P1.

Starting at the intersection of Kingsmere Road and Notch Road, turn left onto Notch Road. It has a speed limit of 70 km/h with significant weekend traffic, but it is in good condition. About two kilometres from the start, turn left onto Chemin de la Mine. This is a narrow paved road in poor condition. Soon after starting down the Mine Road, there is a very sharp turn with a steep down grade that is particularly rough. About the 4.2 kilometre point this becomes Cite des Jeaune and is wider and will take you straight to Centre Asticou.

RIDE 4 – CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE TO AYLMER QC ROUND TRIP Difficulty level: Easy Duration: 2 to 4 hours each way, depending on the number of stops Distance: About 12 km each way Riding surface: Entirely paved, divided bike paths and city roads This is an easy and very pleasant ride for the whole family that can be

continued on page 20

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B r e a t h t a k i n g b e a u t y. . . n o m a t t e r h o w y o u t a k e i t i n .

The Northeast Kingdom in Vermont is a true escape for outdoor enthusiasts whether you choose active participation or simply taking in the scenery. Here you’ll ďŹ nd a remarkable variety of exceptional views: soaring mountains, gentle hills, wide open landscapes and not a billboard in sight. Drive, walk or bike along the bluest of lakes, past the quaintest towns, under aromatic pines and all the way through a cherished New England vacation experience. For packages, visit www.travelthekingdom.com or call 800-884-8001.

www.VermontVacation.com 1-800-VERMONT

PHOTO BY NCC

Hang On

Tight!

Gear Up for the Challenge !

Gear Gear UpUp forfor thethe Challenge Challenge ! !

continued from pg. 18

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made three seasons of the year. You can picnic beside the Champlain Bridge before or after your ride, in Aylmer at the marina, or eat in any number of interesting restaurants in Aylmer. You’ll see a number of attractive lookouts along the Ottawa River.

Birds, waterfowl and wild flowers abound throughout the ride according to season. Look for yellow dogtooth, purple and blue violets, trillium, crabapple, dogwood, honey suckle, lilac, Queen Anne’s lace, daisy, and others.

As the Ottawa River is a migratory route for many birds, there are many non-resident birds in the spring and fall. Beware of poison ivy along the main biking route, and designated walking paths near the river. This route makes you want to stop often enjoy the scenery. Most of it follows the old voyageur route up the Ottawa, and passes by many of their portage sites.

If you want to make this a longer ride, park and start at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau. This will add about 18.5 km to the round trip for a total of 42.5 km. Starting at Jacques Cartier Park, follow De L’Ile Pathway for about 1.5 km and turn left (west) onto Ruisseau-de-laBrasserie Pathway for about 3 km.

Turn left onto Voyageurs Pathway and stay on it to the Champlain Bridge. Then follow the instructions above. You can also shorten the route by starting at any of several parking lots along the Lower Aylmer Road.

Here it Comes!

Excitement like you’ve never seen!

Rick Balson has lived in the Ottawa area for over 50 years. He is retired from the federal public service and is now free to roam the wonderful paths and by-ways of the greater Ottawa-Gatineau area.

(819) 827-1717 www.campfortune.com

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

Fortune Aerial Experience is opening July 1st, 2005. You’ll find yourself soaring through the trees in the Gatineau Hills. Immerse yourself in the excitement of a challenging 2-hour activity including suspended walkways, net gangways, aerial cables, and the ultimate thrill, the giant zip line... a place where the action never ends!

Open daily 9am to dusk Reservations recommended Once you arrive at Camp Fortune, follow the signs to ‘Fortune Aerial Experience’.

ONE DAY OPTION!

OTTAWA-KEMPTVILLE August 6 & ONE 7, 2005 OPTION! ONE DAYDAY OPTION! For more OTTAWA-KEMPTVILLE OTTAWA-KEMPTVILLE information

August 7, 2005 August 6&6 7,&2005 please call

613-728-1583 For more For more information information www.msbiketours.com please please call call 613-728-1583 613-728-1583

www.msbiketours.com www.msbiketours.com

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

21

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

Q. I’D LIKE TO TAKE UP TRAIL RUNNING. CAN YOU BRIEF ME ON TRAIL ETIQUETTE? “Wheels yield to heels is the rule on multi-use trails.”

Stay on the right side of the path.

Anyone going downhill has the right of way. But, it’s your responsibility to stay alert and make people aware you’re coming. “Yell ‘track or runner on your left,’” advises Paula Burchat, Race Director of Conquer the Canuck, Ottawa’s first trail ultra. As an ultrarunner, Burchat spends a lot of time training in the Gatineau Hills and is always surprised to see people trail running while they listen to music through headphones. “You need to hear other users, especially when turning corners, on hills and single track.”

To avoid widening trails or trampling fragile plants, stay on designated paths and don’t cut off switchbacks. Preserve the natural beauty of your favourite trail — if you see garbage on it, pick it up and pack it out.

And for safety’s sake, don’t forget to let someone know where you’re going and how long you plan to be out.

Gatineau Park has a Volunteer Trail Patrol. Bilingual patrollers provide information to visitors on trails, promote park rules and park activities.

They also provide first aid for people and their bikes. If you’re interested in volunteering for the trail patrol, call (613) 239-5373.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

also increases the ease of getting baby back in the canoe next time.

Q. SUMMER MAKES MY FEET AND MY SANDALS STINK — WHAT CAN I DO?

Q. HOW DO I TAKE MY BABY CANOEING FOR LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES? Some children own a paddle before they can hold their heads up, but that much-anticipated first family canoe trip can be a disaster. Your baby’s age, mobility and temperament will determine which suggestions will work in your situation: 1. Get baby used to a personal flotation device (PFD) by wearing it around the house or at a swimming pool.

Make sure the PFD fits snuggly without being unnecessarily tight around the neck.

2. Hug the shoreline to look for wildlife or any interesting features that will attract attention.

3. If baby can do so without trying to climb the gunwales, let him or her stand between your legs at the bow.

Your baby will feel like the captain of the ship.

4. Treats! Feed them anything that will buy you time on the water.

5. Start small. A10-minute success beats a 30-minute disaster — it

Don’t despair.

There is help and you’re certainly not alone. In warm weather, especially when we’re active, our feet can produce up to a cup of sweat a day!

Excessive perspiration leads to odour-causing bacteria taking up residence on our feet.

No wonder your feet and sandals run afoul of the nose.

Washing your feet in warm water and mild soap helps get rid of smelly bacteria. If you need a more powerful odourfighting mixture, add a few drops of anti-bacterial tea tree essential oil to a bowl of warm water and treat your feet to a soak.

If you’re not afraid of the fashion police, try wearing socks made of natural fibres such as cotton and wool under your sandals to reduce summer stink.

To help eliminate sandal odours, use several pairs and rotate them so they can dry between outtings. Rotating pairs of sandals may not be an option when you’re packing light on a canoe trip or a backcountry camping adventure, but it would certainly help in the city.

For seriously stinky sandals, try commercial foot powders, sprays or gels. If your skin isn’t particularly sensitive, you may be able to get away with occasionally applying underarm deodorant to your feet.

Kathleen Wilker loves cycling, skiing, running, swimming, canoeing, hiking, camping, traveling, visiting with family and friends, drinking coffee and writing.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

PHOTOS BY RF STOCK (OVER) DAVID KAWAI

GEAR TALK

Hanging on in Gatineau Park Bouldering: the 100-metre dash for climbers

BY DAVID KAWAI IT’S A BIT INTIMIDATING to get dragged into the heart of Gatineau Park by one of Canada’s top rock climbers.

“I hope you like mud,” says Jody Miall, stuffing climbing gear into his pack and heading for the trail. Pant legs rolled up, we hike the narrowing path for 10 minutes before Jody stops and points up the hill.

“If you go that way there are some good sport climbs,” he says, promptly turning his back on them. Miall isn’t climbing routes today; he has no rope, no carabineers (draws) and no belay devices. We keep walking. The path gets narrower still and steep beyond comfort.

Another 15 minutes pass and we arrive at The Shrine.

It’s like the secluded home of a handful of 15- to 20-foot boulders, enclosed by trees in every direction.

Jody Miall spots his landing while crimping down on one of Gatineau Park’s Shrine boulders.

24

Miall slips on his climbing shoes, chalks his hands and scopes out the features on one of the boulders with a wicked overhang. He hoists his toned 5’8” frame off the ground. His movement is dynamic with timing and balance perfectly in sync, popping from one hold to the next. After four or five powerful moves, Miall hucks for the sloped top-out, grunting and barely holding on. He summons body tension and kicks out a leg to prevent his own momentum from peeling him off the rock.

Welcome to the world of bouldering.

If rock climbing was a running sport, then sport climbing would be a marathon, and bouldering would be the 100-metre dash. In the last decade, bouldering has exploded in popularity among the climbing community. Today it accounts for nearly 99 percent of all competitive adult rock climbing in Canada and about 90 percent in the U.S., which amount to some 250 competitions a year.

Competitions aside, the mental and physical fitness aspects of recreational bouldering have won over climbers of all abilities. Miall ranked first in Canada for bouldering last year and placed third on the American Bouldering Series (ABS) this year. He figures the sport is getting a lot of attention because it’s impressive and physically taxing.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

BOULDERING SAFETY TIPS FOR “NEWBIES” IN BOULDERING, every fall is a ground fall.

Boulderers use crash pads to absorb the impact of falls, but on difficult or high-ball climbs, or when the landing area is steep or uneven, you’ll need a good spotter. The job of a spotter seems simple, but it’s an art in itself.

A good spotter keeps full attention on the boulderer and tries to anticipate falls before they happen. Spotters should have solid footing, stand with arms out and palms open to the boulderer’s back, and keep fingers together and thumbs in.

When your climber falls, there are split seconds to decide how to react and guide the climber to a safe landing. It could require a simple brushing of the back, but be prepared for an awkward fall and improvised technique.

It’s best to learn in a climbing gym from boulderers with spotting experience.

He says boulderers can easily get injured if they don’t practice proper spotting — the art of hovering underneath a fellow boulderer with arms out, ready to catch and guide them to a safe landing if they fall. The best place to learn is in a climbing gym, where there are well-padded floors. New climbers can also use climbing gyms to hook up with local folks who often know the best areas to boulder outdoors.

Herzig went bouldering outdoors for the first time in May. She admits the gym is more convenient and a “little softer on the skin,” but she says nothing beats real rock.

“I like how the problems aren’t mapped out. And when the sun’s on your back…you just feel at one with nature.

You just can’t get that in a gym.”

The biggest problem with outdoor bouldering? It can be hard to find challenging locales, especially in the Ottawa area. What’s worse, some of

Toronto’s Nicole Reeve stretches the first move on a finals problem at an indoor bouldering competition hosted

by Ottawa’s Coyote Rock Gym.

PHOTO BY DAVID KAWAI

PHOTO BY DAVID KAWAI

Charlotte Curtis follows the sun up a V3 boulder problem in Niagara Glen, Ontario.

“The hardest moves in climbing are done in bouldering,” he says. “You get the top climbers jumping whole body lengths and hanging onto the tiniest holds.”

Bouldering is evolving as a social sport, and its subscribers tend to work on problems in groups. Boulderers cheer each other on to reach higher points until the team discovers a sequence to the top.

Alyssa Herzig, a 22-year-old University of Ottawa student, started bouldering in February and she’s already addicted: “It’s fun, and everybody sort of pushes each other. It’s good times. But, even if there’s nobody here, I can still zone out and climb on my own.”

Unlike route climbing, bouldering doesn’t require a belayer (safety rope).

All you need is a pair of climbing shoes, a chalk bag and a crash pad to cushion against those potential plunges to terra firma.

Erik Harmsen, 19, has been bouldering for more than a year now and enjoys the pureness of the sport. “I like the fact that there’s nothing there but you and the rock,” he says. “The equipment is minimal. You can just get up and go.”

The lack of equipment often leads to misconceptions about the danger factor.

Miall explains that people often confuse bouldering with “free soloing,” which is climbing without a rope at heights where a fall could be fatal. Most bouldering is limited to about 20 vertical feet.

“I think the danger is grossly over-exaggerated,” says Miall. At the same time, he believes safety should always be a concern, especially when bouldering outdoors. “People underestimate it sometimes, and think it’s simple because of the lack of equipment.”

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the few established bouldering areas in Ontario may soon face climbing bans or restrictions due to environmental concerns.

Michel Viens, Senior Manager of Natural Resources and Land Management for Gatineau Park, says climbing in the park will be significantly reduced in the next three years while a conservation plan is developed.

“The park has a fragile and sensitive ecosystem,” he explains, citing problems like “the creation of trails, erosion, and trampling of endangered species.”

Viens is working with the Alpine Club of Canada to find solutions to these concerns, and he asks climbers to “take all necessary precautions to minimize impact on the environment.” Climbers would do well to heed this advice because their efforts could affect the future of local outdoor bouldering.

In the meantime, Miall suggests that people interested in indoor or outdoor bouldering visit their local climbing gym for more information. Gyms also host bouldering competitions with recreational, experienced and open level categories. It’s an excellent showcase for bouldering talent and provides an opportunity to get into the sport.

Both climbing gyms in Ottawa — Coyote Rock Gym (739-4074) and Vertical Reality (569-3903) have recently expanded their indoor bouldering facilities.

A climber tops-out a popular warm-up boulder near the entrance of Niagara Glen, Ontario.

Start out on the Internet at www.drtopo.com for free printable climbing area maps. Click on the map of North America to get information on bouldering (and other climbing) in specific states or provinces. You will see locations, area maps with trails and boulder locations, problem locations, problem names and difficulty ratings.

Difficulty rated at V0 is the easiest and V15 is the hardest. Beginners should look at the V0 to V3 range. } Gatineau Park Shrine Boulders, Quebec.

This location is the nearest bouldering to the Ottawa area, just a 30 minute drive. To

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

avoid the insect action, try it April to May and September to November. It’s not a huge area, but a couple dozen problems have been established. } Val-David, Quebec. About an hour outside of Montreal, Val-David is considered among the best places to boulder in Quebec. Advertised to have about 50 problems, boulders in Val-David are accessible and close to one another. } Niagara Glen, Southern Ontario. Near Niagara Falls, this location is the most famous bouldering area in Ontario. It offers about 250 problems and a seemingly endless selection of boulders, with plenty of beginner grades.

The limestone boulders can be slick, but landings are generally on even ground.

PHOTO BY DAVID KAWAI

HOW TO FIND A BOULDERING AREA NEAR YOU

PHOTO BY DAVID KAWAI

David Kawai is an avid boulderer and has finished his third year at the Carleton School of Journalism. He is head of media monitoring and analysis at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

25

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHARIOT STROLLERS, MEC

Choose the right jogging stroller Keep that run all in the family

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

S

HOES? CHECK. Water bottle?

Check. Motivation? Check. Baby?

Check.

You’re heading out and you’re all set to become the fittest parent in town.

But, which jogging stroller best suits your technique, lifestyle and budget?

STROLLERCISE IF YOU WANT to meet other new parents for companionship and support, Boomerang Kids, (boomerangkids.ca) offers free strollercise from both its locations. Ó Bank Street: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:15-11:15 Ó Richmond Road: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:15-11:15 Rain or shine, a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer leads the way as you stroll / jog along the canal or the Ottawa River. The group meets for coffee and playtime at a local café afterwards.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

I wish I had known my in-laws were ultimately going to bankroll our jogging stroller when they took us shopping. I picked out an economical $200 Ridge Runner from Kiddytown. That stroller has since travelled more than 2,000 kilometres, weathered two harsh winters and carried truckloads of groceries. The 60-day warranty has long expired and although it’s still functional, its best days are long gone.

Good quality jogging strollers with accessories range in price from $350 to $900. Yes, $900! Some features are necessities — like big wheels (16-20 inches) to tackle Ottawa snow banks — but there are lots of decisions to make.

If price is no object and you want the very best for you and baby, choose a Chariot. Made in Canada and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, Chariots

are lightweight for jogging parents and very comfortable for little passengers.

The prices are steep from $450 for a single-child jogging stroller to $900 for a double-child convertible bike trailer/ jogging stroller/infant sling. When considering price, expect to recover at least half the cost when the stroller is resold. With the market for used Chariots so hot, the company stocks replacement parts and owners manuals back to 1993 models.

When purchasing a jogging stroller, there are a few questions that should be asked.

WILL THE JOGGING STROLLER DOUBLE AS A BIKE TRAILER? If you’re just interested in walking and jogging, you can buy a Chariot jogging stroller or a Running Room jogging stroller — they are actually the same stroller. Their single and double jogging strollers are $450 and $550 respectively.

If you want the option of biking with baby without having to invest in another child carrier, your most economical bet is a MEC Child Trailer (www.mec.ca) with the jogging wheel attachment. You get a spacious double stroller with a huge storage capacity for

continued on page 28

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continued from pg. 26

$350, backed by MEC’s expectation guarantee – if it doesn’t meet your performance expectations you can return it.

The MEC Child Trailer is not as lightweight for jogging or easy to manoeuvre as the Chariots, but Chariots

are considerably more expensive at $650$800, depending on components and suspension. And compared to heavier models, like the $200 Little Tyke Cozy Cruiser Trailer, the MEC Child Trailer is a dream with which to jog.

But, if your run includes tempo training, hill repeats or speed work, you’re better off with a Chariot.

IS THE STROLLER FOR RECREATION OR WILL IT BE BABY’S PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION?

HOW TO MAKE YOUR MUNCHKIN PART OF THE JOGGING STROLLER TEAM Ó Make sure baby is a comfortable temperature.

It’s common to overdress new babies. But remember that you’re working up a sweat while your little one is sitting still. Ó Plastic weather guards are a great way to protect against wind, rain, sleet and snow. Ó Take advantage of nap time — a sleeping baby is a happy baby. Ó Older babies and toddlers can entertain themselves for a little while with snacks and toys. Ó Keep it short. Since you are pushing an increasingly heavy load, 30 minutes still allows you to get a workout without trying your little one’s patience. Ó Make it an outing. Run to or from the park, where baby can get out and play. Ó Take turns running. Let your toddler run down our street, then explain it’s mommy’s turn for a short run. On the last block, follow with the stroller and let the wee one run again. Ó Play tour guide: dogs, ducks, trucks, cyclists, other babies. Point out anything interesting. Ó Sing your favourite songs together. Hey, if you can carry on a conversation while jogging, why not sing? Ó Think speed. If your little one is bored with running, attach the stroller to your bike and pick up the pace. For safety’s sake, wait until baby is about one year old for trailering and good luck getting that helmet on your child!

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

If you’re thinking recreation, you’ll want to look for a lightweight model that’s easy to collapse for packing into the car or bus.

Depending on the number of kids you have (or are planning to have) a single stroller may be the best option for you.

IS THERE AMPLE STORAGE FOR PICKING UP GROCERIES ON THE WAY HOME FROM YOUR RUN? Hands down, the MEC Child Trailer has the most storage capacity. You can pack a picnic or do a full grocery shop and still have room for diapers without crowding your baby. Unfortunately, its width makes it more difficult to handle in stores, especially in doorways.

WILL THE WEATHER GUARD PROTECT YOUR LITTLE ONE FROM WINTER WINDS ON THE CANAL WHEN YOU GO STROLLER SKATING? DOES IT OFFER SUN PROTECTION FOR THOSE HOT JULY DAYS? If you plan to take baby out in all kinds of conditions, you need to be vigilant about safety, warmth and comfort. In two years, I’ve been through four Jolly Jumper weather guards. At $11, they’re not expensive, but the plastic cracks in cold conditions. If your

stroller comes with a designated weather guard, it’s worth the price.

WHEN CAN I START JOGGING WITH MY BABY? Chariot sells $80 infant slings for their convertible strollers. Technically, you can take your infant jogging from about one month of age. If the infant you’re taking for a ride has a big brother or sister and you want to take both children, you may wish to wait until you can count on the toddler to behave unsupervised. By five or six months, most babies are sitting up sufficiently well to make a sling unnecessary.

HOW DO I HANDLE STROLLER STRIKES? No matter how wonderful your stroller, there will be days (and even weeks) when your little munchkin will want nothing to do with it. The steady rocking of a stroller in motion is perfect for putting a young baby to sleep. But once they discover their own mobility, active older babies and toddlers want to do their own independent exploring and resist being confined for too long. Be patient. There are ways to get your run in. And remember, as an active parent, you’re probably trying to raise an active kid.

With baby leading the way, you’re heading into the best shape of your life. Choose your baby carrier wisely so that introducing baby to the great outdoors is a total success.

Kathleen Wilker is an Ottawa freelance journalist and outdoor enthusiast.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

Be the next one to subscribe to Ottawa’s only outdoor adventure magazine.

Save over 30% off the newsstand price! (and get it mailed directly to your home)

Subscribe on the Web with a credit card w w w.OttawaO w. OttawaO u t d o o rs.ca rs .ca or send a cheque through the mail to: Ottawa Outdoors Magazine (Subscriptions) 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Ste. 107 Ottawa ON K1V 7T4

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

29

URBANSPICE

Wild salmon with all the fixin’s

BY JULIE ST. JEAN

WILD PACIFIC SALMON WITH A MISO GLAZE

4-6 ounces of salmon per person ½ cup (125 mL) white miso (pale red/brown colour) ¼ cup (60 mL) mirin or sake Whisk together miso and mirin. Grill salmon flesh side down first. Cook over medium heat for two minutes or until grill marks appear. Turn over. Lower heat. Brush with miso glaze and continue to cook with the lid down for five to seven minutes or until salmon is medium rare (slightly translucent in centre). Rest covered with foil for five minutes before serving. Or roast in a 375º F. oven, skin side down. Brush the top of salmon with glaze and roast for about 10-12 minutes or until medium rare. Makes 4 servings.

ASIAN BBQ SAUCE

4 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup olive oil 3 tbsp (45 mL) ketchup 2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice 2 tbsp (30 mL) chile flakes 2 cups (500 mL) hoisin In a large bowl whisk together ingredients.

Makes six to eight servings.

ASIAN COLESLAW

½ large Napa cabbage, thinly sliced 1 cup (250 mL) grated carrots ½ red pepper, diced small ½ green pepper, diced small ½ red onion, diced small 2 tbsp (30 mL) toasted sesame seeds Dressing: • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh ginger minced • 1 cup (250 mL) vegetable oil • 1 cup (250 mL) cider or rice wine vinegar • ¼ cup (60 mL) brown sugar • kosher salt and fresh pepper

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

In a large bowl combine vegetables and sesame seeds. In a frying pan over low, heat oil. Add ginger and garlic. In a bowl dissolve brown sugar in vinegar. Slowly whisk in oil mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Makes six to eight servings.

SESAME RICE NOODLE SALAD 1 pkg rice stick (1lb) 1 cup (250 mL) raw snow peas, julienned 1 cup (250 mL) raw carrots, julienned 1 cup (250 mL) raw zucchini, julienned 1 cup (250 mL) red pepper, julienned 1 cup (250 mL) celery, julienned

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While still in the package, squeeze the folds of rice noodles to break them up. Add separated noodles to boiling water. With a long spoon or tongs, stir noodles in pot to keep them separated. Cook according to package directions, about three minutes depending on size of noodle. Check for doneness often. Drain and rinse briefly in cold water.

Drain and toss with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Lay flat on a baking sheet to cool completely. Using your hands, toss noodles with vegetables in a large bowl. Add dressing and combine thoroughly. Makes 8-10 generous servings.

Dressing: • ½ head garlic • ¼ cup (60 mL) minced fresh ginger (3-4”) • ¼ cup (60 mL) brown sugar • 2 tbsp (30 mL) sambal olek (hot chile sauce) • ¼ cup (60 mL) mirin • 1/3 cup (80 mL) soy • ½ cup (125 mL) tahini, peanut or almond butter • 3 tbsp (45 mL) vegetable oil • ¼ - ½ cup (60-125 mL) water In a food processor, mince garlic and ginger. Add all of the ingredients except the water. Puree until smooth. With motor running slowly, add water until dressing is thin but

still coats the back of a spoon. Makes about 2½ cups.

ALMOND GINGER BROCCOLI

1 head broccoli 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive or vegetable oil 1 onion, roughly diced 1 red pepper, roughly diced 1 yellow pepper, roughly diced 1 cup (250 mL) button mushrooms, halved 3 tbsp (45 mL) ginger, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup (125 mL) soy ¼ cup (60 mL) rice vinegar ¼ cup (60 mL) olive or vegetable oil 1 cup (250 mL) toasted whole almonds In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanche broccoli until bright green and crunchy. Refresh in cold water. Over high heat in a heavy bottomed frying pan, cook onions in olive oil until they are starting to turn golden. Add mushrooms, ginger and garlic. Continue to cook until mushrooms are tender and golden. Add peppers and cook until tender crisp. Remove from heat. Add soy, vinegar and up to ¼ cup of olive oil. In a large bowl, toss together broccoli, onion mixture and almonds. Makes six to eight servings.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TERRINE

6 oz (170 g) bittersweet chocolate 1 cup (250 mL) cream cheese, room temperature ½ cup (125 mL) icing sugar 2 cups (500 mL) pitted cherries Roughly chop the chocolate. Melt it in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water.

Soften cream cheese with a rubber spatula.

Add chocolate and sugar. Stir until smooth.

Fold in one cup of cherries. Spoon into a sixcup loaf pan line with plastic wrap. Cover. For individual servings, spoon into paper-lined muffin cups. Freeze at least three hours.

Unmold and garnish with the remaining cherries. Makes six to eight servings.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

PHOTO BY JULIE ST. JEAN

I

’M WRITING FROM MY CAMP on the Elk River in British Columbia.

It’s been raining for six days straight and I’m enjoying my role as the cook. In celebration of my surroundings, I’m pleased to share a couple of barbeque recipes for wild B.C. Salmon and some excellent side dishes.

These recipes will work on a camp grill or in the oven at home.

COOLGEAR

WOMEN’S TWINSKIN TANK SALOMON Innovative concept top : highly breathable, offering adjustable fit & high impact support for running & other endurance sports.

[Look for it at Trailhead, Expedition Shoppe, Fresh Air Experience, Tommy & Lefebvre’s].

STAMINA S/S – $100 Sierra Designs has designed the ultimate backpacking and adventure racing top. Most notable is the Holofiber fabric, which has been clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the body by recycling the body’s radiant energy, which improves stamina and performance. And to boot -- it features Friction Free fabric in the shoulders and uses a special forward-positioned seam design to reduce chaffing from back-pack straps.

SEXY MUSCLE LYCRA RASH TOP LEVEL SIX – $59 NEWPORT H2 - KEEN FOOTWEAR The foundation of Keen Footwear, the Newport H2 is designed to perform in adverse conditions. The razor slipped outsole and 3mm lugs provide excellent traction. A true hybrid, the waterproof uppers withstand the abuse of saltware and dirt, while providing supple comfort and styllish looks.

[Look for them at Glebetrotters at 860 Bank Street.]

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

Level Six Rash tops are great for any water sport from windsurfing, sailing, wakeboarding to kayaking and simply hanging out at the beach. They give great sun protection and provide comfort when your chilly and wet.

They are available in long sleeve sr: $69.99 and shorts sleeve and muscle for $59.99, in both men’s and women’s.

Level Six is owned and operated in ottawa.

[You can find level six products at Mountain Equipment Co-op, Trailhead and Bushtukah.]

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

COOLGEAR TECH AMPHIB SALOMON Salomon’s Vent 180° technology is engineered to keep your feet dry and comfortable. Open mesh windows strategically placed on the shoe’s upper allow air to flow freely regulating the foot’s temperature and keeping you comfortable.

As well, the upper construction drainage ports allow for quick water evacuation for all day in and out of the water.

THE FORERUNNER 201 GARMIN THE FREEFALL RYDERS EYEWEAR – $79 The latest in sports eyewear for sports enthusiasts who require vision correction. The Ryders’ Freefall interchangeable features patented lens gasket technology that frames the individual polycarbonate lenses. The Freefall comes standard with an 8-base gasket system with two spare lenses (in clear and amber) and a handy zip up case.

For higher prescription needs, a 6 base lens gasket is also available. Note – prevents lenses from bending or breaking in order to keep the optics pure, and is easy to remove and replace.

To find a retailer in Ottawa, go to www.ryderseyewear.com

KOMPERDELL NORDIC ULTRALITE VARIO POLES $133 MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT COOP Adjustable Titanal® aluminum poles designed for “Nordic walking”, the cross-training sport for skiers, runners, and all-around aerobic athletes.

These will help you achieve a high-energy upper and lower body work-out on trails, or even on urban surfaces.

Offers athletes an easy-to-read display, ergonomic wristband, and integrated GPS sensor that provides precise speed, distance, and pace data. It’s a compact, lightweight, accurate training assistant with performance tracking, auto-lap, auto-pause and more. The Forerunner 201 is easy to use right out of the box and delivers the benefits of GPS technology at an affordable price.

Working out with the Forerunner 201 means you’re never alone in your personal training, because the unit provides a Virtual Partner™ feature which allows you to set your training goal by configuring your Virtual Partner’s pace and workout distance. You’ll get a graphic perspective of your performance by viewing your pace in relation to your Virtual Partner’s pace, so you can always see at a glance if you’re keeping up or falling behind.

CAVALIER 1-CHILD SPORT STROLLER CHARIOT Feast your eyes on Chariot’s premier sport stroller. Two fully-featured models are designed to elevate strolling to a sport.

• High-performance, light-weight design and construction.

• Child-friendly padded reclining seat and weather-managing features.

• Rugged frame with lateral stiffness and passive suspension.

[Look for it here in Ottawa, at Fresh Air Experience].

• Nordic running straps • Nordic walking baskets • Flexible tungsten carbide tips • Sold as a pair

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

33

Special event

Tourisme Vallée-de-la-Gatineau

Water level info line : 1 866 441-2295

Festival dʼeau vive de la Haute-Gatineau From August 26 to 28 2005 www.gatineau.org

photo : Daryn Mitchell - Canot-camping La Vérendrye

photo : Canot-camping La Vérendrye

photo : B. Chalifour

Forêt de lʼAigle

Cayamant 1 866 449-7111 www.cgfa.ca

Canoe camping course on the Aigle river (60 km).

Canoe and sea kayak rental.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005 34

Canot-camping La Vérendrye Le Domaine (819) 435-2331 www.canot-kayak.qc.ca

Outdoor equipment rental and holiday planning on a waterway system of more than 800 km. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

e l d d a p e m in o C Vallée-de-la-Gatineau OUTAOUAIS

photo : Stéphane Guay

photo : Aventures Château Logue

Aventures Château Logue

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On the shore of the Gatineau river. Outdoor equipment rental (canoe, kayak, etc.).

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Bonnet Rouge Rafting

Ste-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau 1 888 449-3360 www.sitepleinairbonnetrouge.com

White water sports on the Gatineau river. Canoe, kayak, rafting, camping and other services.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

35

RESORT BOARDING FOR DOGS & CATS Daycare for dogs and full grooming services also available.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

B U S I N E S S

P R O F I L E

Make No Mis-Steak What to look for in a BBQ Speak to the Specialists at Capital Appliance & BBQ

Want to enjoy the barbecue season?

Don’t be fooled by those cheap imported BBQs that are always up for grabs at big box, department, grocery and hardware stores. They’re not worth the aggravation.

Inferior quality, uneven grilling, flare-ups and no replacement parts means you’ll be rolling it to the curb in 2 years.

It’s time to take charge of your grilling options and put some sizzling success in your outdoor lifestyle. Capital Appliance & BBQ has the equipment, answers and advice you need to turn yourself into a backyard hero.

You’ll discover the largest selection of quality brand name barbecues in the city and they have a service department that stocks only original factory replacements parts.

Visit their newly renovated showroom at 12 Grenfell Crescent, they’re you’ll find lots of unique accessories you don’t find in other stores.

Family owned and operated since 1989, Capital Appliance & BBQ is very selective about the BBQ’s they carry. Only those brands that have a proven track record and are easy to service make it on to the showroom floor.

"We assemble, deliver, install gas lines if necessary, we show you how to use the unit and we service everything we sell in and out of warranty," says company president Chuck Shabsove, who is also president of www.BBQing.com, one of Canada’s largest barbecue suppliers.

Check out the website and the impressive showroom, which includes a kitchen, complete with built-in BBQs, where you can learn to cook like an outdoor pro. Reap the benefits of the free demonstrations, grilling ideas and the knowledgeable staff who will educate you on what to look for in a BBQ. And see for yourself all the quality, reliable and long-lasting options that will allow you to enhance your outdoor lifestyle year after year. Call (613) 228-0009 for details.

12 Grenfell Crescent 228-0009

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Mind over matter

Coping strategies may be useful when your sport no longer serves as your physical and emotional outlet for stress. There are proactive and positive approaches for combating frustration, or worse, depression.

How to overcome sports injuries

Ó Keep an open mind. View your injury as an opportunity to try new things, new sports and adventures. Ó Take the opportunity to spend time with family and friends who do not participate in your activity with you. Ó Take the opportunity to expand your horizons, meet people from different sporting communities, and participate in things you didn’t make time for before. Ó Enjoy the time off, and relax. You will get back to competitive shape before you know it. Ó Keep your down time in perspective; a couple months is nothing over a lifetime.

BY JENNIFER D’AOUST

P

ASSIONATE ATHLETES can usually tell you why they enjoy their sport of choice — they love competition, exercise, companionship and social interaction.

Like all good things in life, however, an active life has its risks.

Whether you are a seasoned athlete or just starting out, you are at risk of traumatic injuries or overuse. An injury results in both physical and psychological consequences that can be very painful. Difficult questions may arise when you realize that a particular activity is suddenly beyond your capabilities. If I cannot participate in my favorite sport any more, am I going to get out of shape? Am I going to get fat?

Will I ever be able to compete again?

Denial, despair, fear and anger are all emotions we experience before we seek solutions. We wonder why the injury occurred, and we may even try to blame others.

My own experience with injury stopped me from running. This was very difficult for me because running was the activity I loved above all others. I excelled at running and it became part of my identity. My injury caused frustration beyond belief because — like most athletes in denial — I kept trying to run and was continually halted by stabbing knee pain. I wanted to scream, “It’s just not fair!”

I soon realized that this behavior was not going to help me heal.

Fortunately, I met someone who forced me to snap out of it. The time had come to think positive. I began to focus on what I could do, rather than what I couldn’t do. My injury (and my return to running) left me with some ideas and strategies for coping with injury and recovery. Looking back, the injury

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

PHOTO BY RF STOCK

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

created new relationships with people I would have never encountered in my previous circles. I developed a strong, new skill at mountain biking and I got to see a whole other side of Ottawa populated by a different group of athletes.

MAKE THE CHANGE POSITIVE An athlete usually suffers injuries from doing his or her favourite activity.

If an injury prevents you from pursuing your sport, use your mental and physical discipline and strength to see that adversity presents new possibilities.

Deal with the injury. Rest may not be the answer. If your injury has not improved with rest over four weeks, you may need to look into alternative treatments. Be smart and systematic about treating your injury. Many athletes suffer denial regarding the severity of the injury and try to “train through it,” or worse, do nothing.

If you are really passionate about getting back into your sport, you need a proactive health care provider who will help you get there. If your health care provider tells you that you cannot take part in your favorite activity ever again, seek a second opinion. Find a professional who has experience with athletes and takes a hands-on approach to getting you back into training, without dealing in absolutes. The body is very resilient and often responds quickly to

some treatments, such as Active Release Therapy (ART), or massage for soft tissue injury.

Your attitude plays a big part in whether it takes four days or four months to recover from an injury. Listen to your body, and train in a different way, because what you were doing before did not yield a positive result.

INJURIES NOT LINKED TO PERSONALITY Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessarily the most aggressive athlete who is most likely to be injured in practice or competition. Every athlete is at risk of over-training, and can make it worse with improper rest and recovery.

Stress imposed by interpersonal problems, such as difficult relationships with family or friends, can precipitate sports injuries. However, the negative effects of physical and emotional burdens can be minimized with a proper training plan. If you feel torn between training and personal relationships or are constantly injured or fatigued, you may benefit from a professional coach who can provide training techniques that put you back on track.

Jennifer D’Aoust has competed and placed top in Canada at two consecutive Boston Marathons. She competed in Ironman Canada 2003, and Ironman USA 2004. She is a trainer at SummitForm Fitness Solutions in Ottawa and can be contacted at (613) 231-6985.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

39

Swing by Dickson Manor…

BY KEVIN HAIME

T

O BORROW a phrase from the late, great Harvey Penick, “take dead aim”. Nowhere is that more important than on the putting green.

Aim is critical to making putts. That’s a pretty obvious statement that I’m sure you’ll all agree with. But most of you don’t take near the care you need to when preparing to roll the golf ball. In fact in the camps and putting seminars I’m involved with, up to 90% of you aim improperly. That’s a pretty staggering statement but I assure you it’s accurate.

HELPFUL REMINDER Most golfers just aren’t attentive enough when it comes to It’s within the Royal aligning their putter face. If Canadian Golf Association rules your putter is just one degree of golf to mark your open or closed on a ten-foot golf ball with an putt you will miss the putt. alignment aid so Now just imagine how much make sure you do so. you will miss by when you extend that out to a thirty or forty footer.

The aim necessary to making more putts is precise. I often use the comparison of billiards in my teaching. How many billiard shots would you make if you aimed wrong??? Now think of how much time

Located at the heart of Calabogie Peaks Resort, Dickson Manor provides the perfect getaway setting, allowing you to enjoy golfing and much more in a fun, relaxing environment. Ask about our Stay & Play packages – Stay at Dickson Manor and play golf at three of the best courses in the Ottawa Valley.

If you’re struggling with aim, try a different visual configuration. The Odyssey two-ball putter is specifically designed for better aim. These three putters all belong to me and I rotate them when necessary to give me a fresh look.

you spend aiming your billiard cue then take that same precision to the putting green. You can work on your stroke until you’re blue in the face but it will never swing properly and roll the ball perfectly if you have to compensate for poor aim. Simply stated, if you aim improperly you will either roll the ball well When you’re practicing, set two shafts down on the green to help you with aim on short putts. Remember to make sure that your eyes are directly over your target line. Anything else will skew your vision.

And make it a play date.

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www.dicksonmanor.ca 40

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

PHOTOS BY FLAGSTICK MAGAZINE

Take Dead Aim

and miss the putt or somehow adjust your putter face mid stroke, put a bad roll on the ball, and miss anyway. Here are a few pointers to get you on your way.

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• Excellent Value for Superior Golf!

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• Calabogie Highlands – (613) 752-2171 • Pakenham Highlands – (613) 624-5550

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

41

PROFILE

BY CHANTAL MACARTNEY ILLUSTRATIONS BY PAUL MASON

Paul Mason: an artist with paddle and pen

C

ANOES AND CARTOONS. These are Paul Mason’s passions. Few can lay claim to combining a good draw stroke with drawing good strokes. Paul is the son and former paddling partner of the late Bill Mason.

Paul appeared in his fathers’ Path of the Paddle series of films and books and he co-authored the instructional canoeing book, Thrill of the Paddle.

Ottawa Outdoors Magazine pulled him back from the edge of a waterfall recently to find out how one of Canada’s most famous whitewater thrill-seekers combines life as a professional cartoonist.

OOM: You play in a lot of waterfalls.

Paul: I like the challenge and adrenaline rush. Waterfalls can be very dangerous; no one should paddle them unless they are very experienced. The first waterfall I went over was in 1989; it was only about a foot high. Four years later, I entered my first competition.

OOM: How do you run waterfalls or whitewater rapids?

Paul: There are lots of skills to learn, most of which you can practice on flat water. It’s important how you set up your approach. Usually, I practice an hour on flat water before taking the plunge. For waterfalls, because of risk of injury, I won’t run anything more than 20 feet. The condition of the river, the current and the water level are all things to keep in mind before making a run. I might look at a run one day and decide it looks fun; a few days later, because of changing water conditions, it might be dangerous. I like to do challenging rapids, but not ones with serious consequences. Sitting in an eddy at the top of a waterfall or wild stretch of whitewater, I visualize my run – play it

like a video in my head. If I can’t do that, then I won’t.

Sometimes I get anxious sitting up there on top of the falls. Then, I peel out of the eddy and do it.

OOM: You’re not just a crazy canoeist. You’ve competed in three whitewater canoe championships.

Paul: I won a bronze medal in OC-1 (Open Canoe) in 1993, and I’ve competed in Germany, New Zealand, and other countries. An OC is like a whitewater rodeo, paddling in an open canoe. You drop into a hole, a hydraulic or other feature in the river to do tricks and manoeuvres.

The competitions are a lot of fun.

OOM: Tell me about your canoeing these days.

Paul: Hog’s Back Falls is one of my favourites. And Bonniebrook (north of Montreal) is another favourite. It’s a small, narrow creek in the spring. Northern rivers are beautiful, being sometimes steep as well as narrow. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s another great adrenaline rush. Location doesn’t matter much to me, as long as I can do freestyle paddling and learning something new.

OOM: You’re also a guide.

Paul: I work as a guide for the Black Feather Company, taking people to local areas like the Madawaska and Dumoine Rivers. It’s demanding, but very satisfying.

One time, I took a 72-year-old man down the lower part of the Nahanni River. He had been on the river in the 1920s with a friend, hunting and trapping, and they had lost most of their gear rafting down the rapids. When I took him down the river he wore welding glasses as sun glasses, had a cigarette stuck between his lips, and had a terrific time. As we neared the rapids, he turned around in his seat, gave me a toothy grin, and yelled, “Just Giv’r!”

OOM: What advice would you give to someone new to canoeing?

Paul: First, take lessons. A bit of instruction can save hours of frustration, and unnecessary harassment from paddling partners. Second, don’t just buy any canoe and hop in.

It takes time to find the right canoe.

OOM: What inspires your cartooning?

Paul: I draw what I know, which usually means canoes, kayaks and the outdoors. I get the best ideas in the morning. The punch line usually comes first and I work from there. Often, I’ll start an idea and another will pop

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

up. The wall by my desk is full of little ideas I have posted, and have yet to fit into a cartoon. If I’m really stuck, I’ll start writing about the scenario; that usually helps to generate more ideas.

OOM: You also draw cartoon caricatures from photos.

Paul: Originally, I didn’t paint personal caricatures. Then people started asking for them. So I thought, why not?

I start by sending out some examples to give people brainstorming ideas. We discuss specific details to make it funny. These details can include comical stories, funny facts and exaggerated quirks. Often, these traits are “inside” jokes that I don’t get until they’re explained to me. I draw several versions, run them by the customer, then paint a final version in water colour.

OOM: Tell me about Bubble Street.

Paul: Bubble Street is my online comic strip that I created.

The comic strip can be seen on most paddlesport web sites. There is also plenty of merchandise out that sports Bubble Street comics, including magazines, posters, t-shirts, and even trailers. Web sites receive the latest Bubble Street comic every two weeks. Right now, Bubble Street is mainly canoeing and kayaking, but I hope to have it targeting rafting and other paddlesports soon. The bubble street is actually the path that the bubbles follow down a set of rapids, so I thought the name fitting for my comic strip. This is the first time that I have actually had a set of characters.

OOM: Clyde, Soggy, Flipkick, Garb and Bailey. These are all character you invented. Which one is your favourite?

Paul: Wow, that’s a hard one. I can relate to aspects of each character. I look at them and I can say, “Yup, I’ve done that.” Each one is unique. My favourite has to be Flipkick, the fish. He has the funniest things to say. Often, if I have something I want to include in the comic, but can’t really fit it in, I’ll let Flipkick say it. It acts

like a side thought. Flipkick was completely accidental.

In fact, at first he was a cat! But as I drew more water scenes, a fish made more sense.

OOM: Do you have a favourite cartoon?

Paul: The ones I like are the ones I snicker at. The humorous situations sometimes make the reader think of something similar that might have happened to them, which puts on the personal touch that I can’t do. Although most readers don’t look at the quality of the drawing, some of my favourite cartoons are ones that I feel have turned out well. If I really like a style of drawing or an aspect of the painting — like how I drew the water, for instance — I will make a copy of it, and stick it up on the wall by my desk, so I can use it again.

OOM: What influence did your dad have on your canoeing?

Paul: According to my mom, the first time I went in a canoe was the day she and dad took me home from the hospital. Dad taught me how to paddle. Repetition is a great teacher, and my family certainly had plenty of practice. It’s a different style of learning how to canoe, but it’s effective.

These days, canoeing is made a lot easier because of the new plastic and fiberglass canoes.

When I was paddling with my dad, we had an older cedar strip canvas boat that was sometimes very hard to paddle due to the fact that it would start to absorb the water.

My father always encouraged us to do our best, and to learn so we could improve.

OOM: Your father was a painter. Did he influence your cartooning?

Paul: I’ve always loved cartooning, but dad encouraged me by saying that cartooning was an art. Then, as with any kind of art, you start by copying someone else’s style; eventually you develop your own. That’s how my dad helped it happened.

OOM: What does the future hold for Paul Mason?

Paul: There are three things in particular; the new OC (open canoe) free style boats have phenomenal performance!

I’ll be able to meet new challenges and have more fun! Second, is that as my kids get older, we can go on longer canoe trips. Up until now, the canoe trips with the kids have been their speed, considerably slower then my wife and mine. Now, trips will get much more intense and exciting. Lastly, Bubble Street is a real challenge, but I can’t wait to see where it will go.

WANT TO FIND OUT more about Paul Mason or look at his Bubble Street comics? Check out his web site at: www.bubblestreet.ca Chantal Macartney is a regular writer for Ottawa Outdoors Magazine.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

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ADVENTURE RACING

BY BROOKE BROADBENT

Local adventure athlete faces toughest challenge yet Ray Zahab is Sahara-bound

I

T’S HOUR 30 of a 60-hour race in the Sahara Desert.

A sinewy lad raised in the Ottawa Valley cuts a trail among sculptured sand dunes. Running hard all day, the sun scorches like a laser and sweat stings his eyes. The blowing sand blasts away the protective coating on his sun glasses. His mind is a million miles away as he listens to eight tunes over and over again on his broken MP3 player.

In the distance: nothing but sand.

Ray Zahab is alone in the desert, sleep deprived, with no trail markings, nobody in sight, and a dwindling water supply. He is completely dependent on his GPS for his survival. The next check point is 23 km away where he’ll find a Land Rover with water and tasty French army rations. Taking only 10-minute catnaps over the last 30 hours, Ray is confused and can’t recall how many breaks he’s taken.

Fatigue makes him doubt his GPS readings. He imagines things, hearing phantom animals in the night. He revels in the euphoria that comes from knowing that he is in second place. He counts his steps, knowing that 1,000 steps cover another kilometre of this gruelling 333 kilometre race. His inner voice tells him to keep his

hips lower because he’s kicking up too much sand and it’s choking him.

At 35, Ray Zahab is a trim and imposing figure, and a dedicated adventure athlete with a quick wit.

“For me, adventure racing is the purest form of sport,” says Zahab.

“There is me, my muscles, my mind, the elements and a gruelling challenge.

I enjoy the adrenalin rush, pushing my body beyond its limits.”

As he talks and smiles, there is bottomless energy, boyish selfconfidence and zest for life. Ray’s life pivoted in the late ‘90s when he was watching Eco-challenge on television with his brother in Carp.

“It seemed like the coolest thing to me,” he explains. “I said I’d do it one day for a living.”

At the time he was training horses and teaching people to ride. He was already very competitive and competing internationally and often working with horses in Texas.

Ray trains in Old Chelsea where he and his partner, Kathy, enjoy the beauty and challenge of the Gatineau Hills. Prior to a race, Ray focuses on a rigourously controlled high-protein diet, strenuous exercise and a cupboard full of carefully-selected supplements. He loves to train outside in all weather conditions

when he’s not indoors on his stationary bicycle or the fitball.

He is well known in Ottawa for his expertise as a personal trainer and has developed an extensive array of core strength-building fitball exercises. Along the way, Ray learned the essentials of psychology, nutrition, and physiology so he can train and compete effectively.

“In the end, my determined attitude accounts for 85 percent of my success,” he explains. “I’m able to overcome pain and run. In the jungle, huge chunks of skin were scraped from my feet and I kept going.”

Ray has had plenty of success in a variety of conditions during the past couple of years. He placed first in a 160-km race in frigid conditions in the Yukon, and his team placed first in a 200-km race in dense jungle. He was the first North American to finish a six-day race across the Sahara, and he completed a 650-km race in the rocky terrain of the Alps. In April, Ray was the first North American across the finish line in the 250-km Marathon des Sables.

Ray attributes his success to the team that supports him. His trainers are Lisa Smith-Batchin and Ken Brunet and www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

his training partner is Brian Henderson.

Salomon provides clothes. Equipment suppliers include Trailhead and Wally Schaeber. Edelsen and Associates help him with travel costs.

“When I compete, I feel the support and encouragement from my friends and family in Carp and so many other people in the Ottawa area,” he says. “I train extensively in Old Chelsea and the support of my friends there is crucial in my success.”

Ray Zahab is a mind-over-matter kind of guy: “We can do anything we want. I mean it. I can’t explain this. It is one of the great mysteries of life. It’s something about the ability of humans to channel their energy. If you really believe that you have the power within you, then you do have it.”

He sounds convincing and he plans to prove it. The day after he ran 333 km in the desert, a few of the racers got together and began to concoct the

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

ultimate challenge for themselves. An international team is going to run across the entire Sahara Desert this time. They plan to run the 4,500 to 5,000 km next year.

“It will take us about three months,” he predicts. “I’m so focused on the goal, I know I can do it. The biggest challenge to me is getting financial support.

In 2005, I’ll be racing in all sorts of conditions — snow, sand and mountains.

You can check out my events on www.eventrate.com.”

Ray has some parting advice to anyone considering adventure racing: “Do it. Stretch yourself to learn your limits. It will help you get in touch with your body. That will help you with everything in your life. And stop if you are injured. Treat your body as a loving partner.”

Brooke Broadbent is a local freelance writer and whole life coach. You can visit his Web site at www.brookebroadbent.com.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

47

BY BRANT SCOTT ILLUSTRATION BY KEITH MILNE

THE LAST BISCUIT

S

HOW ME THE DIMBULB who first declared “ignorance is bliss,” and I’ll show you someone who’s never tried whitewater canoeing.

Most sporting pursuits come easier to those who have been properly trained. That’s why we pay homage to teachers, coaches and mentors. It is pure folly to take up a new sport without getting some grounding in equipment and technique. Jumping into the deep end with no training can leave you cold, as a group of us proved on an early summer charge down the Petawawa River a few years back.

After many years of flat water canoeing through Algonquin Park, we hit on the idea to challenge the Petawawa. We’d leave our sleek kevlar and cedar canoes at home, and rent some big ABS bathtubs near the park’s east gate. We prepared ourselves on the shores of Lake Traverse beforehand by reading aloud from a “how-to” leaflet on draw strokes, pries and braces. Jeepers, we knew how to steer a canoe, and there’s only one way you can go on a river, right?

Wrong.

Lake Traverse funnels at the far end into a natural sluiceway that blasts like a water cannon into the narrows.

Our party of six hit shore in our three rented canoes at the top of the portage to unload. We carried our packs — still heavy with food and bulging wineskins — to the bottom of the portage, and returned to run the canoes empty through Big Thompson Rapid.

Four of us managed to fight and fumble our way downriver in two canoes to the landing where the equipment was stashed. The remaining canoe was a nice, new, red ABS craft with nary a scratch on her yet. The outfitter joked that we should pay extra because this was her inaugural trip. As the last two guys pushed off from shore and plowed straight into the middle of a two-metre haystack, it became pretty evident it was their inaugural cruise, too.

The haystack spun the stern around like a midway carnival ride gone berserk, and the canoe fell sideways over a shelf onto the roaring roil below. As inexperienced newbies are wont to do, both guys grabbed the gunwales to maintain their balance, and (almost) everyone knows that never ends well. One gunwale slid slowly under the froth and the lads pushed off into the cold river, wild-eyed and gulping air like it could be their last.

Mother Nature and her devoted disciples (the Laws of Physics), would normally float that boat downriver to an eddy where the rest of us would retrieve it and haul it ashore. Ms. Nature was obviously not amused at the dearth of acumen in our little group, so she opted to teach

48

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2005

us a lesson. The half-submerged (and now slightly scratched) red canoe floated downstream keel-first toward a fridge-sized boulder protruding from the middle of the hard current. Rather than pivoting harmlessly to one side, the canoe hit the rock in the hull’s epicentre and the open face was immediately engorged with raging river. Freight cars of driving water pinned the boat to the rock and split it open like a pea pod. The forest exploded with footsteps crunching over dry leaves as unseen creatures literally headed for the hills. It sounded like small arms fire when the canoe’s back broke, shooting the metal seats and yoke 15 feet into the air. The shell wrapped itself backwards and inside-out around the big rock.

And there she stayed, probably until the ice nudged it loose the following winter.

It’s probably no coincidence that some among us enrolled in a whitewater canoe course on the Dumoine River the following year. We would later learn that our pre-course competence was limited to lashing the canoe to the car top. Some errant instinct had been convincing us to paddle hard into the tops of rapids when we should have been gently backpaddling, and we were predisposed to take the most perilous routes through standing waves. Our selfacquired white-water technique was akin to learning how to shoot a gun by looking down the wrong end of the barrel.

Listen to the experts and learn. Would we try to drive a car without prior instruction and supervised practice? Why then, do we think we can intuit how to ski, climb, kayak, windsurf, parasail, scuba dive, golf, glide or play pairs ping-pong? The results are far superior and a lot more fun after the experts have been consulted.

Now, has anyone seen a really well-used, red canoe? The outfitter wants it back.

– Brant Scott is the editor of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine and a marketing communications consultant. Visit his web site at www.capitalideascommunications.ca or email him at brant.scott@sympatico.ca.

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