Issue #51 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

OTTAWA

OUTDOORS

MONTHLY

EASTERN ONTARIO: OTTAWA, OTTAWA VALLEY | WESTERN QUEBEC: GATINEAU, OUTAOUAIS, PONTIAC ADVENTURE • TRAVEL • HIKE • BIKE • CANOE • KAYAK • CAMP • HOME • REAL ESTATE • FAMILY • HEALTH

YOUR MONTHLY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE GUIDE.

Riding the K&P Rail Trail Waterways of the Outaouais

KINGSTON TO PEMBROKE

CAMPFIRE COOKING SECRETS ADV

CYCLE QUEBEC’S MAGDALEN ISLAND

RACEREPORT MEC OttawaRace Five

October 29

OUTDOOR CLUBS & EVENTS | Get involved with others like you!

CAMPFIRE COOKING

Secrets you’ll love!

CYCLE THE AZORES FOR A NEW ADVENTURE P.10

EL AV

EXPLORING THE RIDEAU CANAL

TURETR N E

CRAFT BEER Whitewater Brewery’s tasty beginnings!

CELEBRATING

15YEARS

AS WE GO MONTHLY! WWW.OTTAWAOUTDOORS.CA

WE’RE MONTHLY, AND WE’RE EVERYWHERE! After 15 years we’re now a monthly publication! Why? Because we want to keep our readers up to date with current intel on all things outdoors. Plus (truth be known) we want to keep our advertisers happy and give them the chance to each month get out their message, sales and other opportunities that’ll serve you. We want to be a cross-between of the great informative articles we’ve been providing these past 15 years and something like the daily Metro paper . . . current news on the outdoor scene. We know you’ll enjoy it.

So on that note, take a look at this new environmentally-friendly style. The cover is a thick, attractive paper stock whilst the inside is closer to a natural paper stock, better for the environment and still legible. We’re also a larger publication in size so you get to see photos in greater glory.

As for the content, there are lots of small tidbits of information and graphics coupled with detailed articles from our great writing team. In every issue you can enjoy articles on different themes. Sections like PADDLING NEWS, ADVENTURE TRAVEL and our regular ENVIRONMENTAL and SURVIVAL columns will always keep you in the loop.

But we’re also adding other departments from outdoor clubs, events, beers, Ottawa history, music, puzzles and much more, all aimed at giving you bite-sized content to enjoy.

We’re sharing social media feeds and articles from the top sources in the outdoor world, so instead of just a fleeting pass at something you see on Facebook or Twitter, you’ll be able to read and refer to it here over and over again.

If you have any categories or themed article pieces you’d like to see, please let us know.

Don’t forget as well, to sign-up to get the digital version of the magazine as it will have slideshows and videos to further enhance your experience.

From all of us at OTTAWA OUTDOORS MONTHLY, enjoy the warm weather and the upcoming autumn season.

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Free

Your outdoor adventure and travel guide

Spring 2012

Summer 2012

Ottawa • Gatineau • Ontario • Quebec • US & Beyond

FrEE

Your outdoor adventure and travel guide

Ottawa • Gatineau • Ontario • Quebec • US & Beyond

Top 10 outdoor adventures in Ontario

Six summer workouts that sizzle!

Stand up paddling, boot camps, kayaking and more

Just choose ‘em, book ‘em and go

Mountain Bike Polo

Canoe trip for the girls

Yup, exactly what it sounds like

Getting together in Temagami

Glamping it up

Cycling trips

When camping meets comfort

Two easy ones close to home

Prepare for the outdoors

Dogs and paddling

And the wilderness will welcome you

Training for their first time

Hit the trails

Win $27,000

outdoors ottawa

WINTER 2012

FREE

Your outdoor adventure and travel guide Ottawa • Gatineau • Ontario • Quebec • U.S. & Beyond

Get ready for the snowshoe sunny days of winter

Where the fun begins is up to you

Winter Fitness

Which burns calories best?

Backcountry family ski A guide for each glide you take

Speedskating 101

The blades of Brewer beckon

Lost in the bush

A father and son’s experience

Trail running tips

A compleTe ouTdoor AdvenTure prize pAckAge

Exploring the Bonnechere Caves Escape from the heat

outdoors

outdoors outdoors ottawa

Spring 2013

Free

Your outdoor adventure and travel guide

Ottawa • Gatineau • Ontario • Quebec • US & Beyond

Women’s paddle adventures

ottawa

SuMMeR 2013

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WINTER 2011

Your outdoor adventure and travel guide

Whitewater rafting the Ottawa River

FREE

Your guide to the local outdoor adventure scene Ottawa, Ottawa Valley, Gatineau, Québec

Ottawa • Gatineau • Ontario • Quebec • US & Beyond

Snowboarding basics for beginners

Why, where and how to get wet and wild this summer

Three tips to stay up

Why guided trips make it so easy

Alpine powder tips

The great Canadian nature detective hunt See if you can solve these puzzles

Cycling Ile d’Orléans A jewel within easy reach

WIn

Collecting wilderness water

A complete outdoor Adventure GeAr pAckAGe

Four ways to guarantee safety

Feature: running a jungle marathon

Skiing with your poles and feet

The essential après ideas for all sports How to truly relax in comfort

Cycling Perth A pedal paradise

Seven tinders for fire

Survival

Identifying which are the best

A book review on who lives, who dies and why

Paw prints in snow Knowing your wild animals

Paddle plans

Choose the right one for your adventures

Now read on your each issue or compuiPads, iPhon es ters!

Kiteboarding

Time to get airborne!

Muskie fishing

Ottawa's got plenty to catch

Get your FREE iPad App today!

Register today at MuddSweatandTears.com

OUR TEAM & ADVERTISING RATES PUBLISHER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DAVE BROWN EDITOR

ROGER BIRD CONTRIBUTORS Allen Macartney Katharine Fletcher Martin Bissig Roger Bird Jason Myerson Elizabeth Mabie Sheila Ascroft Eric Fletcher Lesley Cassidy Dave Brown

02 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

Dave Brown is the publisher of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine (15yrs) now published monthly and distributed FREE at more than a 200 locations around the region and into Québec and Ontario. © Copyright 2017 All rights reserved. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556.

PRINTED IN CANADA editor@ottawaoutdoors.ca

ADVERTISING THE regional magazine for outdoor, family, adventure, and travel enthusiasts everywhere! Distributed in more than 200 locations with 80,000 monthly readers, or nearly 1,000,000 annual readers in print and online all over Ottawa, Gatineau, the Ottawa Valley, Pontiac, eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Get in touch to advertise to your target customers and take advantage of the web and social-media bonus!

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MONTHLY

Autumn gear and hiking tips

COVER PHOTO Adventure in the Azores, by Martin Bissig.

20

COOLGEAR HOT STUFF

THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

THE 16 EXPLORING RIDEAU CANAL 04 Paddling News 05 Video your canoe/kayak adventure 06 Waterways of the Outaouais 07 Lighten your backpack 08 Cycle Quebec’s Magdalen Islands 10 ADVENTURE TRAVEL: Cycling the Azores 12 SO YOU KNOW 13 SPOTLIGHT: Local artist 14 MIND & BODY 14 Burundians hike the Gatineau Hills 16 Exploring the Rideau Canal 17 Campfire cooking secrets 18 Wheelchair-accessible trails 18 Ontario Conservation Areas 20 Cool Gear Hot Clothing 22 Riding the K&P Rail trail 23 Creativity afloat with Becky Mason 24 ENVIRONMENTAL COLUMN 25 Clubs & Event 25 Running Tips 26 Spirits & Beer 26 BookNook 26 Ottawa History 26 Music 27 Puzzles & Tips 29 Survival Column 30 Autumn gear and hiking tips

READ IT ONLINE

READ EACH ISSUE ON YOUR COMPUTER, IPAD OR TABLET!

Check out some hot items to pick up this MONTH!

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| 03

PADDLING NEWS

Algonquin​ ​Outfitters’​ ​Paddle​ ​Art​ ​ Auction​ ​raises​ ​awareness​ and​ ​more​ ​ than​ ​$20,000​ ​for​ ​arts​ ​groups WHEN​ ​ALGONQUIN​ ​OUTFITTERS​ ​(AO)​ ​hatched​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​for​ ​a​ ​paddle​ ​art​ ​ contest,​ ​they​ ​had​ ​no idea​ ​what​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​it​ ​would​ ​generate.

The​ ​contest​ ​launched​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Reel​ ​Paddling​ ​Film​ ​Festival​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Algonquin​ ​ Theatre​ ​had​ ​set​ ​a goal​ ​of​ ​100​ ​submissions​ ​and​ ​$10,000​ ​raised​ ​at​ ​the​ ​paddle​ ​ auction​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​for​ ​its​ ​two​ ​chosen​ ​recipients: Oxtongue​ ​Lake​ ​for​ ​Arts​ ​and​ ​ Culture​ ​(OLAC)​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Town​ ​of​ ​Huntsville​ ​reserve​ ​fund​ ​for​ ​future​ ​acquisition​ ​of public​ ​art.

Ottawa River Runners launch new solar-powered clubhouse for the region OTTAWA RECENTLY celebrated the grand opening of the Ottawa River Runners White Water Club Inc. (ORR) solar-powered clubhouse. The clubhouse includes a rooftop solar installation that was funded in part by Bullfrog Power as part of its community renewable projects program. The Pumphouse Whitewater facility is between Booth Street and Bronson Avenue, behind Albert Street. A group of dedicated paddlers banded together to clean the riverbed and shoreline at the base of the city-run pumphouse, allowing it to be an artificial water slalom course for Ottawa area canoe and kayakers.

The group incorporated as the Ottawa River Runners in 1983 and often used shipping containers to store their boats.

The exciting news of this new clubhouse was made possible by member-supported fundraising and an Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant. The grand opening of the clubhouse coincided with the Canadian Whitewater National Slalom Championships held in August at the Pumphouse, located adjacent to LeBreton Flats in Ottawa. For more information on the Championships, see www.whitewaterontario.ca.

•

“We​ ​received​ ​nearly​ ​3,000​ ​online​ ​bids,”​ ​said​ ​Randy​ ​Mitson,​ ​AO’s​ ​Marketing​ ​ Director.​ ​“It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​success, so​ ​successful​ ​that​ ​our​ ​website​ ​saw​ ​hundreds​ ​ of​ ​people​ ​all​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​bid​ ​in​ ​the​ ​last​ ​few​ ​hours​.” In​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​the​ ​auction​ ​raised​ ​a​ ​ total​ ​of​ ​$20,094​ ​for​ ​the​ ​two​ ​arts​ ​groups.

Two​ ​of​ ​the​ ​three​ ​paddles​ ​that​ ​received​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​bids​ ​were​ ​submitted​ ​ by​ ​local​ ​artists​ ​Janine​ ​Marson​ ​and​ ​Don MacKenzie​ ​who​ ​both​ ​asked​ ​not​ ​to​ ​be​ ​ included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​contest.​ ​Janine’s​ ​“Tom​ ​Thomson”​ ​painted​ ​paddle garnered​ ​a​ ​ bid​ ​of​ ​$675​ ​while​ ​Don’s​ ​carved​ ​“Eagle​ ​Feather”​ ​earned​ ​$601.

Between​ ​the​ ​two​ ​was​ ​a​ ​paddle​ ​painted​ ​by​ ​Christine​ ​Gagné,​ ​“The​ ​Journey​ ​ Begins”,​ ​which​ ​sold​ ​for​ ​$671,​ ​putting it​ ​first​ ​in​ ​the​ ​contest.​ ​Her​ ​paddle​ ​depicts​ ​a​ ​ bear,​ ​moose​ ​and​ ​howling​ ​wolf​ ​on​ ​one​ ​side,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​tranquil​ ​scene​ ​with​ ​loons​ ​on​ ​ the​ ​other.

“I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​do​ ​something​ ​to​ ​portray​ ​(Algonquin​ ​Park)​ ​in​ ​the​ ​paddle​ ​with​ ​a​ ​ Tom​ ​Thomson​ ​twist,”​ ​said​ ​Christine. “I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​paint​ ​something​ ​people​ ​could​ ​ relate​ ​to.”​ ​She​ ​picked​ ​up​ ​a​ ​paddle​ ​on​ ​a​ ​trip​ ​to​ ​Algonquin​ ​Park​ ​this summer​ ​and​ ​ got​ ​to​ ​work,​ ​submitting​ ​her​ ​entry​ ​just​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​before​ ​the​ ​deadline.

“We​ ​are​ ​thrilled​ ​with​ ​the​ ​results​ ​of​ ​the​ ​auction​ ​and​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​support​ ​these​ ​ two​ ​great​ ​organizations,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as bringing​ ​awareness​ ​to​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​ supporting​ ​arts​ ​and​ ​culture,”​ ​said​ ​Mitson.​

•

Rio Olympian Michael Tayler (left), Ottawa River Runners’ Doug Corkery and Olympian Cameron Smedley celebrate the official ground breaking of the Ottawa River Runners new clubhouse for the Pumphouse Whitewater Facility. (photo Michelle Nash Baker/Metroland)

04 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

In 2017 Ottawa will be host to the first OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL in Eastern Canada featuring adventure films from across the globe. This festival will be the first of its kind, unique to Ottawa and Eastern Canada.

Come out and celebrate the world of adventure with the vibrant Ottawa adventure community. Learn more at www.facebook.com/ OttawaAdventureFilmFestival.

Savour a canoe or kayak adventure memory on video

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY

W

ithin weeks of a canoe or kayak trip, memories start to fade like a gorgeous northern sunset. But it’s an unnecessary loss. Few paddlers even consider making a video of that adventure, but with today’s technology it’s never been easier. So lay down that great trek in bits and bytes to savour them in the depths of a cold winter. It will make you yearn for a repeat next summer. Here are some ideas to get you started.

It’s an easy five-step process: choose the equipment, develop an idea/ script, shoot, edit and upload to YouTube

Equipment

You don’t need an expensive video camera with shotgun microphones and recorders.

A smartphone comes with both a video camera and a spacious hard drive to store

the images. Just keep in mind this is not a dedicated video camera with its attendant high quality. If you do work with a video camera, set the shooting quality to the highest level and use a tripod to ensure a stable image.

Ideas and script

What do you want to portray in the video? Terrain? interactions among paddlers?

Gear? campsite life? Do some thinking, and write down your ideas in a story line. Just like a good meal doesn’t just involve the roast beef, but also potatoes, gravy, vegetables and more, the video can incorporate different facets of the trip, told as a story from start to finish. Show paddlers launching their boat(s), setting off down a lake, heading into a storm, setting up tents in rain or afternoon sunshine, making supper/breakfast, heading home.

Watching a range of YouTube videos to get those creative juices flowing. Look

for interesting camera angles (e.g. at water level), and decide what type of music (if any) you want as theme background.

Shooting the video

Make sure you have plenty of light so faces aren’t in shadow. In addition to shots that follow your script story, take lots of short clips (e.g. loons fishing, rain dripping off your tent, a paddle dipping into the water). Drop these shots into the final video to build interest. Keep the background “clean” of distracting colours or shapes (e.g. a branch that appears to be growing out of someone’s ear).

Editing

After transferring images onto your computer, look through what you have and start putting it into a rough time sequence. This speeds up editing. If you’ve never done this video before, watch

instruction videos online for the “how to,” and start experimenting. Free video editing software is available, or you can buy software that creates more elaborate productions.

First time out, keep it short – maximum three to five minutes – and fast-moving to maintain viewer interest.

Cut any footage that is out of focus or doesn’t add to the overall quality.

Finally, go online for non-copyrighted music for background. It gives a threedimensional quality to your work. Always credit the music composer at the end of your video.

Uploading onto YouTube

onto YouTube or wherever else you want to display it.

Then start making plans for your next outdoor video!

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1. Use a tripod 2. Don’t use the iPhone digital zoom 3. Light your video 4. Use the exposure lock 5. Get your microphone close to your subject 6. Slow-motion and time-lapse 7. Edit on your computer

Before uploading, edit your video creation one more time, thoroughly, to make it as professional and interesting as possible. When you’re happy enough with it (don’t let a goal of perfection get in the way of the good), upload

WWW.OTTAWAOUTDOORS.CA

| 05

PHOTOS BY KATHARINE FLETHCER

PADDLING

Private lake view from Trois Pointes Cabin, Kenauk.

Manoir Papineau, built between 1848-1850.

Waterways of the Outaouais: Quebec’s newest tourist route

Explore the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers and celebrate our capital environment

BY KATHARINE FLETCHER Outaouais Tourism launched a brandnew route celebrating the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers earlier this summer. Called Les Chemins d’eau, it offers history and outdoorsy destinations along 278 kilometres of waterfront.

Starting downstream on the Ottawa River near Montebello, it continues west through the Outaouais into the Pontiac region.

Here are a few highlights. But don’t take my word for it. Explore!

For upscale luxury visit Chateau Montebello, the world’s largest log “cabin.”

Bicycle, horse-back ride, swim, paddle – and learn why Winston Churchill loved staying in this treasure of historic Canadiana. Adjacent to it, Géo-Explora lets you go on a scavenger hunt using electric Quads. Fun. Kenauk Nature is my go-to place for solace: rented cabins on a private lake offer kayaks, canoes and rowboats. Take all your food (and books, sketchpads) and “glamp” in serenity.

Montebello: Manoir Papineau, Parc Omega, Fairmont Chateau Montebello, Kenauk Nature

Pontiac: PPJ Cycloparc, Norway Bay Beach, Esprit Rafting

“In the isolation of this location, I have been architect, farmer, designer and gardener.” Louis-Joseph Papineau wrote those words while managing the construction of his home, Manoir Papineau, built between 1848-50. This fiery politician participated in the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837-38 against British rule and now his home is a Parks Canada National Historic Site. Go to tour his home and gardens, and win tranquil views of the Ottawa River.

Nearby Parc Omega introduces us to Canadian (and other) wildlife via a drive-through parkland – and also offers comfy “yurt-like” accommodations. Its First Nations walking trail introduces us to art and facts about the peoples of the Outaouais region – well-worth visiting. Tip? During mating season for elk, wolves, bison and deer (September and October) stay overnight and listen beneath a canopy of stars to wolf howls and bugling of elk. It can stir the soul.

PPJ Cycloparc offers cyclists 95 off-road kilometres along a former rail line through pastoral farms to Shawville. Count on a tasty lunch at Café 349, with delicious coffee from a local roasterie and visit a gallery, Art Brûlant. Beyond Shawville, cycle to l’Isle-aux-Allumettes, passing through villages including Fort Coulonge with its historic Auberge Spruceholme.

Take the family to Norway Bay’s idyllic sandy beach where youngsters can splash, well-supervised, in the shallows of the mighty Ottawa. Older kids and adults can walk the stretch of wharf where ferries to Ontario once docked. Locals love jumping off the pier into the deep Ottawa River for a challenging swim. And you could bring your kayak.

Meanwhile, Esprit offers thrilling whitewater rafting on the Ottawa – come for sunsets, lodging, and to see why First Nations, European explorers down to

06 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

today’s recreationalists love this wild, rapids-strewn stretch of river.

Just a few of my top picks – and I’ve not even mentioned the beautiful Gatineau River, where Wakefield Village deserves exploration …

Find out more at Tourisme Outaouais, (bit.ly/2wmi4cq)

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PHOTO BY JENS BEUTTENMUELLER

Lighten your backpack EVERY GRAM COUNTS

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY (Writing this piece really brought back memories of my trip to the Arctic Circle.

I remember getting in to Whitehorse thinking, “How am I going to fit all this gear into my canoe?” In the end, I had more gear and food than I needed – what you want in an isolated area.)

Every kilogram matters when backpacking or portaging. And it’s not just when rough or hilly terrain makes pack straps bite hard into shoulders. At the end of the day, a few extra grams here a few more there, add up to real weight.

Easy first steps

Take a really close look at your packing list and leave all non-essentials at home. Ditch packaging. Throw away bulky cardboard. Put that oatmeal cereal into double-packaged zip-lock bags. Measure food

servings into individual ziplock bags, and if possible eat out of the bag. Leave your wallet, most cards, and heavy loonies and toonies at home.

Take only big bills ($20, $50), a Visa and medical card. No water filter for purification.

Use chemical or a UV treatment (like SteriPEN).

No books

I love reading late at night in a tent. But books are like bricks in a pack. Use the Kindle app to download a public library’s worth of novels onto your phone, or download MP-3 audio books. If guidebooks have vital material for your adventure, photograph relevant pages with your phone and keep it on airplane mode to conserve battery life.

Wardrobe compromises

Wear swimming trunks for hiking, take two polypropylene T-shirts (one

for day, one for night use), and a hand towel for swims and drying off. Stuff extra clothes into your sleepingbag cover and use it as a pillow. Layer your clothing at night, rather than carry a heavy three-season sleeping bag. Carry a toque for cold nights and cheap cotton gloves. Leave heavy leather boots at home unless you’ve got weak ankles or you’re trekking through really rough terrain. Light trail runners will do the trick.

Pack according to the weather

If the weekend forecast calls for hot and sunny, tarp and rain gear stay at home. Bring an extra, large plastic bag as an emergency raincoat. No rain means campfires are easy to light and maintain, so no need for a stove or fuel. Discover the adventure of outdoor gourmet cooking over a campfire – just like Huck Finn!

Bring a small pot for cooking,

and a micro-frying pan. After cooking, use them as a plate or bowl to eat from.

Avoid ultra-lite

Most ultra-lite gear (e.g. chop-sticks, fork, spoon, cups) is costly and delivers only minor weight savings.

Cut the long handle off an old toothbrush, make throwaway chopsticks, and carry only a small travel tube of toothpaste. Do you really need a metal insulated mug or would a Dollar Store plastic mug work as well?

Food preparation

Plan calorie-dense meals. Nuts are packed full of protein and mix easily into lunches or suppers.

Kraft Dinner offers a good carbohydrate base for adding on nutritious treats. Drop in a foil pack of tuna, and a bit of Parmesan cheese. Look for raspberries, blue berries and strawberries along the trail, and add them to your meals.

But avoid misery!

Pack only those luxury items that make your outdoor adventure memorable. Leave the rest. If compromises result in a bit more weight, that’s OK. Comfort on the trail is important. Packing light involves trial and error, so do a couple of dry runs before you start packing for real.

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LIGHT HIKE/CAMP TIPS • SLEEPING BAG If you're looking to drop weight and drop it fast, go for a down sleeping bag • SLEEPING PADS Inflatable pads are typically lighter • TENT POLES = LESS WEIGHT On the trail, your home is a tiny nylon shell which you crawl into at night. During the day, you carry your home on your back, kinda like a turtle. That’s why you want it to be light • WATER FILTERS Gravity filters are a great option for ultralight hiking; Hand pump water filters are a tried and true method in the backcountry; waater Iodine tablets or chlorine drops are an option that doesn’t add much weight to your pack

WWW.OTTAWAOUTDOORS.CA

| 07

CYCLING

Time to cycle Quebec’s Magdalen Islands

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY

I

t’s the trip many dream of doing, yet few actually go. But this adventure is almost irresistibly near.

The Magdalen Islands (Iles de la Madeleine) is a thin string of sandy islands in the St. Lawrence River that offers many cycling loops with lots of side trips for hiking and exploration.

Expect a landscape that’s relatively flat but with gusts of wind that keep things interesting. And if beaches are your thing, you’ll be treated to 300 kilometres of sandy shoreline with dunes and red sandstone cliffs – spectacular photography opportunities. As you cycle this remote paradise of old lighthouses, and brightly painted homes, stop to sample the local culinary treats like lobster and crab, and treat your senses to some traditional Magdalen folk music.

Here are some sample tours.

A) CAP-AUX-MEULES TO GROS-CAP

This easy 50-kilometre loop begins not far from Parc de Gros-Cap campground and goes from l’Etangdu-Nord, to the Site de la Côte, Cap Hérissé, BelleAnse and Fatima. It’s a wonderfully scenic ride. Don’t miss the Corfu Island wreck which you’ll be able to see from the Dune de l’Ouest Beach. Count on a spectacular sunset at Belle Anse with breath-taking reflections of the nearby cliff. And you could step off your two-wheeled steed and mount a four-legged one to gallop along the sandy beach at dusk!

Finish off your day with a visit to Pas Perdus Restaurant for a menu that offers everything from savoury calamari, and coconut-curry mussels, to linguine carbonara, and Pied-de-Vent (a famous local cheese).

B) CAP-AUX-MEULES TO GROSSE ILE

Located on the northeastern tip of the island archipelago, this 60-kilometre loop over relatively flat terrain starts at Cap-aux-Meules and leads to Grosse Ile, and back. You’ll likely see kite surfers at Pointe aux Loups Island, which is also a great place for lunch. This site is particularly delightful with light southwesterly winds. Grosse-Ile also offers birds and other animals as you pass through the Pointe de l’Est National Wildlife Area.

Take time for sunbathing at spectacular Grande Echouerie Beach where the sand actually squeaks underfoot. A detour to the À l’abri de la tempête offers a chance to taste its delightful blonde beer charmed out of local wild herbs.

C) BIKE TOUR AROUND BASSIN

This 25-kilometre loop starts at #102, Highway 199 in Havre-Aubert and takes you around the western end of the island on paved roads all the way. You’ll

08 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

D HOW TO GET THERE Most people choose ferries, one from Montreal, and another from Prince Edward Island. Some drive, while do it all by bicycle.

Whatever you choose, make reservations for hotels, camping and bicycles before your adventure.

More into at Tourisme Iles de la Madeleine at 1-877-624-4437, or www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com

pass a number of distinctive architectural styles including a church at Bassin, and the Anse à la Cabane lighthouse that stands sentinel atop lovely red cliffs. Don’t miss the view of Corps Mort Rock in the distance.

Serious riders will find plenty of hills and valleys along this intermediate loop. If the wind is blowing from the southwest, cycling in a counter-clockwise direction will ease your labours.

A

D) HAVRE AUX BASQUES

This 21-kilometre route is a favourite. Starting at the Chemin la Martinique at l’Etang-du-Nord cycle southwest along the Havre aux Basques dune to the Grave Historical Site on Havre Aubert Islands. Expect winds coming from all directions as you’ll be riding along Highway 199 between two bays. Along one side, the bare hills of Entry Island rise over the waters of the Baie de Plaisance. On the other side, Havre aux Basques Bay is home to a wide variety of birds to add to your birding list.

Before arriving at the Grave Historical Site look up ahead and see the myriad of colourful traditional island homes clinging to the slopes of Les Demoiselles.

No bucket list is complete without a cycling tour of Quebec’s Magdalen Islands.

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B

Dreaming about camping on your own island? There is a way.

POISSON BLANC REGIONAL PARK Located 1h30 north of Ottawa, this magnificent wilderness of over 100 sq.km will charm you with its cliffs and golden beaches.

The park has 50 campsites on sandy points or rocky headlands overlooking the water where you can relax under the stars for one or more nights.

Each location is secluded to ensure total tranquility for

you and your fellow campers. You will never be disturbed by a neighbouring snorer or curious wild animal.

Reefs, cliffs and hills provide enchanting scenery to hike, paddle or swim, all with a minimum trace of civilization.

Do you need to take a break? Relax at the beaches, rest on the sand. And just try to overcome the temptation to jump from its innumerable cliffs with cool, refreshing water waiting below.

The park has three hiking trails accessible only by watercraft, and each of these short treks will lead you to a spectacular lookout where you can picnic while admiring the reservoir and its 100 islands.

The Bastion, the Leed or certified park office, is the gateway to the Poisson Blanc reservoir. From there, the paddlers head south to discover all the beauties of the lake, 25 km long and four kilometres wide.

Canoes, sea kayaks and paddleboards are available for rental. As well, the park has an island delivery service and offers the sale and delivery of firewood, drinking water and ice straight to your island.

You can easily book your campsite and canoe/kayak/sup online by visiting poissonblanc.ca. While park access is free, it’s important to know that the campsite’s prices include parking, one bag of firewood per night and a laminated map.

It's time you own your own island . . . if just for a little while. Make your 2017 summer and fall seasons the most amazing one yet!

WWW.OTTAWAOUTDOORS.CA

| 09

ADVENTURE TRAVEL

CYCLING THE AZORES Wheels on the volcanoes

BY MARTIN BISSIG

10 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

NINE VOLCANIC ISLANDS loom from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean 1,400 kilometres from the most western point of the European mainland. They’re the Azores. The smallest is barely 17 square kilometres, the largest is 750. Sounds like scuba diving, surfing and swimming to us. But biking?

Our plane lands in San Miguel on the largest island, Santa Maria. About 5,000 people live on this easy-tograsp little world. Two of them are Andre and Miguel, who welcome us at the airport with a Land Rover and a minivan.

With us is Luis Melo, who grew up here and knows the island like no other, a passionate biker and our companion over the next few days.

On the way to the hotel, my travel partner Jenny and I learn there are more than 20 trails on the island, and that the Pico Alto is the highest, at 587 metres. Our informant, Andre, says we won’t have enough time to see everything. What?

Not enough time in two days to take in a whole 97 square kilometres? We don’t have much time to wonder because we reach the hotel in minutes.

We assemble our bikes and head over to a small bar for breakfast where Luis introduces the mail man, Nuno Aguiar, who brought bringing biking to the island. Arriving from Sao Miguel a few years ago, he took pick and shovel and cleared old paths from sprawling vegetation to pursue his passion. He leaves us eager for our first trails.

We headed to the Pico Alto.

The further we climb, the denser the vegetation. At the top, a quick push launches us into the jungle-like forest. Luis speeds ahead, familiar with every stone and corner. We’re slower, getting used to the soft surface laced with roots. Luis waits at every crossing so we don’t get lost. “Santa Barbara,” our trail to a town with the same name, zigzags through dense brush with sudden views of the whole green island.

One section is barely shoulder-wide, a three metre deep mini canyon strewn with wet stones. No fancy moves or mistakes allowed.

We open our brakes and slip and slide into the fun. My handlebar touches the canyon

wall twice before it spits me out into a meadow. We stop and breathe, noticing the first houses of Santa Barbara.

Their colourful windows are a stark contrast to their white facades, the colour formerly a sign of wealth. We wait in front of the impressive church in the town centre, taking in the rural charm until our shuttle arrives: back up the Pico Alto for our next run.

We’re impressed by the variety of the paths, maintained by hand with some passages groomed for biking.

Banked curves, small drops, jumps, and short pedalling parts fit the surroundings and almost feel like they developed naturally. All trails have a name and most have a story.

“Aeroplane” got its name from a 1989 plane crash on Pico Alto, where a plaque commemorates the terrible incident.

The next day passes much too fast. We bike along steep paths down to lonely bays and cross the Barreiro de Faneca, a soft and flowy landscape of red clay sediment known in English as the Red Desert.

We take a noon break on the Praia Formosa, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and the site of an annual music festival Mare de Agosto, a week of Azorean jazz, rock, and pop. It and the dreamy bay and colourful bars draw visitors from around the globe.

We have to say that Andre and Miguel were right as we say our goodbyes at the airport that evening: two days were much too short and the short flight back to San Miguel isn’t enough time to process our days here.

The next morning our starting point was high on a volcano above the Lagoa do Fogo, the Sea of Fire, which lies far below in a crater. We sheltered from howling wind to watch the red, glistening sun rise above the horizon, bathing the landscape in warm light.

We chose this outlook not just for the sunrise but for the “Kathedral” trail. A fireworks of impressions explodes around us as we enjoy this longest trail on the island, and the views along the crater rim. Gulls scream and follow overhead until we dive into thick green forest silence all the way to the ocean and a late breakfast.

The most well-known enduro race on San Miguel is the Faial da Terra Enduro Fest, eight stages over two days.

We’re not going to miss this, so we head to the town Faial Da Terra on the southeast coast. From our car, Luis counts umpteen trails and their combinations, many of them part of the Fest race.

We get out of the car beside a wooden sign that reads Pico Grande, with a pictogram of two mountain bikers. We pedal off in no rush, but the trail drops steep, a river appears, and Luis accelerates and whirls though the air. I don’t like jumping unfamiliar gaps, but I give it a go, and land softly after a few metres in the air. “Built perfectly,” I think with a smile.

The fun ends in Faial Da Terra.

High five!

The “Pedra Torta,” a stony, natural path is on the program before noon, too. After a descent that brings more smiles, we sit on a mid-town patio and Luis Paulo Nazare, the mayor, wearing jeans and shirt. He’s enthusiastic about the development of biking in his region, to improve the sport and respect the environment, and the town’s local trail network.

The next morning’s stormy weather forces a break from wheels, so we walk the beach.

Sun, rain, wind, and fog are standard fare on the Azores, situated as they are in midocean near the equator. There are no heat waves or cold snaps. Snow only falls on Pice, the highest mountain.

The shuttle arrives at 11 a.m. for a ride to the town of Furnas and its lake with

the same name. Hot sulphur springs bubble from the ground, and the stench of rotten eggs drives us away to the completely fresh air of the “Sixteen Seconds Trail,” for downhill races. Banked curves, doubles, and tables are built into the compact ground. The 550 vertical metres through forest feel like a rollercoaster.

We’re enthusiastic enough to ride it twice.

Our day ends at the Caldeira Velha thermal springs. A waterfall feeds the top pool and serves as a 34-degree shower. At a lower, smaller 38-degree pool we lie on our backs, look into the thick jungle and feel like we’re in a different world.

We are.

•

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| 11

SO YOU KNOW

Chateau Montebello In a cozy atmosphere, the outdoor enthusiast can choose from swimming, tennis, hiking, cycling and a plethora of other activities terrific for the entire family or for a romantic weekend away. Sit by the famous towering six-sided stone fireplace where you can relax with a nice book, game or conversation.

Only 45-min away, it's truly magical!

Visit their website at: www.fairmont.com/montebello

12 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

“Animal Spirits” at La Fab Arts Centre, Old Chelsea

LOCAL ARTISTS

Our writer Katharine Fletcher is a visual artist: see her art Spirit Horses, Bears, Phoenix and Tigers at play

PHOTOS BY ERIC FLETHCER

Katharine Fletcher and Heather Lamorie believe every animal possesses a spirit, which these two artists enjoy interpreting.

Their collaborative show, “Animal Spirits,” is ongoing at La Fab art co-operative in Old Chelsea. Come and see Fletcher’s fanciful spirit horses galloping across time and space – while Lamorie’s First Nation-inspired bears and birds stroll the gallery’s walls.

Lamorie explains, “My grandfather was from the Ojibwa culture so, although I’ve not been taught native imagery, I began drawing and painting native animal compositions when I was young. Years later, these images have become part of my style as an artist.”

As Ottawa Outdoors readers know, Fletcher is passionate about the wild. So it’s not surprising she celebrates animals’ quintessential souls. “Although I have an ongoing series of magical Spirit Horses, I also create endangered animals such as sea turtles, swimming in an ocean where nets loom,” she says.

“I hope my art inspires people to reflect upon every living creature’s right to a decent life and healthy habitat on our shared planet.”

So come, buy fresh local produce and meals, groove to live music and enjoy art. Maps and La Fab hours are at culturechelsea.ca Contacts for Fletcher’s art: facebook.com/KatharineFletcherArtist and katharinefletcher.com

•

Sterling Lorence

CAMP TIME Get outside while the getting’s good. Find everything you need for an unforgettable outdoor home – with a slackline in the living room.

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PUBLICATION

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| 13

MIND & BODY: YOGA

HIKING

Burundians hike the Gatineau Hills

BY ROGER BIRD

Relaxed, learned and celebrated with yoga in the natural world

BY KATHARINE FLETCHER Om. Shanti, the traditional call to peace and mindfulness, echoed through a woodland oasis near Ladysmith in Quebec’s Outaouais.

Bermalva Porter is the visionary behind Bhakti in the Woods, who celebrated its fifth year this past summer.

During the festival she welcomed visitors to come in peace, and experience chanting, yoga, music, and meditation.

She explains, “‘Bhakti” is Sanskrit meaning ‘devotion,’ usually towards the divine. It’s a certain way of practising yoga, a universal spiritual practice. Bhakti requires the belief that all creation is divine, and thus can be used towards one’s devotion to family, music, spiritual path, profession, garden, pets, and so on.”

I asked Porter what most benefited participants. “Cultivating belonging and reverence for all things sacred.

Belonging. Today, many feel removed from community: they don’t feel they belong on the Earth. So during our festival, the simple act of being together has its own effect, coupled with the concerts, workshops and events which naturally bring renewed

faith in life, and union in community.

“Reverence or acknowledgement of life as being sacred is something that can be expressed and experienced through ceremony, song, dance or simply walking through the forest.”

14 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

So, next year come to Bhakti in the Woods, and reconnect.

More information at www.bhaktiinthewoods. com/ ~ Katharine Fletcher is a writer and visual artist. Check out her guide books and art at katharinefletcher.com

•

A group of young professional women get together to hike in Gatineau Park. They hit the trails from Lac Philippe to Lusk Caves, up to the lookout on King Mountain, or take the circuit around Pink Lake.

It all sounds like familiar outings.

What makes these a bit different is these women all came from a part of the world where hiking is close to unheard of. The sparkplug behind these outings is Anick Bizimana, who came from Burundi to Ottawa to attend university, and stayed.

Hiking or running for recreation is uncommon in her homeland – there’s enough walking to do just to look after daily life.

But, “I have been a runner (on and off) since I was a teenager, mostly to stay fit and to meditate, like most runners I suppose,” she says. She has been a runner in Ottawa too and has a half marathon under her belt, as well as the annual Run for Cancer this past May. After volunteer work in Africa, and a stint in Arizona for more university she took her

Ottawa and a position at Global Affairs. But, as she puts it, “work takes over your life.

“I used to be more fit,” she says (uh, she looks fitter, slimmer and stronger than most people), and wanted to get back in shape.

Her father (an unusual Burundian), enjoyed twohour walks with friends during her childhood.

She ignored her dad’s pastime then, but during her stay in Arizona, she began hiking.

“It’s a way to escape the work, the city, the noise, the concrete,” she says. And with friends who shared her Burundi background, the hiking

B.A. and M.A. back to

started here too about a

year ago.

Not in winter. These Burundians are threeseason hikers. But on a hot afternoon in a Dalhousie Street coffee shop, Bizimana didn’t turn down the idea flatly when snowshoeing came up in conversation. She’s keen to keep expanding her outdoor side.

“Everyone’s world is just this big,” she says, holding finger and thumb close together. “You need to get out there.” ~ Roger Bird is the editor of Ottawa Outdoors and “gets out” with two hiking clubs.

•

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| 15

CANOEING

Exploring the Rideau Canal in reflective mode Hard paddle brings perspective WHEN YOU’RE motivated to explore outside your comfort zone, doubt can come quickly. Parents worry, friends fret, and even your own research can make you reconsider your plans.

But if you are in pursuit of a different perspective on life, the Rideau Canal waterway is the perfect pitch-off point.

We planned to paddle the waterway in its entirety, to seek a life perspective from rivers, not roads, amid the beauty of eastern Ontario. So, on May 19 Laura Rose Swan and I launched our 10-foot canoe (The Mosquito) from Kingston for a journey along the historic main route. With little paddling experience we planned to canoe 40 kilometres a day for five days with minimal gear, navigating rivers, lakes and portaging the 23 lock stations while camping along the way.

The 202 kilometres of rivers, lakes and man-made canal between Kingston and Ottawa was built to defend us from further invasion from the United States after 1812-1814. Yet, underneath is a more ancient intrusion, a continental collision that formed the Grenville mountain range a billion years ago.

The remnants are now a geologist’s nerd-out, and an elevation gain of 50 metres from Lake Ontario to its summit of Upper Rideau Lake. Today the Rideau waterway is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America and all levels of paddlers can enjoy its adventure.

We launched into swollen waters with headwind gusts of 30 km/h northeast and waves high enough to splash over the bow. Laura kept the bow straight

16 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

to the waves, while I bailed lake water out of the canoe. We learned quickly to navigate, work together under stress, and communicate effectively. Light rain mingled with our sweat. We had heard that weather on the water can change

fast, and sure enough, soon after, the winds calmed.

The white tips of the waves exchanged visuals with a flock of white swans canoodling in the distance as huge carp washed over each other in spawn. Loon couples popped up out of nowhere and mysteriously kept us in their sight.

The pressure of isometric exercise makes bones stronger, and immense earth pressure makes carbon into diamonds, so perhaps, we thought, challenges like this could produce fortitude of character. Nine hours of paddling a day was a physical test that compressed our spirits to humility before elevating them at the end of the day as we took in our environment. We felt small but not helpless, realizing that even though we couldn’t master nature, we could become a part of it.

Our bodies ached by the third day, but we became comfortable with our discomfort. We laughed into the serene silence as the day breezed by and our emotional barometers maxed out. Note, being slack-jawed by awe on the water requires chapstick with a good SPF. By now we could attend to the immediate, or shift easily to the existential.

Each morning we would take our time with coffee by the shore. The small sachets of instant coffee gave us a black powder pioneer feel as we tore them with our teeth. And we reflected on

those who had lost their lives building the canal and colonizing the country.

When we arrived at a lock station to set up camp each night, friendly Parks Canada employees working to beautify their post greeted us. They asked how we managed so far, told us what to expect up ahead, and with a chuckle asked us to mention at the next station how attractive theirs had looked. At a practical level, all stations have bathrooms, drinking water, and an outlet to charge batteries. We would pitch the tent, lock up the canoe, and basically inhale our dinner before collapsing into a stone-like slumber.

Fires are banned at the lock stations, so our warm sweaters and dry sleeping bags were essential.

There were a few people around, kind, capable, and happy to chat.

Animals were never an issue, but we hung our food in a nearby tree anyway.

Our waterproof map was easy to read – wading in the water looking at it as we snacked on chocolate and trail mix. I think the only item we would bring next time in addition to our neoprene gloves, would be a pair of neoprene shoes to keep our toes warm even when wet.

The next time we paddle the canal we’ll double the time to explore along the way, stopping in the small towns, museums, old stone mills, and the artisan shops along the way.

After reaching home in Ottawa, people would ask us where we were going to go next. All we could think of was, further.

•

PHOTOS BY JASON MYERSON

BY JASON MYERSON

CAMPING

Campfire cooking secrets Skip the expensive gear Veteran campers know there’s more to cooking over a campfire than sharpened sticks, hot dogs and marshmallows. Those new to the idea of preparing meals outdoors could use some perhaps unfamiliar idea. Building a cooking campfire involves more than piling wood and burning it.

Let’s explore these ideas and guarantee a wilderness culinary adventure that’s a piece of cake.

Be prepared

Plan meals before you go.

It’s best to pack a cooler with simple ingredients that are easy to prepare or that can be mixed in with other foods.

Wrap items individually and layer them to conserve space.

Food for the final day of the trip goes at the bottom.

Pack the cooler as full as possible to keep the food chilled. For foods that perish quickly, freeze them beforehand.

Frozen water, juice and condiments double as ice packs.

haves include metal long handled tongs, aluminum pot lifters, and an affordable campfire grill. No pots with rubber-coated handles and any plastic utensils; they melt. Cast iron skillets, woks and Dutch ovens, despite the weight, are beneficial because they can handle large amounts of food.

Build the fire right

First off, know provincial campfire laws. Then read up on fire safety. Then, only then, look for dry hardwood for your fire – maple, beech, oak.

Form a circle of large rocks and clear away debris. Make sure the fire area is set up in an open space away from trees and your tent. A good cooking campfire has plenty of glowing coals, but few flames. Coals cook evenly while flames turn food into a burnt offering.

Build a hardwood fire and let it burn down for an hour

– time to finish assembling ingredients.

Avoid flames

Since you’re cooking over coals, use a grill. Solve the potato challenge – crispy outside, raw inside – by wrapping it in two or three layers of foil. This works on other vegetables, such as carrots, and meat.

Some foods, such as peppers, can be cooked directly on hot coals. When using foil, form handles on the sides to safely place and remove from the heat.

Turn, turn, turn

Turn your meat every minute. Seriously! Doing this cooks your food thoroughly and prevents burning. When in doubt, turn. Food that has been sitting over coals still cooks even after it has been

PHOTO BY SHERALEE STOLL

BY ELIZABETH MABIE

removed from the heat, so don’t over-cook. Test it regularly until it’s perfect.

No greasy meats

Bad news for morning bacon lovers, but those greasy strips can lead to flare ups, which could harm you and damage your campsite.

So avoid fatty meats and foods dripping with oil.

•

TIPS FOR A CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE TENT (ONTARIO PARKS TIP)

• Leave shoes outside the tent.

• A beach-mat at the entrance can help keep dirt from tracking in.

• Use a small broom whisk to clean tent if dirt gets in.

• Keep tent door zipped to keep bugs out.

• Keep your belongings away from the sides of the tent. If the tent and rain fly come into contact, your tent may leak in the rain.

Mix and chop

Chop, marinade, dry, or pre-cook anything you can to make cooking easier and save time.

This also saves you from bringing a ton of kitchen utensils. Make soups, stews, and chili at home and keep frozen until ready to use. Anything that requires added milk or water, like oatmeal or pancake mix, can be sealed in a plastic bag.

At the campsite, just add the liquid, close the bag, shake, pour it into a pot or pan, and cook!

Bring the right gear

Buy cheap cookware at the dollar store. The great outdoors treats costly famous-chef-brand appliances harshly. MustWWW.OTTAWAOUTDOORS.CA

| 17

HIKING TRAILS

Wheelchair-accessible trails Close to home

Ontario Conservation Areas HERE ARE A FEW ACCESSIBLE TRAILS BEYOND OTTAWA

BY SHEILA ASCROFT The National Capitol Commission manages 236 kilometres of multi-use pathways extending from Gatineau Park, through Ottawa and into the Greenbelt. Most are accessible for people with impaired mobility, though much of the Gatineau side of the network is very hilly and therefore is not recommended.

We’ll start with the easy ones on the Gatineau side of the river.

PIONEERS TRAIL Learn about early settlers in the Outaouais region, as you walk this

short (1.3 km), easy trail. It starts at the Gatineau Park Welcome Area, located near Gamelin Street, and is universally accessible.

LAC-DES-FÉES PATHWAY This one is north of Boul. des Allumettières along the eastern edge of Gatineau Park. Great for birdwatching, an easy onekilometre walk.

40 kilometres of trails, only its Sarsaparilla Trail (reached from P7) is universally accessible, as is its dock at a beaver pond. The larger area has wetland boardwalks and interpretive exhibits on geology and natural history. Stony Swamp is home to 63 species of regionally rare plants, 11 of which exist nowhere else in Ottawa’s Greenbelt.

•

STONY SWAMP In the southwest corner of Ottawa, this area off Moodie Drive features a network of beaver ponds, wetlands and forests. While it has more than

Reverend William Bleasdell in the 1800s who wrote of the rock in scientific journals and so brought it to the attention of geologists across Canada

BLEASDELL BOULDER CONSERVATION AREA This area is the site of a short trail that takes you to the “Bleasdell Boulder,” one of the largest known glacial erratics in North America. It’s estimated to be 2.3 billion years old. Named after William Bleasdell who wrote about it in scientific journals in the 1800s, it’s also known as Glen Miller Rock (after a local builder who retired nearby), the Boulder is 13.4 metres long, 7.3 metres wide and 6.7 metres (more than two storeys!) high. It’s surrounded by a wide variety of trees, flowers, ferns as well as small mammals, reptiles and waterfowl.

LEMOINE POINT CONSERVATION AREA The Point is bordered by Lake Ontario and Collins Bay. It’s 136 hectares of forest, field and marsh, with a spectacular waterfront. This is a popular and well-used conservation area with more than 2,500 metres of shoreline on Lake Ontario. It not only has wheelchair accessible trails, it also has accessible picnic tables and washrooms nearby.

LITTLE CATARAQUI CREEK CONSERVATION AREA This 394-hectare site has marsh, field and forest habitat. Its accessible trail also doubles as an interpretive tour with signage, a brochure and a viewing platform over the creek and marsh.

BAXTER CONSERVATION AREA Between Kemptville and Manotick, this site has 68 hectares of wetlands, conifer plantations, mixed forest, alder thickets, nut groves and a solar energy display. An accessible boardwalk loop takes you through fern and trillium (in spring) environments.

FOLEY MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION AREA High atop a granite ridge overlooking Westport village, 50 km south of Perth, this site has a new stone-dust mobility trail with interpretive signs designed for wheelchair users. A 300-metre loop with beautiful views of Upper Rideau Lake is a highlight.

•

Famous park welcomes wheelchairs If you want to go further afield and consider camping, Algonquin Park offers several locations with

18 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

appropriate facilities.

Two longish trails will get you truly into the spirit of nature: Spruce Bog

Boardwalk has sections in this 1.5-km loop trail that provide an excellent close-up look at two typical northern

spruce bogs. The guide discusses their ecology.

Algonquin Logging Museum Trail and exhibits summarize the area’s extensive, economic and

environmentally significant logging history. On the easyto-walk 1.3-kilometre loop, a re-created caboose camp and a fascinating steam-

powered amphibious tug called an “alligator” are among the many exhibits on display.

•

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Standing highhigh on aon bluff overlooking thethe mighty LeChâteau ChâteauFrontenac Frontenac is not merely a hotel located Standing a bluff overlooking mightySt. St.Lawrence LawrenceRiver, River, Fairmont Fairmont Le is not merely a hotel located in theinheart of Old – it –isitthe heart of of Old Québec. the heart of Québec Old Québec is the heart Old Québec.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS | 19

COOLGEAR

KEEN WOMEN’S TERRADORA PULSE MID WATERPROOF | $185 Built for a woman's foot, this boot is up for action in any kind of weather. Waterproofing and an all-terrain sole keep you dry and stable on the trail, and a cushioned panel takes pressure off the Achilles. Look for it at KEENFootwear.com

HOT STUFF

BIG AGNES DREAM ISLAND 9C DOUBLE SLEEPING BAG – UNISEX | $359 A couple’s bag to allow togetherness without a tug-of-war for the covers.

The top contains a layer of warm synthetic insulation, the bottom is uninsulated to keep it light. An integrated sleeve allows you to slide in your sleeping pads for warmth that you won’t roll off of in the night. Builtin pockets keep your pillows in place too. A luxury bedtime option for camping or canoe trips. Check them out at MEC.ca

PLATYPUS PLATYPRESERVE WINE PRESERVATION SYSTEM | $10.50 Keep the merlot fresh and your chardonnay crisp while you’re out on adventures. This wine preservation system protects the flavour and extends drinkability by eliminating exposure to oxygen. Check them out at MEC.ca

FLASH FORWARD WOMEN’S COLUMBIA INSULATED VEST $119.99 This vest features our classic ribbed panel design and extra-durable internal quilting construction. Water resistant fabric and down insulation keep you warm and dry, while bindings at the armholes and hem give you the freedom to move; perfect for highactivity outdoor pastimes. Check them out at SAIL.ca

MEC CABIN 4 TENT | $459 Roughing it is overrated. Add some serious luxury to your next family outing, car trip or canoe voyage. The Cabin 4 Tent lets you build a real home in the woods. It has plenty of headroom so you don’t have to crouch to get in or out, and you can stand up to change your clothes. Double doors with mesh let cool air circulate freely, but keep out all flying insects..Check them out at MEC.ca

BLUNDSTONE – CANADIAN ANNIVERSARY BOOT Blundstone made a limited edition Canadian anniversary boot, complete with a red maple leaf! Look for it at Glebe Trotters on Bank Street – glebetrotters.com.

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| 21

HIKING TRAILS

Riding the K&P rail trail Raccoons stealing breakfast were part of the fun

BY LESLEY CASSIDY

It’s not an adventure until a few things go sideways.

Ours did. Riding the bike path along the St. Lawrence River shore in Kingston, Ont., we heard the sound of an aluminum rack hitting a tire.

Robyn’s bicycle came to a quick stop with her on it, pitching her forward, startling everyone.

We were only two kilometres into our bikepacking adventure to ride the length of the Kingston & Pembroke (K&P) rail trail when the first mishap occurred. We had just started riding the bike path along its shores in Doug Fluhrer Park after I had dipped my foot in the cold waters of the St. Lawrence a few minutes before.

Planning this adventure, we had hoped to ride from Kingston to Sharbot Lake Provincial Park the first day, camp overnight, and finish the next day. The K&P, 180 kilometres long, was built in the late 1800s. It never made it to Pembroke, but stopped in Renfrew – our destination – when the money ran out. But that line, even in its unfinished state, was the first to bring the outside world into the remote bush of the Ottawa Valley.

With the rack which hit the tire in pieces, we removed it from her mountain bike and Robyn strapped the duffel bag to her shoulders. Off we rode, Susanne, Robyn and I, singing John Denver’s “On the Road Again.”

We left Kingston heading north via a wide tunnel under the 401 and the path narrowed, lined with lush green plant life, tall grass and trees blowing in the breeze. The sky threatened rain, but the forecast promised we 22 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

were riding into sunshine and blue sky.

The trail is generally hardpacked stone dust, and well-signed with interpretive panels explaining local history and geography. Our route was marshy in places and we saw ducks, geese and evidence of beaver activity.

Hardwoods, mostly maples, and rolling farm fields made for a changing landscape. In some stretches, saplings and overhanging trees created a dark green forest tunnel. In others, three- to five-metre rock cuts lined the route.

I imagined how isolated it must have felt in the late 1800s to look out a train window and see nothing but thick forest.

Lunch was a quick stop on an old rail bridge near Verona. Robyn had packed sushi and it tasted good enough to make up for the space it took in our packs.

The trail was easy to follow and ended near the outdoor skating rink in Tichborne on County Road 38. We cycled its pavement and joined up with the trail just before Sharbot Lake, passing construction work that will bridge this gap. An original K&P rail car is parked near Sharbot Lake, a monument to a long-ago era.

Swimming in the lake was a welcome break after almost 90 kilometres on the saddle.

Pasta with rehydrated tomato sauce, a cold beer from town, and a campfire topped off a perfect evening.

But breakfast the next morning revealed another “sideways” slippage, and this one was not mechanical.

Around midnight, raccoons had found our breakfast bag, not safely stashed. Oops! We chased them but they just sauntered slowly back into the bush, with us not realizing the breakfast bag had gone with them. Baked beans and cheese were substituted.

The rolling kilometres passed quickly to Clarendon Station where the old train station still stands. Big rocks and pools of water on the trail demanded careful, slow navigation on loaded

bikes for the next section to Mississippi Station, where the rail trail ends abruptly.

We pedalled County Road 509 and rejoined the K&P a few kilometres further on.

This section of the rail trail feels remote – few cottages or hunting camps anywhere – hard-packed gravel with rough patches.

Our misadventures weren’t over though. A failed seat post stopped us just before Calabogie. We worked hard to fix it, but the seat had

to be replaced. So we ended our ride along the K&P at the golf course near Calabogie, about 25 kilometres shy of Renfrew.

An on-call husband picked up three tired, sweaty and happy friends, eager to start planning our next ride, maybe with fewer mishaps.•

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LOCAL ARTISTS

Creativity afloat with Becky Mason

BY ELIZABETH MABIE Rebecca “Becky” Mason is not only a master canoe paddler, but is skilled with paintbrushes too. Many know her from paddling lessons and northern trips, but this canoeist has a broad background in visual arts. Encouraged by her father, artist Bill Mason, and inspired by a love for nature, she has been showcasing her art around Ottawa-Gatineau for nearly 30 years.

Here’s what she had to say about it.

OOM: Why did you decide to become an artist?

Mason: My family roots go deep into the creative side. I watched my dad and I grew up viewing him. I remember my late teens, saying that I’d like to be an artist. He said to me, “If you really want to be an artist, go to art school without any pressure. If you like it after the two years, go for it.” I signed myself up for the High School of Commerce and entered a two-year art program. I

built my portfolio and went on to study commercial art at the Ontario College of Art and Design.

OOM: Which medium do you use?

Mason: My immune system overreacted [to paints and chemicals] and I almost died. But my dad was wonderful. He said, “What do you want to do with your life?” I said, “I want to paint.” “What kind of paint can you use?” “Probably watercolour; that’s the least toxic.” I started with watercolour and I kept on with it. I wasn’t able to paint with acrylic for the first 15 years of watercolour, but eventually I was able to tolerate more.

OOM: What is your favourite subject matter?

Mason: I paint what I know. I love to walk in the forest; I live beside the Gatineau Hills. I love those beautiful vistas, so I have done a whole series of trees in the fall, spring, and winter. The colours are important to me.

OOM: Have you noticed your style developing over the years? How has it changed?

Mason: It has changed drastically in recent years because I have switched mediums. I have been doing watercolour for 25 years on Japanese paper. I enjoyed it, but I wanted to do something with another medium. The look is different because I am working on board. It’s not as porous … I enjoy the challenge of manipulating the paint.

OOM: What is your art process?

Mason: I clear my schedule so I’m not taking requests and think about my art for a couple of weeks. I take out my materials and start drawing and painting. I’ll paint two paintings a day, set them aside, and revisit them in two days. I always make sure that I revisit them. My work is like writing a poem; sometimes you think you can come

back, but the inspiration is gone, so you start another painting. I generally paint quickly, but a lot of thought about what I want to do is planned ahead. I almost paint the painting beforehand in my mind.

OOM: Do you have a particular place that inspires you?

Mason: It’s where my lifelines take me. I get a lot of inspiration when I’m paddling, and when I come back I’m always excited and want to paint.

OOM: Do you ever have dry periods?

Mason: I don’t consider them dry periods because I’m continually thinking subconsciously about art. I always feel like I’m being creative, so that doesn’t worry me.

OOM: Do you take your supplies along on canoe trips, so you can paint your surroundings?

Mason: Sometimes. Most of the time I come back and paint what I experienced, but in my studio. I find that time distills my memories down to the crucial elements and emotions, which are captured more effectively in my studio.

Mason’s art and info about it are all at redcanoes.ca. Worth a visit.

•

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| 23

ENVIRONMENT

We play on our river and drink its waters… so what’s this about nuclear waste?

BY KATHARINE FLETCHER

Who doesn’t love lazy summer days spent on the Ottawa River, its beaches, and tributaries? Stretching 1,271 kilometres and draining a watershed of 146,300 square kilometres, this beautiful source of fresh, potable water is yours and mine to protect and enjoy. And not just us: wildlife depends upon this ecosystem’s health.

Happily, the watershed is defended by an organization called the Ottawa Riverkeeper, where Meredith Brown is its outspoken defender.

As always, the watershed needs vigilant protection. With that in mind, have you heard about Chalk River’s Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ proposed nuclear waste storage site?

nuclear activity on the shores of the Ottawa River, with no solutions in place for permanently safeguarding the radioactive waste that is continuously generated at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) in Chalk River, Ont.,” she writes.

“That may soon change.

Ottawa Riverkeeper has received intervenor funding to take part in the federal environmental assessment related to CNL’s proposal to create a permanent Near Surface Disposal Facility for nuclear waste on crown land, near the small town of Chalk River.”

Good news. I think CNL must take responsibility for the safekeeping of nuclear waste. But … is this in fact a safe site?

NUCLEAR WASTE AND OTTAWA RIVER Unsurprisingly, Brown takes on the issue of this proposed nuclear landfill on her Ottawa Riverkeeper blogsite (bit.ly/2oR0VEz).

“For 90 years there has been

SIZE MATTERS The proposed megadump for nuclear radioactive waste is immense: plans reveal it may be seven stories high with an area of 70 NHL hockey rinks. It’s to be the world’s largest, designed to

house a million cubic metres of radioactive waste.

But not just its size is alarming.

I read the Environmental Impact Assessment for the site, released earlier this year. It`s at bit. ly/2nLtlxS. I was shocked that plans for the waste site extend into year 2400. How can safety possibly be guaranteed for that long?

Like me, the Riverkeeper believes something must be done to stabilize the Chalk River property. What if the geomembrane of the landfill site ruptures and waste leeches into the river and nearby Perch Creek? After all, we live in an active earthquake zone, meaning tremors and fissures occur. Can a membrane last/be guaranteed until 2400? Unlikely, I say.

A group called Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area (CCRCA) maintains a website (bit.ly/2p9Gmmd) where you can read “Ten things Canadians need

to know about the Chalk River “Near Surface Disposal Facility” co-authored along with the Quebec Pontiac region’s Old Fort William Cottagers’ Association.

Brown confirmed what its website claims about the former Conservative government’s change to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. In 2012, mandatory independent panel reviews for nuclear projects were done away with. The Act even excluded the Minister of Environment from the decision-making process.

I’m concerned there’s no governmental body – let alone Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change – engaged in this process.

If you want to make your voice heard about your Ottawa River contact Riverkeeper at ottawariverkeeper.ca or the CCRCA at concernedcitizensofrca@ gmail.com. •

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| 25

SPIRITS & BEER

The regional and popular WHITEWATER BREWING COMPANY was founded by three good friends in 2011 on the banks of the Mighty Ottawa River. The three have had many adventures that have taken them from the incredible rivers of Ontario & Quebec to the mountain-fed creeks of British Columbia, from the deep canyons of the Colorado River, to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. One constant that has remained strong throughout their journey is the return to the heart

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You are now a part of the story, it’s time for you and our beer to tell the rest. Learn more on their website at whitewaterbeer.ca

•

OTTAWA HISTORY The Rideau Canoe Club first began in 1902 on the Rideau Canal, thanks to the efforts of C.H. Clendenning and W.E. Gowling. Within a couple of months of conceiving the idea for the club, paddlers secured a war canoe, practised incessantly, gained last-minute entry into the Association and won third place at the Dominion Championships.

The club spent some years as the Rideau Aquatic Club from 1910 to 1946 (some sources claim 1915, but the evidence of Rideau Aquatic Club ribbons from 1910 refutes this) but reverted to the original name Rideau Canoe Club after relocating in 1946. Rideau has won seven national championships and has hosted the championship regatta on numerous occasions, being the sole host from 1947-1966 inclusive The original clubhouse, erected in 1905, sank into the canal in 1944 prompting the “Rideaus” to relocate to Mooney’s Bay. A new structure was eventually built in 1980 and expanded further in 2010. Rideau boasts one of the finest canoeing facilities in the country, including both course and premises.

•

REQUIRED READING $19.95 | Remember the Chick Hatchery at the Science and Tech Museum? What about the Britannia Drive-In? The Green Valley Restaurant? The malted milk once sold in the basement of Freiman’s Department Store?

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In the four years he has been running Lost Ottawa – one of the largest on-line communities in the nation’s capital, with posts reaching 100,000 people a week – David McGee has often been surprised by what resonates with people. What starts a conversation?

What stirs a memory?

Lost Ottawa, the book, is a compendium of the most popular posts ever put up on the Lost Ottawa Facebook page, along with the often hilarious, always memorable, comments and conversations that followed.

Follow this link to get yours: http://bit.ly/2fSxWRd

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MUSIC

The LYNNeS (Lynn Miles & Lynne Hanson) are making a record!

WHATEVER you can do to help us with this project will be HUGELY appreciated. If you aren’t in a position to help financially, it would be GREAT if you could SHARE our Kickstarter Campaign with any of your friends, family, coworkers that might be interested AND/OR on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc).

The LYNNeS are Lynn Miles and Lynne Hanson – two award winning singersongwriters from Ottawa, Canada. Lynn Miles is one of Canada’s most accomplished

26 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

singer-songwriters, with twelve albums to her credit, a winner of multiple Canadian Folk Music awards (including 2011 English Songwriter of the Year), and a 2003 Juno award for Roots and Traditional Solo Album of the Year. Lynn Miles' 30 year music career has seen her move from Ottawa to Los Angeles and back, with stops in Nashville and Austin Texas. Lynne Hanson has been recording and performing her original music since 2005, and has released 5 full length albums worldwide, and one EP.

In 2010 she won the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award (Ontario Arts Council), and in 2009 was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award as well as being a Kerrville New Folk finalist. Lynne is also a published author, having released a Learn more and support them at: book of haiku in 2016. www.lynnmilesmusic.com | www.lynnehanson.com THE PROJECT We have been friends for a decade now, make an entire album together, and we now and have been writing songs together for have enough songs to record a full length several years. Last year we decided to album and we want YOU to be a part of it.

•

Congratulations to Ted and Jim Baird for winning the ALONE challenge because we ate more food than the other groups.

The vast majority of it wasn't pretty though, but then again, neither is survival. Snails, slugs, writhing eels called gunnel fish, and basically whatever we could scrape off the bottom of a rock made the lions share of our calories.

At the end of the day this, as much as the ability to just mentally tough it out, despite everything nature could throw at us was the reason we got through. Because in survival, attitude is as important as food.

Learn and see more at www.theadventurer.ca PHOTO BY HISTORY CHANNEL

ALONE is a self-shot survival show on History Channel, there are no camera crews, it's the real deal.

Season 4 saw seven pairs of family members surviving with minimal gear in separate locations, and whichever pair could outlast the others took home $500,000.

My brother Ted and I were lucky enough to be selected to be on the show out of 7,500 applicants. And, after surviving on northern Vancouver Island for 75 days, through one of the rainiest falls, and coldest winters on record, we won!

Ted and I are big guys, which means we need a lot of food to sustain. Going in, critics, (including ourselves) though this could potentially be our downfall. So in the end, likely the main reason we won was

WHEN YOU’RE ON THE TRAIL, EAT FOOD FOR A BETTER MOOD When you’re HUNGRY, stop, take time for an energy and fulfilling snack of dried fruits, nuts, beef jerky, cheese and crackers.

Wash it down with water from your canteen.

When you’re DIZZY, you need some sugary glucose to wake you and give you clear thinking. Look to crackers, seasame snaps, gummy bears, licorice and cookies.

Yum.

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Load up with some delicious cheese, pemmican bars or macadamia nuts.

They’ll get into your bloodstream and warm you up.

When you’re

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It’s time to relax and rest. An energy bar and a bunch of chocolates will give you the fuel to carry on.

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SURVIVAL

Tornado alert!

What would you do?

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY This incident really happened, last fall, an hour and a half drive from Ottawa.

It was the end of a nine-day solo canoe trip. Up until that evening, the trip had been a spectacular succession of beautiful sunsets, warm weather, cool nights – bliss.

My campsite was northeast of Kingston, perched on a rocky island with towering pines, not very far from Westport. In late afternoon the gentle breeze had given way to a rising, stiff wind that whipped the lake into a white froth.

Expecting rain, I ate an early dinner out on a rocky point, watching the storm approach. Grey clouds gave way to heavy black ones that stretched right across the horizon. Gusting wind pulled a foreboding blanket of dark cloud low over the view.

Usually, I like a good storm.

Not this time. The gloom seemed unnatural. A sense deep inside me started sounding an alarm.

Washing up quickly, I packed away my gear as a distant rolling thunder echoed over the hills, speeding my efforts. The weather was deteriorating, fast. Black clouds raced over the lake. Lightning stabbed down. The wind rose to a moaning roar. Rain sheeted, hissed through the pines, branches swung wildly.

At a dead run, I headed to my tent and a warm, dry sleeping-bag.

Hoping I wouldn’t have to paddle out in this storm the next day, I tuned my radio to a local station, waiting for its hourly weather report. For several minutes I listened to comforting music as the wind whipped the trees around my tent into a fury. Then the music stopped: “We interrupt this program for a severe weather bulletin. Please stand by …

“If you are in the Kingston area and as far east as Westport, TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY! Multiple tornados have been reported touching down in your area.

I repeat, multiple tornadoes have been reported touching

down in your area. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!” I listened, stunned. Lying in my sleeping bag in the path of tornados, my mind filled with images of sinister dark funnels swinging below the overcast as they moved relentlessly toward my island. Would I be hurled into the lake? Would a tree topple and crush me under its limbs?

What did I do? Well … what would you do? Choose from the actions below.

• Cover up with a sleeping mat • Put on a life-jacket • Send out S-O-S flashes across the lake to other campers • Get away from big trees • Get a second opinion on another radio station • Phone someone, if possible • Light a signal campfire • Protect your head, crouch down into as small a target as possible • Tie down the canoe • Secure your tent and tarpaulin • Lie flat in a ditch or low area • Start loading the canoe • Paddle to shore and the safety of your car • Put on a warm polypropylene undershirt, and extra clothes • Check your survival pack and keep it close • Tie yourself to a tree • Signal for help • Eat a chocolate bar • Put on a toque Here’s what I did. First, I called my wife to tell her what was happening and what my plan was. It’s rare for me to camp or

canoe in an area with cellphone coverage, but on this trip I was lucky.

Next, I raced outside and tied down my canoe so it wouldn’t be blown into the rocks, lake or high into a tree. I put on warm long underwear and a toque in case I got pinned under a tree and spent a long cold night. Then I donned my life jacket in case the tornado threw me into the lake or against something hard. Its thick insulation would also provide warmth if needed.

Finally, I ate a chocolate bar for energy, drew my emergency pack close, and lay down flat in my sleeping bag – a small target for lightning.

Several hours later the violent part of the storm had passed and I called my wife to assure her.

What I didn’t do is also in that list above. The worst thing anyone could do is set off across the lake to escape. You can’t outrun or out-paddle a tornado. Speeds can exceed 400 km/h and funnels range from 100 metres wide to an enormous three kilometres. And tornados create mountainous waves, enough to swamp any canoe. Stay away from large tree roots. They can conduct lightning strikes like an electric cable.

Think hard. In a crisis, expect your IQ to drop as emotion trumps rational thought. Just heed radio warnings or believe what you see in front of your nose, and take cover.

Severe weather is becoming standard summer fare. Prepare now. Make a plan. It can happen to anyone, any time.

•

CORRECTION The spring 2017 issue of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine mistakingly credited the article “Know Your Canoe Trip Buddies” to Sheila Ascroft. Allen Macartney wrote the piece.

WWW.OTTAWAOUTDOORS.CA

| 29

CAMPING

Autumn gear hiking and camping tips This is the time of year when families and friends enjoy more hikes and camping outings. The sunny days mixed with cool temperatures make it all very comfortable. So with that in mind, here are some commonly asked questions, which may pertain to your outdoors life. Take note, make adjustments and get outdoors!

Q. With this autumn weather I want to take my 11-year-old child backpacking into Gatineau Park.

But how much weight should he carry?

A. It’s always a great idea to get your children used to carrying a pack when hiking. Often they’ll have their food and maybe some play things stuffed away. But if the trail is flat they may be comfortable carrying 4.5-6.5kgs if they’re solid.

For example, if you want to picnic you could have the child carry a sleeping bag, some clothes and his water bottle as well, and you’d be close. Or if they’re like my son, we’ll end up bringing home some really nifty-looking rocks or fossils.

Obviously don’t overdue it first time and get them excited about the experience.

Q. I want to do some autumn camping; do I really need to purchase a tarp footprint for my tent?

A. You don’t have to, but you may choose to do so. Even if you don’t want to buy one you always have the option of making one.

Just remember to cut it a few centimetres smaller so it doesn’t

30 | OTTAWAOUTDOORSMONTHLY

stick out beyond the walls of the tent catching the rain. The main reasons why campers prefer footprints are: it’s much easier to dry out a footprint of ground vapours instead of the actual tent; it keeps dirt, pine needles and stains off the floor of your tent; it’s easier to wash or clean a ground cloth instead of repeatedly washing your tent; it can help protect your tent from small sharp rocks. So ya, they’re pretty useful and perhaps worth the extra weight in your pack.

Q. Do I have to hang up my sleeping bag in-between camping trips? Can’t I just leave it in its stuff sack?

A. Considering you’ve taken the time and expense to choose the perfect sleeping bag for you, then yes you do have to hang

it to take care of it. Just find a closet where it can hang out of the way and you’re good to go.

Why? Because if you just leave it crunched up in its stuff sack you’ll be wasting money. Whether you have a down or synthetic sleeping bag, the insulation will lose its loft and ability to puff up. This renders it close to useless, or at least less effective than it should be.

With the cooler nights ahead it’s imperative you get all the warmth you can from your sleeping bag. It can’t give you what you need if all the insulation has been crushed. It needs to be fluffy so the warm air can flow freely through it keeping you nestled in for the night.

If you can’t hang it in a closet you can store it under your bed, or

put it in a large, breathable sack or in a box with holes in it so it’s not crushed and allows airflow when hanging out at home.

Q. My inflatable sleeping pad has a slow leak in it, but I’m not sure where it is. Help!

A. Yup, the slow leaks can be the hardest to spot. Try this: inflate the pad as firmly as you can and submerge one end of it in a tub of water (or pool or lake); then fold the pad to add greater pressure; you’re looking for air bubbles as you meticulously submerge separate sections. If you don’t see results from one side, flip it over to the other. The second you spot the leak mark it some way and continue checking for additional leaks.

Q. I’m going camping with a group on a weeklong excursion, and where I don’t have to haul the cooking materials, I do have to bring my food and tent. I own a 35L pack and would like to get it all to fit.

A. That’s not a lot of room for a trip this big, but here’s what I would do: pack your down sleeping bag into a really good stuff sack and tie it with your sleeping pad to the outside of your pack; then add your clothes to the bottom, one piece at a time remembering to push it all the way down to take advantage of every space. Make use of all your outside pockets placing tinier items in your hip belt pockets of the pack. Keep essential go-to items like a headlamp or toiletries and snacks in the top pouch. The concern for trying to push this weekend pack into a multi-day pack is pushing the weight capability of the pack. With about six kilograms of food and two litres of water (two kilograms), all coupled with your tent, pack and clothing, it’s getting tight. And seeing as you’ll probably do more weeklong trips, might be worth upsizing.

•

~ Originally published in Dave Brown’s OUTDOOR LIFE column of the Ottawa Citizen.

PHOTO BY ROLLINGFOX.COM

BY DAVE BROWN

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Water levels can rise in a matter of seconds.

Water near a dam or hydroelectric station can turn dangerous quickly and without warning.

OPG is a part of communities across Ontario, so we want you to stay clear and stay safe.

opg.com/watersafety