Issue #31 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

outdoors ottawa

WINTER 2011

FREE

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

Snowboarding basics for beginners Three tips to stay up Alpine powder tips Skiing with your poles and feet

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

Seven tinders for fire Identifying which are the best

Paw prints in snow Knowing your wild animals

Now r on youead each issu o r c o m r i Pa d s , i P h o e p u te r s ! nes G et yo u r FREE iPad App today!

outdoors ottawa

Great Calculating tinder for distances made camp fires easy

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~ Articles

~ Departments

5 Après activities for the winter

4 Publisher’s Letter

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6 Getaway: Chateau Montebello

Snowboarding basics

8 Good tinder to make bright fires

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Get Involved Readers

9 10 reasons to take up Nordic skiing

18 Cool Gear Hot Clothing

WINTER

Alpine skiing tips

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Cool Gear Hot Clothing

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22 Getaway: Toronto's winter wonderland

11 How to calculate distances outdoors 13 To the top of the world 20 Getting kids outside and on skates 21 Quebec City beckons 23 Strong arm of the powder 25 Stay warm lessons from the North Pole 27 Head way up to the Ottawa Valley for xc-skiing 28 Identifying animal tracks

To the top of the 13 world

COVER PHOTO: DSTEPHENS@ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

Now you can get each issue e-mailed direct to your inbox!

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It’s TOTALLY FREE too! There’s loads of info, videos and more about the local outdoor adventure scene, all delivered in this extremely cool animated version.

Just go to www.OttawaOutdoors.ca to sign-up at the top right of the homepage and we'll send you a digital version of the print issue. ottawa outdoors 3

PUBLISHER’S LETTER Our winter wonderland.

Welcome to the winter issue as we continue to celebrate our 10th anniversary. For 10 years local writers have shared articles covering a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, including: snowshoeing, xc-skiing, alpine skiing and winter camping to name of few. I hope you've enjoyed them.

Like any business, we're always looking to evolve with technology. You'll see on the cover that we're stoked about having launched an iPAD app. This means you can now get your outdoor articles in print, on your computer, or now, on your iPAD! We're sure future videos, and other digital elements to the magazine will enhance your experience as you read through each issue.

So in keeping with a spirit of giving, I'd like to offer you a chance to win some of these $2,000 in prizes pictured on the right. All you need do is jump on a computer, visit our website at www.OttawaOutdoors.ca, and you'll see a big weblink to a new online outdoor survey. Once you anonymously answer these quick 28 questions about your outdoor life, you'll be able to enter the draw for these amazing prizes pictured right. Almost a thousand people have entered already, so jump in and good luck!

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Once again, our team of writers have written articles on snowboarding, alpine skiing, winter running, identifying animal tracks in the snow, and many more winter topics I know you'll appreciate.

So sit back and enjoy.

Thanks for being a loyal reader Dave Brown these past 10 years, and let's have a Publishera Editor-in-chief great winter in what the news officially announced as, 'the most liked city in Canada'. Something we suspected all along. :) Well done!

P.S. Remember to visit the Outdoor & Adventure Travel Show March 17-18, 2012. We'll see you there!

Are you an outdoor enthusiast who would like to contribute?

To submit articles or photos, all you have to do is e-mail us at: Editor@OttawaOutdoors.ca.

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Stretch out that winter fun APRÈS ACTIVITIES CAN ADD A FEW MORE HOURS

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

When the sky is bright or the moon is full and you’re just not ready to head back indoors, there’s no end of ways to stretch that outdoor winter fun. There’s no such thing as bad weather if you’ve got the right clothing, and if you pack well, the fun lasts as long as the snacks. Here’s a few activities where adding on an après spark is easy.

What to bring: That thermos with a hot drink, and candles and a tablecloth if you like to be a little fancy. Fine cheese, artisan bread, red-pepper jelly and aluminum foil for gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches baked on the woodstove make a great meal, as do chili in a wide-mouth thermos, oranges and chocolate.

When it gets late, you’ll want a headlamp to light the way home, and maybe turn in your sweaty shirt for a fresh one so you can start off dry from the cabin.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

SNOWSHOEING IN GATINEAU PARK offers 55 kilometres of designated snowshoeing trails a short drive from downtown OttawaGatineau. It’s the place to go to get off the ski tracks and into the woods where there’s no chance of stomping the groomed ski trails.

Start in Old Chelsea (where the NCC Visitor Centre rents snowshoes and has trail maps) at Meech Lake, or near Wakefield or Lac Philippe.

Après ideas: If the weather is warm, you can snack it up in the sunshine. There are benches just off the parkway (closed to automobiles CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE in winter) and outside the cabins.

PARK is a skier’s dream come true While you’re soaking in that with groomed trails for everyone delicious vitamin D, load up on trail from beginners to advanced skate mix washed down with a thermos of skiers. hot apple cider.

Après ideas: For a special treat, ski If it’s too cold, those cabins have hard and then head to Le Nordik to ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN OTTAWA wood stoves and you can enjoy a relax those tired muscles. It’s a real 16, CHEMIN NORDIK T 819 827.1111 OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND, full picnic dinner inside.

Watch for Scandinavian 7Spa experience OLD CHELSEA (QC) F 819 827.5059 DAYS A WEEK with chickadees, blue jays, redpolls and hot tubs, waterfalls, steam rooms, woodpeckers at bird feeders outside warm pools, massage and great the cabins. food. To avoid freezing as you follow

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.LENORDIK.COM

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

the hot-cold rotation, borrow extra towels from the front desk.

What to bring: Just a bathing suit, bathrobe, flip-flops, standard toiletries … and silence (for everyone’s enjoyment, management asks bathers not to speak).

WINTER CAMPING IN GATINEAU PARK is popular, so book early for a cabin, yurt or tent site. Online reservations have been open since Nov. 1 and Saturday evenings in snow season fill up fast. Weekday are more available and cost less.

You have to rent the whole cabin, not just a couple of bunks, so bring friends if you choose one of the larger cabins.

Après ideas: Ski or snowshoe in to your cabin, yurt or campsite.

Chopping wood for the fire, playing cards by candlelight and belting out tunes on the guitar are all great evening activities.

After the snow forts, snowmen and snowball fights are over, a good game is fox and geese under the stars. Best played in piles of snow, the game involves stomping out a large circle with two intersecting lines into the middle. The fox has to chase the geese on the lines. If the geese escape into the centre space, they’re safe. The first goose caught becomes a new fox.

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PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DAVE BROWN EDITOR: ROGER BIRD WRITERS Kathleen Wilker, Cindy Kleh, Craig Macartney, David McMahon, Brian Field, Chris Lennon, Michael Stashin, Sheila Ascroft, Allen Macartney

What to bring: Warm clothing and sleeping bags, good food and a headlamp for starters. You’ll have to carry in water and gear, and a sled makes that easier.

PHOTOGRAPHERS NCC, Allen Macartney, Gillian Morgan ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Dave Brown, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published seasonally every four months and distributed FREE at sports stores all over the region, as well as at 100 other locations.

E-mail: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca or editor@ottawaoutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8687 or 888-228-2918 Fax: 613-860-8687 HOW TO GET PUBLISHED Ottawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with a high-resolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or e-mailed. 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. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2011. 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS Ottawa Outdoors Magazine aligns with local and international environmental groups. Recently Ottawa Outdoors Magazine joined and supports the following groups. We encourage you to do the same.

Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wilderness areas. www.leavenotrace.ca

SKATING ON THE RIDEAU CANAL is a magical winter adventure in the heart of the city. Rental skates are on offer at Dows Lake and at the Confederation Square terminus.

Heated cabins along the way make tying skate laces easier.

Après ideas: BeaverTails. Like donuts, only they’re really fresh, flat and absolutely delicious. Best eaten after a good skate with rosy cheeks. Useful as bribes for tired kids to skate that last stretch. During Winterlude (Feb. 3–20), fun events from dance performances to skating demonstrations to pond hockey tournaments, eco-art exhibits and bed races will keep you moving.

What to bring: Skates, helmet, snacks, Vaseline for exposed cheeks to avoid frostbite— the wind can be fierce.

TOBOGGANING ALMOST ANYWHERE, often on snowcovered hills where trees and other hazards are wrapped in padding.

Follow the link www.ottawastart. com/toboggan.php for a list of almost 100 toboggan hills in the region. Honest, almost 100.

Après Ideas: After hauling a sled back up the hill a few, or many, times you deserve a break. So flop right down and make a snow angel.

If it’s night time, look up at the stars and see if you can find Orion, visible in clear winter sky and identified by his belt.

What to bring: Well it’s obviously thermos time again, as well as snow pants and your sled, flying saucer or magic carpet.

Chateau Montebello FOR après-ski atmosphere, the outdoor enthusiast can choose from 70 kms of cross-country ski trails; dogsledding; snowshoeing or skating with the family. Afterwards, cozy-up by the famous towering six-side stone fireplace where you can relax with a nice book or conversation.

Only 1hr away, you can visit their website at www.ChateauMontebello.com

One Percent for the Planet is a rapidly growing network of companies that give at least one per cent of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their commitment provides vital resources and awareness to organizations that work to keep us on a sustainable path.

1%FTP provides members with a straightforward and powerful way to become part of the solution. We are proud supporters of One Percent as a movement as well as their members which include Mountain Equipment Co-op and more than 20 other businesses across Canada. www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

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Snowboarding basics

BY CINDY KLEH

PROBLEM: Straight legs, leaning back SOLUTION: The rider has less leverage and less range of motion. It takes twice as much energy to lift the toes and press against the snow with the toe edge. With bent knees, the rider engages all the leg muscles against gravity instead of overusing the calf muscles.

PROBLEM: Rider leaning back, front leg straight SOLUTION: This rider’s apprehension shows in her posture. When the front leg is straight and the back leg is bent, the rider’s centre of balance is too far back.

The back leg will not turn very easily if all the weight is on it. Bending both knees equally will bring her centre of balance back over the centre of the board.

PROBLEM: Bending at the waist SOLUTION: This rider is demonstrating “stinky riding.” Many beginners bend at the waist and reach for the snow, thinking that by being closer to the snow, the fall will have less impact. This takes the centre of balance away from the edge that is in contact with the snow, the toe edge. This makes his toe edge much less effective. If you reach for the snow, that’s where you’ll end up. If you think about falling, you will. Stand up tall and use your knees and ankles as shock absorbers. Your waist can’t do that job very effectively.

From Snowboarding Skills: The Back-To-Basics Essentials for All Levels by Cindy Kleh. Copyright 2002 Quintet Publishing.

$16.95. Published in Canada by Firefly Books. Reprinted with permission. www.fireflybooks.com.

GetInvolvedReaders

For the best selection of Snowshoes and Accessories plus expert advice!

Sonja Adcock is going to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks and she's 52 years old!

Help her raise funds for the Snowsuit Fund for children this winter!

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Puff, puff, puff GOOD TINDER MAKES BRIGHT FIRES

Getting those first flames going after you’ve stacked a campfire can be tough after rain or heavy dew, even for a seasoned camper. Good tinder can be hard to find, especially in winter, but the solution could be in your pockets!

Any readily flammable material can be used as tinder. Here are eight versions that are easy to find, easy to light.

Bark from old, dead trees, is a good place to start. Cedar bark is a prize, filled with oils that ignite easily and sustain the flame longer than most tinder. You peel if off vertically and once you have a handful, split the ends of the strips to create hairlike fibres, the smaller the better for easy lighting.

Birchbark is another great tinder, sometimes hanging in loose, thin sheets on the tree, or around the base. Pull it apart and crumple it up like paper, or split the ends into fibres as with cedar before lighting.

Leaves on the forest floor are abundant but often damp and difficult to light. Use leaves that break apart in your hand, and crush them into fragments under your kindling.

Pine needles – dead and brown, not fresh-off-the-branch green – light easily but burn quickly, so you 8 ottawa

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have to use lots, packed together.

But not too much, since the ash can actually smother your flame.

Dead, dry cattails are perfect. The stems break up like straw, and you can open the cattail head and add the cotton-like seed fluff to the mix.

This works best if the head is loose and already starting to release its seeds.

If you can’t find natural tinder on a really wet day, check your pack for hand sanitizer. A small blob of it on a leaf or stick will catch and sustain a flame surprisingly well.

If you plan ahead, you can easily make a cheap, portable tinder that lights readily even when the wood is wet. Rub a few cotton balls in petroleum jelly and pack them in a small zip-lock bag. They light easily and stay lit long enough to set your fire roaring.

When all else fails, check your pockets for lint, notebook pages, unused Kleenex, anything related to paper will do.

Once you have a flame, build your fire slowly with twigs, pine cones and other small fuel that you’ve collected ahead of time. You don’t want to be running around hunting for small sticks as your tinder burns out. Then work your way up to logs that will burn through the night.

PHOTOS BY ALLEN MACARTNEY

BY CRAIG MACARTNEY

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10 reasons to take up Nordic skiing

BY DAVID MCMAHON 1. SUPER-HUMAN FITNESS Nordic ski racers are arguably the most highly conditioned athletes on the planet. It is low-impact sport that exercises your heart, lungs and every muscle in your body— an excellent way to stay in shape.

Runners will find that Nordic skiing will help them maintain or improve their fitness while allowing their joints and muscles to recover from overuse or repetitive stress injuries.

2. FRESH AIR EXPERIENCE Nordic skiing is a clean oxygenfed sport that takes you into nature and away from busy roadways and claustrophobic gyms. In the spring, a strong crust of snow covers the entire landscape that allows you

to ski anywhere in total freedom.

“Crust-cruising” can take you skateskiing from the trailhead, through the woods, over a mountain and back within a morning.

3. GREAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT Good equipment is essential to provide a quality skiing experience.

Expect a modest entry cost that may be higher than running, but certainly less than canoeing or alpine skiing. The new gear will last years and thousands of kilometres.

The payoff is immeasurable in terms of health, fitness, recreation and personal growth.

4. NORDIC LIFESTYLE People of all ages frequent the Nordic ski trails to maintain

and improve their health. It is an environment where Spandex lives in harmony with wool, and where skiers, regardless of ability, exchange salutations in passing. Hard bodies in Lycra and rosy, healthy faces make an afternoon outing in the park not too hard on the eyes.

5. SKI-IN POTLUCK You are missing out if you haven’t skied hut-to-hut, stopping for a candlelit dinner around a woodstove with wine, fondue and friends. It’s a decadent and efficient way to share the effort of preparing a meal and enjoying a workout. Food always tastes better if you have to carry it some distance. Delicacies warmed over a woodstove seem so much more wholesome inside your tummy when there is a cold breeze

With over 200 kilometres of trails, Gatineau Park offers some of the best cross-country skiing around.

Purchase your season ski pass online, or reserve a cabin or yurt and spend the night!

reservations.gatineaupark.ca 819-827-2020 • 613-239-5090 (TTY)

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

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on your face and icicles hanging from your eyelashes.

6. STAR-GAZING You would be surprised how many people ski in the Ottawa region after work. The night sky is a planetarium overhead stretching from horizon to horizon. The trails are particularly bright on evenings where there is a full moon casting a blue hue magically through the trees. Skiing at night can feel a lot like striding at the edge of the universe—without gravity, you might even ski into space.

7. LAUNCHING PAD Science has told us that given enough thrust, it is possible to make a brick fly and so it is with a self-

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propelled activity like Nordic skiing.

There is even more satisfaction knowing that the experience is self-generated. This is perhaps why children aged eight to 80 will find any bump in the woods to launch from for hours, or the more amplitude-craved jocks pop a “backscratcher 720” off something improbable.

8. TIME Squash court bookings, scheduled aerobic classes, ice time, and alpine lift lines are the few obstacles to doing exercise on your own terms.

Avoid getting stuck dangling from a chair while your limbs freeze and your butt goes numb. There is no wasted time waiting to Nordic ski.

It’s up to you when and where you

go. Nordic skiers can do lots of vertical runs in a day without ever stepping into a lift line.

9. FREE-RIDING Unless you and your friends have a helicopter at your disposal, the only environmentally-friendly way that you are going to get into the backcountry is on snowshoes, alpine touring, or Nordic skis. The fastest means is using Nordic/ telemark gear. Since the majority of your time will be spent climbing or traversing the flats, it is in your best interest to become proficient in Nordic ski technique.

10. EARN YOUR TURNS There is a certain satisfaction reaching a destination or ascending a mountain under your own power.

In a time before lifts, people made every turn count; focusing on the quality of the experience. In Nordic skiing, speed only comes with skill and experience. You need not fear getting blind-sided by some novice skier going Mach 2 who can’t turn or stop because they’re supported upright by the stability of their hightech equipment.

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Are we there yet?

CALCULATING OUTDOOR DISTANCES MADE EASY

BY CRAIG MACARTNEY We all need to measure distances at times – how far is that better campsite? Should we stay right here? There’s a thunderstorm on the horizon. How long until it hits?

Judging distance can be a challenge, but it’s doable. First take account of human nature itself.

When setting out on a trek, people are full of energy and optimism and underestimate distance; when they’re tired out near the end of a trip, the reverse is true (“Are we there yet?”)

Then look at the lay of the land and take these tips from experienced hikers. Landmarks look closer when:

• they’re across lakes, fields and generally flat terrain • they’re downhill • the terrain drops out of sight • the landmark is in bright light • the air is clear • They look further away when: • they’re across uneven ground • they’re uphill • the terrain is in your line of sight • they’re at the far end of a ravine, railway or trail • they’re poorly lit • the landmark blends into its background In good weather with average eyesight, the degree of visible detail helps determine range.

Those are ballpark distances.

When accuracy is important, a combination of techniques is useful.

Where terrain between you and your destination is visible, divide it into halves, quarters or tenths.

Estimate one portion and multiply by the number of times you divided the terrain.

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Similarly, if you know the approximate height or length of something paralleling the distance you want to measure, estimate how many times greater your overall distance is than that known range.

For example, use the approximate height of a person climbing a cliff to estimate the cliff’s total height. Or if there’s a sports field in the range you are trying to measure, estimate how many times you could fit that field into that range.

Another way of measuring distance requires you to both see and hear something in your target area. A thunderstorm is ideal. When you see a flash of lightning, count the seconds before you hear thunder. Sound travels approximately one kilometre every three seconds. Do the simple arithmetic to figure out how far away the sound source is. Other usable sounds are snow falling from

Approximate trees or roofs or an engine distance in metres 50 starting 100 across a lake.

250 Finally, if 500 a landmark 750 at your 1.5 km destination 4 km is visible and 10 km you know its approximate height, face the landmark, close one eye and hold out your hand, thumb raised. Align your thumb with the landmark. Without moving your hand, close your eye and open the other. Now estimate the number of times that landmark fits in the distance between it and where your thumb now appears. Multiply that number by your landmark’s estimated height and then multiply by ten. This works because the length of your arm is approximately 10 times greater than the distance

Visible details Eyes and mouths are clearly visible Eyes appear as dots Faces are visible Clothing colour is visible People appear only as pillars Large tree trunks are visible Windows and chimneys are visible Large buildings are identifiable between your eyes.

Estimating how many hours before sundown is another handy trick. Face the sun and stretch out your arm with the palm of your hand facing you. Now measure how many times your hand fits between the sun and the horizon. Each width of your hand represents about an hour.

Whether planning the next leg of your trek or just impressing your friends, these tricks can be invaluable.

Tankless Water Heaters explained:

TOP GOLD STAR RATED RINNAI INSTALLERS

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The Aardvark Way

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to the top of the world

JOURNAL ENTRIES BY OTTAWA'S BRIAN FIELD NEPAL, SEPT. 22–OCT.15, 2011

T

hanks to a lot of sacrifices by myself, my work, and my amazing wife josée, we would be trekking through the himalayas to everest base camp, kala pattar, and summiting imja tse, commonly known as island peak on a 22-day trip. this is the trip with john whitehead, my fellow business owner, chad ferguson and mark wickenheiser, both firefighters.

SEPT.22–23 I met John, Chad and Mark (aka Wick) at the Toronto airport and climbed aboard a 777 for the 13hour trip to Abu Dhabi, where we headed straight to the airport lounge. It’s $40 to get in, but it’s all you can drink and eat plus hot showers — well worth it. A four-hour flight later we were in Kathmandu.

High fives all around!

SEPT. 24–25 Our hotel was a converted palace called the Shanker. Today was a free day so the four of us walked the streets to take in the city. I expected

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locals trying to sell us everything, but no, the local people are friendly and respectful. They understand that tourism drives their economy and want to ensure we enjoy our trip.

Later, we met our guide, Homnath (aka Homie), and Naba from the Himalayan Glacier Trekking Co. We learned what to expect in the mountains and they took us to a touristy restaurant with a dance show and traditional local cuisine.

The food was so-so but the beers were cold so we showed off our Canadian beer intake abilities!

SEPT. 26–27 Our flight to Lukla to start our trek - was cancelled both days by rain.

SEPT. 28 Now we really want to get to Lukla! We are at the airport for 7 a.m. and it’s a long three hours looking up at cloudy skies. A plane crash in the same area just a few days ago killed all 18 people aboard, so no one is taking chances. Then

the weather improved, and our little six- passenger plane took us to Lukla in about 45 minutes. Lukla has a 700-metre cliff just before the runway and the high stone wall at the end — not to mention the 12-degree uphill slope as you land.

On the ground, Homie introduces us to Lakpa and Outar, our Sherpa assistant guides and four teenage porters to carry gear. Besides John, Chad, Wick and myself, there are three Californians, Steve, Tim and Randy. Then we’re off for a threehour hike to Phakding through a mountainous wonderland that’s quite intimidating.

SEPT. 29 We are on our way to Namche Bazaar — a village which has seen every famous mountaineer who has ever climbed in the Himalayas.

There’s another waterfall, cliff face and snow-capped peak at every clearing as we follow the raging river below. We take breaks and get used to the terrain and 10,000-foot

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a monastery in the shadow of the sacred mountain Khumba Yul Lha, said to be a home to the Buddha and has never been climbed. It’s hard to decide what not to take a picture of.

elevation. Hours later we get our first glimpse of Everest. The clouds part around the summit as we eat a snack and watch trekkers struggle up the trail with the world’s highest peak in the background. We finally make Namche Bazaar, and are asleep by 8 p.m.

SEPT. 30 Today is an acclimatization day, so we are hiking up the valley to the Everest View Hotel. We only took day packs to carry on our way to views of the Kumba valley lined with some of the highest peaks in the world. We visit a school set up

by Sir Edmund Hillary, a monastery at 12,500 feet, and even see a scalp taken from a Yeti on display — hey, believe what you want to!

OCT. 1 At breakfast I’m reading a poster on the wall about a Korean climber named Park Young-Seok who has climbed the world’s 20 highest peaks, the highest peak on every continent (the seven summits) and also reached both North and South Poles. Then I see him in person, eating breakfast! I talk briefly with him and get a picture. Three weeks later he and his team perish in an avalanche while climbing Anapurna — a testament to the region’s everpresent dangers.

We gear up and head to Tengboche, about five hours away and 1,700 feet higher. I’m wearing shorts for maybe the last time in the chilly air. Tengboche is built around www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

OCT. 2 It’s a frosty morning as we head to Pheriche. We gain about 2,000 feet in fairly easy hiking through mountain meadows. We are now at 14,000 feet.

OCT. 3 Another day in the Kumba valley, steadily gaining elevation while we work our way to Labouche at 16,000 feet. I’ve lost my appetite and have a dull headache due to the altitude.

When we reach Labouche, Wick is ill. He can’t keep food down and we hope he’ll feel better in the morning.

OCT. 4 Up at 6 a.m. before the sun and off to Gorak Shep which sits just over 17,000 feet. As we make our way down the trail, Ama Dablam is to my right, Pumori, Kala Pattar to the left, Everest and Lhotse up ahead and few people to be seen. After reaching Gorak Shep for a quick bite

we head out for Everest Base Camp.

Tim is exhausted and Wick is sick, and both have stayed behind.

Loud pressure cracking of the ice flow sounds like shotgun blasts in the distance. You can feel the altitude take its toll with every step.

Everest Base Camp was just a big rock with a lot of names scrawled on it — it’s the journey not the destination that counts. It’s a great place to reflect on the history of the area and sit at the foot of the highest mountain peak in the world. We are at 17,600 feet. Later it’s back to Gorak Shep for hot chocolate around a cow dung-fuelled stove.

OCT. 5 Get dressed and grab our packs at 4:30 a.m. — no breakfast. Our goal is to summit Kala Pattar at about 18,400 feet up a switch- back trail to the top. It’s freezing cold and my hands are numb in the thin gloves I’ve been wearing, time for a thicker pair. We make it to the peak just as the sun comes over the ridge, the wind is howling. It was a 360-degree view of the Himalayan range, but the cold soon drove me back down to Gorak Shep for breakfast and then Labouche just two hours away. In

Labouche we got word that Wick and Tim were on their way back to Kathmandu and then straight home, victims of the altitude. John, Chad and I still feel pretty good. The two Americans, Randy and Steve, are still hanging in there also.

OCT. 6 We are on the trail at 6 a.m. The Pass is like climbing Kala Pattar and then back down the other side to the next valley over. Every day is tougher than the day before as the elevation increases. The sun was out in full force to warm us, and during a rest stop I fell asleep in the middle of a meadow in the Himalayan range with the sun warming me up!

Finally in Chukkomb we meet our climbing Sherpa guides who have summited Everest 15 times between them. We are in good hands for Island Peak.

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OCT. 7 On our way to Island Peak base camp, just a two-hour hike on fairly easy terrain at 17,000 feet. We practise rope climbing on a steep hillside, using our ascender and getting comfortable with the gear.

The remainder of the day is R and R. OCT. 8 Our first night in tents. I woke up freezing and add layers until I feel like a marshmallow. Today’s challenge is to make it to Island Peak high camp where we will spend a cold night at 18,300 feet.

Randy is having a rough time with the altitude on top of a wicked chest cold. He decides there’s no way he can make summit tomorrow.

OCT. 9 Finally the big day! We wake at 1:30 a.m. for hot tea. Little sleep, but the adrenaline is on full force

as I’m about to summit a 20,000plus peak. Our packs hold about 50 pounds of gear and we’re wearing hard mountaineering boots to handle the steep and icy trail in the blackness of the night. There’s half the oxygen than what we’re used to at sea level. We all tie together in the dark for a march across a flat valley to a 1,000-foot head wall. It seems insurmountable, but I attach my ascender onto the rope with my left hand, ice axe in my right hand and start up the rope one foot at a time. When we finally get to its top, I fall on my back trying to catch my breath.

Next up is a steep ridge before we hit the summit. With my head down I just took it one step at a time with my heart feeling like it was going to beat out of my chest.

I made summit with John, Chad and Steve close behind — 20,400 feet feeling like the top of the world.

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

I would love to sit and take it all in but the minus-20 temperature means it’s time to head back down. It’s sobering to see the cliffs and crevasses we didn’t realize were there in the darkness the night before. Back in Chukkomb by mid-afternoon, I go straight to the room, have a nap, snack and then sleep again.

Physically this has been the hardest and longest day I’ve experienced.

OCT 10–13 We’ve got a 35-kilometres hike to Namche today and it takes a solid eight hours. Now it’s just a mission to get home. Namche to Phakding,

overnight in Phakding and one more night in Lukla before jumping on a flight the following morning back to Kathmandu with no weather delays.

OCT. 14 Today is home day! After a quick tour of the city, a taxi to the airport to wait for our flight, and 38 hours

later, I’ve barely slept and it seems like years since I’ve been home. I climb into my own bed, consumed with the thoughts of an amazing adventure. What it took was a relatively fit lifestyle, an adventurous attitude, and a supportive family!

Now I’ve got a lifetime of stories and memories to reflect on.

‘‘ SUMMER’S OVERRATED.’’

t

366 Richmond Road Ottawa | mec.ca

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

ottawa outdoors 17

COOL GEAR

PILLOWPACKER TRAVEL PILLOWS – $65-$105 Pillowpacker inflatable travel pillows and accessories are made and sold in Ottawa by Garry Logue and Beth Shepherd, two post-corporate travellers. As seasoned travellers they saw a poorly served market niche for functional but comfortable travel pillows. After more than a year of prototypes they arrived at their current models that are a perfect balance between packability, lightweight, customizable and very comfortable.

They have models which come in Canadian duck down or microfibres.

Both pillow sets come with an inflatable inner pillow liner with an easy-twist valve and contoured oval centre to easy neck pressure, and a choice of colours for a 100% cotton percale pillowcase.

Look for these and other products at www.pillowpackers.com

TRAVELLINGLIGHT™ EYE SHADES – $14.95US These eye shades are made of a delicate contoured microfiber lining for maximum sleeping comfort. The nose baffle and easy-to-adjust strap ensure a perfect fit and light-free sleep. It is washable and reusable and even comes with a set of ear plugs.

Look for it at www.seatosummit.com

COLUMBIA WOMENS HEAT 360 ½ ZIP – $99.99 With Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective technology and Omni-Wick advanced evaporation, the Heat 360 Half Zip will keep you warm without overheating.

Featuring Omni-Heat air-permeable and reflective technology, you use your own heat to keep you comfortable, no matter how hard you play.

Look for it at local retail outlets, or from www.columbiasportswear.ca/

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BECKY MASON’S SOLO PADDLING TECHNIQUES DVD – $31 Becky Mason’s advance canoe paddling strokes and manoeuvres on Lac Vert, Quebec is fun to watch and learn. The underwater camera angles are brilliant and educate, and she shares the stories behind each of these heritage-paddling strokes. If your partner is passionate about paddling, they’ll love the bonus video where Becky teams up with renowned recording artist Ian Tamblyn for a magical musical performance.

Not only are the out takes amusing, but the DVD comes with the original Classic Solo Canoeing awarding-winning 2000 film touching on the art of the portage and other canoeing tips. It’s a must for any paddling enthusiast . . . and who isn’t?

Look for it at www.redcanoes.ca/.

THE LITE LINE CLOTHESLINE – $7.95US This tiny and compact clothesline is light, measures approximately four metres, and features a dual cord with beads to hold garments in place. It even comes with a nylon pouch for storage.

Look for it at www.seatosummit.com VICTORINOX 40TH ANNIVERSARY CLIMBER KNIFE – $22 Show your eternal support for Mountain Equipment Co-op by picking up this classic climbing knife. It’s small and light enough to fit in a pocket, and well equipped enough to deal with a wide variety of contingencies. It comes with all these tools: large blade, small blade, corkscrew, can opener with small screwdriver, bottle opener with large screwdriver, wire stripper, reamer, tweezers, toothpick, scissors, multipurpose hook, and a key ring. Kitchen sink is optional.

Look for it at www.mec.ca/

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

HOT CLOTHING

GERBER BEAR GRYLLS ULTIMATE KIT 31-000701 – $42 The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Kit model 31-000701 is designed to provide the most useful basic survival gear in a compact package. This kit allows you to hope for the best while preparing for the rest.

The waterproof pouch has a miniature multi-tool with 10 components: a miniature light, fire starter, cotton ball tinder, waterproof matches, snare wire, emergency cord, fishing kit, sewing kit, waxed thread, survival blanket, signalling mirror, and hand saw. The Priorities of Survival pocket guide and SOS instructions are included with this kit as well.

Look for it at www.gerber-tools.com/.

MICRO SERIES SLEEPING BAGS – $369-$419US The Micro series are our lightest weight bags, fully-featured and filled with 850+ Loft Eastern European Goose Down. These bags incorporate our 2D NanoShell™ providing the lightest most breathable water resistant shell. They feature a draw-cord foot closure as well as a hood drawcord with dual adjustment.

Look for it at www.seatosummit.com COLUMBIA MEN’S REACH THE PEAK – $229.99 Thanks to 700 fill-power down and Omni-Heat®, this lightweight, exceptionally warm down jacket provides a much needed reprieve from the bonechilling alpine air. Look for it at local retail outlets, or from www.columbiasportswear.ca/

LIGHTWEIGHT DRY SACKS – $23.95US Suitable to keep contents dry in any wet situation where the bag is not submerged, these light dry sacks are a less expensive and less bulky alternative to traditional dry bags.

They are made from a high performance waterproof fabric and are designed for backpacking, adventure travel and water sports.

They have fully taped sealed seams, a hypalon™-stiffened roll-top closure, and a bright white inner laminate for easy visibility of contents. They are available in seven sizes and six colours.

Look for it at www.seatosummit.com www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

DALE OF NORWAY'S ZIP-TOP BASELAYER – $79 is designed for active use; perfect for strenuous activities yet stylish to be used every day. Made of 100% skinsoft Merino.

Men's and women's; many colors and styles.

Look for it at retail stores everywhere or at www.daleofnorway.com/.

ottawa outdoors 19

HQ Pri

Material due date Nov. 22, 2011

Insertion dates:

Pub spec

April 1, 2011

Getting kids outside and on blades

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

20 ottawa

outdoors

296 Richmond St. W., 5th floor, Toronto, Canada M5V 1X2 T: 416-598-4944 ext. 353 F: 416-598-9714 e: jdark@cpbgroup.com

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The City of Ottawa, Canadian Tire and the Sens Foundation have teamed up to bring skating for kids who don’t know how, and can’t afford it even if they did.

The program is called I Love to Skate, and according to Gord MacGregor, the man who runs it, last year almost 400 children participated in “four weeks of free skating lessons offered by 25 skating instructors at 24 outdoor rinks.”

Community groups like schools, Boy Scouts or Girl Guides apply to participate and providing volunteers to help lace skates.

“In can get pretty cold on the outdoor rinks,” says MacGregor, but says no matter how cold it gets, kids are always eager to skate even if the adult volunteers complain of the cold.

The kids in the program get a gift certificate to Canadian Tire to buy skates and helmets.

“For new Canadians who haven’t skated before, getting new, comfortable and wellfitting skates and learning how to use them is a big deal,” says MacGregor whose eyes light up whenever he talks about his job.

“On the first day a lot of the kids can’t stand on their skates, but by the end of the program they can skate.” Things kick off with Mayor Jim Watson helping to lace up built at: ad size: bleed: live: laser at:

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skates and ends with a free trip to MEET? the Sens and skate with the pros.

This year the program will expand to train 30 youth skate leaders who will learn to be skate instructors. Each community group or school in the program will suggest one youth who could benefit from the experience. Having spent 14 years in Parks and Recreation himself in a variety of capacities, MacGregor is well aware of how positive an experience a great summer job can be.

This is MacGregor’s second year running the program and he says he can’t wait to “see another 400 smiles.” Having grown up playing hockey and skating on the canal, MacGregor wants to share this quintessential Canadian experience.

He says skills gained on the ice – confidence, tenacity, determination and handling frustration – are something kids can apply for the rest of their lives, not to mention “getting outside, enjoying the winter, being active.”

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

Quebec City and region beckon, kids included IT’S A MID-WINTER BREAK WITH A DIFFERENT FLAVOUR

BY KATHLEEN WILKER Winter in Ottawa-Gatineau is amazing. So amazing that some people wish it started earlier and lasted longer. Our family solves the challenge of not enough winter by travelling to Quebec City over the Christmas holidays and March break.

With guaranteed snow and a change of pace from the Ottawa routine, the region offers lots for winter-loving families just five hours from home.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT MONT SAINTE-ANNE mont-sainte-anne.com Located past the town of SainteAnne de Beaupré and Mont SainteAnne’s downhill ski hills, the crosscountry ski centre has 213 kilometres of trails, including a 125-kilometre skate-skiing network. Intermediate, advanced and expert trails fan out from a large, heated lodge, so it’s easy for families to meet up and switch parents to ski with the kids while the other takes off on an adult ski.

The lodge has picnic benches where you’re welcome to eat the food you’ve brought with you. Fries, hot chocolate and other cafeteria fare are available too.

My husband loves the indoor waxing area and pro shop. The kids love playing on the low ropes course and snowy play structures just outside the lodge. And we all love skiing to the heated cabins on the intermediate trails. Tow ropes and reversed ski poles help haul tired kids up the hills.

One-way trails make for a quieter experience and give you the courage to let loose on the steepest downhills – you know nobody’s coming up www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

while you’re rocketing down. I’ve Prince & Princess Package found moose trackswinter andfun scat on the trail as I wound my way higher into * the mountains. *Per room, per night. Taxes not included.

From December 18, 2009 to April 14, 2010.

Subject to availability.

Come with a Gatineau Park season pass and you get half off your daily admission. Ski early if you want a full day of it because trails here close at 4 p.m. Private and group ski lessons are available, and there are snowshoe trails too. from

$199

PARC DE LA CHUTE MONTMORENCY bonjourquebec.com Located between Old Québec and Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is a waterfall higher than Niagara. Especially if you visit later in the season when the days are longer and you’re looking for more après ski activities, it’s a must-see.

SNOWSHOEING sentierdescaps.com The Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix is just beyond Sainte Anne de Beaupre, up in the mountains. A section of the Trans-Canada Trail, this 65-kilometre network offers mountain views on a clear day. Though it’s a great activity for older children, we found our kids (then four and seven) were too young to enjoy the steady trudge of snowshoeing as they tired quickly. We’ll return when they’re older and maybe snowshoe the hutto-hut route from St-Tite-des-Caps to Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.

VILLAGE VACANCE VALCARTIER valcartier.com/glissades-d-hiver/en/ Realizing that if we introduce our kids to downhill skiing, they might

never want to do cross-country again, fa m i ly back, t i m e at e m ag i ca l c h â t we’ve been holding butt hlikely not for long. Last year while climbing Camp Fortune hill,last ourforever. son said, Childhood doesn’t Happy memories Remember how much fun it was to goitoutside play? that was feeling again! Family fun i “Daddy, wouldn’t be and fun ifCapture there and out and our exceptional comfort and service will make your vacation as memorable as it is re a machine that could pull you up to Prince & Princess Winter Fun Package includes accommodation (2 adults and 2 children under four tickets to the toboggan slide, a special in-room delivery of hot chocolate and cookies, an inthe of aandhill thenswimming you pool! would rental of a top family movie accessand to our indoor reservations 1 877 692 3861 or www.fairmont.com/frontenac ski down it?”

He was thrilled when we visited the winter playland that is Village Vacance Valcartier and went tubing. During the summer this kid-friendly destination is a water park, but in the winter it’s all about tubing. It didn’t take long for the whole family to get in the spirit of spinning down the hills and catching a lift back up on the tube lift.

A children’s play area, steep slides for the brave, and views of mountains all around make this winter park fun for the whole family.

TOBOGGANING IN QUEBEC CITY quebeccity.com Between Chateau Frontenac and the St. Lawrence, you can toboggan down an ice slide on an old-fashioned wooden toboggan. Squish the whole family aboard and hold on tight for wild and wonderful tobogganing, very fast and sliding far. It’s the perfect finish to an evening out in Quebec City.

A VISIT TO THE ICE HOTEL hoteldeglace-canada.com Rebuilt each year and open from Jan. 6 to March 25, the Ice Hotel welcomes overnight guests as well as visitors who just want to look around, try out the ice slide and admire the sculptures.

The idea constructing a structure that will eventually melt, sculpting all the furniture out of ice, and of sleeping there, appeals to any kid’s imagination.

ottawa outdoors 21

Experience Toronto as it's transformed into a winter wonderland THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, until December 20, get ready for Toronto’s transformation from buzzing big city to a magical holiday place. The streets of Toronto will sparkle with savings on hotels, attractions and restaurants. Merry and jovial seven foot snowmen will line the sidewalks. This is Torontoland. And every time you share the festivities with your friends through your pictures and videos on Facebook, Tourism Toronto will make a donation to the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada.

22 ottawa

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Twenty sculpted snowmen -each massive, at more than seven feet tall – are currently on display throughout the city personally designed by one of 16 acclaimed artists. Snap a photo or video of yourself with one of them, post it to Torontoland’s Facebook page, and Tourism Toronto will donate $2 for every photo or video uploaded to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The more snapshots the merrier!

More to explore in Torontoland includes: • Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, a North American exclusive exhibition; • Window shopping starting with terrifically festive holiday displays at The Hudson’s Bay Company on Yonge Street; • Ice-skating in the heart of the city at Nathan Phillips Square or in the Greater Toronto Area at Celebration Square in Mississauga or Gage Park in Brampton; • Celebrate the romance and magic of a traditional Christmas at Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market at the Historic Distillery District.

There is so much more to do in Torontoland, including holiday shows, dazzling lights and great neighbourhood shopping. Go to www.SeeTorontoland.com to plan your visit.

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Getting to Torontoland is a piece of fruitcake. Before your trip sign up on seetorontoland.com, ‘like’ Torontoland on Facebook and share the promotion with your Facebook friends. Then Santa Claus will mail a Torontoland wristband to you, worth 15% savings in more than 50 participating attractions, restaurants and retail locations throughout Torontoland. More than 30 participating hotels are offering packages including parking and other treats (in-room movies, tasty breakfasts, discount spa treatments, etc). As a Torontoland visitor you can choose between four hotel package levels: $99, $119, $139 and $179 plus taxes.

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

Strong arm of the powder

BY CHRIS LENNON PHOTOS BY GILLIAN MORGAN Often mainstream ski instruction teaches that we “ski with our hands.” I’m pretty certain we ski predominantly with our feet, but nevertheless, our arms help us balance and the use of our poles aid with rhythm and timing. I generally don’t advocate worrying much about your hand position when skiing, but at times it may

1

Over-accentuate the pole plant a bit and lift your pole basket out of the snow as you swing the pole forward to plant it again.

be worthwhile to give them some consideration. For example, while using your feet to ski through deep powder, it may help to:

2

Use your poles—but for God’s sake, ski with your feet.

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

ottawa outdoors 23

Norwegian Mountain Living Since 1879 www.daleofnorway.com Available at Tommy & Lefebvre and Trailhead, Ottawa.

Dress right for winter running FROM THE NORTH POLE TO OTTAWA-GATINEAU

BY MICHAEL STASHIN Preparation for last year’s 2010 North Pole Marathon included that old question — what to wear? Here’s what we learned to stay warm and comfortable while winter running way down south here in Ottawa.

The goal is to cut your sweat production to a trickle, and to wick whatever sweat you do generate away from your skin. You’ll get colder faster if your skin or clothes are wet.

Start next to your skin with a thin pair of seamless briefs and then layer on thin long johns and longsleeve top. Best bet is variations of merino wool, an amazing fabric that wicks and keeps you warm even when it’s wet. And it’s very comfortable against the skin.

For the outer upper layer, use a windproof but breathable shell jacket, with a hood and zippers up to the armpits along the back of the sleeves. You’ll bless that hood when things get cold and windy, while the zippers — and the one down the front — can be opened for instant air conditioning if your upper body gets hot. On really cold days, add a fleece vest but make it loose-fitting so the sweat will still wick properly from the base layer. Use winter running pants or tights as the outer lower layer. These can be snug because your lower body doesn’t sweat as much as your torso.

Use different thicknesses of socks for different temperatures.

Again, think merino. On really cold days try an www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

inner sock liner. Whatever you wear, even your thickest socks, your shoes need enough room in the toe box — this could mean shoes a half size larger for winter running.

For hands, the best bet is a two pairs of gloves or mitts, both thin.

You can put one pair in your pocket if your hands begin to sweat.

Any hat that wicks sweat, and a neck gaiter, will keep your head and neck warm. If it’s really cold, you may need a balaclava as well. Body Glide or Vaseline on exposed cheeks and nose offer additional protection.

I wear the same shoes for winter running that I wear the rest of the year. But there are Gore-Tex and waterproof running shoes available.

If the road is icy, products like Due

North Every Day Traction Aids or Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats will help.

QUICK FACTS • Michael instructs chirunning • he traveled by helicopter to the North Pole for the race • there were 25 racers in all during the April 2010 marathon • he finished in fourth place • visit www.npmarathon.com

ottawa outdoors 25

Head way up the Valley for cross-country skiing

BY SHEILA ASCROFT No matter how much you enjoy the outdoors, if you stay on the same cross-country or snowshoe trails all winter, things get kind of old. But there’s no rule that you have to stay close to the city, so a trip up the Ottawa Valley is worth a thought, eh?

It only takes about three hours to drive to Deep River, a bit less to the Petawawa Research Forest near Chalk River, both off the TransCanada (Highway 17). There are trails for novices, trails for experts, groomed and ungroomed. Here’s a look at some of them.

THE DEEP RIVER X-C SKI CLUB maintains more than 100 kilometres of trails.

Club president Cheryl Rhodes says visitors are welcome to use the club’s facilities, but she asks visitors to sign a waiver form either on the Four Seasons Conservancy sign outside the club’s chalet at 112 Balmer Bay Road, or inside the chalet itself, before using its trails.

Rhodes says “the club chalet is available to all skiers, and open and warm during daylight hours throughout the skiing season.”

There’s a donation box inside to help with maintenance and trail grooming.

The club’s “Silver Spoon Trails” — 10 kilometres each of groomed classic-only and woodland skating versions — are on the east side of town on Balmer Bay Road. The skating trails are narrow. There are also 10 kilometres of ungroomed trail.

Rhodes says, “The trails on the river side of the road are gentle while those on the other side are

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

more challenging. Trails labelled M, S, H and B are groomed for both classic and skate-skiing.

“The Fun-loop is only for the truly adventuresome, and the P-loop is a challenging backcountry trail.”

There’s a map at www.drxc.ca/maps/ DRXC%20Ski%20Map-2009.pdf.

Rhodes says that intermingled with these ski trails are snowshoe trails, built and maintained by Four Seasons — one of several local organizations funded through the Deep River and District Community Foundation to enhance the town.

Their trailhead is also at the club chalet.

The Cabin Trails is another network of 50 kilometres of ungroomed wilderness trails that lead out to the DRXC cabin near the border of Algonquin Park. Starting points are at the end of Bass Lake Road, which turns west off Hwy 17 just before Point Alexander, four kilometres north of Deep River.

The Forestry Trail System is at the Petawawa Research Forest (PRF), five kilometres south of Chalk River. Turn west from Hwy 17 onto Clouthier Road and follow it to a gate. Parking is on your right and you ski in to the actual trailhead, which starts at the Old Headquarters Building off Clouthier Road. The southern 6.4-kilometre loop has an optional four- kilometre Acer loop. The western trail to Maunsell Lake also has an eight-kilometre extension called the Hawk Loop.

There’s more DRXC info at info@drxc.ca and www.drxc.ca.

For Petawawa Research Forest info, call 613-687-2214 or 613-584-7773.

CFB PETAWAWA Less known to Ottawa folk is the skiing available at CFB Petawawa.

The Jubilee Lodge, located at the Marina on Givenche Road, is open for non-military or non-members.

Chuck Omdal, lodge manager, says there are roughly 35 kilometres of ski trails for both classic and skate-skiing, and 10 kilometres of snowshoe trails. The Lodge is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can rent skis or snowshoes for $8 per person. Ski waxing services are available from professional staff.

There’s more info at www. ppspetawawa.com or 613-687-5511, ext 5180 or jubilee@nrtco.net.

PEMBROKE AND AREA CROSSCOUNTRY SKI CLUB According to the website of this volunteer-run club, it manages more than 12 kilometres for both cross-country classic and skateskiing on at Forest Lea road between Pembroke and Petawawa, five kilometres south of Hwy 17. Visitors are welcome with a $5 user fee at the club’s cabin.

There are five colour-coded loops: 10 kilometres (white); eight kilometres (red); six (orange); four (blue); and 2.5 (green). There’s a map at http://paxc.blogspot.com/.

The club’s snowshoe trail starts to the right of the cabin and is marked with yellow signs. Snowshoers can bushwhack their own trail, but please stay off the groomed ski trails. ~ FOR MORE GREAT WINTER ACTIVITIES, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: www.OttawaValley.travel

ottawa outdoors 27

Coyote? wolf? owl or eagle?

TRANSLATING TRACKS ALONG THE TRAIL

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY Animal tracks alongside a snowshoe or ski trail too often spark that ancient primal worry about self-preservation.

But few creatures in Gatineau Park pose any kind of threat to people, and winter is an excellent time to start honing track-identification skills – so you can figure out which creatures you are sharing the forest with. A thin layer of soft, damp snow over ice or hard crust are ideal conditions, because the print shows so clearly.

But it’s not a slam dunk. Even in ideal conditions, various animals offer different step patterns, sizes ranging from baby to adult, and the age and condition of the print itself.

Beaver, coyote/wolf, turkey, rabbit, deer and owl are commonly found in Gatineau Park and other areas in outdoor Ottawa-Gatineau, and are good practice for beginners.

For starters, animal prints are grouped in three categories depending how the animal walks: hoof/nail walkers like deer, flat walkers like bear and beaver, and toe walkers like coyotes, wolves and dogs. So the “walk” is the first thing to look for.

BEAVERS Beavers sometimes come out of their lodges in winter, so their tracks will lead to or from bodies of water.

Front paws are about seven by seven centimetres, and rear paws measure about 12 by 10.

Rear paws often land slightly ahead of the front paw print, or on top of it. Steps are 15 to 25 centimetres apart. Beavers have webbed feet, which can smudge 28 ottawa

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print details, especially in deep snow.

And their short legs mean their body sometimes drags a path through the snow – an extra identifying clue.

COYOTES/WOLVES A coyote print is similar but smaller than that of a large dog or a wolf. Field naturalists tell us it’s getting harder and harder to distinguish between wolves and coyotes, because of interbreeding between the two species. And dogs come in a bewildering variety. That said, size matters. An adult coyote leaves a paw print about seven centimetres long, while a wolf’s can be up to 13 centimetres. The illustration show four thick “finger” pads with a rear base pad. Claw marks will often be visible in snow.

DEER These tracks are six to seven centimetres long and five wide in something like a heart-like pattern, especially if the deer was walking. If the deer was running, the heart pattern disappears as both sides of the cloven hoof separate.

Watch also for small “dots” caused by “dewclaws” (evolutionary remnants, with no function) behind the hoof.

RABBITS Snowshoe rabbits leave four prints in the snow in a triangular pattern. If a rabbit is bounding away from a preda-

tor, the distance between triangles might be as much as 120 centimetres. Front prints are usually about half the size of the rear prints.

TURKEYS Wild turkeys have long toes, sharp toenails, and no webbing in between.

The prints – 10 by 10 centimetres – look almost like stubby arrows pointing in the opposite direction of travel.

Spacing between them ranges from 20 to 35 centimetres. Often there will be a confused tangle of tracks because turkeys forage in flocks OWL Owls often leave their mark in the snow in the shape of a large bird outline. (See illustration) It looks as if a bird with outstretched wings has collided with the snow, which is exactly what has happened. The owl swooped down on a mouse or small bird and snatched it off the ground, leaving it’s imprint behind. Watch for this in Gatineau Park. It’s stunning!

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

With world class trails, a cross-country ski trailhead room at the doorstep, and complimentary snowshoes, the Wakefield Mill is a great place for your next winter getaway. After spending your day in the fresh crisp air, come relax by a roaring fire.

(819) 459-1838 / www.wakefieldmill.com

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• Quality workmanship • 35 years experience • References!

• Painting • Ceramic tiles • Refinishing • Renovations • Decks and more!

YOUR OTTAWA SERVERS AND BARTENDERS Real Estate Broker Keller Williams Solid Rock 1 Antaries Drive, Suite 110 RITA BÉNARD o) 613.733.3434 613-816-4006 c) 613.769.7147

Jim Norris

LYNE VIAU 613-816-4008 Professional servers for all events. www.WAITERS-ON-WHEELS.COM

pmdesigns@sympatico.ca

National Capital Ski Club

COME ENJOY – ORDER TICKETS

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(™)Trademarks owned by iGm Financial inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.

Skiing Made Affordable www.ncskiclub.ca

• Full Season Equipment Rentals • Discounted Group Lessons Indoor Golf Club • Discounted lift tickets at local hills & Tremblant • Discounts for Goods & Services Come indoors • 2012 Vacations for a Ski night of to Utah, Whistler/ Blackcomb, Mont Ste Anne & Le Massif golf!

• Discounted Tremblant Weekends • play some • Weekly trips to Tremblant of the best • Annual Membership only $25, courses in the $30 after November 29th world

www.ncskiclub.ca • great Tuesday night indoor golf league • come for stags, office functions or just a night with your friends • real golf clubs with real photographic images. Many customers who’ve played Pebble Beach etc, say it’s unbelievable!

• totally different from cartoon courses • take golf lessons with CPGA pro Joe Dubinski • 7 state of the art simulators • fully licensed, pool table, big screen tv

Orpheus Musical Theatre Society RENT March 2-11, 2012

• Winter fun skiing and snowboarding for all levels.

• We offer great discounts on trips, ski passes, and lessons at local hills and stores.

• Visit our website or come and meet us at one of our pubnights.

www.skiextreme.ca

TITANIC THE MUSICAL June 1-10 2012 Mark your calendars for these upcoming shows! orpheus-theatre.ca Call 613-580-2700

• Book your tee times with us!

Bent Grass Indoor Golf Club 150 Robertson Road www.bentgrassgolf.com

(613) 820-2582

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

ottawa outdoors 31

146 other models in store

BELOEIL - BROSSARD - LAVAL - OSHAWA - OTTAWA - QUEBEC - VAUGHAN