Adventura - Summer 2010

Summer 2010 _ Vol. 2, No. 2 _ www.adventuramag.ca

[GEAR]• These Boots Were Made for Hiking• The Latest Headlamps

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[FIELD REPORT]• The Highs and Lows of Olympian Chris Del Bosco • Adventurous iPhone Apps • Travel Like a Pro Photographer

SummERGETAwAySFrom kayaking to hiking – we’ve got you covered

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AdventurA _ summer 2010 _ www.adventuramag.ca _ 3

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Contents // summer 2010 // Vol. 2 :: No. 2

[04] edItOr’S nOte

[06] FIeLd rePOrt Nocturnal escapades • Agenda: summer activities and events • Q&A with Olympian Chris Del Bosco • iPhone adventure apps • New surf and biking books • A look at luxe vs. budget equipment • How to travel like a pro photographer

[12] dAYtrIPPer Kayaking in Huntingdon • Mountain biking at Blue Mountain • Cycling in Hamilton • Whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River

[14] WeeKend GetAWAY rough Love: When getting your hands dirty is the only way to clear your mind

[16] LIvInG LArGe Mauricie • Parry Sound • Tobermory

[18] GLOBetrOtter Swiss and tell: The massive outdoor play-ground that is Switzerland’s Interlaken

[22] GeAr •TakeaHike: A walk on the wild side with

the latest in hiking boots •Lighton! We tested the latest headlamps

models on the market. Here are our illuminating results

[26] FeAture dream Jobs: Ten adventurous careers and the people who live them

[30] POWer trIP HighandDry: A musically inspired journey through Joshua Tree National Park

[32] MInd & BOdY Marathon101: Everything you need to know when training for your first marathon

[33] nutrItIOn Energy bar breakdown

[34] LASt CALL Peace and Quiet at the Kiamika Reservoir

06 12 14

EDITOR’S NOTE

Even before Jordan Romero, 13, showed up at Everest Base Camp, people were asking questions about the craziness of his venture. In a blog post, outdoor public relations agent Drew Simmons summed up what a lot of us were thinking: “Climbing Mount Everest when you’re 13 would be like having sex with Jessica Simpson when you’re 13. Yeah, it’s technically possible, but wouldn’t that really just set the bar too high for the rest of your life?”

Risking your life so young could be seen as a failure in parenting. But Romero already summited Kilimanjaro at 10, Aconcagua at 11 and Denali at 12... with his dad. After bagging Everest, he will soon become the youngest to have climbed the Seven Summits.

This “hyper-outdoorized” kid is not the only one trying to beat monster feats achieved by older adventurers. In 1968, a 29-year-old British man completed the first non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe. Last year, two 17-year-old Americans repeated his journey and, in April, Jessica Watson did the same thing at 16! Almost at the same time, Katie Spotz, 22, became the youngest person to row solo across the Atlan-tic in 70 days. Similarly, media junkie and big-time adventurer Mike Horn brought his 15-year-old kids to the North Pole. Clearly, becoming the “youngest-to-have-done-that-crazy-adventure” is now a big trend. This is what it takes these days to get media attention and sponsors.

But there’s a twist: beating records that are based on age means facing urgent deadlines. This is not something you can try “next year” if everything doesn’t go as planned. And that’s a dangerous path. When Jessica Dubroff, seven, was preparing to become the youngest person to fly across America in 1996, her plane crashed just after a training

takeoff in a heavy rainstorm. Now, no one can get an FAA full pilot’s licence before 17. When a 15-year-old Nepali boy lost five fingers in an Everest attempt, the government placed a minimum age (16) on attempting the climb. Luckily for record-seekers, the North Face on China’s side is still open to everyone.

Would you push your own kids into these kinds of adventures? Maybe Surely not. I sure wasn’t ready to do a North Pole expedition or sail solo around the globe when I was 15. Our society sets boundaries to prevent kids from themselves: no voting before 18, 16 for sex and

19 for booze (18 in Quebec). These age limits are set because we believe they represent milestones in mental maturity. But in this age of YouTube, our youth is now addicted to celebrity. And they are pushing it. Yes, they face great danger and, yes, they can really die. Just like other adventurers.

Then again, today’s kids are proving that they really can do it. And shouldn’t life be as simple as setting a goal and going full throttle for it without thinking too much? As

we get older, responsibilities get in the way of moving mountains. A lot of us will never take that first step to reach our dreams. If these kids can take a level of suffering that equals that of their elders, if they have this mental power to overcome the dangers, then why should we ground them? Could parenting without fearing disaster become mainstream? Hopefully not. But isn’t it great that our kids are playing as hard as ourselves in our favourite outdoor sports?

Christian Lévesque, Editor

Follow me on Twitter: @chrislevesque

BuT ThErE’s a TwisT: BEaTiNg rEcOrds ThaT arE BasEd ON agE mEaNs faciNg urgENT dEadliNEs. This is NOT sOmEThiNg yOu caN Try “NExT yEar” if EvEryThiNg dOEsN’T gO as plaNNEd.”

Summer 2010 :: Vol. 2 :: No. 2

Publisher: Stéphane Corbeil ([email protected])

editor: Christian Lévesque ([email protected])

senior editor: Patricia Gajo ([email protected])

Contributors: Brian Berusch, Liette D’Amours, Bryen Dunn, Mark Edward Harris, Alexander Joo, Ashley Joseph, Sarah Kelsey, Mathieu Lamarre, Maureen Littlejohn, Craille Maguire Gillies, Catherine Naulleau, Jean-Nicolas Saucier, Frédérique Sauvée

Proofreader: Christopher Korchin

translators: Christine Laroche

Cover Photo: Kayak going under a natural arch in the Crozon peninsula on the West Coast of Finistère, Bretagne (France). © Véronique Le Velly

design: Sève Création, seve.ca

Website: www.adventuramag.ca

editorial dePartment: 514-277-3477 / [email protected]

advertising: Marie-Christine Hallé, Sales Consultant [email protected] / 514-277-3477, ext. 27

distribution: Elyzabeth Bouchard, Production Coordinator [email protected] / 514-277-3477, ext. 30

mailing address: Groupe Espaces Inc 911 Jean Talon St. E., Suite 205 Montreal (Quebec) H2R 1V5

CirCulation: 60,000 copies distributed to outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. ADVENTURA is published four times a year by Groupe Espaces Inc.

artiCle submissions: ADVENTURA welcomes editorial and photo submissions, which must be sent by e-mail only. Contact the Editor to discuss. ADVENTURA is not respon-sible for articles, photographs or any other material sent to its attention. If you do not keep a copy of ADVENTURA magazine for your personal archives, please give it to a friend or recycle it.The opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by Groupe Espaces Inc. Some of the activities reported on in ADVENTURA could entail injury risks for anyone engaging in them. ADVENTURA and its reporters, contributors, photographers and other staff members do not recommend the practice of these activities by anyone who does not have the required skills and technique. ADVENTURA is not responsible for the information contained in advertisements. Any reproduction of material published in ADVENTURA is prohibited without the expressed consent of Groupe Espaces Inc.

outdoor enthusiasts outdoor enthusiasts outdoor everywhere.

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6 _ AdventurA _ summer 2010 _ www.adventuramag.ca

What was it like competing at the Vancouver 2010 Games?Amazing. It was really cool to feel all that positive energy. Everyone was into it and behind all the Canadian athletes, and that was a pretty special feeling.

What do you think happened, as far as your race?I had a little bit of trouble out at the start of the final, and that kind of set me up where I was trying to fight back and get some room. I kind of got lost on my edge at that second-to-last jump and it kind of kicked me funny. In ski cross there’s a lot of things out of your control, so you can just be ready and do everything you can do and then sometimes things just don’t work out.

How did you get involved in mountain biking? When I was about 15, I really wanted to downhill bike, which came naturally to me with my experience in alpine skiing. It was pretty unique that I could do well at both of those sports. And it was perfect. Each season I was looking forward to putting the skis away and getting on the bike, or putting the bike away and getting back on the skis. A lot of the skills from biking really added to my success in skiing, and vice versa.

I read that you had to gain weight to help you in ski cross – did that help you out at all in mountain biking?It was just my goal to be well, so I started training really hard. Prior to that I hadn’t really worked out at all. I just relied on my natural talent, which only gets you so far. I started working out five days a week and eating well and just put on weight as a by-product of all that work. It really helped in ski cross. For biking, I might just be a little too big. But it’s a lot of the same kind of explosive training and a lot of aerobics, so it does cross over a little bit. The last couple of years I haven’t ridden downhill because I’ve been focused on the Olympics, and now that that’s behind us I want to get back into biking.

What are the similarities between ski cross and mountain biking?I think a lot of it is being able to take lines at high speeds and being able to adapt and react. All that is good training that crosses over to both sports.

What kind of bike do you ride? I was on a little team out of Utah and they used Ventana, which are hand-welded bikes made in southern California. The bottom bracket is lower, which gives a lower centre of gravity.

In the past, you’ve openly discussed your experience with drugs and alcohol. You credit your sister for helping you overcome your addiction. What advice would you give to parents or relatives of those also struggling with substance abuse?My parents wanted me to get help and I just didn’t want to hear any of it. I always had an answer, like “I’ll figure it out” or “Everybody’s doing it.” My parents were talking to people who had similar experiences and they were told “Cut him off,” “Get him out of the house,” “You can’t keep enabling him.” And I think that’s one of the hardest things for a parent to do. But a lot of the time, they just keep prolonging it. It’s just the one time out of the hundreds of times that they wanted me to get help that I

responded to it. I was with my sister and was pretty beat down. I had had a long week of partying and drinking and she caught me right at the point where I was willing to listen. It was the first time that I had actually admitted it. It’s tough – you hate seeing someone you love going through that, and love won’t fix it. They have to be ready to make a change. There’s no magic solution.

It seems like the support of your family and their persistence really helped in your case.It did. You want to be there when they’re ready to reach out. That’s one of the most important things, to seize the moment. I think if I might have waited a couple of days or a week, I might have rationalized or justified that I had it under control and it might have taken hold. But it wasn’t an immediate thing. I would get out of treatment thinking everything was fine and would slowly slip back into what I was doing. It took a couple tries. For me, it would get bad really quick and it came to a point where it had to be a priority in my life. If I don’t make it my priority, I can slip right back into a pretty bad place.

Does addiction still pose an obstacle in your life?I definitely struggle sometimes. It’s hard travelling around the world when I’m around people who like to party, and that’s just

something that I can’t do. I just have to make that decision based on where I’m at and how I’m feeling. All in all, it’s been the best thing I’ve done.

I think that your being open about it has probably been a big help to a lot of people out there.I definitely get a lot of emails, and I wish there was more that I could do. It’s really hard to not be able to give them a solution. But I think that by being open about it, people that are going through the kind of things that I was going through might be able to identify with me and maybe start going down the right path or open their eyes a little bit and become more aware of it.

CHRIS DEL BOSCO STATSAge: 28Hometown: Vail, ColoradoMedals: Gold in Ski Cross at Winter X Games 2010Hobbies: Golf, reading, playing with his dachshunds, Hanz and Franz, and his German shepherd, JezFavourite authors: Paulo Coelho, Don Miguel RuizCurrently reading: Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

FR LEAPS AND BOUNDSBy Ashley Joseph

Chris del Bosco is a multi-tasking athlete: He hits the slopes in winter and bikes downhill in summer. After his thrilling gold-medal win at the 2010 X Games in ski cross, we cheered for him at the debut of ski cross at the Vancouver Olympics (unfortunately, no podium this time). Originally on the American team, Del Bosco was let go because of his problems with substance abuse. Fortunately, thanks to his Canadian-born dad (Del Bosco Sr. was recruited in Colorado to play hockey), he was given a second chance and invited to represent Canada. After several ups and downs – pun intended – Del Bosco got back on his feet and back on his skis. These days he’s also eager to get back on his bike. While a knee injury is keeping him off the trails this season, the future looks bright. We caught up with Del Bosco to talk about skiing, biking and how he turned his life around.

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iBird Explorer Pro 2.3With a database equal to 4,000 pages, find and identify a species by colour, shape, bill length, habitat, location and more, and read its bio from wingspan to the material its nest is made from. It also plays songs and calls loud enough to lure the bird in. $30 | ibirdexplorer.com

Falcon Guides Scats & Tracks (North America)

Whether you’re tracking a rabbit for dinner or avoiding a brown bear so as not to become his, this detailed guide illustrates scats, tracks and gait patterns of an animal’s presence. Hardcore scat lovers can take pictures of their findings, log them and instantly share on Facebook. $8 | falcon.com/scatapps

Trip Journal Winner of Google’s Best Travel App, this will impress your friends as you document your travels using photos, videos, tweets and blogs. Record your route by distance, time and GPS coordinates and share them through a multitude of social networking sites. Best of all, it’s as pretty as it is extensive. $0.99 | trip-journal.com

SAS Survival Guide Written by a former SAS instructor, this guide will teach you to survive in extreme climates, navigate by the sun and stars, shield yourself from radiation, eat non-poisonous plants, and handle Morse code, hunting, urban disasters, comprehensive first aid and generally how not to get yourself killed. $7 | sassurvivalguide.com

Otterbox Defender With a three-layer design –protective membrane on the screen, hi-impact polycarbonate shell and durable silicone skin – this case fully encloses and protects your iPhone from dust, dirt, drops and scratches, while every function and feature remains accessible. A holster is included, which won’t protect you from looking dorky. $50 | otterbox.com

Adventure travellers may finally have a reason to stay wired while lost out there in the world. These iPhone Apps make life easier on the road, whether you’re trying to comprehend animal tracks (cuddly panda or vicious grizzly?) or not die while stranded pantless in Antarctica (it happens).

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DOUBLE TAKEBIG BUCKS vs SMALL CHANGE

When shopping for your next wilderness romp, splurge on high-end investments or save with budget-minded buys.By Ashley Joseph

BIG BUCKS Its 600-fill down takes you comfortably through -10°C weather while weighing in at less than two pounds. Available in his and hers variations, it’s sure to make happy campers out of both you and your significant other. The NorTh FaCe hotlum | $230 | thenorthface.com

BIG BUCKS A top-of-the-line choice ideal for multi-day expeditions allows you to combine speed and stability for maximum performance. It’s also outfitted with four generous hatches that provide ample space for equipment. P&h CUSTom Sea KayaKS Cetus 1710 | $4,700 | phseakayaks.com

SmaLL ChaNGe Paddling adventurers looking for a high-performance expedition kayak will be more than satisfied with its stowage capacity and comfort, as well as its unique flip-top backrest for comfort on long trips. VeNTUre KayaKS easky 17 LV | $1,600 | venturekayaks.com

SmaLL ChaNGe Synthetic Quadratherm fill keeps the cold out in temperatures as low as -12°C, while alternative insulation keeps your purchase eco-friendly. Extended zippers allow air to circulate and keep stuffiness to a minimum oUTBoUNd Banff | $85 | outbound.ca

BIG BUCKS You and your camping cohort will value this three-season, two-man tent that takes a load off your back thanks to the use of mesh fabrics, carbon-fibre poles and efficient frame design. Two roomy front and rear vestibules maximize space and add a welcome dose of privacy. moUNTaIN SaFeTy reSearCh Carbon reflex 2 | $500 | mec.ca

SmaLL ChaNGe Although not as featherweight as its counterpart, sturdier fabrics and an HT-Seal “bathtub” floor, which seals out water with a raised perimeter, ensure protection from the elements in spring, summer and fall. Two vents above the fly enhance ventilation, providing comfortable repose for two on the sunniest days. moUNTaIN eqUIPmeNT Co-oP Camper 2 | $125 | mec.ca

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JuneJune 6// Mud Run

Brampton, OntarioGet down and dirty at this out-of-the-ordinary running race – in distances of 5 km, 10 km or 1.5 km for kids. mudrun.ca

June 18 tO 20// GiRls’ Getaway

Manitoulin Island, OntarioWho needs men when you can do yoga, circle-dance and indulge in facials, footbaths, campfires and a heated pool for an entire weekend at this women’s-only event? gordonspark.com

June 26 tO 27// suMMeR solstice

Albion Hills, OntarioCelebrate the longest day of the year at this two-day festival packed with bands and outdoor sporting activities, including mountain biking. chicoracing.com

June 29 tO Aug. 24// Guats Xc seRies

Blue Mountain, OntarioDitch the cross-country skis for mountain biking and racing over 5 km of newly created trails at the base of big Blue. xcseriesatblue.com

JuLYJuly 2 tO 4// PaRa-cyclinG woRld cuP

Baie-Comeau, QuebecWatch the world’s para-cycling champions get crowned at this historic cycling event in Côte-Nord. Athletes from over 20 countries will take part. coupedumondebaiecomeau.com

July 2 tO 3// Kite suRf lac st-Jean

Roberval, QuebecWhy cross a lake by boat when you can do it by kitesurfing? This second annual event includes music, sandcastles and evening entertainment. zoneturbulence.com

July 3// Biathlon-duathlon

Portneuf-sur-Mer, QuebecThink you have what it takes to race your way – running and biking styles – through Quebec’s rugged wilder-ness? Then put your theory to the test at this fun-for-all sporting event. portneuf-sur-mer.ca

July 10 And 11// BiKe coMPetition

gaspésie national Park, QuebecWith the magnificent Chic-Choc mountains as the backdrop, this two-day competition is designed for hardcore bikers (or those who dare take on 139 km of open biking trails). villesainte-anne-des-monts.qc.ca or fqsc.net

July 10// 1000 island Paddlefest

gananoque, Ontario Celebrate the St. Lawrence River and all it has to offer at this jam-packed event focusing on all things paddle. 1000ikc.com/festivals/

July 15 tO 23// laKe MaRathon

Roberval, QuebecSwim laps around your competition in this 32-km open-water swimming marathon at Lac St-Jean. traversee.qc.ca

July 17// aMazinG challenGe

lindsay, OntarioPartake in your very own Amazing Race-style challenge at this one-day bike event along the Kawartha Trans-Canada Trail. You just need three other people to join you. kawarthatranscanadatrail.ca

July 24 tO Aug. 1// RiveR Race

Minden, OntarioWatch people slip and slide down whitewater rapids (and dream, perchance, of the day you’re crazy enough to join them) at the Canadian National Whitewater Kayak and Canoe Championships on Gull River. whitewaterontario.ca

July 24// saucony RocKstaR

Bark lake, OntarioShow off your nature-loving skills at this four- or eight-hour adventure race across Northern Ontario that includes biking, canoeing and trekking. racetherockstar.com

July 28 tO Aug. 1// fête du vol liBRe

Mont-Saint-Pierre, QuebecNot for those afraid of heights, this weekend is packed with activities like hang-gliding and paragliding. Too afraid to get your glide on? Then take part in some kitesurfing, sea kayaking and mountain biking. vol-libre.ca

AuGuSTAug. 7 tO 8// 24-hR RolleR RinK

Montreal, QuebecShow off your inline skating stuff at this hardcore event that takes place on the Gilles Villeneuve racetrack, one of North America’s only Formula 1 tracks. 24inline.com

Aug. 27 tO 29// Randonnée vélo-santé

Manicouagan, QuebecDo good while getting your ride on at this fundraising event to support the area’s health and social services centre. csssmanicouagan.qc.ca

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Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling

Inner-city cycling may have started off as mere transportation, but it morphed into its own culture, which has now given birth to a multitude of subcultures – from the snarling Messenger who charges through traffic jams with a fixed-gear and an attitude, to the Beautiful Godzilla wearing a floral-print dress with bug-eyed sunglasses and a Shih Tzu in her basket. Hilariously written by The Bike Snob of cyclist-blogging fame (bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com), the book combines a history lesson, an autobiography, a guide to fitting in while simultaneously not fitting in and finally a criticism of the bizarre culture surrounding the greatest personal transportation since the horse. By BikesnobNYC (Chronicle Books) | $20

100 Classic Hikes in New England Since a few Polynesians were observed merrily skimming across waves on a simple wooden plank back in the 18th century, we’ve added only a few things to the sport, some improvements (fibreglass boards) and some abominations (“Dude, that wave was gnarly dude, like totally dude!”). Surfer Magazine, the premier publication on the culture since the 1960s, celebrates its 50th anniversary with this hardcover showcasing five decades

of stunning photography, stories and behind-the-scenes narratives, punctuated throughout with quotes, tales and interviews from the icons and ambassadors of the sport that used to be reserved for island royalty.edited by sam George (Chronicle Books) | $40

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PhotographerON THE GOHeed this checklist for taking travelphotos like a pro. By Mark Edward HarrisBy Christine Laroche

1 CAMERA BAG The days of photographers suffering from chronic back issues are over. Today’s options evenly distribute the weight of cameras, lenses and accessories. This model offers the comfort of a backpack without sacrificing quick access to photo gear through a side door. It also has a large top compartment for personal items and an elasticized mesh side pocket providing convenient access to a water bottle. tAmrAc Aero Speed Pack 75 dual-access photo backpack | $130 | tamrac.ca

4 FLASH ACCESSORY The key to professional-looking flash is to get it off the camera with the use of a cord or remote trigger or to soften the light with a light-softening device. The one from Gary Fong can be reduced down to a 1½-inch thick ring for easy storage, thus great for travel. It’s made with sizing ribs that provide a tight fit to several sizes of flashes without the need for straps or bands.GAry FonG Lightsphere collapsible diffuser | $85 | garyfonginc.com

5 FILTERS Digital cameras have given us the ability to change the white balances on every shot, and Photoshop has allowed us to quickly get rid of skin flaws that stockings and softnet filters once corrected. So does this mean that we can retire allthe filters that served us so faithfully during the film years? Most, yes, but for a chosen few, absolutely not. At the top of the list of must-have filters for the digital world are a variety of neutral-density graduated filters and polarizers. The former work by lessening the amounts of light thatreach the camera sensor. Graduated neutral density allows for a darkening of a single section of the image; this is most useful for a bright sky. Polarizers are key for enhancing blue skies and reducing reflections on water. I use Singh-Ray filters that are large and then are held in position by a LEEfilter holder. Rather than getting a filter to fit each lens, it is far more practical and economical to buy adapter rings for each lens for the filter holder. SinGh rAy LB neutral Polarizer filter | from $212 | singh-ray.com

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2 TRIPOD To travel light, a tripod made from carbon fibre is a must. The tripod extends from 20’’ to 56.2’’ and comes with a ball head that can swivel into virtually any position. If you’re going to shoot hybrid-camera videos and want smooth panning shots, a fluid head such as the Manfrotto 128LP mini-video fluid head can replace the existing one. Whichever brand you buy, a tripod bag should be used to free up the hands for shooting and portability.mAnFrotto 7322cy m-y carbon Fibre tripod | $290 | manfrotta.ca

3 CABLE RELEASE Cable releases are used to reduce camera shake or to keep the shutter open during timed exposures. This little item can make a big difference in making a slow or long exposure tack-sharp. Camera manufacturers make remote cords specifically for their cameras, so Canon, Olympus, etc. users should check with their manufacturers for compatibility. There are also non-brand cable releases available. nikon mc-30 remote cord | $90 | nikon.ca

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You’ve Been ServedToronto, OntarioBeach Blast, home to some of Toronto’s best beach volleyball courts, offers late-night drop-in court times for volleyball devotees (complete with music and a licensed bar). Sessions and court times run from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cost: $15Beach Blast • 416-785-6677 • beachblast.ca

Moon riverPontiac, OntarioImagine a full-moon rafting ride along the Ottawa River where you’re shooting through rapids and catching glimpses of deer under a starry sky. To take part in the exhilarating four-hour ride, you’ll spend two nights camping in the area, and each nighttime rafting trip starts around 8 p.m. Cost: $130Horizon X • 819-648-2727 • horizonx.ca

road WarriorToronto, OntarioThis five-mile run along Toronto’s waterfront starts at 7:15 p.m. and includes gorgeous views of the setting sun against the city’s backdrop. Stick around for the après-run barbecue.Cost: $30 until June 17, then $35 until June 23The Night Crawler 5-Mile Road Race • nightcrawler.to

night riderMontreal, QuebecUn Tour La Nuit, the annual 20-km cycling event, starts at 8:30 p.m. on Saint-Joseph Blvd. Late-night Montrealers pack the streets for a mega group ride. Add to the fun by decorating your helmet or clothing in bright colours and lights.Cost: Children $11.50, Adults $18.50Vélo Quebec • velo.qc.ca/english

More treeS, PleaSeSainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, QuebecD’Arbre en Arbre is an adventure course about an hour outside of Quebec City. The course – set among the treetops – will test your after-dark skills with activities such as traversing footbridges, climbing nets, cable zip-sliding and crossing beams. Headlamps are mandatory (and can be rented), and the course takes about three hours to complete. Departure is around 8:30 p.m. in July and 8 p.m. in August.Cost: Children $16.50, Adults $32.95D’Arbre en Arbre, 418-875-4522, arbreduchesnay.com

HOT SUMMER NIGHTSWhen the heat is on, these nocturnal activities will cool you off.By Sarah Kelsey


Activity: CyCling By Bryen Dunn

Activity: WhiteWater rafting By Sarah Kelsey

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Annonce format 10,5” x 12,25” +bleed

Level: Beginner to advanced

Access: Various entry points. Visit website for directions to individual falls.

Other activities: Mountain climbing, weekend waterfaller walks, photography

Season: All year; some falls freeze in winter and trails not cleared

Cost: Free admission

Gear: Good hiking shoes, binoculars, water and snacks

Getting there: GO Transit or VIA Rail to Aldershot Station, then local transit or car rental to various falls’ locations. All within an hour’s drive of Toronto.

Local tip: Local produce and baked goods are for sale at neighbouring markets.

For more: cityofwaterfalls.ca, hamiltonhikers.ca, cyclehamilton.ca

Pedal past waterfalls in Hamilton

rip through rapids along the Ottawa river

Paddle through nature in Huntingdon

_A little-known fact about Hamilton is that the city is home to over 100 waterfalls, ranging from a linear trickle to a 100-m downfall. Many of these can be explored by both marked and unmarked trails, either on foot or, in some cases, by bike.

One of the more popular falls is the easily accessible Devil’s Punch Bowl, which can be explored by way of pathways that lead up and around either side of the valley. Once below, there are walking trails that follow along a railway and lead toward the famed Niagara Escarpment.

There are organized hikes and cycle rides in and about the various areas that are free to participate in, or you can choose to explore them on your own. The Hamilton Cycling Committee produces a pamphlet that was recently updated to include rides that lead to many of the falls.

One ride that can be done easily in a day departs from Aldershot GO station heading north toward Watertown, where there’s Great Falls. From here there are secondary roads running along the escarpment that eventually lead to Borer’s Falls, Tew’s Falls and Webster’s Falls. Continue toward Dundas and stop at Danley Cascade and Christie Conservation Area. Pack a lunch or visit one of the local restaurants in Dundas, then ride back to the Aldershot station in about 30 minutes direct.

It makes for a great leisurely day trip, and there are also opportunities to pick up natural produce and home-baked goods from the locals. Recommended round-trip time is a full day to do about 50 km with stops.

_There’s nothing quite like a day of whitewater rafting to get your adrenaline going. One of the best places to do it is with OWL Rafting at Madawaska Kanu Camp in Foresters Falls, a small town about 90 minutes northwest of Ottawa. Located along the majestic Ottawa River and near the legendary 12 km Rocher Fendu rapids, it’s the place to experience whitewater rafting at its finest.

Since it opened in 1981, travellers from all over the globe have signed up for some of OWL’s rafting courses, which offer one- or two-day excursions, as well as family adventures. A typical day starts with a brief explanation of the raft, the equipment you’ll be using and how to manoeuvre through the rapids. From there, you’ll take a six-hour trip down the Ottawa River. The day is capped off with a delicious barbecued meal aboard the company’s

pontoon boat, a ride that will return you to the Madawaska Kanu Camp centre. Once there, a videographer who followed you on your excursion can give you a brief presentation of what your rafting experience looked like to an outsider’s eye. You can also hang out at OWL’s Lakeside Centre and indulge in some of their beachfront activities, such as kayaking, volleyball and Frisbee golf, or just relax in their sauna.

_With the warm season finally upon us, there’s no better time to take advantage of the countless lakes and rivers that grace Quebec. Too often forgotten, the Suroît region stands out as much for the beauty of

its landscapes as the richness of its native soil. One of the best ways to explore and discover the area is through its picturesque waterways.

On the outskirts of Huntingdon, less than an hour from Montreal, the à la Truite and Châteauguay rivers invite you to recharge and get back to nature in the most enjoyable way. Trust yourself in the hands of Kayak Safari, located right on the Châteauguay’s shore; they will take care of every detail of your adventure. Kayak rental is offered (one- or two-seaters), but bringing your own gear is also an option. To ensure the safety of every participant, flotation devices are provided for all.

The rest is entirely up to you: There are four proposed itineraries – go for a half or a full day, with or without a guide, etc. You choose the pace and are master of your itinerary: You are free to float wherever the current may take you. Posing no technical difficulty, the à la Truite and Châteauguay rivers are ideal for beginners with little to no paddling experience. Solo, with family or with friends, you can either take it easy or, should the mood strike, crank up the intensity.

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Activity: KayaKing By Jean-nicolas Saucier

Level: Beginner and intermediate

Distance: Varies according to the itinerary chosen (20 to 25 km in total)

Season: May to October (Saturday and Sunday only between May 17 and June 22)

Getting there: Exit the island on Mercier Bridge and take the 138 West to Huntingdon (about 60 km). Turn left on Henderson. After you cross the bridge, Kayak Safari is on your left on the adjacent shore.

Cost: Adults $25/half day, $35/full day

For more: 1-866-664-0111 • kayaksafari.ca

Known for flooding in the spring, the Châteauguay is at its best during the summer months. Vegetation is abundant and diverse, and around every corner awaits a little piece of paradise. Pack a lunch for a picnic on the river’s bank and savour local specialities while soaking in the sounds of the river flowing at your feet. If you choose the all-day expedition, a BBQ meal can be arranged at your point of arrival. To help you discover the area to the fullest, Kayak Safari can also drop you off at different entry points on the rivers and, if need be, transport you from one spot to another, allowing you to cover as much ground as possible. A comfortable adventure that’s perfect for getting your feet wet.

your equipment rentals, a barbecued meal and use of the resort’s other facilities. Two-day packages (where you can camp on the resort’s grounds) start at $240.There are a number of packages from which to choose, each varying in intensity level.

Gear: A few things to bring along include: wool socks and a wool hat, light wool or sweat-wicking clothing, a bathing suit, a light windbreaker, thin tights or shorts, sunscreen, a towel, a dry change of clothing and running shoes or sandals (but no flip-flops). The raft, oars, helmet and life vests are all provided for you.

Lessons: A tutorial about rafting is given by your raft leader before you hit the river.

Tip: For one-day raft trips, arrive at least 30 minutes prior to start time. If you are staying the night prior to an early-morning rafting trip, you can arrive anytime after 5 p.m. All overnight packages include a cabin/tent rental, and checkout time is 11 a.m.

Getting there: From Ottawa, take Hwy 417 and continue straight on Road 17 past Renfrew. Take exit 4 for Storyland Rd; continue on this road until you see OWL Rafting signs.

For more: 1-800-461-7238, 613-646-2263, owl-mkc.ca

Level: Beginner to advanced

Other activities: They also offer kayak and canoe lessons,cliff jumping, sauna access and family rafting trips.

Season: Summer

Cost: One-day excursions are $110 on Sundays andduring the week, and $130 on Saturdays, which includes

DAYtRiPPER

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I love roughing it.In fact, I’ve been camping since I was a few weeks old. You name it, I’ve done it – everything from kayaking to rock climbing. So when a group of five friends brought up the idea of portaging through northern Ontario last summer, they didn’t have to ask me twice.

The invitation had good timing, as I was in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. I had been struggling to figure out my purpose and my future for what seemed like forever. I had tried everything from yoga to writing in a journal to taking a vacation, each mission in the name of excavating my true self. What I hadn’t expected was that reconnecting with nature and putting myself in the hands of Mother Nature would be the path I was looking for.

The idea behind portaging is simple: You canoe from campsite to campsite, setting up shop with your own two hands only to tear it back down, all while living from your natural surroundings. Translation: no toilets, no shower, no general store.

So that’s how I found myself standing at the dock’s edge in the Massasauga Provincial Park. Stretching along the coast of Georgian Bay from Parry Sound to the Moon River, Massasauga (the park’s unofficial nickname) is home to hundreds of windswept islands as well as inland forests and lakes. Meaning “mouth of the river” in Ojibwa, the area is accessible only by water, and though it isn’t dangerous,it is a protected sanctuary for the Massasauga rattlesnake and home to dozens of animals, including black bears, prairie warblers, five-lined skink, hybrid toads and map turtles. Looking out at the water ahead of me, I thought, if the Ojibwa Indians – a major part of the Anishinaabe peoples of the 17th and 18th centuries – were able to survive on this land and navigate their lives through this area of waterways, I could too.

As I watched the sun begin to set from our launching dock at the beginning of our journey, I contemplated whether my tippy canoe would be able to survive the journey to our site. I had, unfortunately, overpacked (a chronic problem of mine). There was the portable and rollable Coleman stove, the two coolers filled with foodstuffs and beverages of sorts, and the tent (a six-sleeper instead of two-). The Ojibwa crossed mountainous, forested areas worse than this with less

stuff; I would have been the butt of their jokes. The canoe looked like it would buckle under the weight it was carrying. But, to my amazement, it didn’t. It was much stronger than I thought. That’s when I crawled in and began the initial leg of my journey.

My friends and I canoed our way across two large, glassy lakes (both part of Georgian Bay) and weaved through the small streams and rivers that connected them. In the beginning we were busy chatting about how picturesque the landscape was, the honey-hued sun bathing a tree-lined horizon. But the more we stroked and the more night descended, a calming blanket of silence fell upon our three steady canoes. The only sound that remained was our paddles as they dipped and stroked the water and the sound of our breath as we huffed and puffed for the energy to push through another stroke.

Four hours after we set sail, we reached our site. Located just off the rocky shoreline, there was a campfire pit in the centre. Surrounding it were four sandy plots similar to sandboxes for us to prop our tents on (the sand providing extra comfort from the otherwise rocky landscape). The area was strewn with branches and pine needles from the surrounding trees.

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When the going gets tough, sometimesthe only antidote to urban life is roughing it up – portaging-style. By Sarah Kelsey

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" Here, I have my lake, you have yours.I have my cabin, you have yours.

And everyone enjoys a little peace and quiet.

Abitibi-témiscAmingue with open arms!

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One might think it would be difficult to set up shop in the middle of the night – we being a notoriously rowdy, longtime group of friends with a penchant for loud music. But, surprisingly, it was not. An eerie, almost magical sense of teamwork had befallen the group. Mark*, a documentary producer by day, took leadership on the unpacking of the canoes, dragging our gear from the shoreline to the site. Andrew, who’s a well-travelled outdoorsman, started a fire, sparking it with a magnesium stick and a lighter. Bonnie, his wife, started to unpack the kitchen – clanging all of our pots and pans together as she set about cooking up some grub. I pitched our tents while Monica, as prissy as girls come, went to find the Thunderbox – a square wooden box in the deep brush that covers a hole in the ground which is used as the washroom facility of choice when portaging. Henry, the tenacious one of the group, looked around the site for firewood.

No one talked. We all just sort of… did. Our actions were as mechanical as they were natural. It was the most fluid, organized unpacking of a campsite I’ve ever experienced – all of it performed by moonlight. The rhythm my friends and I established that night felt comforting. It was as though we had taken on a pack mentality where we just knew our roles. I wondered if we were channelling some sort of native energy.

Obviously the natives would have traversed the land with less modern conveniences than we had. Most of their cooking – after killing and skinning their food (mostly fish and small animals) and preparing vegetables such as squash – would have been done on stakes over an open fire, while tents were often made of large tree branches and bark as well as animal hides. They started fires by rubbing sticks or rocks together – talk about patience. Call it peace and quiet, call it back to basics, call it what you will, but for the first time in weeks, my mind began to quiet. As the silence grew louder in my head, the heaviness in my heart began to dissolve and as soon as the site was set, I crawled into my tent for a good night’s sleep.

I awoke the next morning to see the sun streaming through the trees and the light bouncing off the lake. My friends had already had breakfast – granola bars and nuts – in the hopes that we’d pack up the site immediately to get a head start on the portaging day, but the beauty of the rocky and tree-lined landscape compelled everyone to linger a few hours longer. To pass the time, we played. There was a cliff right next to our site that was perfect for jumping; we raced up its jagged surface and plunged into the frigid, rippling water below. We spent time looking through clovers on the sparse patches of grass that covered the brush near our site (all of us hoping to find a lucky four-leafed one). There were even a few moments of basking in the warm summer sunlight with Henry strumming on his guitar. Around noon, as the sun was hitting its peak, we began to tear down our gear, pack up our canoes and set sail for our next site. The next few days of our excursion followed in much the same manner.

When you’re in the wilderness, your only mission is survival and, because of it, you start to realize you’re a much stronger person than you ever thought you could be. In the midst of my trip in backcountry Ontario, thinking of the experiences of the Ojibwa before me, my urban problems suddenly seemed trivial by comparison. On the last day, as we paddled back to the rickety wooden departure dock, I knew figuring out my life wouldn’t be easy – especially as the noise and pace of the big city enveloped me again – but I took a deep breath and with a strong thrust of my oar, I dug deep into the dark-coloured water and paddled forward.

*All names have been changed.

SeaSon Massasauga is a unique water-access-only park. The only way to access the park’s 135 campsites (all of which are on the water) is by canoe, kayak or boat. (Motorized travel is not permitted on the inland lake.) Forty-eight campsites are on inland lakes accessible by portage. Registration happens at Pete’s Place Access Point or Oastler Lake Park Office. A boat launch is located at Pete’s Place for access to Georgian Bay. Camping rates start at $25.75.

Where to Sleep Each of the sites at Massasauga has sandy plots for you to pitch your tent on (smart given the otherwise rocky terrain of the area). And because you’ll be popping up and tearing down your tent quite frequently, it’s smart to invest in an easy-to-assemble dome before even contemplating portaging.

What to eat Because you’re camping in the summer and will likely be out in the wilderness for several days without access to ice to keep your food cold, it’s important to pack non-perishable or canned goods for your cookouts. Think pasta with tomato sauce and toast with peanut butter. Other suggestions include canned chili, soup and flatbread or tortillas. Most fruits and vegetables will last five to seven days without refrigeration.

What to do Massasauga is great for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, backcountry camping and viewing wildlife. You’ll catch a glimpse of everything from bears to deer and even rare hawks. There are also some great spots for swimming and cliff jumping.

What to bring Because you’ll have to pack all of your goods in a canoe, the key to portage packing is to think light – bring only what you need. If you’re portaging for the first time, see our checklist.

For more ontarioparks.com

big tools Tree saw Axes

little tools Knife or switchblade Repair kit (should contain: elastic bands, paper clips, safety pins, tape, wire, needles, thread, buttons) First aid kit Flashlight Rope Tarp Magnesium sticks (to help spark a fire)

Cooking Large pot and lid Stirring stick/spoon Aluminum cups Water bottle Water purification tablets Tinfoil (for cooking) Waterproof matches

tent Sleeping bag Large tarp

Clothing Sunglasses

plan ahead

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TOBERMORY By Maureen Littlejohn

Ship Ahoy!At the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, that glorious craggy dolomite finger jutting into Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, is a town known for its proximity to shipwrecks, flowerpot rock formations and mouth-watering, fresh-caught whitefish. Tobermory, a few strides from the Bruce Trail, is an outdoor mecca with plenty of hiking, biking, paddling and swimming. A three-hour drive from Toronto, the “Bruce” (as it’s affectionately known) has more than 800 km of shoreline dotted with beaches and parks, including breathtaking Bruce Peninsula National Park with the area’s most spectacular views. Peer into the watery depths at nearby Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada’s first National Marine Conservation Area, and you’ll get a glimpse of 22 protected shipwrecks.

R&RTucked in amongst the cedars of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, is E’Terra (rooms from $395 • 519-596-8300 • eterra.ca), a very private, luxurious, eco-friendly lodge of timber and stone. Six suites feature heated flagstone floors, rustic yet elegant wood furniture and lavish bathrooms. An inviting fireplace beckons in the common living room, and from the third-floor library you can see the Fathom Five National Park archipelago. On the terrace outside the dining room, guests can swim in the seasonal saltwater pool or enjoy the lavender labyrinth and Zen garden. The property’s 200 metres of pristine shoreline feature a dock made of salvaged Douglas fir timbers where complimentary kayaks and canoes are launched. After a day on the water or navigating forest trails, guests can relax taut muscles with an outdoor aromatherapy massage ($130/60 min.).

EatThe dining room at E’Terra (mains from $55) offers organic, local food including organic bison, elk, lamb, free-range eggs and homegrown herbs and veggies. In Tobermory, a well-loved old-timer is the family-run Grandview Motel and Dining Room (mains from $25 • 519-596-2220 • grandview-tobermory.com) where you can nosh on the outdoor patio while watching boats bob about in Little Tub Harbour. Pair a chilled glass of Chardonnay with an appetizer of smoked Georgian Bay whitefish or a delectable plate of whitefish stuffed with crab.

Play/ HIKING – The Bruce Trail’s spectacular cliff-view paths hug the shoreline as well as delve into the peninsula interior. Halfway Log Dump access is from Emmett Lake Road and follows an old logging track to Georgian Bay. Another good access point is the road to Little Cove, opposite the Warner Bay Road on Hwy. 6. Ruins of rock formations, or “flowerpots,” are visible below the trail and in the distance you can see Bear’s Rump and Flowerpot Islands in Fathom Five National Marine Park. Horse Lake and Marr Lake intersecting trails cover rough cobblestone beaches and lead to Indian Head Cove, with a nature-sculpted limestone arch and deep marine cave.

/ BIKING – One of the most scenic drives and bicycle routes in the area follows the Georgian Bay shoreline northeast through the village of Dyers Bay to Cabot Head (the eastern tip of the peninsula), a distance of 10 km. The road is paved for the first two km, then becomes gravel. There are also several shorter bike routes around Little Tub Harbour and Big Tub Harbour.

/ SWIMMING – Choose between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron for a dip in clear, Caribbean-blue water (a tad chillier, though). Dunk’s Bay, off Hwy. 6, has a beautiful sand beach. Little Cove is known for its spectacular boulder beach and is accessible from Little Cove Road. At Singing Sands, Dorcas Bay, the warm, shallow water stretches out forever.

/ PADDLING – Georgian Bay, off Bruce Peninsula National Park, is great for canoeing and kayaking, with beaches, gentle inclines and protected harbours as well as areas with challenging open water. Look closely beneath the water’s surface and catch a glimpse of a sunken ship. Rent canoes and kayaks from Suntrail (from $25/day • 519-935-2478 • suntrail.net), an outdoor gear operation in Hepworth, Ont., at the base of the Bruce Peninsula.

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We here at ADVENTURA love summer (who doesn’t?), because after months of hibernation, it’s a time when we can really enjoy the outdoors without having to worry too much about the weather... it’s simply a time to soak up the sun (with protection, of course). Here are three mini-holidays to help you live it up large – because the hottest season of the year will be over before you know it.

Living Large

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For more information and list of retailers:

call Toll free 1 888 411-3310 or visit

www.allrounder.com

ALLIGATORmen (41-47)

(whole sizes only)

LAGOONAwomen (36-42)

(whole sizes only)

sanctuary for the Massasauga rattlesnake that is accessible only by water from Georgian Bay and some inland lakes. Rent canoes and kayaks at The Detour Store (from $20/day • 705-342-1050 • thedetourstore.ca).

/ Swimming – Killbear Provincial Park has 3 km of beaches with some of the best swimming in the area. Parry Sound has two beaches, Waubuno Beach and Park and the Old Town Beach, or take a dip in Lake Manitouwabing at Inn at Manitou.

MauricieBy Liette D’Amours

Sprawling SplendourNothing makes you feel like you’re worlds away from it all – or that you’ve just stepped onto a movie set – like a visit to the 39,748 km2 of Mauricie’s rolling countryside, where 90 percent of the region is forest or waterway. Situated between Montreal and Quebec City, the scenic getaway is about a 90-minute drive in either direction and so a natural stop when visiting either metropolis (or both).

R&RThe Auberge Le Baluchon (lodges from $129/person, chalets from $330/night • 1-800-789-5968 • baluchon.com) in Saint-Paulin, Quebec, is a classic establishment with generous offerings – from the gastronomy to the on-site activities – where the comfort and well-being of guests is the priority, as is the preservation of natural resources. The inn’s 90 rooms are located in different buildings, which are spread out over the property. They are all within walking distance and are linked by wooden walkways. Each lodge has a hot tub and sauna and select rooms have a private hot tub and fireplace. A three-bedroom chalet is also available. Looking for the ultimate indulgence? Take your tired body to the health spa (packages start at $225/person) for fabulous treatments provided by a team of pros, such as the maple sugar exfoliation, shower massage and aromatic facial.

EatThe kitchen at Baluchon has won several well-deserved prizes. Foodies will appreciate starting the day off right with a buffet-style breakfast where you press your own juice and concoct a healthy and delicious plate. On Sundays,

traditional brunch ($23/adult) is served. In the evening, choose three- or five-course meals (table d’hôte from $50): You’ll be treated to the likes of original soups, perfectly cooked meats, locally grown delicacies and imaginative desserts. The ambience in the dining room is quite posh: white tablecloths, quiet conversations and lace room dividers. If you’re looking for a more convivial, laid-back spot, head to Au bout du monde (mains from $14), the eco-café. With its historic decor, this café has everything it takes to please, from local beers to teas and coffees from around the world, and though the menu is limited, the dishes are authentic and tasty.

Play/ HORSEBACK RIDING – Go for a one- or two-hour ride in the Sabot de la Vierge archipelago. Reservations required.

/ HIKING – The property counts 22 km of marked trails with terrain ranging from forest to lush valleys. Hike along the Maskinongé River in the Parc des chutes de Sainte-Ursule (1-800-660-6160 • chutes-ste-ursule.com). On the way, admire the sight and sound of the impressive 270-m-high waterfalls.

/ PADDLING – Canoe or kayak (single or double) and explore the river and admire the waterfalls and cascades that make up the region’s landscape. Rental costs from $18/half day.

/ BIKING – There are 26 km of paths on the property for road and mountain biking that connect to the region’s bike path networks.

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ParrY SOuND By Maureen Littlejohn

Cottage CountryOn the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, a two-hour drive from Toronto, is a delectable slice of Ontario’s outdoor escape. Cool breezes carry the refreshing scent of surrounding fragrant pine forests to the deep refreshing lakes that vein the mainland, as well as to 30,000 Islands jutting from Georgian Bay’s crisp, clear waters. It’s easy to jump on a bike, hop in a canoe or hit the trails throughout the region, especially in Killbear Provincial Park with its inviting beaches, hiking and biking paths, and paddling areas.

R&RInn at Manitou (rooms from $350/couple with breakfast or from $300/person with all meals • 705-389-2171 • manitou-online.com), a 35-room Relais & Châteaux property on Lake Manitouwabing, offers world-class cuisine as well as a pampering spa, swimming pool and lakeside dock. After a day of paddling or mountain biking, stretch out the kinks at the inn’s spa with a Thai massage ($125/50 min.), a combination of shiatsu and acupressure that is done on a floor mat while you wear loose, comfortable clothing.

EatA dozen French chefs whip up mealtime miracles daily in the Inn at Manitou’s kitchen (meals are included in room price). Creamy risottos, tender veal, roasted duck, skate wings and grilled rib-eye steaks are just a few of the items that appear on the dinner menu, easily matched with the award-winning wine list. The full meal plan serves guests a sumptuous breakfast including fruit, French pastries and gourmet eggs and a lavish lunch. The woodsy Log Cabin Inn (mains from $19 • 705-746-7122 • logcabininn.net), south of Parry Sound on Oastler Park Drive, offers a more informal atmosphere for dinner with sizzling steaks, seafood, rack of lamb and prime rib as well as venison and bison.

Play/ Hiking and Biking – The Seguin Trail, part of the Park-to-Park trail connecting Killbear and Algonquin Provincial Parks, begins a few miles south of Parry Sound and stretches 61 km eastward for mountain biking or hiking. Killbear Provincial Park has a 6-km bike trail and three hiking trails with views of the 30,000 Islands and a 1904 lighthouse. Bikes can be rented at Trail Seekers (705-746-9277).

/ PADDLING – Georgian Bay, world-renowned for its beautiful waters and spectacular islands, delivers breathtaking canoeing and kayaking along its dramatic shoreline. Area winds can arrive suddenly, so paddlers must always be alert. Also nearby is Massasauga Provincial Park, a protected


Globetrotter

Switzerland’s Interlaken is one massive playground for outdoor enthusiasts. On a train ride through the Jungfrau region, our writer could not let this

veritable heaven on earth pass him by. By Brian Berusch

SWISS andTELL


The first time I “experienced” Interlaken, I was travel-ling with a few friends en route to a town called Lauterbrunnen, a higher elevation of Switzerland’s famed Jungfrau mountain region. Since we were

after quiet solitude in the storied Swiss Alps, the thought of a stopover in the area’s bustling urban village never came to mind. From the time we stepped on the overnight train in Brussels, we had nothing but edelweiss and snow-capped peaks dancing in our heads.

However, something happened shortly after sunrise that idyllic Swiss morning. After the train jostled its way alongside one of the two giant mineral lakes resting at the foot of the Jungfrau, there was a stop before ours where hordes—and I mean hordes—of sun-kissed, healthy and bright-eyed travellers hoisted their massive travel packs overhead and stood at the exits of the train, eager to jump before the doors opened. Some had mountain bikes at their sides. Others had duffel bags with rock-climbing gear spilling out of the pockets. One woman was holding a full-body wetsuit and a helmet.

“Where are all these people going?” I asked my brother of the mass exodus. He was seated next to me, half asleep, and didn’t bat an eye, nor lift his head from the cool window. He merely winced at a wooden sign approaching the right side of our car. “Interlaken,” it read.

We continued to Lauterbrunnen, and had the time of our lives hiking to Murren and Gimmelwald. We rented top-of-the-line mountain bikes and took them to Grindewald and Wengen, hopping the occasional cog train up sheer rock faces. There were no regrets, yet the image of throngs of adventure-seekers and the shining lakes of Interlaken stuck.

Flash-forward six or seven years, and I was working on a novel in the Ticino region of Switzerland, down near the Italian border. The forested region is spotted with glorious lakes, ancient villages and spectacular food. Yet those majestic mountains that make Switzerland Swiss were a constant tease on the skyline. When it came time for a writer’s break, Interlaken was my destination of choice. My fiancé and I rented a SmartCar (which narrowly fit the two of us and a single suitcase) and headed north.

That would be the first of many visits to Interlaken – each experience vastly different than the last. What follows is a selection of activities that, over the years, I have enjoyed. It is quite possible that by the time you are reading this, there is already a “hot” new sport or activity that is a “must-do” while visiting Interlaken. All I can say is, keep your ears open and the possibilities abound.

CanyoningThe premise is simple: Find a gushing stream of whitewater, jump into it wearing nothing more than a wetsuit and helmet, and see where you end up. There may be a little more behind it, but essentially, it’s a free fall through a snaking, watery route in one of Interlaken’s watery canyons.

However, there is something very free about having no raft, no kayak, no gear to tend to. My first (and only) canyoning experience took place on a

fairly calm day, when the rains had been low. Mind you, the runoff of frigid alpine snow melt (hence the wetsuit) is what makes these environs so adventurous. Yet as our guide chuckled about the day being a calm one, I knew I was in for a jolt. The only thing I could liken the experience to, at the time, was the thought of jumping into a luge sled as it was halfway down the track. One moment I was standing on a limestone ledge – the next, I was lying on my back in a rush of whitewater, careening around bends and eddies in the water.

What surprised me, even after watching a few brave souls delve into the water before me, was how “soft” and smooth the ride was. One might think it a jostling experience; it does appear to be the closest thing to a human pinball machine. Yet in every turn or drop, there is a significant amount of pliable, rushing alpine water, which caresses your torso around rocks and obstacles as if looking out for your best interest. I put this down as a “must try at least once” adventure.

The Good Interlaken is teeming with adventure-prone globetrotters who are only too happy to share their knowledge on local finds. You can find info on everything from routes to excursions to guides simply by going out for coffee and talking with the person sitting next to you.

The Bad Hostels and more affordable inns book up fast. Plan ahead and make reservations, or you might find yourself paying for luxury accommodations.

The Bizarre If you can time your visit with the medieval-rooted Unspunnen Festival, you’re in for a truly unusual experience. Hulking Swiss men (and women) throw giant rocks for distance. Wrestling and yodelling are somehow incorporated, and much beer drinking typically ensues.

SWISS andTELL

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GettinG there Air Canada (aircanada.com) has seasonal flights from Toronto to Zurich’s Bern-Belp International Airport, from which you can hop on hourly trains that go directly to Interlaken.

Where to stAyA few things have held constant throughout the years: the excellent hospitality and service where I stay – be it one of the spirited Balmer hostels (balmers.com) or the upscale Victoria Jungfrau Grand hotel (victoria-jungfrau.ch); there’s a reason Switzerland has the world’s best hotel schools.

Where to eAt Dating back to the 17th century, Zum Bären (schuh-interlaken.ch) restaurant is heavy on the kitschy Swiss decor, but the flavours are authentic. schuh (phone: 033/822-75-26), in the centre of town, blends Swiss fare with dishes from China and Thailand. The on-site chocolateria doesn’t hurt, either.

ADVentUre GUiDes • Interlaken Adventure (interlakenadventure.com/en) proficiently separates winter and summer activities on

their comprehensive site. They also offer specials, and are recognized by the Swiss Tourism Board.•Outdoor Interlaken (outdoor-interlaken.ch) not only organizes guided tours, but has various connections

for accommodations that excel at arranging your jaunts.•Alpen Raft (alpenraft.ch) is an adventure activity site that helps you narrow down

where you’ll adventure and who will guide you.• Jungfrau Region (jungfrauregion.com) offers a broad perspective of the various regions of the

Jungfrau (including Interlaken) and some of the activities you can experience throughout. You can also book travel and activities through this comprehensive site.

www.5peaks.com

Canada’s Only natiOnal trail running series

OttaWa/gatineau & QueBeCKingstOn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MaY 15Camp FOrtune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . august 21suttOn* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . septeMbeR 18arK* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . septeMbeR 25

distanCes: spoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6-7km)enduRo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (10-15km)Half MaRatHon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (21km) *

Photo : salomon This summer, experience France the

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MY VOLCANIC ADVENTUREThe volcanoes of Auvergne, a unique and natural wonder The volcanoes of Auvergne stretch as far as the eye can see. They are an ideal environment for the proliferation of a well diversified and generous nature. Shaped by centuries of existence, the vegetation grown on the slopes of the volcanoes provides a still untouched natural setting. The Puy de Dome rises to 1465 m, and offers a unique perspective on the Chaine des Puys, a volcanic terrain stretching over 30 km, located in the heart of the largest Regional Park in Europe: a breathtaking panorama! A hike or even a simple walk through this area brings a feeling of freedom, a truly revitalizing experience at the pace of nature. The natural lakes in the craters are another must-see geographic particularity.

“COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE ME HOME”Cycling down the country roads of the Luberon…The authentic Luberon is offered to you through its network of small hidden roads, mostly used by the locals. On these well-indicated routes, you will discover the beauty and variety of the Luberon and Haute-Provence landscapes: valleys and hills, traditional villages, ruins, and eco-museums will fulfill your curiosity. And when comes the time to unwind, the wineries, small market and friendly tables will reveal the wealth of our land ... and justify a well deserved rest.

ONE NIgHT IN A MILLIn the heart of the valley of the Loir, Marie-Danièle welcomes you into her late 18th century mill, beautifully restored on a small portion of the Loir. The decor is elegant and refined, and here in this very original setting you will enjoy a break like nowhere else. At the Hôtel de France, whose reputation is undoubtedly established, Francis will offer you his wonderful gastronomic menu. On Saturday, an animated hike ends this pleasant wine-themed holiday.

LET THE WINE FLOW“La Ronde des Chefs du Pôle” in Lanaud, Limousin – July 4th to 9thEvery night of the week, a chef will prepare a delicious meal of excellent meat for 120 guests, who will eat off gorgeous Limoges Porcelain. The highlight of July 4th will take place during the lunch hour, when visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a huge picnic on the lawns of the “Pôle de Lanaud.” This architectural ensemble is the work of architect Jean Nouvel and is entirely made of regional wood. It has been named “Outstanding Building of the 20th Century.”

“Octobre Nature,” UzèsThe “Octobre Nature” event, taking place in the Pays d’Uzège – Pont du Gard next October, offers a program in the land of the southern accents: heritage, outdoor activities, local produce, gourmet food, exceptional sites and rich history. Among the 15 activities offered, you can ride on the former post office trails in a carriage, departing from the National Haras of Uzès, and stop in an old inn for lunch before arriving at the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dine on local products while feasting your eyes on the stunning view of the Pont du Gard. After a good night’s sleep in a B&B, a new carriage will bring you back to Uzès, stopping by a winery for a tasting of rich, full-bodied wines...

For more information visit our website http://ca-en.franceguide.com (What to do / Nature)

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Hang-glidingThere’s something about soaring through the alpine air, at the height of birds and glistening, snowy peaks, that is otherworldly. Even for this seasoned adventure writer the sensation is hard to put into words.

My first flight began with a safety lesson and tutorial on what to expect, and at what heights. The longer it lasted, the more comforted I felt (something to keep in mind if the whipping wind beckons your spirit). Once airborne, it was a meditative journey. Since the handiwork is left in the capable hands of a glider expert, I resolved to take in the majestic sights, contemplating the meaning of human life and wondering if this would be one of those impossible moments when the winds decide to completely cease billowing. They didn’t.

ice climbingNo matter the time of year, there are walls of unmelted ice that call to climbers around the globe. If you haven’t tried the sport, it’s a heady, intellectual problem-solving experi-ment that requires both physicality as well as mental prowess.

I used to rock-climb, so I was accustomed to using the multitude of gear used in ice climb-ing. For newcomers, there are a few outlets in Interlaken that offer spectacular entry-level ice climbing courses, as well as single-day climbs that can be very enjoyable. (See sidebar for a listing of operators.)

My day started with a jaunt to the base of my climb, where we set up camp to observe our fellow climbers, and then launched our own excursion up the wall of ice. After strapping on a pair of spiked crampon boots and wrap-ping a pair of ice axes around my wrists, off I went. Ropes were pre-set above me, while an instructor clipped me in for safety. I spent the next period of time navigating around folds in the ice, looking for ideal spots to plant my axe, and then hoisted myself up, one arm’s length at a time. The payoff came after the fact when I looked down at the natural-made obstacle I had just tackled, surmounted only by the unparalleled views of a living glacier that I’ll forever be connected to.

mountain bikingPerhaps one of the most user-friendly adventures to embark upon in (and around) Interlaken is mountain biking. The reason is simple: Upon checking into your accommodations, you can feasibly rent a bike and take it with you wherever your skill (or energy) level takes you. I met a few people on my first jaunt to Interlaken who went out mountain biking with an activity guide, and they spent a lot of time orientating, waiting for the group and so on. For less money, I bought a map and rented a bike to explore trails on my own, at my own pace. This is the route I always opt for.

In summer months, the cog and mountain trains accommodate bikers by allowing you to bring them on-board certain cars. This means you could bike through downtown Interlaken one day on a lunch tour, while the next venture up to Murren for a 40-kilometre mountainous single-track, and still make your way back to town. There is a range of trails all over the Interlaken area – from aggressive and technical single-track, to wide dirt roads that switch back through the mountains, or rolling lanes that careen through the valleys. Any day on a bicycle in Interlaken is a day well spent.

PLAN AHEAD

For more Switzerland Tourism• myswitzerland.com

Brian Berusch is a freelance writer based in Honolulu, Hawaii, and New York’s Hudson Valley. His debut novel, the memoir of legendary Swiss hotelier Aniello Lauro, will be in bookstores this fall.

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MY VOLCANIC ADVENTUREThe volcanoes of Auvergne, a unique and natural wonder The volcanoes of Auvergne stretch as far as the eye can see. They are an ideal environment for the proliferation of a well diversified and generous nature. Shaped by centuries of existence, the vegetation grown on the slopes of the volcanoes provides a still untouched natural setting. The Puy de Dome rises to 1465 m, and offers a unique perspective on the Chaine des Puys, a volcanic terrain stretching over 30 km, located in the heart of the largest Regional Park in Europe: a breathtaking panorama! A hike or even a simple walk through this area brings a feeling of freedom, a truly revitalizing experience at the pace of nature. The natural lakes in the craters are another must-see geographic particularity.

“COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE ME HOME”Cycling down the country roads of the Luberon…The authentic Luberon is offered to you through its network of small hidden roads, mostly used by the locals. On these well-indicated routes, you will discover the beauty and variety of the Luberon and Haute-Provence landscapes: valleys and hills, traditional villages, ruins, and eco-museums will fulfill your curiosity. And when comes the time to unwind, the wineries, small market and friendly tables will reveal the wealth of our land ... and justify a well deserved rest.

ONE NIgHT IN A MILLIn the heart of the valley of the Loir, Marie-Danièle welcomes you into her late 18th century mill, beautifully restored on a small portion of the Loir. The decor is elegant and refined, and here in this very original setting you will enjoy a break like nowhere else. At the Hôtel de France, whose reputation is undoubtedly established, Francis will offer you his wonderful gastronomic menu. On Saturday, an animated hike ends this pleasant wine-themed holiday.

LET THE WINE FLOW“La Ronde des Chefs du Pôle” in Lanaud, Limousin – July 4th to 9thEvery night of the week, a chef will prepare a delicious meal of excellent meat for 120 guests, who will eat off gorgeous Limoges Porcelain. The highlight of July 4th will take place during the lunch hour, when visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a huge picnic on the lawns of the “Pôle de Lanaud.” This architectural ensemble is the work of architect Jean Nouvel and is entirely made of regional wood. It has been named “Outstanding Building of the 20th Century.”

“Octobre Nature,” UzèsThe “Octobre Nature” event, taking place in the Pays d’Uzège – Pont du Gard next October, offers a program in the land of the southern accents: heritage, outdoor activities, local produce, gourmet food, exceptional sites and rich history. Among the 15 activities offered, you can ride on the former post office trails in a carriage, departing from the National Haras of Uzès, and stop in an old inn for lunch before arriving at the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dine on local products while feasting your eyes on the stunning view of the Pont du Gard. After a good night’s sleep in a B&B, a new carriage will bring you back to Uzès, stopping by a winery for a tasting of rich, full-bodied wines...

For more information visit our website http://ca-en.franceguide.com (What to do / Nature)

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GEAR

Take a hike!The most important piece of hiking gear is the anti-bear spray. Then perhaps the shoulder bag of booze. But next on the list is the hiking boot, the one accoutrement that determines your ability to move farther and faster, and keeps you from breaking any bones or spilling into a body of water. Here are our top picks – but proper fit and comfort are essential, so exert some due diligence before swiping the plastic.

By Alexander Joo

SalomonBright enough to simultaneously attract envy and ward off bears,these boots will support your ankles while still letting you swiftlyzig and zag your way through grassy plains to rocky shorelines. Thebreathable Gore-Tex membrane and wicking polyester lining absorband disperse moisture to keep your feet dry and comfortable, whetheryou’re in knee-deep snow or ankle-deep sweat. The contoured Ortholitesockliner provides running-shoe-level heel support and cushioning,while the anti-debris mesh helps to keep pebbles from getting lodgedbetween your foot and the boot.Wings Sky GTX | $200 | salomon.com

ZamberlanHandcrafted from premium Hydrobloc-treated Italian nubuck leather, rocks and branches have no way of penetrating the outer shell and into your skin. The STAR-TREK sole gives you superior lateral support and lets you easily scamper over uneven terrain – although its defence against the copyright infringement of the popular American television/movie franchise after which it’s named remains to be seen. The footbed was designed to anatomically fit the natural curvature and nuances of the human foot, but more importantly, it’s removable and easily washed to get rid of the natural stink of the human foot. 760 Steep GT | $258 | zamberlanstore.com

La SportivaHiking is a way to become one with nature, and wearing these earth-loving boots is a big green step to furthering your save-the-earth inclinations: the upper, lining and laces are constructed from recycled nylon, the midsole features recycled EVA and the outsole is made from recycled rubber. Though eco-positive, these boots don’t sacrifice on quality and offer sturdy mid-height stability and comfort for day hikes and short backpacking jaunts. The Flex Control design transfers energy from your muscles to the boot on each stride, so effectively it’ll almost feel like you’re barefoot. FC ECO 3.0 | $160 | sportiva.com

ColumbiaCreated more for performance than stopping to smell the flowers, these boots are ruggedenough for rough ground, yet finished with the athletic functions necessary to cover thatrough ground quickly. Omni-Tech technology keeps your feet from suffocating in cruelclimates, and the AgION anti-odour removable insole keeps them from stinking up yourboots – an even crueller climate. The leather upper shaves weight with mesh windows,and the extra material is redirected over the toe for more protection against stubbingit on a rock. Though the dual-density EVA footbed is flexible enough for running, it alsoprovides torsional rigidity to avoid over-pronation, the major cause of tendinitis, shinsplints and a slew of other injuries.Pole Creek Omni-Tech | $120 | columbia.com

LL BeanCheap in price but high in quality, these boots feature a TEK 2.5 breathable membrane, a reliable waterproofing technology usually found in more expensive boots and absent from budget boots. The fabric and leather upper provides no-rub flexing during your hike, and although soft, offers enough support for casual day hikes and jaunts to Costco. The cushioned EVA midsole and heel and toe bumpers absorb shock and keep your feet in a dry and comfortable environment, while the TrailTrac rubber outsole features a versatile lug pattern for traction on a variety of surfaces, dry and wet. You’ll have to order them from the U.S., but at this price the shipping fee shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Waterproof Trail Model Hikers II Mid-Cut | $89 | llbean.com

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La SportivaWhen hiking means scaling cliff walls, lugging heavy packs over sharp rocks and hunting small animals for dinner, this boot is your new best friend. Made to be beat up, the 3D Flex ankle hinge system gives you lateral flex with greater agility to navigate to the top of the world. Polyurethane SBR Aircushion midsole absorbs shock during hard descents, and the 8mm high-density nylon insole delivers the support you need during week-long excursions while humping a heavy load. For light mountain climbing, it’s compatible with semi-automatic crampons for digging into the face of Mother Nature. Karakorum | $270 | sportiva.com

PatagoniaCombining the comfort, structure and fit of a hiking shoe with the sticky rubber sole of a climbing shoe, this footwear performs double duty for light hikes where sleek performance and speed are more important than stomping over jagged rocks and powering through rough terrain. A secure lace-to-toe lacing system creates an excellent custom fit, while the Trekdry charcoal-infused mesh lining and recycled Bi-Fit waterproof insole wicks away sweat when you’re scaling the sunny side of a wall. Karakoram | $110 | patagonia.com

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clothing and footwear for the adventurous spirit...

GEAR For camping and hiking

For intensive/specific uses

1

2

Essential on campsites and indispensable on night hikes, today’s headlamps are featherweight and ultra-powerful. ADVENTURA tested the latest models on the market. Here are our illuminating results.By Frédérique Sauvée and Mathieu Lamarre

Zipka2 (petzl.com)

Weight: 69 g with batteriesRange: 13 m (120 hrs) to 29 m (90 hrs)Price: $33

A sure bet at a great price, this lamp’s three lighting modes (maximum, economy and strobe) make it supremely versatile. With its ergonomic and easy-to-open compartment, changing the batteries is a cinch – quite the improvement on the previous generation of Zipka.

Fuel(princetontec.com)


Fuel boasts three lighting modes (low, medium and high) as well as a flash mode to ensure that the hiker, runner or cyclist can be seen from afar. Directing the beam is super-easy thanks to an arm bracket that pivots up and down. Only downside? Our testers were less than impressed with the push-button switch and found it difficult to manoeuvre.

X-Zoom(mammut.ch)


X-Zoom is a powerful lamp that has a range of between 12 and 120 metres thanks to its zoom ring. Though it is simple to use and possesses surprising lasting power, testers found it uncomfortable to wear for longer periods of time.

Sprinter(blackdiamondequipment.com)

Weight: 100 g with batteryRange: 50 m (64 hrs on minimum intensity)Price: $55

The Sprinter is the only rechargeable headlamp we tested. While its six-hour charge time makes it less than ideal for a longer expedition, our testers found it extremely lightweight (for its category) and appreciated its simple, sturdy design. Plus, it doesn’t use much battery power. All it needs is a pivot!

Lucido TR1 (mammut.ch)


Lucido TR1 is a simple, solid and compact lamp. Just like Fuel, it can pivot up and down. A light diffuser ($12 extra) can be attached to it to provide ambient lighting, ideal for when it’s hanging in the tent. Remarkably lightweight and with a flash mode, it makes a perfect emergency lamp.

Ease of use 4.0Comfort 4.0Lighting 3.5Quality/

price ratio 3.5

Overall impression 3.5


price ratio 3.5



price ratio 3.5



price ratio 4.0



price ratio 3.5


LIGHT ON!

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clothing and footwear for the adventurous spirit...

TesTer

favouriTe

For camping and hiking

For intensive/specific uses

Tikkina 2(petzl.com)


The offspring of Tikkina and Zipkas, this second-generation lamp has the same genes that made its predecessors so successful: sleek design, simplicity and compactness. For Tikkina 2, new features include two lighting levels (maximum and economy), a comfortable headband and an unbeatable quality/price ratio (despite the beam’s relatively limited range). All in all, an ideal entry-level model.

Myo RXP(petzl.com )

Weight: 175 g with batteriesRange: 23 m (95 hrs) to 77 m (50 hrs), 97 m on the boost settingPrice: $100

Myo RXP’s performance is impressive, especially considering the fact that it barely tips the scale and is ultra-compact. But characteristics like a boost function for a temporary strong beam, a flip diffuser lens for broader lighting and programmable settings for lighting modes make it stand out. However, it could benefit from larger control buttons...

Spot (blackdiamondequipment.com)

Weight: 85 g with batteriesRange: 35 m (200 hrs) to 70 m (50 hrs) with LED one-wattPrice: $28

Spot has a few interesting features, especially given its low price. Its burn time is impressive, as are its lighting options: a very bright, one-watt LED or a trio of LEDs, ideal for both long and close ranges. Despite the excellent reputation of its maker, our testers felt that this model didn’t feel as sturdy as it should.


price ratio 4.0



price ratio 3.5



price ratio 4.0


shop smarT

There are so many headlamp models in stores, and making an educated decision can be a daunting task. To make sure you choose correctly, read up about the basic characteristics, like weight, beam intensity and range and battery life – all this information is usually presented on the packaging. Then, consider other criteria, like ease of use, comfort and the quality vs. price ratio based on your specific needs. And of course, the real test will happen when you put it into action for the first time: Only then will you know if you chose the right product or if an exchange is in order. So it’s also essential to make your purchase at a store with a good exchange policy.

Quick facTs

- For activities like rock climbing or hiking, a narrow but powerful beam is essential. For sports like cross-country skiing and biking, it is handier to have wide, homogeneous lighting. Consider a headlamp model than can do both for maximum versatility.

- The more intense the beam, the more energy it will consume.

- Most models are water-resistant but are not designed for submersion.

- AA batteries generally provide more power but aren’t long-lasting. They’re good for a headlamp with a strong beam, but are a little bit heavy, which is why some models have the battery packs at the back (for better balance).

- Lithium batteries perform better than alkaline ones, but can damage some models. So check the instructions. Rechargeable batteries are more economical, but keep in mind that they lose their charge even when they’re not in use.

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DREAM JOBSEvEr think of having a morE advEnturous carEEr? WE intErviEWEd 10 canadians With not-so-normal jobs to gEt thE insidE on thEir outdoor livEs. By Craille Maguire Gillies

Feature

Occupation: guidebook authorHome base: Montreal

How did you become an author? I did a self-study project during the last year of a university degree in phys. ed. about hiking in the northeastern U.S. At the same time, Ulysses started publishing travel guides. I wrote a hiking guide on Quebec in 1993. That guidebook has gone through five editions and sold more than 50,000 copies.

Could you describe your work? My work is divided into three different phases: research, excursions and then the writing. The more research I do, the more likely I’ll discover beautiful places to hike. And the research and writing takes five times longer than the hiking or travelling. I also have a lot of books to update, which means I make a lot of phone calls to see if attractions still exist.

What’s your most memorable experience? Every hike has a lot of small pleasures.

Field time: Trips last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the destination.

Education: B.A. in English or journalism.

$$$: Authors receive royalties on book sales, and earn money by writing new titles and updating past editions.Yves Séguin

Occupation:

iMaX filmmaker Home base: Sudbury, Ontario

How did you go from biologist to filmmaker? I was a storyteller long before I became a biologist. I did slide shows for Ontario Parks System set to my own music – primitive filmmaking. I was hired the next summer to do shows for other parks, but I went back to university to study biology. I went to grad school in Edmonton and shot film of the Columbian ground squirrel [which became a Nature of Things episode]. Then I reached a crossroad: do a PhD or filmmaking. The decision was made for me by Science North, which was looking for a scientist-filmmaker.

Perks? I spent a month in a penguin colony in Antarctica. I spent several months with Jane Goodall and her chimps in Tanzania. The list goes on.

Any misconceptions about filmmaking? There’s a perception it’s glamorous. But we can spend four to five months shooting 40 minutes of IMAX-worthy footage. I spend more time raising money to make films than I do actually making them.

Field time: up to six months per year.

Education: A degree in science or nature doesn’t hurt. Filmmaking experience is mandatory.

$$$: $72,000 base rate for a senior producer at Science North. Directing is usually freelance.

Occupation: founder, g.a.P. adventures Home base: Toronto

Why start an adventure travel company? When I started in 1990, there were no other companies offering sustainable, grassroots trips. There was a race for bigger cruise ships and more inclusive resorts. Nothing appalled me more at the time.

What’s surprising about your job? the multinational leadership that’s needed. We run trips in 100 countries and have employees around the world. two-thirds of them i will never meet.

Perks? Tons of perks. Certainly the access to people and places, and being innovative has opened doors. Apple just filmed a movie on us for its website, and I’ve spoken at Google.

Most memorable experience? I crossed Tibet from Nepal the day before my 30th birthday, and it was my 100th country. As I learned about spirituality and the history of Tibet, my view of business changed dramatically. I realized that G.A.P. was either going to become a regular travel company or something more.

Field time: 50/50 travelling between speaking engagements, meetings and the office.

Education: A BComm is good, an MBA even better, and an entrepreneurial spirit compulsory.

$$$: Salaries vary. Some people run small start-ups. Others, like Poon Tip, bring in roughly $120 million a year.

Bruce Poon Tip

Occupation: electronic technologist, Canadian Coast GuardHome base: Sarnia, Ontario

How did you join the Coast Guard? I started at 19 as a deckhand sailing up and down the Mackenzie River. I moved up from there, and studied at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) to become an electronics-engineering technologist.

Could you describe a typical day? We have a “toolbox” meeting every morning to see what news has come in overnight. We might be dispatched to install new equipment or fix something. If a ship is sailing in the morning, they might call us to port and we’ll troubleshoot and repair. Other times we travel to a remote site by car, snowmobile or plane.

Perks? i’ve had a chance to sail halfway through the northwest Passage. i’ve seen places that people pay hundreds of dollars a day to see on a cruise ship.

Field time: About 80 to 90 percent. You need to have your bag packed and be ready to go.

Education: The Coast Guard has its own college. Many regional colleges offer electronic-technologists training.

$$$: A typical salary for an electronic tech starts at $41,000, and can go as high as $94,000.

David Lickley

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Occupation: Paleontologist at Redpath MuseuM and McGill univeRsityHome base: Montreal

Could you describe your job? In one word: macroevolution. I look at large-scale changes in evolution beyond a species level. For instance, how do you get from dinosaur to bird? That means going around the world collecting fossils, visiting museums and going to large databases. In the last few years I’ve travelled to Nunavut, Colombia, Argentina, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Paris and Italy for museum trips. I was just in China to look at feathered dinosaurs.

Perks? When I travel I see everything a tourist does, plus the added depth of exploring parts of the environment that many explorers don’t see. I got to camp up on Axel Heiberg Island in Nunavut for a month with no people.

What’s your most memorable experience? In 1993 and 2000, I was in Niger during a civil war with Paul Sereno. We collected 25 tons of fossils and we’re still describing new species from this field trip.

Field time: Varies. Two to six months per year.

Education: A degree in zoology or geology and a doctorate in paleontology.

$$$: $36,000 for entry level to upwards of $70,000, depending on your specialty and experience.

Occupation:

outdoors skills instructor and MeMbeR seRvice Rep, Mountain equipMent co-op Home base: Ottawa

How’d you get into MEC? I started in universityto pay for school and climbing trips. Two years ago I had the chance to teach climbing courses for Algonquin College. Since then, I’ve taught some courses for MEC staff.

Sounds like you have a lot of variety inyour work. A typical day on a climbing course is spent teaching and coaching participants, rigging ropes and anchors and keeping everyone safe. You’re usually the first one up and the last one to bed, climb the least, and are constantly evaluatingrisks and worrying “What if?”

Perks? Definitely the people. My co-workers and clients all share the same interests, and you make lots of great friendships.

Field time: Up to 25 percent of the year, whenteaching summer courses with Algonquin and at MEC.

Education: Courses through MEC, Algonquin College and other schools. The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) offers internationally recognized certification for instructors and guides.

$$$: MEC is still a service job (starting around $11 an hour), but it provides benefits including RRSP options for employees. Guides can make $150+ per day. An ACMG guide can expect more.

Hans Larsson

Michael Burke

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Occupation: Park director, SEPAQ Home base: Clermont, Quebec

How did you get into this? Twenty-five years ago I worked as a naturalist intern in a provincial park’s education program. Then I transferred to Mont-Tremblant, where I ran its conservation and education service for 12 years. I moved to Charlevoix six years go. We have everything here: mountains, the St. Lawrence River, and it’s in a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Describe your job. My role is to balance conservation and accessibility. The first goal is to conserve the land, but also make it accessible for trekking, camping and canoeing. One day I may work on the budget, another day I’ll be in the park to make sure that the new trails are properly designed and built.

Most memorable experience? Last year, I saw a 7- or 8-year-old girl look at the sky and ask her father, “What’s that?” It was the first time she saw stars because it was the first time she was out of the city.

Field time: 50/50 in summers, less in winter when most planning happens.

Education: A degree in geography or environmental science. Many directors also have MBAs.

$$$: Park wardens and naturalists can make $14 to $24 an hour. Directors’ salaries vary by experience and size of park.

Claire Ducharme

Occupation: MultisPort adventurer and architect Home base: Vancouver

How does one become an adventurer? One trip leads to another. My first expedition was to Alaska in 1999. I was struck by how much confidence it gave me and how I could experience things so few people do, whether it’s going to the jungles of Borneo to retrace the death march of illegal poachers or riding a bike across frozen Alaska.

What’s it like having a double career? Having wonderful inspiration to go into the wild doesn’t hinder the fact that I enjoy architecture. Whatever you’re impassioned by – be it outdoors or architecture – complements the other.

What’s your most memorable experience? Once on the Yukon River, I ran out of food and was in a complete stage of glycogen depletion. I stood there in the pitch dark and the Northern Lights went off.

Perks? Adventure expeditions are a mental reboot. To paraphrase T.S. Eliot, at the end of all this exploring you return to where you started and know the place for the first time.

Field time: One six-week to two-month trip per year.

Education: Cross-training, first-aid courses and experience in extreme conditions.

$$$: “If you’re lucky you break even,” Vallely says. He recoups money through fundraising, sponsors, writing, public speaking and his other career as an architect.

Kevin Vallely

Occupation: sPortswear designer, Arc’TEryx EQuiPmEnT

Home base: Vancouver

How did you get into design? I was interested in law or teachers’ college, but I became interested in fashion when I lived in Montreal. I studied at George Brown College in Toronto and lucked out by finding my first job at an outdoor apparel company.

What are the challenges of sportswear design? A garment has to perform in a particular way, often under rigorous conditions. You have to be involved in the activities that a garment will be used for to understand if certain features work. I’m a snowboarder, and I run, and kayak a little.

Could you describe a typical day? It changes. I show up around nine-ish, spend a lot of the day looking at samples and assess what’s wrong. This morning, I did waist adjustments on a pair of pants, and I’ll spend the rest of the day mocking up variations to the pattern.

Perks? Our employer gives us snow days where a few apparel designers head to Whistler and bring whatever gear we need to test.

Field time: Weekends and company field trips.

Education: Fashion school (some offer outdoor apparel courses).

$$$: $35,000 (entry level) to $80,000 (with about 10 years’ experience).

Sarah Wallace

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Occupation:

Alpine climber And engineer Home base: Chamonix, France

How did you get into this? I got into alpine climbing when I did a one-year exchange in engineering school in Lyon.

What’s a typical day? I have a light and fast approach, which means not stopping to sleep or carry much gear. Climbing the north face of Mt. Bradley, on my first trip to Alaska, we pushed 54 hours with only an hour and a half of sleep.

You’re sponsored by Patagonia and Julbo USA. Is that how you make climbing a career? I get free gear, a small salary and I make some money through photography for Patagonia’s catalogues and ads.

Perks? In Chamonix, I take the teleferic about five minutes from home and I’m in the Alps.

Field time: About two to three days per week in the Alps and longer foreign trips for anywhere from one to four months per year.

Education: Background in skiing and climbing. A guide certification course is helpful. To stay in shape, Turgeon lifts weights and swears by Cross-Fit.

$$$: Money from photography and sponsors can supplement up to 60 percent of a trip, but many climbers work as guides for upwards of $150 per day.

Maxime Turgeon

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POWER TRIP

Joshua Tree is known for its hot desert plains. For me, and many born in my generation, the nearly 800,000 acres of land is also the name of a U2 album released in the late 1980s. The songwriting has been attributed to the vastness of the country that they encountered as they toured from state to state. Joshua Tree National Park is often seen as a mystical place that stirs up creativity through a natural high. The arid desert was of particular inspiration to the group, just as it has been to many musicians past and present. With musical notes bouncing in my brain and wanderlust in my heart, I decided to venture off to the Mojave Desert in southern California to discover my own rock and roll adventure of a different, more adrenaline-filled sort.

As the plane touched down in Palm Springs, the voice of Bono, U2’s lead singer, provided the opening soundtrack to my experience.

I wanna runI want to hide

I wanna tear down the wallsThat hold me inside

Less than an hour down the interstate, I arrived at the southern entrance of the park, the beginning of my quest to hike, bike and rock climb. I parked the car and set up camp within a forest of endless boulders and prickly cacti. The site was very primitive, with no running water or flush toilets, but it did have a picnic table and fire pit with grill. After setting up my tent, I wandered around the campsite area and found it was easy to strike up conversations with my neighbours. Most seemed to come from the city, as did I. Everyone I spoke to had come here for the first time, and most viewed it as being something inspirational, spiritual or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One couple in particular, who seemed to be quite enjoying their vagabond escapade, noted that the most difficult thing for them was adjusting to the sound of silence, especially at night.

As an avid cyclist, I had picked up a mountain bike at a rental shop to explore the numerous paved bike trails I had read about. I was a bit apprehensive riding off into the desert on my own, as I was unfamiliar with the

territory and kept recalling movies and cartoons from my youth where people seemed to get lost for days without water or food. Hence my backpack was loaded down with enough water to last a couple of days if this in fact became reality. In actuality, it was a most enjoyable experience cruising through with barely another human being in sight. I did however stumble upon a desert tortoise, one of the few endangered species that call the park home. I watched for a good 10 minutes as it tried to make its way up the intricately shaped sand dunes. It was marvellous to see how Mother Nature had shaped the landscape into an artwork of magnificent beauty. Later I stopped for lunch at one of the designated picnic areas, at which point other cyclists rode by – seemingly on their way to nowhere.

I’ll show you a placeHigh on a desert plain

Where the streets have no name...

Much of the land in this region is native from years past, including Serrano and Chemehuevi Indians from as far back as 1500 A.D., and there still are some tribes residing in the area today.

As night began to fall, the nocturnal animals began their prowl. Although I didn’t see all of the desert’s

A whirlwind hiking, climbing and cycling adventure through the California desert’s Joshua Tree National Park gives new meaning to the words “rock” and “roll.”

By Bryen Dunn

The Good The remoteness and the natural highs.

The BAd The sound of unknown critters outside my tent.

The WeIRd The three Felliniesque decorated vehicles that appeared out of nowhere, covered in stickers, ornaments and a multitude of colours.

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inhabitants, I was later informed that snakes, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, coyotes and black-tailed jackrabbits came out to roam. (It was probably better I didn’t know.) Relaxing under the evening moonlight, I listened to that silence my neighbours had talked about, until I was startled by a sound that reacquainted me with my childhood fears. I knew rattlesnakes were somewhat common in the area, but I couldn’t find exactly where the noise was coming from. I eventually got up the nerve to make my way to my tent, shaking my sleeping bag and checking every corner with my flashlight, before reluctantly zipping up and falling asleep. I’m sure the sound of my snoring was enough to keep any predators at bay.

The next day I packed up camp and drove further into the desert depths, toward my next overnight destination, closer to the area recommended for rock climbing. In Joshua Tree this is quite an extraordinary experience, as the granite-filled rocks are thousands of years old, naturally smooth and rounded from the warm desert breeze. Some can be explored quite easily without any equipment, but I chose to go with a local operator and guide to experience the rush of reaching the top of one of the higher ones. I was harnessed in and slowly scaled the walls of my first conquer by way of using my hands, feet and a secured rope and pulley. It took me less than 15 minutes to be standing on top, where I took in a full 360-degree view of my surroundings. I imagined that this is what it was like to set foot on the moon, as the land took on a crater-like appearance.

I want to feelSunlight on my face

I see the dust cloud disappearWithout a trace

Once back down, I was ready for my second climb – and then third. These massive stones were more horizontally expansive than vertically challenging. The thrill was different than on most other rock-climbing expeditions, as it was more about how many boulders I could climb in one afternoon rather than how high I could reach.

Most people who visit the park embark on one of the many clearly signed hiking trails. The more popular area known as Hidden Valley has a couple of short treks, one of which is almost like caving, given the tight crevices that must be manoeuvred to wind your way through. I was more intrigued by the region locally known as “I See Dead People” or “Celebrity Death March,” which outlines the footsteps of famous individuals who have met with misfortune in the park, both outlaws and musicians, including Johnny Lang, Gram Parsons, Worth Bagley and Frank James. There are some unmarked tombstones to be found, so many were left up to my imagination and stories I had read. In particular, I pictured musician Gram Parsons’ stolen remains being deposited here by friends who thought this would be his last resting spot of choice. Parsons’ body disappeared while being transported out of California State for burial elsewhere, and is believed to have been laid to rest in Joshua Tree, a place where he spent many years soul-searching.

Although the desert can be seen as somewhat of a lonely place, it can also be rewarding in terms of achievement and sense of accomplishment. I had only dreamt about this experience as a young boy, and now having actually “been there done that,” I’m still in doubt as to whether it was all a dream. Although the adventure is over, U2 still loops in my head. It’s still the same song, it just sounds different – now that I’ve found what I was looking for.

GETTING THERE – There are seasonal WestJet and Air Canada connections via major Canadian gateways, as well as connecting flights from Toronto and Montreal on American and United Airlines.

SEASON – April/May or September/October offer great weather and smaller crowds. Approximately four inches of precipitation falls annually, with temperatures ranging from summer highs in the 100s Fahrenheit to below freezing in the winter, and strong winds prevail throughout the year.

SLEEP – The area was designated a National Park in 1994. Nine campgrounds are open year-round with some requiring advance reservations. Or stay at one of the quaint accommodations in a nearby town.

EAT – Last-minute food and camping supplies can be picked up at one of the neighbouring stores, or grab a hot meal on the way in or out of the park.

PLAY – There are at least three distinct ecological zones within the park to explore, including mountain ranges and five oases. A couple of tour operators offer rock climbing with gear and guides; apparently there are over 4,000 boulders to be found, most being less than 200 feet in height. Horseback riding and ranch tours are available nearby, as well as musical gatherings, such as the Gram Parsons Music Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival and DidgeriDoo Festival. Yes, that’s what it’s called.

PLAN AHEAD

For more There are two interpretation/information centres open year-round where books, maps, camp reservations and supplies can be obtained. It’s also a great opportunity to ask the park rangers your “what if” questions.

Joshua Tree National Park Palm Springs Tourism • nps.gov/jotr/index.htm • VisitPalmSprings.com

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Mind & BODY

SET REALiSTiC GOALS“When working on your race schedule, plan some as practice runs and others as the “real deal” to try and outperform yourself and beat your personal best times,” says Guy Thibault, research consultant for the Quebec Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sport, who recommends setting goals and writing them down.

TRAin in PHASES Running is not a sport to adopt haphazardly, especially if you want to avoid injury. It is always smart to separate the year into these four phases of training:

Phase 1: ProgressionAlthough this beginning stage may be long and seemingly slow, it’s important for allowing the body to adapt to the rigours of running. As the body’s physical endurance and strength increases, so can the intensity of your pace.

Phase 2: intensityTen to 14 days of rigorous training.

Phase 3: Fine-tuningThe week before a race, push your limits. Thibault says that it’s important to “reduce the number of low-intensity runs so that the daily volume of training is down 40% to 60%. However, maintain the number of high-intensity runs, making sure that the overall difficulty is moderate.”

Phase 4: restThis post-marathon break time is essential – and can last over two to four weeks.

Mind YOUR TECHniQUETo run effectively (and for a long time), it’s best to remember these five concepts:

i: Warm-uPEach run should start with a warm-up period – a slow jog followed by stretches for the lower half of the body.

ii: ProgressionAt the start of the running season, short runs are key – aim for five to 10 minutes at first. If you want to do more, take up a complementary activity, such as weight training, walking or swimming.

understand What Works For youInspiring oneself by champions is a common yet serious mistake. For the best results, learn to know and listen to your body. “I noticed that within a group of high-level runners, the amount of daily training varied tremendously,” explains Thibault. “While many think that you cannot excel without intense training, I have known runners who could run a marathon in two and a half hours while training for less than 65 km per week.”

think quality, not quantityIt’s best to work on short distances rather than running tediously long runs without reaching your goals. Doing a 5K, 10K or half-marathon is far more motivating, and odds are you’ll have an easier time beating your personal best.

BUiLd A SCHEdULE What to do before, during and after a race.

the Weeks leading uP to a raceStay loyal to your training schedule to avoid over- or under-training. To minimize risk of injury, never increase training by more than 5% per week. It’s not about being inflexible and never straying from the plan: It’s about staying in tune with and listening to your body.

seven days Prior to a raceThis is the fine-tuning period, so reduce overall training by 40% to 60% while maintaining the amount of high-intensity training. In other words, no “filler”: no moderate-intensity training, no cool-down. Go with the essentials only. It’s also important during this week to eat appropriately. Three days before a marathon, reduce your diet’s fat content and increase portions of slow-burning sugars.

the day oF the raceThe cardinal rule: On D-day, never (ever!) try anything new. From what you eat to what you wear, stick with what you know. Upon waking up, do 10 minutes of low-impact physical activity to prepare the body for the effort to come and help shorten the warm-up period required before the race. Three hours before heading to the start line, eat a carbohydrate-rich breakfast. During the run, drink the equivalent of half a litre per hour. If it’s extremely hot, think about not running at all: Heatstroke can be fatal.

Post-runPat yourself on the back and then give your body time to recuperate: It’ll need it.

iii: variationKeep things interesting by varying your runs. Thibault recommends alternating medium to intense speeds with moments of walking.

iv: injury PreventionRunning is hard on the body, so proper equipment is crucial. Choose your shoes based on your foot’s shape and stride style, a task best left to the pros.

v: moderationFor many, running can become a quasi-addiction, so practise moderation: You’ll be a better runner for it. Don’t run two days in a row, and take three to four days off every two and a half weeks.

OPTiMiZE YOUR PERFORMAnCEHere are a couple key points for getting the most out of your runs.

interval trainingForget long, moderately paced runs: They cost time and energy without improving skills. Opt for interval training instead. Thibault advises, “Alternate hard effort at an almost-sprinting pace (between 10 seconds to 2 minutes) and recuperation periods (1 to 2 minutes).”

rest PeriodsAfter a strenuous training session (or after a race), give yourself time to recuperate. Drink plenty of liquids during, eat a carbohydrate-rich meal after and take the intensity down a few notches for subsequent runs and workouts. Of course, a healthy diet and sufficient sleep are essential all the time.

AVOid PiTFALLS A marathon can either renew passion for running or extinguish the flame. Here’s how to keep enthusiasm levels high.

knoW When to stoPMany runners train despite injury. Listen to your body: Doing otherwise can hinder future performance.

take your timeAccording to Guy Thibault, the most common error is “stepping up the training too quickly and always training at the same pace.” Think slow progression and interval training.

If you’ve been thinking of joining a marathon, here are six important steps to get you up and running.By Catherine Cardinal

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EXCITEMENTEMOTIONSGREAT OUTDOOR FUNADVENTURES

ARBRASKAARBRASKA3 PARKS IN QUEBEC AND 1 IN ONTARIORAWDON RIGAUD MONT ST-GRÉGOIRE BARRIE

www.arbraska.comQUEBEC 1 877 886-5500 ONTARIO 705-835-7600

NutritioN

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When we’re working out, our energy reserves (glycogen) are limited and our body requires a steady supply of carbohydrates to restore the energy that has been expended. The more prolonged and intense the effort is, the more important the carbohydrate supply becomes. It should be in the range between 0.5 and 0.7 g/kg of your body weight/hour (about 40 to 60 g/h). Most energy bars provide between 35 and 45 grams of carbs per bar.

Proteins and sodium are important for prolonged activities (such as an adventure trek, bike trips of more than 200 kilometres or if such activities happen to extend beyond mealtime). Choose a bar that contains a bit more protein to benefit from its satiate and recovery effect. Select a bar that contains at least 10 grams of protein for this type of activity, and that has 150 mg of sodium to compensate for the sweat you lose. Avoid fats, because they require too much time to digest while you are exercising. Pick a bar that contains 5 grams or less of fat.

RECIPEHomemade versionThank you to Jacques Marin, an avid half-marathon runner, for submitting this delicious recipe.

1st step 400 g (2.5 cups) sliced, pitted dates 175 ml (3/4 cup) orange juice Tang of orange, plus its juice 100 g (2/3 cup) dried apricots

2nd step 250 ml (1 cup) whole wheat or corn flour 250 ml (1 cup) rolled oats 250 ml (1 cup) oatmeal bran | All Bran cereals 125 ml (1/2 cup) sunflower seeds 80 ml (1/3 cup) margarine 10 ml (2 teaspoons) baking soda

Cook the first-step ingredients over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Cover with a lid to preserve the cooking liquid. Do not exceed cooking time. Allow it to cool. While it is cooling, mix the step-2 ingredients. Blend into the first mix.

Place in a rectangular dish so the bars will be about 1.5 inches thick. Put them in the oven, preheated to 350°F, for 25 minutes. Allow them to cool, put them in the fridge for at least 12 hours. Then cut the bars to the size you like.

Nutritional value: Calories (215), carbs (40 g), protein (4 g), fat (5 g), sodium (140 mg)

RAISINGIt’s not that easy when you are faced with all the myriad choices of energy bars. To figure out which bar will serve the purpose on your next outing, here is what you need to know. By Catherine Naulleau, PDt, sports nutritionist

THE IngREdIEnTsFood makers are devoting more and more care and attention to the quality of the ingredients of their bars. It’s not unusual to see notes on the packaging such as “No refined sugars added,” “No trans fats” and “Made from 100% organic ingredients.” The sugars that are added are more natural than refined white sugar, and the addition of ingredients derived from vegetable plant sources is replacing texture and preservative agents. Some food companies enhance the nutritional value of some of their energy bars by adding oat flour and food products rich in protein, such as soy nuts or skim milk powder. Food colourings are sometimes replaced by beet or carrot juice. Read the labels carefully to know what you’re eating!

selection criteria

• 40 to 45 g of carbohydrates per bar

• < 5 g of fat per bar

• 10 g of protein for prolonged activities (more than four hours)

Energy bars Energy Carbs Protein Fat sodium

Clif Bar 240 cal 43 g 10 g 4 g 150 mg Oatmealand raisins

Powerbar Harvest 250 cal 42 g 10 g 5 g 140 mg Oatmeal and raisins

Vector (Kellogg’s) 200 cal 35 g 9 g 4 g 45 mg Berry burst

Cranberry date 320 cal 50 g 8 g 11 g 20 mg bar (Mix Fooding)

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An Exhilarating Journeyon the Whale Route

Côte-NordManicouagan-Duplessis

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or call 1-877-BONJOUR (1-877-266-5687)

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Peace and Quiet at the Kiamika reservoirIt was raining when we left Montreal, and by the time we reached

Sainte-Agathe, the thunderstorm had become so violent that we considered turning around. It wasn’t until we arrived at the Kiamika Reservoir (just north of Mont-Tremblant National Park) that the sun finally started to shine again. Once we loaded the kayaks with our gear, we went

off in search of a peaceful place to spend the next few nights and to enjoy being out in nature. We arrived at this stretch of beach that was ideal for fishing, swimming and simply kicking back and enjoying. Once we were huddled around the campfire

with marshmallows and friends, the silence quickly made us forget about the three-and-a-half-hour drive, and we simply soaked in the blissful setting.

THe TOOLs: Nikon D200, 17-55 mm f/2.8 lens @ 28mm, IsO 100, f/5.0, 1/90 second.

- Julien Lebreton, photographer

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Adventura - Summer 2010

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