The Urban Hiker

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THE

URBAN HIKER

tHE wESTDALE sECONDARY SCHOOL EDITION


By: Ava Campbell, Madeline Simpson & Andrea Henderson

http://schools.hwdsb.on.ca/westdale/ https://www.facebook.com/WestdaleSecondary SchoolYearbook http://foreverwanderluust.tumblr.com/ http://www.urbanhikers.com/


WHAT IS URBAN HIKING? Urban hiking is the ultimate solution for individuals who are not particularly keen for nature, but enjoy walking and exploring. Instead of being surrounded by trees, rivers and plants, urban hiking can take place in the downtown heart of your very own city. Keeping an open mind, urban hikers are able to explore the terrain they live in and discover new locations and places they never knew existed. Unlike regular hiking, urban hiking brings an exciting, new experience like no other. Urban hiking isn’t just a walk after all: like any hike, it’s a journey we undertake.

Urban hiking is a form of hiking which takes place in an urban environment, rather than in nature. While on an urban hiking expedition, people may explore points of interest around the city they hike in, find new and interesting places in the region, or stop for food in local eateries. Depending on how the trip is organized, it may take only an hour or so, or it may occupy the better part of a day.

Urban hiking is the exploration of man-made structures, usually abandoned ruins or not usually seen components of the man-made environment. Photography and historical interest/ documentation are heavily featured in the hobby and, although it may sometimes involve trespass onto private property, this is not always the case and is of innocent intention. The exploration of diverse urban environments on foot. The concept of urban hiking is gaining traction, and there are web sites devoted to promoting the activity. Urban hiking is the most natural, healthy, unintrusive way to explore a city.

Even more succinctly: it is exercise for hipster clowns.

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TIPS FOR URBAN HIKING TIP 3: DO YOUR

TIP 1: STAY CONFIDENT

RESEARCH

KEEP ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AUTHORITY FIGURES, BUT NEVER LET THEM SENSE FEAR. BE COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED. IF ASKED WHAT YOU’RE DOING, ALWAYS ACT INNOCENT.

TIP 2: COME PREPARED BRING WATER BOTTLES, FLASHLIGHTS, PHONES, YOUR BEST CLIMBING SHOES, EXTRA FOOD AND TOOLS FOR EMERGENCY LOCK PICKING,

MAKE SURE YOUR DESIRED DESTINATION IS SAFE, SECURITY FREE AND THE LOCATION IS EASY TO ACCESS. YOU WOULDN’T WANT GAURD DOGS CHASING AFTER YOU!

TIP 5: KEEP YOUR ADVENTURES TIP 4: KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS REASONABLE dON’T GET YOUR HOPES UP. YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE MAY NOT TURN OUT AS PLANNED, STAY POSITIVE AND DON’T GIVE UP!

ON THE DOWN LOW YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL.

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THE NEED FOR ADVENTURE Are you someone who longs First of all you can’t give for adventure? Someone who up. If you hear about a inhates just sitting around teresting place you would watching TV all the time? like to explore you can’t Are you okay with trespassing just say “ oh yeah I should or going places that could be go there” you need to get unsafe or illegal? Or maybe up and take the trip. Someeven places that aren’t tres- times there will be let passing but that are in the downs, maybe it is too cold city and not just hiking in a and you have no way or time plain old forest? If you an- to get all the way to the swered yes to any of these place you would like to go. questions then urban hiking is Or there will be a film for you. Whether it be finding crew using the old abanabandoned buildings or explor-doned building, or even a ing well known ones you construction crew putting just need a different sort of it back together. attitude.

But that is when you have to be okay with it, and either go back another day or maybe that place just isn’t meant for you. You also cannot be scared. Put aside all your fears, spiders and other insects? You will have to try and forget they exist because In an abandoned building or tunnels they will be everywhere and if you don’t forget about that fear then you should probably just go home. You must always stick with a positive attitude and don’t have too high hopes for what you are going to find. Most likely wherever you go there will be some cool things but you can’t hope for more, if you do you will just be let down. So stick with that positive attitude and be ready for some great adventures and stories. 4


How To Train Hop

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As urban hikers, train tracks around can be a quicker and more scenic route to get you where you need to go. Even if you have no particular destination in mind walking along the train tracks is a nice way to spend an afternoon. If by chance you hear a train coming in the distance, don’t panic. Step off the tracks and wait. Standing next to a train moving at full speed is extremely exhilarating. If it’s moving at full speed a gush of wind will hit you and the loud noise of the train will fill the air. Now you can stand there and wait for the train to pass, which will feel like forever or you can get some free transportation.

So, however you choose to do it, enjoy the free trip and remember to be safe. It is important to remember safety is your first priority. Being anywhere near a moving train is extremely dangerous. All the trains that pass will be different, and some will be easier to get on than others. Depending on the distance you wish to travel on the train and the type of train you must now pick which section of the train to jump on. DO’S: •Ladders (for short distances) •open boxcars •the rear platform

Train hopping can be a one time thrill ride or a full blown hobby. Many people have beautiful train hopping experiences throughout the most visually appealing parts of Canada.

•second or third deck of empty auto carriers •empty gondolas DONT’S: •Tank cars (too messy) •Loaded flatcars (shifting cargo could fall on you) 6


CENTURY MANOR 100 West 5th Street

ROYAL CONNAUGHT HOTEL

King Street East & John Street South

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TUMBLR HEADQUARTERS” DUNDURN STreet” LONGWOOD WAREHOUSe” longwood road”

COOL PLACeS AROUND hamilton

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GREAT REST STOPS FOR HAMILTONIAN ADVENTURERS JOHNNY’S COFFEE LOCKE STREET iF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A COZY ENVIRONMENT WITH GREAT DRINKS AND FRIENDLY FACES, JOHNNY’S IS THE PLACE TO BE. FEATURING DELICIOUS DESERTS AND TASTY SANDWICHES, YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR SNACKS WHILE PLAYING A GAME OF CHESS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

WESTDALE THEATRE Located in the heart of Westdale Village, the Westdale movie theatre is the perfect place to watch the newest films. From award winners, to independent crowd pleasers, this theatre offers it all.

SMOKE’S POUTINERIE HESS VILLAGE EVERYONE KNOWS CANADIANS LOVE THEIR POUTINE, AND SMOKE’S OFFERS THE BEST THERE IS. WHETHER YOUR A VEGETARIAN OR A DEDICATED CARNIVORE, YOU WILL DEFINITELY FIND SOMETHING TO SOOTHE YOUR HUNGER.

OLA BAKERY JAMES STREET NORTH WELL PRICED? CHECK! NICE ATMOSPHERE? CHECK! NICE STAFF? CHECK! IT LOOKS LIKE THEY’VE GOT IT ALL! OLA BAKERY IS THE GO-TO PLACE FOR PORTUGUESE BAKED GOODS.

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THE “MUST HAVES” OF an

URBAN HIKER A smile

A hat A small bag: Iphone

A tool kit

A souvenir

A coat with big pockets

Practical shoes

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A day in the life of an Urban Hiker

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Madeline: Have you ever reunited with your fellow alumni?

INTERVIEW WITH A FORMER WESTDALE WARRIOR I sat down with my grandpa the other night as he told me stories of his teenage years and how Hamilton has changed. He lived in Westdale village and went to Westdale secondary school from 1946 to 1951. Madeline: When you attended Westdale, what were some of the coolest hangout spots?

On every table was a jukebox and it would have the top ten hits in different genres, you would put a nickel in and choose your favorite song. The dairy bar only sold the basics; milkshakes, sodas, ice cream, hotdogs, burgers and fries.

Jim: Yes! At a 50th anniversary of westdale I went over to Paddy Greenes pub and told him that on that day he better be prepared to be drank dry. He stocked up on beer and when that day came it was packed to the door with people. Waiters couldn't move to serve the beer. The trays would be put into the air and passed along, after a little while the trays would come back empty mugs and covered in money. That day we drank the pub dry. Madeline: What did you think of the atmosphere and your teachers when you attended Westdale? Jim: The principal at the time was a war veteran, he had been a kernel and treated the students as an army. He ran the school like he would run a military. None of the students liked him.

Back then there were about 30 movie theaters in just Hamilton, out of those theaters westdale theatre is the only one that remains.

Jim: Where dragon court is now, there was a really hip dairy bar. It was a place I used to always go. 12


WESTDALE WARRIORS THEN & NOW

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THE UNKOWN TERRITORIES OF WESTDALE SECONDARY SCHOOL

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THE UNKOWN TERRITORIES OF WESTDALE SECONDARY SCHOOL

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