outdoors ottawa
FALL 2012
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Your outdoor adventure and travel guide Ottawa • Gatineau • Ontario • Quebec • U.S. & Beyond
Exploring northern Ontario’s land of rugged beauty Newpost and High Falls beckon
Hike Whiteface Mt.
The Adirondacks are calling
Fuel up!
A look at camping stoves
Autumn leaves Why all the colours?
Fire or ice
Know when to apply them
SPECIAL
My wolf encounter! Bruce Watts remembers his panic after a wolf crashes his tent.
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outdoors ottawa
Hiking Whiteface Mountain
FALL 2012
Voyageur expedition
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5
~ Articles
~ Departments
5 - After Whiteface, just 45 more Adirondack peaks
4 - Publisher’s Letter
8 - Voyageur crew heads to U.S. Capitol
16 - Cool Gear Hot Clothing
Adventure Racing
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Cool Gear Hot Clothing
11 - Getaway Spotlight
10 - Not all stove fuels are created equal
22 - Photo Spread: Newpost and High Falls beckon
12 - They call it adventure racing for a reason
24 - Outdoor Clubs & Events
14 - The colour and character of autumn leaves
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29 - Photography Tip
18 - My close call the night of the wolves 20 - Don’t sweat it with this easy Autumn grill 21 - Fire or ice: Know whether you need heat or ice for a sporting injury 26 - 1,300 kilometres by canoe to the Arctic Circle
My wolf encounter!
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COVER PHOTO CREDIT Ontario Outdoor www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DAVE BROWN EDITOR: ROGER BIRD
WRITERS Dave Brown, Kathleen Wilker, Craig Macartney, Marty Pemberton, Bruce Watts, Julie St. Jean, WorldFitness.org, Allen Macartney PHOTOGRAPHERS G.bremer, Elcamino73, Mbeachy, NCC, Thom Tarte, Mark Clement, Allen Macartney, Ontario Outdoor ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Dave Brown, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published quarterly every season and distributed FREE at retail stores and races all over the region, as well as at 100 other locations. We reach 200,000 readers each issue! E-mail: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8687 or 888-228-2918 HOW TO GET PUBLISHED Ottawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with a highresolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or e-mailed. No unsolicited contributions will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Publisher may publish any and all communications with Ottawa Outdoors Magazine, and may edit for clarity and style. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any materials published in Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is expressly forbidden without consent of the publisher unless otherwise agreed between partners. Printed in Canada.
PUBLISHER’S LETTER A warm autumn promises adventure! Ah the fall weather. We’re told we should expect it to be warmer than usual providing you many more weekends of outdoor fun. So with the autumn months ahead of us, what will you do? Are you of the mindset summer is over and it’s back to work, or is it your intention to milk this warmer weather for as much as you can? I suggest the latter. DAVE BROWN To help you get started, cuddle up with this issue and read PUBLISHER about some expeditions fellow Ottawans tackled. Perhaps it EDITOR-IN-CHIEF will inspire you to forge ahead towards new endeavours. For example, on the next page is an article about hiking the Adirondacks. You could choose to make this the first of the 46 peaks you will hike to become an Adirondack 46er. What a great activity for your bucket list. If you’re more inclined to read about big adventures then jump to page 8 to follow Max Finkelstein and the rest of his hardy crew as they paddle 1800 kilometres in a 12-seater voyageur canoe to Washington, D.C.! How awesomely Canadian! Like them on Facebook at “Capital to Capitol by Canoe”. Of course I can’t leave out Allen Macartney’s article about his Yukon adventure. He has safely returned from a solo paddle of more than 1300 kilometres to the Arctic Circle. Jump to page 26 for more insight about his journey. And lastly, read Bruce Watts’ run-in with a wolf. Yikes! At the other end, if you are new to camping then download the iPhone App below put out by Parks Canada. It’s really terrific and is filled with great information to get you started. As well, jump to page 10 to read Craig Macartney’s piece on the different types of fuel to use when camping. To wrap up, there are articles for everybody in this issue. They vary from health tips as to when to apply ice and heat; to why autumn leaves change colour; to some great grilling and photography tips, and lots more. There is much to read and much to do before our winter issue will be out. For now though, get outdoors and enjoy this fall weather!
Download this FREE Parks Canada App
ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS Ottawa Outdoors Magazine aligns with local and international environmental groups. Recently Ottawa Outdoors Magazine joined and supports the following groups. We encourage you to do the same. Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wilderness areas. www.leavenotrace.ca One Percent for the Planet is a rapidly growing network of companies that give at least one per cent of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their commitment provides vital resources and awareness to organizations that work to keep us on a sustainable path. 1%FTP provides members with a straightforward and powerful way to become part of the solution. We are proud supporters of One Percent as a movement as well as their members which include Mountain Equipment Co-op and more than 20 other businesses across Canada. www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
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Parks Canada’s Learn to Camp is the ideal app for first-time campers who want to plan a trip to Canada’s national parks. It is packed with the information you need to make your first camping trip a success: camping basics and insider’s tips, packing checklists, national park information and recipes and cooking advice. Download it from iTunes.
After Whiteface, just 45 more Adirondack peaks
PHOTO BY G.BREMER
CARE FOR A HIKE? Maybe you’d like to tackle something exciting this autumn and take up the challenge to become an Adirondack 46er. Your first task en route to this prestigious club is to hike Whiteface Mountain. Why the Adirondacks? Because it’s real backpacking in real mountains, for starters. The area is an ancient range of extinct volcanoes with bare, windswept peaks surrounded by green forests – long a favoured challenge for Ottawa hikers. A four-hour drive gets you to the starting point of your first climb. To work toward being a member of the 46ers means to climb “The 46” Adirondack High Peaks, all the mountains higher than 1,200 metres. Originally, brothers Robert and George Marshall climbed these between 1918 and 1924. However, since that time, better surveys have shown four of these
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peaks (Blake Peak, Cliff Mountain, Nye Mountain and Couchsachraga Peak) are in fact just under 1,200 metres, and one previously overlooked – MacNaughton Mountain – was just over. If you do choose to add this to your bucket list, you’ll find 20 of the 46 mountains remain trail-less, and climbing them will require bushwhacking to the top. If you can do it, you’ll be part of a select group. WHY WHITEFACE? At 1,483.5 metres, Whiteface is a grand, challenging and excellent first hike in the Adirondacks. When you’re standing on its summit, you’ll gain a 360-degree, breathtaking view of Lake Placid and its colourful autumn foliage. On a clear day, you can see Lake Champlain, and on a very clear day even Montreal comes into view. The other great thing, aside from the view, is you can get two-forone towards your 46er badge. Done as a two-mountain hike, if you take a three-kilometre detour over easy terrain you can summit Esther Mountain before continuing on to Whiteface. So why not? So, let’s talk about the route. You begin the hike to Whiteface and Esther either from the Atmospheric Research Center or from the
favoured Wilmington Reservoir. Each is on its own road leading off the Whiteface Memorial Highway. Both eventually merge near the summit of Marble Mountain (a mere 839 metres), from which point they follow the summit trails to Esther or Whiteface or both, depending on your destination. Take a short breather and start climbing again. Soon you’ll be on a high ridge covered in spruce and fir trees. And, depending on the weather, the trail may get wet before you head up a steep climb to the top, scrambling and bouldering as you go. It’s probably about now I should tell you this is the only mountain you can actually drive to, before taking a 300-metre elevator ride – yes, elevator ride – to the summit. So if you want to take the car and the young kids for the view alone, you can. But to be a 46er, you gotta climb it. And while it’s ridiculous to think you spent hours hiking and scrambling up this mountain to the castlelike structure at the top, that you sweated profusely as you hauled yourself over the final stone wall to the often touristcrowded summit terrace, you can at least say you’re one step closer to the 46er club. Bragging rights are yours – rightfully earned.
PHOTO BY IPHOTO BY ELCAMINO73
Autumn is upon us, people. That means fresh air, colourful leaves, breathtaking landscapes, a time for new challenges.
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DETAILS • Driving time: four hours • Accommodations: choose from several B&Bs, hotels, camping sites, etc. • Hiking distance: 18.67 kilometres round trip • Hiking time: approximately five hours • Level of difficulty: moderately difficult, steep at the top
PHOTO BY MBEACHY
WHAT TO BRING • water • The Guide to Adirondack Trails: High Peaks Region • a compass • a flashlight with extra batteries and bulb • a first aid kit • matches • snacks • portable rain gear to keep you warm and dry just in case
PHOTO BY ELCAMINO73
HOW TO GET THERE From Ottawa, follow Highway 417 east. At Exit 58, follow Highway 138 south. At Cornwall, follow signs to the U.S. border. Once in the U.S., follow Highway 37 east to Malone. At Malone, follow Highway 30 south to Paul Smiths, where you pick up Highway 86 to Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. From Lake Placid, follow Highway 73 east. About four kilometres from Lake Placid turn right onto Adirondack Log Road and follow it until you get the High Peaks Information Center and parking lot. ~ Originally published in Dave’s weekly Outdoor Life column of the Ottawa Citizen.
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Voyageur crew heads to U.S. Capitol INTERNATIONAL JOURNEY PROMOTES CLEAN WATER BY KATHLEEN WILKER I first heard about the Capital to Capitol 1,800-kilometre voyageur paddle after local canoe friends were advertising that there was room in a 12-seater to set off from Ottawa in mid-September and paddle on to Washington, D.C. The trip started on the Ottawa River and is scheduled to end on the Potomac in the U.S. capital. Along the way, paddlers will take in the St. Lawrence Seaway, Lake Champlain, the Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay, and touch down at historic Parks Canada sites at Carillon, Lachine and Chambly. It was an intriguing invitation, but not a good fit with family and work, so I did the next best thing to packing up my dry bag and paddle. I’m travelling vicariously by interviewing trip leader Max Finkelstein for my community newspaper, the Kitchissippi Times.
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While sitting together on Westboro beach just before school started, Finkelstein and I watched the sun dance on the Ottawa River while we talked about the importance of water clean enough to drink, to fish in and to swim in. Finkelstein shared stories of his many long canoe trips, always with clean water in mind, and showed me the collection of paddles he was bringing on the trip. Soon after, Finkelstein, just shy of 60, and his teenage son Isaac set out with 10 other paddlers from Ottawa’s Victoria Island in their 250-kilogram boat on a warm September morning. Their first stop was an overnight camp on Petrie Island. The voyage is dedicated to the late William Commanda, an Algonquin elder and activist, so the trip began with a blessing from his daughter Evelyne. She wore moccasins made especially for the occasion by her eight-year-old grandson and told the paddlers, “I was up all night thinking about you.” As Commanda smudged the water, the canoe and everyone in the crowd it was a reminder that the waters we travel are a precious resource. Accompanying Finkelstein
are former Ottawa city councillor Clive Doucet and local artist Dot Bonnenfant. Finkelstein is at the bow, or, as the voyageurs would say, avant. At the stern is Nicholas Tilgner, a strong paddler who has worked as a guide on the Yukon River.
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Finkelstein said some paddlers intend to stay with the boat for the whole journey while others will paddle for a few days and then return to their lives. “I’d like to keep a few spots open in the boat in case anyone decides they’d like to join us,” he explained. This open welcome is one of the reasons for the expedition. Finkel-
stein said there are many small organizations, like Ottawa’s Riverkeeper for example, working hard to preserve clean water on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border which would be more effective working together – water doesn’t recognize international boundaries. The trip is supported by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Now the paddlers have launched, their journey is being updated on Facebook, and so far they’re making good time. You can like “Capital to Capitol by Canoe” on Facebook and tag along until mid-November when the boat is scheduled to dock in Washington. Photo Captions (top, l to r) (Launch from Victoria Island / Max Finkelstein and 13-yearold son Isaac / Max with Clive Doucet / Evelyne Commanda, daughter of William Commanda.)
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ottawa outdoors 9
What’s hot and what’s not NOT ALL STOVE FUELS ARE CREATED EQUAL BY CRAIG MACARTNEY Knowledge of fuel is crucial for buying and using camp-stoves, especially as modern stoves often burn only select fuels. Some fuels don’t burn in winter, or high altitudes, others can damage your stove. Here’s a guide to keep your meal prep hot. PROPANE Propane is North America’s most popular camping fuel. It’s available at any outdoors store in pressurized canisters that screw conveniently onto propane-specific stoves. But for backpackers the canisters are heavy and bulky. As well, these fuel canisters are too dangerous to be refilled or recycled from home, so using them isn’t very “green.” And, another limitation, propane stoves mostly only burn propane, with limited options for other fuels. All pressurized fuels, like propane, work poorly at high altitudes and in cold weather. And when propane does burn, it “burns cold” meaning it takes more fuel to cook your dinner than “hot” burning fuels. For car campers, no problem – just pack extra canisters in the trunk. Final verdict: Propane is a great convenience for three-season car-campers, but lacks versatility for ambitious trips.
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BUTANE Butane stoves are less common than propane, but work the same way. You need adapters if you want to burn propane or blended fuel in most butane stoves. Butane canisters work at lower pressures than propane, so their metal is lighter and they weigh less. Butane is 10 per cent more efficient than propane, so a canister lasts longer. All this makes butane a more environmentally friendly and easier for backpacking. But at high altitudes and temperatures below two degrees Celsius, butane canisters won’t release flammable vapours. BLENDED FUELS Blended fuels are usually some combination of propane, butane, and isobutane. As with other pressurized fuels, blended fuel stoves require canisters and only burn select fuels. They operate as a propane and butane hybrid, working at higher altitudes and lower temperatures than butane, at the cost of some weight and efficiency.
NAPHTHA (WHITE GAS) Multi-fuel stoves, generally made for naphtha, burn just about anything, including kerosene, gasoline, and even jet fuel. Naphtha is reliable, fairly cheap, and produces no smoke. One of the most efficient fuels, it burns hot at any altitude or temperature. Be careful though at sub-zero temperatures, because naphtha causes frostbite on contact and this can happen as you fill the stove before using it. Multi-fuel stoves need to be pumped before and after ignition. Cheap ones can be prone to dangerous leaks, so pay more and be safe. On the up side, naphtha is light, easy to transport, and its containers are refillable and recyclable. With a quality stove, naphtha is by far the best choice for the environment, for backpackers, and for four-season campers.
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KEROSENE Kerosene is the original camp-stove fuel and burns in all conditions. While modern fuels have largely replaced it, kerosene will run multi-fuel stoves, if necessary. Kerosene is cheap, widely available, and “burns hot.” Storing it is safer those pressurized canisters, which can explode. But, too bad, kerosene emits black smoke and soot, which can taint food. And you have to regularly clean a kerosene stove, inside and out, to avoid blocked valves. Don’t rely on it as a main fuel unless nothing else is available.
Jim
Real Kell 1 An o) 61 c) 61
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ottawa outdoors 11
They call it adventure racing for a reason BY MARTY PEMBERTON An average age of 43 may seem old for gruelling “adventure” races, but during the Wilderness Traverse 24-hour race in August our team sure wasn’t the oldest. Not the youngest either as we gathered near Bala, Ont. in Muskoka. Nor were we the most fit, best equipped or most confident. Fit enough. All of us – schoolteacher Wayne, Sean the paramedic, and Kirk and I both desk jockeys for the feds – can jog for 10 kilometres or bike for 30. In adventure racing the mantra is “Race to complete, not to compete,” and we had experience: Wayne, our navigator, has done
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about 10 adventure races. Sean has done sprint adventure races (five to six hours). This was my fourth such event, though it was a first for Kirk. In the end, we didn’t even complete the course, but we sure got our fill of adventure! A 7:45 on a beautiful sunny morning, a two-kilometre run started things off. We walked. We thought it would look bad if someone pulled a muscle in the first 10 minutes of a 24-hour race. This short run was designed to spread out teams before they reached the first canoe put-in for a 25- to 30-kilometre water passage. That’s an approximate distance because no two teams take exactly the same route: we missed the first portage, and had to backtrack to find it. After six hours of paddling, portaging, and “hopping” over beaver dams, the first canoe leg ended at Transition Area 1, where teams traded paddles for hiking boots and fresh food and water. The pros were on their way in about five minutes, but we took about 20, changing clothes and eating – chips, gel packs, and trail mix – before heading out on what course designer Bob Miller called an “epic” trekking section.
Navigation is crucial to adventure racing, and while we were slow, our navigation was bang on and we found our next check point exactly where we expected it. After that came a five-kilometre bushwhack which was indeed epic. We all carried Spot GPS tracking devices so friends and families could watch our progress live on the Wilderness Traverse website. Post-race analysis of our path with these devices showed that our direction was true, but as is often the case in map and compass navigation (the rules required it; GPS was banned for actual navigation), we never went as far on the ground as we thought we were on the map. By nightfall we found ourselves on the edge of a bog. The race instructions had said there would be swimming, so with headlamps and waterproofed packs, we waded in. Wayne went first and sank immediately to his neck in mud and water. Sean and Kirk pulled him back to what passed for dry land, while I handled the camera. With the four of us huddled close together, the bog beneath our feet began to sink. We quickly scattered to find a piece of “terra” that was “firma” enough to support even one person. Eventually, we figured out a hybrid swim/crawl that saw us to the far side of the bog, and solid ground. It was dark as pitch as we stood there, www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
hungry, wet and cold, smelling like bog vomit, blisters on our blisters, and the next checkpoint far away. We’d have to navigate at night through thick forest to get there. And at this point we knew we wouldn’t complete the race. We could almost hear a voice saying, “And you paid good money to do this?” (Yup, $300 each) But someone cracked a joke, spirits rose and we pushed on with fresh clothes from the dry bag, an energy bar and a peanut butter gel pack, and bandaged blisters. By 2 a.m. we still couldn’t find the checkpoint in the dark. We lit a fire, took out the emergency blankets and held off on food so there would be something left by morning. It was a night of cold, shivering, hunger and bedrock, topped off by rain at dawn. At 5:30 we got up, aware somehow that the top teams were probably near the finish line. Each team had a VHF radio, and we used ours to tell home base that we were done – without food and a good compass bearing, it’s too risky to continue. Race management cheered our effort and gave us our map location so we could set out. After two more hours of bushwhacking and a mind-numbing hike down a rail line, volunteers picked us up at the first place a road crossed the tracks. They had a van and lots of
water. We drank our fill and they drove us back to Bala. We drove to our hotel, had beer and pizza and slept for 14 hours straight. Of the 26 teams, only seven finished the full course, nine
finished the short course, two finished unranked (they missed a checkpoint), and eight teams, including us, pulled out, two with injuries. But on the drive home we were united about next year’s Wilderness Traverse – bring it on!
860 Bank St. (613) 231-6331 www.glebetrotters.com www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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BY DAVE BROWN What’s your favourite colour? If it’s green, yellow, orange or red, do I have the view for you. Just open your front door and look how the trees have changed colours and scattered decorative leaves all about. For many, autumn is their favourite time of year. Perhaps it’s that tapestry of colours seen on our streets, neighbourhoods and Gatineau Park, or perhaps it’s the sunny, pleasant days mixed with cool, refreshing evenings. Either way, if you’re a lover of autumn - whatever your reason - you’re in good company. But as magical as it all is, I thought I’d share some of the science behind the beauty of this autumn season. Sure, if you stopped the average person on the street they’d say the leaves change colours because of that whole chlorophyll thing, lack of sunlight ... you know? But Mother Nature, Ph.D., can explain further. Deciduous means “falling off at maturity” or “tending to fall off,” and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally. It also means the dropping of a part no longer needed, or falling away after its purpose is finished. Originally, it was believed deciduous plants would shed their leaves in autumn because the high costs involved in their maintenance would outweigh the benefits from photosynthesis during the winter period. But as it turns out, low light and cold temperatures were just some of the factors working against the trees. Other variables like insect predation, water loss, and damage from high winds or snowfall, were also overwhelming issues. 14 ottawa
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Two factors cause leaves to change colour: weather and leaf materials. Sunlight, humidity, temperature and wind define the weather; and pigment and sugar affect leaf materials. Chemicals such as the acidity and amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium in the leaves are responsible for the leaf changing its colours. Stay with me now. During the winter season, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees instead rest and live off the food they stored during summer as they’ve begun to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves, and as the bright green fades away we begin to see yellow and orange colours, which have been in the leaves all along. We just couldn’t see them in the summer because the green chlorophyll covered them up. On warm, sunny days and cool autumn nights, the leftover sugars in the leaves transform into anthocyanin, a reddish pigment. Anthocyanin also gives the red colour to such fruits as red apples, cherries, cranberries and blueberry leaves. It is also common in the leaves of oaks and maple trees around us. The red colours come from food trapped in the leaves, and the brown colours come from wastes left in the leaves. The yellow colour is caused by xanthophyll, which you’ll often see in trees such as poplars, birch, willows and some maples (like a sugar maple). If orange leaves found in some oak and maple trees are a favourite, you can thank carotene, the same chemical found in carrots. Now for the evergreen. As you
PHOTO BY NCC
The colour and character of autumn leaves
know, evergreens keep most of their leaves during the winter. This occurs because the leaves are specially designed, resistant to cold and moisture loss. Some, like pine and fir trees, have durable long thin needles while others, like holly, have broad leaves with tough, waxy surfaces. So, we can talk about the beautiful autumn colours without mentioning Gatineau Park, but why would we? We get to enjoy every day what others travel kilometres to just visit. So head out to experience the magical fall colours of Gatineau Park during Fall Rhapsody until Oct. 16. Head to Gatineau Park to enjoy the fall colours while taking part in any of a number of activities they have available, including: • Explore over 90 kilometres of trails by bike or 165 kilometres of trails on foot. • Stroll the grounds at the historic Mackenzie King Estate. • Learn about the Park’s diverse ecology. • Take in the views from scenic lookouts. As well, they even have Follies of the Fall Forest Tour, a free guided tour offered on Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 16. It is fun for the whole family with an introduction at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, followed by a guided walk on the Sugar Bush Trail. Get outdoors and enjoy. ~ Originally published in Dave’s weekly Outdoor Life column of the Ottawa Citizen. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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COOL GEAR BLUNDSTONE – CRAZY HORSE BROWN We put a ton of kilometres on our Blundstone 500 Original boots and everything we learned is in the new 550’s. They’re lined with leather. Lighter, softer and even more durable in the sole. The result? A longer-wearing boot with a more comfortable, cushioned feel on every surface. New colours and leathers including suede and our popular Crazy Horse. Great first boots and the perfect spare pair for stepping out. Look for these and other styles at Glebe Trotters on Bank Street.
BLACK DIAMOND SPOT HEADLAMP – $38.50 An excellent balance of long range and close up lighting has made the Spot a hit with climbers, alpinists, and skiers. Red LEDs protect your ability to see in the dark, and let your tentmates sleep peacefully while you study the guidebook and figure out how to sandbag them with the hard pitches. • Five modes include bright white, proximity, proximity strobe, red, and red strobe. • Three level power meter in distance and proximity modes. • Blue lock out indicator avoids accidental power on. Look for it at mec.ca/.
WOMEN’S FAST TRE II FULL ZIP FLEECE JACKET – $59.99 The perfect companion for your everyday adventures, the Fast Trek offers versatility, comfort, and super warmth. Head out for a weekend hike, take off on a brisk morning walk, or jet out with the family for a bike ride. With ultra-comfortable 4-way stretch, the Fast Trek is the go-everywhere, do-everything fleece that you’ll be reaching for over and over. Zip-closed front hand-warmer pockets mean you’ll never have to worry about chilly digits or where to put your keys. A small zip pocket on the shoulder is perfect for your ID or mp3 player, and the high collar keeps biting wind at bay when the weather kicks up. Look for it where Columbia products are sold or visit columbiasportswear.ca/
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NORTH FACE DARK STAR – $309 A pinnacle synthetic sleeping bag for frigid, subzero conditions, this new -28°C expedition bag provides crucial cover for extreme conditions. Constructed with a durable Pertex® shell, this 20 denier fabric pairs with Climashield® Apex and Prism shingles and an Apex core for the highest level of protection where minimal weight and maximum warmth are critical. Look for it at northface.com/.
INTEGRAL DESIGNS CHOCK 2 PERSON TENT – $469 A home for those who roam the world’s higher places. The single wall construction makes it fast to set up, keeps the overall weight low, and allows maximum useable interior space. Twin vents and a large mesh door let you adapt the Chock 2 for cold windy nights or to warmer, sunnier conditions. Look for it at mec.ca/.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
HOT CLOTHING THULE 916XTR T2 – $599 Head to Auto Racks in Ottawa for this premier platform hitch rack that’s the fastest to load and remove bikes with minimal lifting for ultimate convenience. • SecureHook with integrated cable lock secures the bike without making frame contact • Hitch Switch lever tilts carrier away from vehicle for trunk, hatch or tailgate access • Reinforced tray provides maximum strength and rust-free protection • Adjustable wheel strap quickly secures back wheel to tray • Can carry up to 4 bikes with the T2 plus a 2 Bike Add-On™ (sold separately, 2” receiver only) • Included Snug-Tite™ receiver lock virtually eliminates hitch carrier movement in receiver and locks the carrier to the vehicle Look for it at Auto Racks at 2249 Gladwin Crescent.
MEC SUPERCONTINENT 45 TRAVEL PACK – $139 It’s a sleek suitcase. It’s a full-featured backpack with uncompromised design and carrying comfort. It’s what you want for light, fast-moving travelling and trekking. • Plastic framesheet, aluminum stay, and contoured, padded shoulder straps and hipbelt assure efficient load transfer and carrying comfort. • Zip-over flap covers the carrying harness in suitcase mode and tucks away into a dedicated pocket in backpack mode. Look for it at mec.ca/. BOGS MASON – $165
BOGS CLASSIC HIGH HANDLES – $90
BOGS PLIMSOLL MID LEAF – $130
The Bogs® Mason matches comfort with style. Constructed with durable hand-lasted rubber, 100% waterproof Neo-Tech insulation and a cozy fleece lining for warmth. Non-slip, non-marking and self-cleaning deep lug outsole for optimal traction. Molded EVA sockliner with Aegis anti-microbial odour protection. Comfort-rated from temperate to subzero conditions. All this combined with the stylishness for meeting up with friends after work.
The Bogs® Classic High all-weather kids boot is 100% waterproof and ready for anything Mother Nature may bring. Crafted from high quality, natural rubber for maximum durability, these boots will last for years. Insulated with 7mm of our waterproof Neo-Tech™ and lined with NEW Max-Wick moisture-wicking technology. Easy pull-on handles are kid-tested and approved. All Bogs Classics for kids are comfort rated to withstand sub-zero temps (up to -34°C). Aegis antimicrobial odor protection insoles keep little feet feeling fresh. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
A modern, playful take on the triedand-true Bogs® Classics with a sleeker design and cozy sneaker-like fit. The Plimsoll Mid is a sportier, all-weather boot crafted with 7mm of waterproof Neo-Tech™ insulation and features easy pull-on handles. Perfect for any season from fall to spring, designed with the NEW Bogs Max-Wick™ moisture-wicking lining with our new grippiest outsole yet for unbeatable traction. Available in funky jewel tones like ginger, chocolate, blue and black with contrasting rand border. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Look for them at retail outlets everywhere, or visit www.bogsfootwear.ca
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My close call the night of the wolves BY BRUCE WATTS This was hands-down the scariest moment of my camping life… the night I thought I was attacked by wolves. In late August I needed a break. I had just found out I had cancer; my daughter’s wedding plans were ramping up; kitchen renovations were forever half done. The sanctuary of choice was the backwoods. My wife understood and took no offence when I firmly proclaimed that this expedition was to be a solo trip. This was about me. The next day I was on the road before 6 a.m. with a Bob Dylan CD
in the stereo, his melodies filling the air of my aging Subaru for three hypnotic hours. I mechanically drove into the Highlands backpacking trail parking lot in Algonquin Park, dazed but relaxed. This is what I needed. The day was warmish, clear and dry, perfect for backpacking. I laced up my boots, cinched up my pack and began to trek along the “large loop” toward Harness Lake. Five hours flew by in a flash. This idea was working – I was at peace. As I set up camp on the lake shore far from the parking lot, my only neighbours were red squirrels and a pair of loons calling with their magical tones. After supper,
George Brown Law Public Law • Public Affairs • Public Interest
I sat on “my cliff” and stared in wonder at the high definition, ultrawidescreen, Algonquin Park sky and tracked the tangerine sunset over the pines along the distant shore. With darkness, I got into my comfortable solo tent, pulled out a headlamp and book, read for a few minutes … and then the wolf symphony began. I had the best seat in the house. It was tough to
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focused in the hunt, with all senses targeting the prey, didn’t see the tent and bingo – an accidental clash between wolf and camper. The wolf was likely more frightened than me. With my rational mind convinced all was OK, I resumed reading my book. Or I tried to. But my hands were shaking too much to turn a page. It took close to an hour for the shaking to stop, and I couldn’t help but wonder if that poor unsuspecting wolf was still shaking too.
~ Bruce Watts is the Chief Campologist at www.campology.ca
PHOTOS BY ISTOCKPHOTO AND BRUCE WATTS
guess exactly how many they were, or how close, but they were very, very close and I thought I could count at least eight voices. I’ve heard wolves many times before, but never like this, close enough to hear the subtle tone variations, and feel the rich depth of the howls. I felt like the luckiest man in the world, with a front row seat at one of nature’s marvels. Then the wolf music stopped. In the new silence, I heard a largish animal splashing about in the water some 30 metres from my tent. I listened intently and without fear. It’s common and normal for a curious
wild animal to check out a campsite. No big deal. But in the blink of an eye my peace turned to terror. The animal I heard splashing was a wolf and now it was running full speed towards my tent, too fast for me to react. I was frozen in shock as the wolf tripped over the guy rope, bounced off the side of the tent, rolled on the ground in front of the door, shook itself off, and ran away. My mind filled with Hollywood horror movie scenes of the wolf coming back with others, it was a scout checking out the glowing green nylon globe (my tent) that had invaded their territory. I braced for a second attack, this time by the whole pack! Nothing happened. Get a grip. Make room for rational thought. Wolves don’t attack humans. Let’s think this through. Forget Hollywood. This was likely a wolf chasing its supper. A squirrel, mouse or mole maybe ran under my guy rope to avoid being a lupus snack. The wolf, totally
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ottawa outdoors 19
DON’T SWEAT IT WITH THIS EASY AUTUMN GRILL BY JULIE ST. JEAN IN HOT CLIMATES, spicy food
SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN
Some believe it creates a sense of well-being as the brain releases endorphins to ease the burn. So, cool down with a spicy southwestern style dinner hot from the barbeque! Vegetables are the star of this grill, and are sure to impress guests and excite your tastebuds. The smoked, spicy dressing complements the mild flavours of sweet potato, pepper and onion. Although we feature it here with grilled pork tenderloin, it also works well with a whole roast or grilled chicken.
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• 1 (375g) tenderloin of pork • 2 tsp (10 mL) each ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder • 1 tsp (5 mL) each cayenne, chili powder, cinnamon, kosher salt • 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) ground cloves • 3 tbsp (45 mL) vegetable or light flavoured olive oil With a sharp knife, remove the excess fat and silver skin from the pork tenderloin. Combine all of the spices in a bowl. Stir in the vegetable oil to form a thick paste, and rub it all over the tenderloin. Marinate up to two hours in the refrigerator. Bring tenderloin to room temperature 1/2 hour before grilling
PHOTO BY THOM TARTE
induces sweating to cool the skin.
Preheat grill to medium high. Sear pork two minutes on both sides. Reduce heat to medium or place on upper grill while grilling vegetables. Cook pork for approximately five to six minutes, flip and cook another five to six minutes more over indirect heat or until medium rare (meat thermometer reads 1500F/650 C). Set aside, and cover with foil for 10 minutes before slicing. Makes four servings.
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Fire or ice: How to know when to apply heat or ice to a sporting injury WHILE MANY sportspeople know to apply ice immediately to an injury, there is more often than not some hesitation about when to apply heat to an affliction. But it’s not such a delicate science, and a little bit of background knowledge about the types of sporting injuries that can occur goes a long, long way. It’s important to understand that the types of sporting injuries can be broken down into acute pain and chronic pain. According to these different types of pain, you adopt a different type of treatment. Chronic pain, often more subtle and slow to develop than acute pain, is best treated with heat packs. Acute pain, on the other hand, is best treated with ice as an immediate treatment as it reduces inflammation and pain. Acute pain is the type of pain that
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is swift, sudden, sharp, and often involves severe tenderness or shooting pain from the region concerned. As a rule, if you have swelling, use an ice pack and ice the injury several times a day for up to three days. Sore, nagging injuries from overuse or a poorly healed acute injury – without swelling – call for heat treatment. In either case, cover the treatment device in sufficient layers to protect the skin, as further injury can occur with an uncovered treatment source, and also if the application to the skin lasts longer than 20-30 minutes. Never use a heat pack with a swollen injury, as the heat increases circulation and raises skin temperature. At times a dual heat-ice approach is required, for instance for a Frozen Shoulder solution or an athlete who
suffers from chronic pain or injuries from overuse of a particular muscle or body region. In the case of Frozen Shoulder, it’s an idea to use heat and ice to respectively decrease stiffness and relieve pain. A morning routine that includes applying heat to the affected zone will reduce the immobility and icing the stiff and painful shoulder before going to bed may just aid with a good night’s sleep. An athlete who is plagued by a recurring or chronic injury is advised to ice the injury after each performance as a preventative measure against inflammation. With this in mind, you’ll be in tip-top shape to take to the track, field, slopes, skies or surf. (c/o WorldFitness.org)
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Newpost and High Falls beckon HEAD NORTH, TO A LAND OF RUGGED BEAUTY AND PRISTINE WILDERNESS Enjoy these photos by Mark Clement of the amazing trip by local Kars, Ont. artist Shelley Leach as she joins Rick Isaacson of Howling Wolf Expeditions. Shelley was so intrigued by the beauty of New Post Falls she chose to paint it for her representation of Ontario in her New Canada series to be unveiled at the Toronto Outdoor Show in February 2013. To quote Rick, “As we paddled along the water path of the Abitibi River, we reflected on our six days of solitude; the pristine rapids; the dazzling Boreal Lights and the ever abundant wildlife surrounding us. Images of natives and fur traders who traveled this route overwhelmed us as we pushed onward through Cree Territory into the remote James Bay Lowlands. Ontario’s Last Wilderness.” • See more photos at www.mclement.com • Check out Shelley’s art at www.shelleyleach.com • Want to take the adventure? Visit Rick’s website at
www.howlingwolfexpeditions.com
Outdoor Clubs GROUP NAME
WEBSITE
DESCRIPTION
Ottawa Orienteering Club
www.ottawaoc.ca
We organize and take part in orienteering events in the Ottawa area.
The Ottawa Outdoor Club
www.ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
A rec club with hiking, cycling, canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Rideau Trail Association
www.rideautrail.org
A hiking club dedicated to maintaining the trail from Kingston to Ottawa.
Ottawa Triathlon Club
www.ottawatriathlonclub.com
A recreational organization dedicated to teaching the enjoyment of tris.
Ottawa Bicycle Club
www.ottawabicycleclub.ca
Offers a range of cycling programs from novice to expert.
Ottawa Mountain Bike Assoc.
www.ottawamba.org
Advocacy with local land owners + weekly rides in Kanata + trail maintenance.
Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Assoc.
www.ocua.ca
The largest Ultimate (Frisbee) league in the world.
Ottawa Sport and Social Club
www.ossc.ca
A co-ed, rec sport league, with tourneys and social events for adults.
Ottawa Rowing Club
www.ottawarowingclub.com
Come see what rowing is like on the picturesque Ottawa River.
Liquid Skills Paddling Centre
www.liquidskills.com
Programs and clinics, kayak lessons, expeditions and teen camps.
Madawaska Kanu Centre
www.owl-mkc.ca
Kayak lessons in-city and on-site. Weekend clinics for the whole family.
Ottawa Sailing School
www.boattraining.com
Quality sailing programs and on-the-water adventure.
Somersault Events
www.somersault.ca
Triathlons, duathlons, and running events for you or the entire family.
The Running Room
www.runningroom.com
Ottawa’s running and walking club for team fitness.
TriRudy
www.trirudy.com
Website and resource for duathlons and triathlons.
La RoccaXC Mt.Bike School
www.creativewheel.ca
Camp for boys and girls, women and men keen to enjoy mountain biking.
Wilderness Tours
www.wildernesstours.com
In addition to rafting they offer kayak lessons and adventure camps.
Owl Rafting
www.owl-mkc.ca
Rafting, sea-kayaking, lessons, plus adventure programs.
Esprit Rafting
www.espritrafting.com
Rafting, canoeing and several training and certification courses.
River Run Rafting
www.riverrunners.com
Rafting, family trips, kayaking, cabins and more.
Ottawa New Edinburgh Club
www.onec.ca
Ottawa rowing club for all levels or for fun and fitness.
Kanata-Nepean Bicycle Club
www.knbc.ca
Recreational biking club on Kanata routes and beyond. Join in!
Ottawa River Runners
www.ottawariverrunners.com
An organization dedicated to whitewater paddling and ongoing development.
Natural Fitness Lab
www.naturalfitnesslab.com
Adult trail running program in Chelsea/Gatineau Park.
Outdoor Events DATE
EVENT
WEBSITE
Sept. 30, 2012
South Ottawa Race Day
www.runningroom.com
Oct. 6, 2012
Fall Colours Duathlon & Relays
www.somersault.ca
Oct. 6 - 7, 2012
Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon & Wylie Ryan Turkey Trot Kids 1k
www.somersault.ca
Oct. 11, 2012
GCWCC Wellness Challenge
www.facebook.com/WellnessChallenge.Defimieuxetre
Oct. 13, 2012
Sears Great Canadian Run - Ottawa to Montebello
www.TheRun.ca
Oct. 14, 2012
Blackburn Cancer Chase
www.runningroom.com
Oct. 14, 2012
MADD Dash 2012/Strides for Change
www.madddashottawa.com
Oct. 19, 2012
Ride for Diabetes Research
www.jdrf.ca
Oct. 21, 2012
Bumps on the Road - A Walk for Pregnancy
www.runningroom.com
Oct. 27, 2012
21st Annual Beat Beethoven
www.harvesthouse.org
Oct. 28, 2012
Rattle Me Bones
www.rattlemebones.ca
Nov. 3, 2012
13th Annual Cookie Run
www.runottawaclub.ca
Nov. 7, 2012
Simon Yates - The Wild Within - Canadian Tour 2012
www.worldexpeditions.com
Nov. 10, 2012
The Hammer
www.ontariocycling.org
Nov. 11, 2012
The Anvil S-Cup
www.ontariocycling.org
Dec. 1, 2012
Santa Shuffle
www.runningroom.com
Jan. 1, 2013
Canada Indoor Marathon
www.marathon-interieur.com
Feb. 2, 2013
Winterlude Triathlon Skate-Ski-Run
www.winterludetriathlon.ca
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www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Yukon summer
Arctic Circle
1,300 KILOMETRES BY CANOE TO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
JUNE 30 As I slid my heavily loaded canoe into the strong current of the Yukon River (running at full flood), I had both excitement and fear about the 1,300-kilometres between me and my destination at the Arctic Circle. But within minutes, Whitehorse disappeared behind me and five hours later I had reached Lake Laberge, made famous in “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” I set up camp on Steamship Slough with Klondike-era paddle-wheeler pilings rotting in the mist across the water. After preparing supper over a campfire I sat down beside my canoe to read more of Robert Service’s poetry.
JULY 1 Many paddle-wheelers lie in the mud on the bottom of Lake Laberge – victims of the lake’s huge waves that can build in minutes. This is a long lake (54 kilometres) so I got up early to put lots of distance in while the surface was still glass-like. By late afternoon the wind was howling and icy-cold waves threatened to swamp the canoe, so I headed for shore. A few slate-grey, cold waves swept over the stern before I reached a shallow cove. JULY 2 Cold, wet and miserable, stranded on this rocky beach. At one point I huddled under my overturned canoe for a mug of hot chocolate. Luxury! JULY 3 By late afternoon the waves died down so I loaded my gear and pushed off, heading for Lower Laberge, a ghost town at the lake’s far end. Rain sleeted down most of the way, but I made it and set up camp beside a paddle-wheeler wreck. For supper I ate the last of the fresh meat – sausages. JULY 4 This morning a bush plane arrived to drop off some people who didn’t want to paddle the length of La-
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berge. After they left, I followed hours behind in peace and serenity. The Yukon River was fast and rough, the scenery, utterly spectacular. Arctic terns patrolled the cliffs. JULY 5 Reached Hootalinqua last night, a former North West Mounted Police station and telegraph post reduced to a few log cabins. Explored for an hour. Half a kilometre downriver a giant paddle-wheeler called The Evelyn sits atop collapsing supports. A graveyard never looked so sad. Paddled 67km today (8,500 strokes). The river is carrying giant trees and logs caught in the current – dangerous companions. Difficult finding a campsite with all the gravel bars under water. JULY 6 A river guide I met today warned me that Five Finger Rapids (about a week ahead) has haystacks two metres high with dangerous cross-currents. I’ll take his advice and portage around it. Safe wilderness paddling involves listening to other people’s wisdom. Still, it’s a disappointment to miss these rapids. JULY 7 Arrived at Carmacks campground today after paddling 90 km under www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PHOTOS BY ALLEN MACARTNEY
This summer Allen Macartney retraced the route of the 1898 Klondike gold rush by paddling solo from Whitehorse to the Arctic Circle. Let’s flip through his log book, and get a taste of his adventure….
JULY 10-11 Couldn’t find a gravel bar campsite so I paddled 90 km all the way to Fort Selkirk ghost town – all in pouring rain. Rebuilt to reflect its Klondike roots, this remote town is beautiful. Stayed an extra day to explore it, hoping the rain would stop. It didn’t.
low cloud in sheeting rain and high wind. Exhausted, at one point I pulled up on a mud bank, stretched out on the canoe, pulled a tarp over my gear and me, and fell asleep for an hour. Much refreshed, I continued on to Carmacks in pouring rain.
JULY 12 An incredible day. I paddled 124 km all the way to Kirkman Creek because I couldn’t find a campsite along the shore. Rain and dark clouds showered me with liquid sunshine. I’m sure there’s blue sky somewhere up there! Today what looked exactly like a torpedo (with a foaming trail tracing its path) came arching through the water toward my canoe. I scrambled hard getting out of its way – a log with one end caught on the river bottom. Ever-present deadheads, sweepers, rough water and small whirlpools demand vigilance. JULY 13 A young eagle buzzed my canoe today as if he were playing “fighter pilot attack.” He approached 100 metres above the water then dove sharply down. Just as I was lifting my paddle in defence, he banked sharply and zoomed away. I could almost hear him snickering. Eagles too have juvenile delinquents!
JULY 8 Stayed at Carmacks replenishing my food supplies. Will leave tomorrow. Found someone to help portage my canoe and gear around Five Finger Rapids. JULY 9 Rink Rapids adventure. Usually you can avoid them if you stay to the right shore, but the river volume is so high that curling waves greeted me. I took some water in over my bow riding through them. It was fun! www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
JULY 14 After climbing into my tent tonight I thought I heard rain. No, it was thousands of mosquitoes swarming the inside of the tent fly, but outside my netting. Their wings against the fly sounded exactly like rain and all of them were looking down hungrily at me, an unsettling thought! The bugs are thick at some ghost towns. JULY 15-17 Reached the Klondike Valley and Dawson City. I headed directly for a shower at the campground to scrape off the dirt, sweat and bug repellant layered thick on my skin. I’ll resupply, take part in a paleontology dig managed by a friend, then get back on the river.
JULY 18 The Klondike Valley is a paleontology treasure, with pre-historic animals emerging from permafrost, unearthed by gold miners. Working with a scientific team, I found a 30,000-year-old bison horn and jaw bone, complete with teeth. One paleontologist found a mammoth rib. We were really hoping to find scimitar cat bones and lion, camel and giant bear skeletons are here. The pungent aroma of a pre-historic forest finally released hangs in the air.
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JULY 21 I left Dawson in the pouring rain paddling north toward nearby Alaska. The solitude, tranquility and silence excite me. Guide books warn that the river picks up speed here – “like falling off a cliff” one book says. I love that speed. Ten hours later I set up camp at Forty Mile ghost town. A bear print is sharply stamped in the muddy beach near my tent, Better keep the bear spray close tonight. JULY 22 The Canada-U.S. border and Eagle Alaska is my next stop 80 kilometres down river. I haven’t seen a person in two days. Can’t suppress a silly grin, even in the pouring rain. After calling U.S. Customs via satellite phone, I found a soggy campsite, stepped out of the canoe and my foot disappeared into quicksand. With a second step the sand-water rose almost to my knee. I staggered backwards to my canoe, adrenaline pounding in my chest. JULY 23-24 Excited screeching high overhead drew my eyes upward today while paddling through towering canyons. A pair of peregrine falcons swooped down near the rock face. Thirty years ago peregrines were rare in this area, victims of pesticides. Today they’re making a comeback and I’ve spotted many near cliffs between Whitehorse and Alaska.
JULY 25 Often while paddling this river I have a scary optical illusion of sliding down a very steep water slide. The illusion is particularly strong when I’m paddling on a straight, narrow stretch of river with high mountains directly ahead of me, and I gasp. The river speed adds to the illusion. JULY 26 Heard a distant rumbling far above, looked up and saw two white contrails, jets at 35,000 feet holding position beside each other – F-15 fighters from Fairbanks. Suddenly they broke apart as if under attack, and spent the next 20 minutes playing together in the wide-open Alaskan sky. Three faces grinned wildly – two in cockpits and one in a canoe – sharing a sense of absolute delight with the moment. I saluted them by waving a paddle. JULY 28 Entered the vast swampland of Alaska’s Yukon Flats, traversed by the Yukon River. One hour I was surrounded by mountains and the next the land was prairie-flat, a wilderness of thousands of islands and a major hatching area for snow geese, cranes and all manner of ducks. This swampland makes it easy to get lost, which took me all of three hours to accomplish. Even my GPS was struggling. I managed to avoid a dangerous whirlpool and eventually found a gravel bar to camp on. Two elegant sandhill cranes didn’t want to share it, so I moved on to another site. Tomorrow I reach the Arctic Circle at Fort Yukon village, Alaska. JULY 29 An hour after setting off, I rounded a bend in the swift river current and saw a log jam ex-
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tending almost right across the river – a life-threatening situation. Minutes of frantic paddling got me through the barrier’s only opening. (This trip has used up at least seven of my nine lives.) With GPS and map of little use, I got lost again. After many tense minutes I found my bearings and Fort Yukon appeared almost miraculously. I paddled out of the current and into an eddy whooping with excitement. I’d reached the Arctic Circle! The past three days have been sunny – half of my meagre allowance of sunny trip days. Dark clouds on the horizon moving toward my canoe decided me to end my trek. Two hours later I was in the co-pilot’s seat of a bush plane heading for Fairbanks. AUGUST 1 Numbers. A final count of trip mosquito bites came to 515. I’ll itch for months. I paddled 133,100 strokes, which adds up to more than 1,600 tonnes of water my arm and shoulder muscles have moved in the five weeks. A great way to celebrate turning 60!
~ Thanks to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Trailhead for sponsoring Allen’s trip. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Photography tip BY ALLEN MACARTNEY Interesting and dramatic photographs almost never happen by accident. They take planning. But with a little effort, anyone can create stunning images, regardless of the quality of equipment they are using. How’s how:
GET CLOSE TO YOUR SUBJECT Generally the closer you get to your subject, the better your photographs. Don’t stand back; get in there! Try to fill the entire viewfinder. Get so close that the image puts you right into the action. You want to be able to feel the cool spray of mist on your cheek as the kayak hammers through whitewater, or see the bright colours of that backpack. But beware of cameras with a minimum focusing distance. Some pointand-shoot cameras cannot Sports, Fitness & Outdoor focus closer Buy & Sell used Equipment Event Calendar than oneDiscussion Forum and-a-half metres. Don’t sit on it, Trade it!
www.FitnessTrader.ca
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ottawa outdoors 29
Revive the heart of your home!
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DON’T BLAME THE CITY FOR ALL THE “TOXIC” CHEMICALS IN YOUR TAP WATER! The City of Ottawa has recently celebrated a milestone victory in accomplishing a 100% provincial safety report on its drinking water for 2 consecutive years for which they are to be congratulated. However, when the truth is known it is somewhat a hollow victory. The purpose of this letter is not to point fingers at any one person or organization but to warn every family in Ottawa of a major health dilemma facing the City of Ottawa along with cities across the continent and around the world and which, strangely enough, only individual families can fix the problem. In Canada we have the Safe Water Act which directs municipalities to disinfect their drinking water in order to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, e-coli, dysentery, legionnaires disease, typhoid fever, gastroenteritis, poliomyelitis, and many more known viral, bacterial, parasitic and protozoal infections present in raw water. In order to prevent such diseases in Ottawa, the city adds large quantities of Sulphuric acid, Aluminum Sulphate, Sodium Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide (better known as Caustic soda), Chlorine, Ammonia and Chloromine (a mixture of Chlorine and Ammonia) all toxic but necessary in order to prevent the spread of these often deadly diseases (see City of Ottawa website). This is the chart that shows the water purification process from the City of Ottawa website found at http://ottawa.ca/residents/water/distribution/ima ges/flowchrt_en.jpg This is an admirable effort for which the city should be congratulated. However, all of those toxic chemicals remain in the drinking water right up to your tap, along with the 40 chemicals that the city monitors and assures us are at supposedly “acceptable” levels, and with the 2000+ other chemicals that have been found in drinking water that they do not have the resources to identify or remove. The City’s claims of producing safe water (according to federal and provincial guidelines) are true, provided your definition of safe applies only to the risk of waterborne disease. However, the research community, including Health Canada, The Public Health Agency of Canada, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) in the US, The World Health Organization, Universities of Calgary, Minnesota, Alberta and Memorial University in Newfoundland, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, American Journal of Public Health, Water Quality Association, New Scientist and Science News magazines, National Academy of Sciences, US Council of Environmental Quality and hundreds of other national and international organizations have for decades, clearly identified that drinking chlorinated water over an extended period leads to cancer, heart disease and a long list of other life threatening diseases. The greatest danger we all face is this cocktail of chemicals that go on to form further toxic chemical compounds. One obvious example is the known carcinogenic Trihalomethanes that are created when chlorine is added to the water and then reacts with the organic material in the water. SO WHY DOESN’T THE CITY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? Because they can’t. Unfortunately the city has a dilemma that is virtually impossible to resolve. The city has to produce 281 million litres of water every day so that we can turn on our taps and wash dishes, do laundry, flush toilets, water our lawns and even drink some of it. The water we actually consume is far less than five percent of the water that is disinfected. To actually “purify” that much water every day would send our property taxes through the roof and even if they could remove all the chemicals at the plant it would become re-contaminated as it passes through the 2800 kilometers of crud laden water pipe to get to our taps. I was told at the Ottawa filtration plant that it takes three weeks for the water to reach my home. The city is having difficulty building an infrastructure to separate rainwater from raw sewage. Just think what a system to separate drinking water would cost. <<<< These are the new water pipes on the left that are being used to gradually replace the older crud laden water pipes on the lower right.
The dilemma the city faces is virtually impossible to resolve and even if it were possible it would more than double our property taxes. However, there is a simple and relatively inexpensive solution to this major problem. I personally praise the city for all of the work they do to keep us safe from deadly diseases and I want that chlorine in the water right up to my taps. At that point I can decide whether I install a good water purification system to protect my family’s health or just sit back and let them become the filter. If you decide your family should become the filter then remember replacing the clogged human organs can be a long, painful and sometimes fatal process and you always get a used one. As for me I would rather be able to discard the filter cartridge with all the bacteria, toxic chemicals, heavy metals and other toxic contaminants and start fresh with a new cartridge each year or two. I say a “good” water purification system simply because there are so many water purifiers that imply that they purify the water, but don’t. At least the Brita Company is honest enough to state in the small print, hidden on the inside of the refill packaging that “The Brita Pitcher Filter is not intended to purify water”. There are so many carbon filters that are cheap but only do half the job. There are sophisticated reverse osmosis systems that remove everything including the essential minerals and cause the water to be acidic. Fortunately after a lot of research I found that there are some really good water purifiers on the market that really do remove 99.99% of the contaminants and still retain the essential minerals and natural PH balance. I personally prefer the four stage full spectrum purifier with a washable ceramic cartridge that filters down to 0.3 of a micron and you get to see all the crud in the water that is trapped on the outside of the ceramic cartridge as shown in the picture here. A good purifier is not that expensive when considering the long term health of you and your family. If you draw your drinking water from a well, you should remember that many of the chemicals mentioned above have infiltrated the ground water aquifers and of course are not identified when you have your water tested, as the lab is only testing for e.coli and total coliform, but do not look for any toxic chemical contaminants in the water. Even people on a well should seriously consider a good filtration system. If you have a salt softener and therefore need to buy a reverse osmosis system, to remove the excessive sodium, then watch for two important features. Number one is that it has a remineralizing cartridge to put the natural minerals back into the water. Number two is to watch for price. A local company recently featured on the CBC’s Marketplace, for bad marketing practices, sells their reverse osmosis system for $4300.00 when another local water filter company sells an identical, Canadian made, “remineralizing” reverse osmosis system for $995.00 This is a picture of my washable ceramic cartridge with the brown residue from the city water that it has removed before my family drinks it. A new cartridge is white. It’s nice to see what you don’t have to drink and that your purifier is really working for you.
You thought taking a shower was safe. Doctors are now saying that taking a nice hot 10 minute shower exposes the body, through inhalation and skin absorption, to as much chemical contamination as drinking four litres of city water. Some doctors have suggested that people without shower filters should seriously consider having very short showers with water as cool as they possibly can as the heat creates more contaminated vapour mist to inhale. There are even filters that just hang on the spout while you fill the bath, for people that like to have a long soak in the bathtub or for bathing little children. Some interesting facts: • • • •
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Most people who don’t drink city water, say it is because of the taste of chlorine and drink other flavoured drinks instead. Many youth, once given purified water switch away from sugar laden drinks and are quite happy to drink purified water. Many citizens who drink chlorinated water do not taste the chlorine because their taste buds, like smokers, have become insensitive to the taste and it often takes several months of drinking purified water before it returns. People who drink eight glasses of purified water a day decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, bladder cancer by 50%, rectal cancer by 38% as well as preventing or reducing incidence of back and joint pain, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, constipation and migraine headaches. Water is certainly not the only cause of cancer but it is a major contributor. The body can survive a week without food but cannot survive a day without water.
Research and evidence to support the content of this letter are provided by Health Canada, The Public Health Agency of Canada, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) in the US, The World Health Organization, Universities of Calgary, Minnesota, Alberta and Memorial University in Newfoundland, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, American Journal of Public Health, Water Quality Association, New Scientist and Science News magazines, National Academy of Sciences, US Council of Environmental Quality and hundreds of other national and international organizations concerned about the effect of drinking water on the health of individuals.
To get more facts about water go to http://www.belkraft.com/water_education_articles.htm