Issue #6 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine by Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

Your Guide to the Local Outdoor Adventure Scene

Take your first winter triathlon

Skate, ski and run your way to victor y along the canal

SNOWSHOEING

Think you’re fit? Think again

CLASSIC SKIING

Ski your first Gatineau Keskinada Loppet

ALPINE SKIING

Eight great tips to better skiing

WINTER CAMPING

All you need to know about a GPS

ICE CLIMBING

Destinations nearby

SNOWBOARDING

Choosing your board 95

WINTER 2003

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SNOWSHOEING Great exercise in a heartbeat 3 ALPINE SKIING Eight great tips to better skiing 5 A map of the local ski hills 6 Bounding along in snowless bliss 8 CAMPING Winter Photography tips 13 Find your way with a GPS 16 Low-tech methods for getting home again 18 Take our c-c-cold weather survival quiz 20 Cleaning and storing camping gear 22 Camping tips 25

39 ICE CLIMBING

The hidden jewels in the Ottawa region

WINTER TRIATHLON What you need to know for the 2004 Winterlude Tri 27 NORDIC SKIING Take the “country” out of cross-country skiing: local trials 32 Ski your first Keskinada Loppet 34 10 reasons to take up nordic skiing this winter 38 SNOWBOARDING The size of your deck does matter 36 ICE & INDOOR CLIMBING The hidden jewels nearby 39 Rock climbing in the great indoors 42 2—Publisher’s Letter 8—Weekend Getaway 12—The Bark 24—Survival Kids 26—K-9 Common Scents

29—Health: Tips 37—Disc Golf 44—Profile 46—Urban Spice 47—Urban Grape

49—The Green Pages 50—Calendar of Events 52—Bug Juice

Cover photo by xczone.tv. Philippe Villeneuve, Team XC.COM, (former National team) in the training zone.

CAMPING TIPS 25

PUBSLIHER’S LETTER

When it comes to outdoor pursuits, silos are for farmers I WAS TALKING with my editor the other day about Ottawa Outdoors and we tried to imagine what you—the outdoor enthusiast —enjoy about the magazine. We think it might be the diversity. We are proud to feature an array of talented writers from around Ottawa who excel in specific pursuits. Not coincidentally, most of them have experience in many other areas of personal endeavour, too. That’s what this magazine is all about – integrating those silos of expertise. We hope you’ll enjoy the stories about all those other activities you have yet to try. Ottawa Outdoors is all about checking out activities that you don’t already do. Maybe you love to ski, but you’re interested in getting into snowshoeing. Or, maybe you love ice climbing, but that article on indoor rock climbing looks pretty interesting, too. And so it goes. Ottawa Outdoors presents articles on a variety of sports, travel destinations and urban features that include great food dishes that will amaze your friends. And, in this issue we debut a wonderful column on enjoying and understanding wine. Pass the corkscrew, please. We really do enjoy providing you with a banquet of interesting stories and photos, and if we plant the seeds that prompt you to try a new outdoor pursuit, we’ve succeeded. Think outside that silo and enjoy the great outdoors. Happy trails — all the best during the festive season and be sure to enjoy our spectacular winter wonderland.

Dave Brown Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

CONTRIBUTORS

Rick Hellard

Tim Allard

John Wade

Allen Macartney

Rick Hellard has been competing in running, cycling, triathlon and cross-country ski races for more than 21 years. The owner of Zone3sports: Multi-Sport Training Programs, he is also a snowshoe racer, undefeated in three years.

An avid canoe-camper and hiker, Tim Allard is a freelance writer and photographer residing in Ottawa. In this issue he provides some tips on storing camping gear and profiles Lise Meloche.

John has hiked, backpacked and climbed on three continents during the last 25 years. He is the main protagonist behind a new Ottawa business offering education and guiding services for local hikers—from novice to veteran. Read on inside.

Allen is an experienced canoeist, backpacker and skier, and introduces you to winter photography on page 12 of this issue. Additionally, he’s the hard-working Managing Editor of this magazine. Now...back to work Allen! :)

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Dave Brown Managing Editor Allen Macartney Editor Brant Scott Contributing Editors Ken Parker Jim Hargreaves Consulting Editors Scott Shailer, Stepen Seabrook Design and Layout Dave Brown Graphic Illustrators William Jessup, Wah Phung-Lu, Keith Milne, Lisa Kinloch, Francois Daigle Contributing Writers Rick Hellard, Eric Finstad BHSC (P.T.), M.SC., Nicola Cameron, Ken Parker, Allen Macartney, Chantal Macartney, Dave Western, Tim Allard, Angie Brown, Ryan Brown, Cathy Brown, Wanda Purton, Rick Hellard, Dr. Geoff Outerbridge, M.Sc., D.C., Peter McKinnon, Claude Laramée, Mike Coupland, Kevin Grignon, David McMahon, John Wade, David Brook, Julie St. Jean, Joe Hatz, Jim Hargreaves Contributing Photographers National Capital Commission, Allen Macartney, Zone3sports, Tommy and Lefebvre, Robert Faubert, Keskinada Loppet, XCZone, Julie St. Jean ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact: Dave Brown Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published quarterly. Email: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8688 / 888-228-2918 Fax: 613-860-8688 SUBSCRIPTIONS See attached sub.cards in this issue or visit www.OttawaOutdoors.ca Ottawa Outdoors Magazine 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Suite #107 Ottawa, ON K1V 7T4 Tel: 613-860-8688 Fax: 613-860-8688. Internet: www.OttawaOutdoors.ca CONTRIBUTIONS Ottawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with colour slides or high resolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or emailed. 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. CANADIAN / U.S. POSTMASTER: Return undeliverable covers to 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Suite #107, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1V 7T4. Return postage guaranteed. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2003. 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.

ARE YOU AN OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE? If you would like to submit photos or articles w wto w Ottawa . O t t a wOutdoors a O u t d omagazine, ors.ca please email us: Editor@OttawaOutdoors.ca

SNOWSHOEING

Snowshoeing: great exercise in a heartbeat By Rick Hellard

used to consider myself reasonably fit. I’m a nut for many cardiovascular endurance-based sports, like swimming, cycling, running and cross-country skiing. I dabble in paddling and adventure racing. I’ve trained and raced for 21 years to prepare for six Ironman triathlons, 150-plus triathlons, a zillion five and 10k running races, 12 marathons, a few Keskinada 50k’s, the Lake Placid 50k Loppet, and more. In the wake of all this competitive toil, I was looking for new outdoor activities that would be enjoyable, yet physically demanding. So, I tried snowshoeing. My first experience early in the winter of 2000 was humbling. It had www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

just snowed about 30 cm and my Atlas snowshoes were beckoning from the closet. Those visions of powering through knee-deep snow, however, gave way to wheezing and panting like I’ve rarely experienced! A glance at my watch was shocking—I was just five minutes out. I’d found an activity that pushed the limits of my fitness in a heartbeat— pun intended. The next few months revealed that snowshoeing is an incredible activity that can be done almost anywhere by anyone. It works in rural, wide-open spaces and it works in inner-city green spaces. It can also be a very social activity. A very basic level of technique is all that’s required if you just

want to get out and enjoy the season. A good level of fitness is still helpful, but not essential. If you want to go quickly, however, it helps to be very fit. I have since discovered an entire network of trails in the Lac Philippe sector of Gatineau Park, just a few kilometres from Ottawa in Quebec. I found Carman Trails, trail 57 and Brown’s Cabin, 55, 54 and the Lusk Caves, 53 and 52. All were great challenges and very beautiful. The trail from Carman Trails (P15) to Herridge Lodge is one of my favorites. Remember, though, you have to get back, too. This particular trail has a rest stop with fireplace and benches about halfway. On a nice day, it’s about a 90-minute trip in each direction. Another great trail is along the north side of Lac Philippe. It has two rest stops with fire pits and benches. This trail also takes about 90 minutes each way. It pops out at the intersection of trail 50 and 54, the trailhead to the Lusk Caves. Returning to P19 can be done either on the 50 or the 54. Trail 50 is considerably easier along the lake. If you’re feeling energetic, trail 54 is

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Into the starting gate

If you’re inclined to try snowshoeing, it helps to start off on the right foot. In the beginning, if you do not have snowshoes, you may wish to drop by one of the outdoor specialty retailers and check them out. Make sure the staff person you buy from is knowledgeable and takes part in the activity themselves. You can also rent from many of the local establishments so you can ‘test walk’ your potential choice of shoe. Once you have your snowshoes and clothing, you’re all set to go. It’s a good idea to choose an easier trail for your first outing, and look for a path with packed snow. This will foreshadow how the bindings work best on your boots. On my first day, I learned that hitting your anklebone with the opposite snowshoe is really quite painful—and even more so the third time. If I were to re-learn snowshoeing, I’d only hit my ankle once. I’ve found these tips useful for venturing out on snowshoes: • Buy properly fitting, good quality snowshoes suited to your level from someone 4

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Photo by National Capital Commission

Photo by Nancy Lee

tougher, but worth the effort. On a nice day, trail 54 takes about 90 minutes each way, too. The National Capital Commission has maps of the trails. You’re allowed to snowshoe on all trails, but be conscious of, and courteous to, Nordic skiers who may be coming on the trails. Stay in single file on ski trails to let the fastermoving traffic pass.

who uses snowshoes themselves. • When dressing for your outing, you should not be warm at the outset; you should be a little chilled (even cold) for the first five or 10 minutes. You’ll warm-up quickly, but if you dress too warmly, you’ll overheat, sweat, and then feel really chilled. • Running or cross-country ski clothing works best, but trekking or hiking clothing will do just fine. • Avoid cotton and wear your clothing in layers—synthetics like Dryline (Brooks, Hind, Saucony) or Dry-Tex (Louis Garneau) work very well. • Waterproof footwear is strongly suggested; insulated footwear is optional. • Use gaiters to keep the snow out of your boots. • Bring water and food, and make sure it doesn’t freeze. • Poles are helpful in deep snow or on tougher terrain. • Respect the environment and have fun! I have found snowshoeing to be a great replacement for some of my regular runs, rides and skis. I like to get out once or twice weekly and have found that no matter how cold it is, snowshoeing always warms me up quickly. Give snowshoeing a try. You could discover a whole new version of a winter wonderland you never knew existed. —Rick Hellard has been competing in running, cycling, triathlon and cross-country ski races for more than 21 years. The owner of Zone3sports: Multi-Sport Training Programs, he is also a snowshoe racer, undefeated in three years. Hmmm, is that a challenge Rick? :)

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8 1

SEE AND BELIEVE

Visualize the ski run and feel it in your body. Imagine you’re making every turn and every jump.

FLOAT OVER THE CRUD

Often skiers think they have to muscle through crud (heavy wet snow that is unsuitable for skiing), but the reality is much different. Instead, lighten up and float over it. Hold your hands a little higher, get on the balls of your feet and shift your weight equal over both skis. This will help keep you off your seat as well.

SEE FUTURE, BE FUTURE

Even veteran skiers freak when their speed approaches the sound barrier and everything is coming at them so fast. Assuming you’re decent enough with your turns, quash this panic by focusing on what’s ahead. Look at skiers further

downhill and as you approach them, adjust your focus to the next set of objects.

PRESS YOUR ANKLES

For tighter turns, greater speeds and a bigger blast, try this: If you were turning right to left (your right skis’ the downhill ski) press your right ankle towards the inside of your right boot. Simultaneously focus on pressing your left ankle against the outside of your left boot. Your turns will become automatic and smooth.

MASTER THE MOGULS

Instead of falling apart at the first contact with a mogul, adjust the angle of the base of your skis with the angle of the mogul to absorb impact. Additionally, square up your shoulders over your hips over your feet. Split the balance of weight to 60% on the downhill ski and 40% on the uphill ski. Keep your legs relaxed and let the contact force your knees up diagonally.

JUMP ON THE TABLE

Many skiers think that the jump alone is going to launch them air-bound with no effort on their part. Wrong. When you hit

Feels Like a Dream, Not A Wednesday.

the jump, spring straight upwards like you’re jumping onto a table. Imagine the table is floating in front of you three feet in the air and you’re going to land on it. Keep your hands in front of you for balance (especially when landing) and you’ll be flying in no time.

HANDS UP, BABY, HANDS UP

When telemarking into a steep section, keep your hands in front of you. Where they go, you will go, so keep them in steady and within your field of vision. Do this and you’ll glide and slide better than you ever have before.

THE 360 TRICK TIP

This is the basis for many ski tricks. First in running shoes at home, practice leading your rotation by turning your chin over your shoulders, but keep your shoulders and hips rotating at the same speed. Don’t whip your upper body around and hope your hips will follow. This normally leads to a body slam. Don’t look up or down as you spin, either. Then graduate to a small jump and start off with a 180-degree turn. Develop it into 360 by keeping your head turning all the way.

You can’t believe you’re here. It’s not in the schedule. Perfect days rarely are. You’re having fun with your friends. You’re unbelievably happy and you just can’t stop smiling. Mid-week hassles never end. Days like this do. Note to self: pencil in more perfect Wednesdays this winter. This season, let our T&L guides help you get set for your escape outside together. From beginner to elite racer. Adult to junior. We’ll get you what you need for your winter escapes ahead. Official Sporting Goods Retailer Alpine Canada Alpin, Canadian Alpine Ski Team

Photo: Descente

ALPINE SKI Photo by Tommy and Lefebvre

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Illustration by Lisa Kinloch and Francois Daigle.

WINTER GETAWAY

Bounding along in snowless bliss

[you know, when it melts again]

Calabogie Peaks Resort Inn The staff here at Ottawa Outdoors fell in love with the Calabogie Peaks Resort and their new Inn. This is going to be a hotspot for those seeking a romantic weekend getaway, to a fun familiy outing of snow sports and play (think school’s out and winter holidays). Here’s a run down of all they have and what we can’t wait to get to: • The “Dickson Manor”. This 25 room fine Country Inn located at the base of Dickson Mountain has major winter rustic charm. • Amenities which include a(n): - indoor swimming pool, - outdoor hot tub, - fitness room, - arcade room, - and a mini movie theatre There is also a plethora of outdoor recreational activities to experience as well, including: - snowshoeing, - x-country skiing, - snowboarding, - and downhill skiing on Ontario’s highest public ski hill. And the piece de resistance— a new spa, Les Saisons, which offer various packages including: massage, facials, herbal and mud wraps, Soladerm self tanning, manicure, pedicure and waxing. Gotta love this after a day on the slopes! Throughout the winter season a weekday getaway can just be what’s needed. See you there!

By Eric Finstad BHSC (P.T.), M.SC. and Nicola Cameron

nlimited—the recently released cross-country video by Ottawabased company XC Zone—is like porn for the cross-country skiing enthusiast. Boot-level shots of hairpin turns, bulging quads and powerful torsos make parkway peaks seem like downhills. Ahh, the sound of speed on snow. Then there’s the cold shower of watching the snow melt and the dry-land training section of the film begins. The glamour of glide is replaced by a woman making her way up a steep, rocky hill in a slow and peculiar fashion, accompanied by the annoying “tick, tick, tick” of her poles scraping on gravel. The scene puzzled my movie-viewing partner, but we were watching an essential training tool for any crosscountry skier who wants to make their season as exciting as it is “unlimited.” Ski bounding—the technique of mimicking classic skiing while running with poles—is one of the best ways to improve fitness and technique during those sad non-snow seasons. It combines specific training for your skiing muscles, provides an excellent opportunity to focus on your technique, and it’s a grueling cardiovascular workout. Good ski bounders can mimic the technique so well that they actually look as if they are skiing, and some coaches maintain that the motion is a more ski-specific motion than roller skiing. With this in mind, there are some key technique hints to consider when venturing up a hill Beginning of pole plant: arm for your first attempt. slightly bent; pole at heel.

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Midway point of pole swing.

• Instead, push down and a little behind you so that your arm maintains a constant angle while swinging back. Your hand should follow parallel to the slope of the hill as your arm extends behind you.

Ski bounding tips Equipment: Locate some poles that aren’t terribly valuable (they’ll get scratched by rocks) and that force your arms into a 90-degree angle when you are standing with your hands in the straps and the poles in front of you. Poles should come up to your armpits while standing. Too-long poles make technique much more difficult. Location: Find a hill. While this sounds obvious, bounding is only effective if used on a fairly steep hill. Penguin is an exciting choice. Think of the Keskinada.

What to do with your feet

What to do with your pole Ski bounding is the technique of mimicking skiing while running. The most obvious difference between the two is the addition of some poles. • Swing your poles as you would for skiing (opposite arm to opposite leg—for some reason, this is less intuitive while not on skis.)

• Plant your pole at around your heel with your hand in front of where the pole tip is planted and your arm only slightly bent. Ensure that your arm does not bend much further during your swing—this common mistake is called “collapsing your elbows.”

Foot placement can sometimes be the critical element in discovering the difference between jogging with poles and the tricky art of bounding. • Reach forward with your leading foot—don’t simply let it swing forward as you would in running. This will also cause your hips to rotate around the central axis—an important technique in order to achieve proper weight shift and forward drive. • Ensure that your back foot does not kick up towards your bum the way it does while running. This is very important! Pretend you have skis on your feet—that way, your heels have to stay close to the ground.

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O T TAWA O U T D O O R S W I N T E R

appropriate to the dance floor than to the Gatineau trails. • Preload the push-off leg: pretend there’s a shock absorber between your knee and the front of your ski as you push down and spring off during the weight-bearing portion of your stride.

What to do with your torso Good ski bounders look as if they are hungry for the hill; they lean their upper body into the hill, driving all their power forward. A bouncing motion indicates not enough forward drive.

What to do with your head To maintain your forward drive up the hill, focus a few paces ahead of your skis. If you are not the fastest bounder in the group, this will also allow you to observe

your training partner’s hilarious technique at close quarters, including the abovementioned over-rotation of the hips. As with all workouts, having fun while building strength should be a priority. The first bounding workout of the year is always a physical and mental challenge. From the burning sensation that emanates from your under-used posterior to the even less comfortable sensation that you look like a dork, it is usually an outing that involves lots of leaning on poles and gasping. The triumph of regaining one’s technique and the inevitable satisfaction of superior performance once on snow, however, far outweigh the discomforts of learning to “pretend” that you are skiing when you clearly aren’t. The “tick, tick, tick” of poles on gravel can be the sweet prelude to a chorus of “how did you get so fast?” come winter. —Eric Finstad is a registered physiotherapist and former member of the National Cross-Country Ski Team. Nicola Cameron is a member of the Carleton University Ski Team.

Complete weight shift: head in line with weight-bearing hip and foot.

What to do with your legs Shift your weight decisively from leg to leg. Your weight shift is always the most important factor in any ski technique. • Instead of having your centre of balance running down the centre of your body as it does in running, your weight should shift completely from foot to foot. • To ensure solid balance (and effective glide once on snow), ensure that your head is over your weight-bearing hip that is over your weight-bearing foot. A common mistake is to extend the hips over the foot without moving the head, resulting in a hip swing more

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THE BARK

Ultra-endurance exercise: too much of a good thing? By Ken Parker

he state of human fitness is at an all-time low. At the other end of the spectrum, however, ultra-athletes could be overreacting to their detriment. More and more of us are registering in ultra-events like adventure races and ironman triathlons. We live in a world of fitness extremes, where couch potatoes and exercise fanatics gaze upon each other across a very wide gulf. We all know that avoiding exercise is a bad thing. But, can exercise become too much of a good thing? The benefits of regular moderate exercise are legendary—it reduces cardiovascular risk factors, slows the aging process, improves functional capacity, and it bolsters mental health and well-being. Taken to excess, however, exercise has a down side. A study of Harvard alumni by Stanford University’s Ralph Paffenbarger found that death rates were lower for men who were involved in regular physical activity. The death rate declined with the increase in calories burned during physical activity—but only up to a point. Death rates began to go up slightly among men who expended more than 3,000 extra calories per week. “Excessive exercise can backfire on you,” says Dr. Ken Cooper, a physician who heads the Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas, Texas, and the father of “aerobics.” Cooper argues that there appears to be a point of diminishing returns where your immunity is adversely affected and you break down your resistance to infection and disease. “(How much is too much) varies according to the fitness level of the individual,” he explains. There is a growing number of “exercise addicts” who exercise beyond reason and who put their need for exercise ahead of a balanced lifestyle. In a Health and Body column, New York Times writer Andre Taber contends, “American athletes tend to be an obsessed bunch, but the trend toward endurance extremes has sounded alarms in the medical community. In the short term, common consequences of prolonged, strenuous exercise include tendonitis, stress fractures and chronic fatigue syndrome. But research is beginning to show that by racing ever farther and longer, athletes may also be putting themselves at risk for a host of chronic diseases, even cancer.”

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Liz Applegate, a nutrition professor at UC Davis, is not surprised at the news that extreme athletes may be compromising their health. “People can do it, but the body wasn’t meant to do it,” Applegate says, noting the renowned feats of athletes like triathlete Mark Allen, who captured the Hawaii Ironman six times. “There are a bazillion stories of athletes who have developed chronic fatigue syndrome,” says Applegate, singling out overtraining as the most common ailment among the ultra-athlete set. Studies have shown that high intensity resistance exercise increases free radical (molecular instability) production. Endurance exercise can increase oxygen utilization from 10 to 20 times over the resting state. A free radical can destroy a protein, an enzyme, or even a complete cell. To make matters worse, free radicals can multiply through a chain reaction mechanism resulting in the release of thousands of these cellular oxidants. When this happens, cells can become so badly damaged that DNA codes can be altered and immunity can be compromised. Natural antioxidants like vitamins C and E (which are prevalent in fruits and vegetables) combat oxidative damage, and are abundant in most healthy eating habits. Under moderate strain, the body’s biology can easily adapt, activating its stores of antioxidants and extinguishing “oxygen fires,” as Applegate calls them. She believes that when athletes repeatedly push themselves through prolonged exhaustive training sessions, the body can no longer keep up. “There are red flags all over that the immune system is under stress and not performing well,” says Dr. David Nieman, a former marathoner who studies extreme exercise as Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Appalachian State University. “Some immune cell functioning is down for hours. Some is suppressed for days.” While it is not currently possible to draw a link between extreme athletics and cancer, molecular tests have proven the effects of oxidative damage. Mercury professional cycling team physician Prentice Steffen doesn’t dismiss the theoretical possibility that cancers may be related to over-exercising. He cites Lance Armstrong as an example—the American cyclist who developed testicular cancer in 1996 and has since recovered and returned to competition. Growing evidence also suggests that an ultra-distance addict could be accelerating the aging process. Steffen contends that ultra-athletes need to become proponents of moderation: “Anything in the extreme is not good,” he says. “The body and its joints only have a certain lifetime. They’re using up too much too soon.” — Ken Parker is a long-time runner, coach and race organizer.

Photo by Allen Macartney

CAMPING

Keep your camera close to your heart this winter By Allen Macartney

INTER. Many people find it a frustrating season to take photographs. Often the glittering snow covering a fir tree turns out a dull, disappointing grey. What happened, you wonder, to the scene that made your heart race with excitement? In other photos, your human subjects appear as dark as shadows against a brilliant background. Occasionally, just after you press down on the shutter, the camera mirror flips up and your lens goes black. Your batteries are frozen. Dead. Winter puts extra stress on cameras, film and photographers. You might expect frozen batteries if the temperature plunges, and film can crack if you don’t handle it carefully on cold days. Here are some tips to make this season a great time to capture that perfect image. The first rule of winter photography has nothing to do with your camera. It involves planning to stay warm. Dress for the occasion. Don a heavy parka if it’s really cold, gloves or mitts, and a warm toque. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

No matter how good your equipment is, if you’re freezing inside, few of your photos will reflect the wonder and dynamic colours you’re trying to express on film. Dress in layers—always a basic rule for enjoying cold weather activities. Each layer will act as an insulating air pocket, trapping warmth and keeping you comfortable. (Read more about how to dress for winter in “Don’t Get Freeze Dried This Winter” on page 20.) • Avoid those middle-grey blues There’s nothing worse than getting your film back from the developer and seeing that all your cherished, postcard-perfect snow scenes look muddy grey. What happened? Your camera’s light meter exposes film for “middle grey”—a compromise that usually results in perfectly balanced colours. But problems creep in with bright winter snow scenes. Your camera chooses an exposure that will render the white as middle grey. Don’t panic. It is easy enough to compensate once you

• Frozen batteries and fogged lens The colder the day, the more likely you’ll experience camera difficulties. Batteries will freeze, lenses will fog, and in some cases, film will actually break in your camera. On cold days always carry your camera inside your jacket. Here, body heat will provide all the warmth it needs, even if you open and close the zipper to take it out for a shot. Bring your camera out only to compose and take a picture.

• Favourite winter photography spots Here’s a brief list of outstanding places around Ottawa to visit with your camera this winter. All offer a variety of scenes that will take your breath away: • Hog’s Back Falls • Rideau Canal ice skaters • Gatineau Park snowshoers and skiers • Islands around the Champlain Bridge (frost crystals cling to trees on very cold days) • Rideau Falls ice patterns

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• Special photographic treats Winter offers special photographic opportunities. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can provide a beautiful display, easily captured on film. You’ll need a tripod, a shutter release cable, and ASA 200 or 400 film. Set your wide angle lens to infinity at the widest aperture (f2.8 is good). If using ASA 200 film, expose the film for 40 seconds aiming your lens at the Northern Lights. Then bracket around this setting: shooting once for 20 seconds, another for 70 seconds, and another for 120 seconds. Frost patterns on car windows offer endless challenge and delight. You’ll need a macro lens, or at least an inexpensive, screw-on, close-up lens. What happens when you place the sun behind the frost pattern? Experiment with different angles. Try getting down on your hands and knees, and looking for the sun sparkling off ice crystals. Look for a fall leaf captured in the ice. Place the sun behind it, backlighting the shape, and take an exposure. Remember that the camera will try to render the image a middle-grey. Can you see any delicate rainbow colours in the snow? Avoid taking pictures in the middle of the day when the winter sun is directly overhead. It will produce stark, twodimensional photos that tend toward the blue end of the spectrum. Early morning (before 10 a.m.) and later in the afternoon (after 2:30 p.m.) provides the best lighting—a soft, warm, yellow light. Don’t pack your camera away just because it’s winter. Winter requires special attention to exposure, but some of the pictures you take will be unforgettable. —Allen Macartney’s photography has appeared in books, posters, magazines, catalogues and calendars.

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Photo by Allen Macartney

Cold temperatures will drain an already low battery very quickly. A camera’s battery might hold a full charge in warm (indoor) conditions, but outside at –20C degrees, it will fail at the least opportune time. Plan for batteries to fail; simply carry extra ones inside your jacket. When you reach the end of a roll of film, look for a warm place to rewind it (e.g. inside your jacket) and, if possible, do it slowly. Rewinding too quickly can break cold, brittle film. It can also cause lightning-like flashes to appear on prints from static electricity in the cold camera. When finished taking pictures for the day, don’t bring your camera into a warm room immediately. Your lens will fog, and cause a build-up of moisture in the mechanism. Leave it in your jacket pocket so it can warm up slowly.

• Backyard bird feeders • Experimental farm • Ottawa River fishing shacks. Rise early in the morning before sun-up, dress warmly, go to where you want to take pictures, and start walking towards the sun. Watch for mist rising off open water. As the sun’s rays hit the water vapour hanging in the air, the colour will turn a soft yellow— absolutely stunning.

Photo by National Capital Commission

know what’s going on. Just overexpose the film by one or two stops. On a bright winter day, overexpose your film by two stops. For example, if the light meter says the incredible scene in your viewfinder should be shot at 1/500 of a second and f/11, shoot your first shot at 1/125 and f/11. On a cloudy day, overexpose your snowy winter scenes by one stop. Even on a dark winter day, snow can reflect so much light that it will throw off the best light meter. Most experienced winter photographers bracket their shots in tricky lighting conditions, especially when they encounter really special subjects. Here’s how. Shoot your first picture at the exposure you think will produce white snow, then shoot the next frame underexposed by one stop and another one overexposed by one stop. Do people in your photographs appear as little more than silhouettes against a bright snow background? Once more, it’s a question of exposure. Your light meter is so dazzled by the snow around the snowshoer or skier, that it exposes the film for the glistening white. To compensate, overexpose the shot by one or two stops, and bracket. You could also use a flash to brighten people’s smiling faces.

ADVENTURETRAVEL

Cycle through Central Cuba Get away from the cold this winter and take a cycling tour of central cuba. The folks at Outland Adventures, are leading a cycling tour through a land where time seems to have slowed—and where a bright dream was born. From the memories of history to the reality of the present, the road you’ll be travelling will begin at Santa Clara, and then take you onward to Trinidad. The route is filled with mountains, green valleys and tropical sea coast. Here’s more info: Dates include: Jan 24-31 or Feb 7-14 www.OutlandAdventures.ca 1960 Scott Street, Ottawa 613-729-3034 trips@OutlandAdventures.ca

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FIND YOUR WAY WITH A

GPS By Allen Macartney

WO FRANTIC paddlers beached their canoe at my wilderness camping site in Algonquin Park. Distraught, they waved from waters’ edge and shouted, “Can you tell us where we are?” “Sure,” I said, putting down the frying pan and approaching the pebbly, little beach. “Where’s your map?” “We’ve got a GPS,” one of them said, proudly presenting it skyward. “Great,” I replied. “But where’s your map?” Since prehistoric times, travelers have been getting lost and seeking a reliable means to find their way. Cavemen used twigs and stones to mark their route to distant hunting grounds. Ancient mariners hugged the coastline to avoid getting lost and falling off the edge of the earth. Phoenician traders depended on the North Star to navigate around the Mediterranean Sea. Vikings used a magnetic, fish-shaped piece of metal to wend their way to the next Atlantic coastal village ripe for plunder. Today, global positioning systems (GPS) have removed much of the uncertainty of wilderness and urban travel. With the push of a button, a GPS can tell you exactly where you are almost anywhere on the face of the Earth—from the market in Ottawa to its counterpart in Patagonia, Argentina. Have you ever found a perfect fishing spot where the fish practically jumped into the canoe? With a GPS, you can hit a couple of buttons and lock in that exact location forever. My own GPS

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can save almost 1,000 locations, called “waypoints.” The saved data helps you to return to the exact spot whenever you wish. By following the GPS compass heading, you can determine the distance from your destination, your current speed, and how long it will take you to get there at that speed. How does it work? A constellation of 24 satellites (21 active with three operating spares) circles the Earth in synchronized orbits at an altitude of about 17,000 kilometres. Travelling at 11,000 kilometres an hour, and equipped with precisely calibrated clocks, the satellites transmit the exact time and position at the speed of light. On the ground, a GPS receives the satellite signals, measures the time it took for the signals to reach it, and calculates its position using triangulation. At any one time, up to six satellites are “visible” in the sky to your GPS. It must be able to lock onto at least three satellites to calculate a position accurately. The more satellites the GPS can contact, the more precise the calculation. My own GPS, a Magellan SporTrak Colour, provides accuracies to three metres almost anywhere on Earth. Less expensive models can usually provide accuracy between 10 and 100 metres. GPS is widely used by soldiers, mariners, aircraft pilots, backpackers, canoeists, surveyors and others. Small wonder that French and English digging crews starting on opposite sides of the English Channel were able to meet in exactly the right place when they built the Chunnel. GPS is a boon to mapping

and surveying companies whose reputations depend on pinpoint accuracy. Wildlife biologists have fixed GPS systems with micro-transmitters to track threatened species, like the Mojave Desert tortoise. GPS-equipped balloons are monitoring holes in the ozone layer in Antarctica, while marine buoys track major oil spills by transmitting GPS data. Should we rely solely on technology to keep us informed? Just like our bewildered friends on the beach in Algonquin Park, having a GPS doesn’t mean your old compass and map should languish in the closet. GPS has not made maps obsolete. On the contrary, maps will enhance GPS capability and should not be considered mutually exclusive. Paper maps provide the “big picture” for planning your route around pesky obstacles and leading you to those beautiful “must-see” locations. Consider the time my son and I were planning a weekend cycling trip over a rough trail we’d never seen. Our maps identified a two-kilometre section early in the trip as difficult for cycling. We had some questions: How bad is the trail? Is the distance accurate? Will we have to carry our bikes and camping gear? The GPS helped clarify the situation and proved the map wrong. The rough section was actually 1,157 metres long and very “do-able.” Our high-tech gadget gave us an edge by removing doubt and boosting our confidence.

Lost and found

The main reason people buy GPS units is to help them navigate easily from point to point. GPS units with midrange to advanced capabilities contain pre-loaded city and topographical maps. Some don’t provide many details and are limited to showing major roads, railways, rivers, lakes and airports. More expensive models like my Magellan have detailed maps that even show contour lines—great for snowshoeing, backpacking, rockclimbing and cycling trips. They have 8, 16 or 32 megabytes of RAM memory to accommodate downloading detailed maps from the Internet. Some bare-bones, inexpensive GPS units don’t have built-in maps. They provide little more than your coordinates, so www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

you need to cross-reference the readings with a map to find your exact location. Those intrepid (but under-equipped) paddlers I met in Algonquin had this type of GPS. Most low-end models also show other details, including your speed, direction of travel, and distance to various locations (e.g. your home, car, or cottage). As you walk, paddle, cycle, drive or ski, all GPS models automatically record your journey on a visual track log that looks like an electronic trail of bread crumbs. This dotted line trail appears on your GPS screen by recording every twist and turn you take. GPS tracks overhead satellites constantly, so if you become disoriented, you can retrace your route along the bread crumbs to your campsite or car. Just remember to record your starting point before you leave. If you saved the position of your campsite or car as a waypoint, you can ask your GPS to calculate a more direct return path via its “Go to” function. Can you use a GPS anywhere? Yes, but you might encounter problems in a cave or underground parking garage where satellite signals might have penetration problems. As well, expect less accurate readings if you’re hiking under dense tree cover because satellite signals can be scattered by the leaves. Urban travelers sometimes experience difficulties from satellite signals bouncing around off skyscrapers, too.

rate 48-hour weather forecast. All this and it weighs about as much as a large tube of toothpaste. Incredible! Soon after purchasing at least a mid-range model GPS, many people enjoy the challenge of advanced wilderness navigation and geocaching games (see the sidebar story). Advanced GPS models allow for future growth as you get more comfortable with navigation.

They permit optional map downloads, and the more expensive the GPS, the more detail its built-in maps tend to provide. Before heading out on the trail with a GPS, get to know your model. Don’t take it out of the box and head straight for outback, like my hapless campsite visitors. Your adventure may turn out to be much more exciting than you planned!

Dollars and sense

Most people buying a GPS settle for an entry-level model that costs between about $160 and $200. These are great as long as you’re just looking for basic features that do not provide an electronic map. Spending an extra several hundred dollars buys a model chocked full of advanced features that could ultimately prove worth the extra investment. My Magellan GPS is an upscale model with a back-lit colour display that makes reading pre-loaded topographical maps simple. The colour screen highlights the location of everything from large bodies of water to mountain peaks to contour lines. My GPS even has a special weather feature that measures barometric pressure and other details to provide a fairly accuwww.OttawaOutdoors.ca

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Low-tech methods for getting home again By Chantal Macartney and Illustrations by William Jessup

Excellent GPS information web sites http://www.gpsnuts.com/mygps/ gps/tutorials/maps/maps.htm A basic course on GPS usage. www.garmin.com Surf to Garmin’s downloadable handbook entitled, An Introduction to Using a GPS. The document provides outstanding information about map, compass and GPS usage. http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/ manual/mapcompass.shtml Princeton University’s outstanding map reading course.

Geocaching 101

 Global positioning systems have inspired a new high-tech, treasurehunting sport called “geocaching”— pronounced GEE-OH-CASHING. The hybrid word geocaching was coined from combining “geography” and “cache”—it means making stuff hard to find.  This high-tech, adventure treasure hunt involves locating a cache using your GPS unit. Most caches are positioned so casual observers can’t find them accidentally. A cache may consist of only a logbook for visitors to sign. More elaborate caches contain valuable or entertaining information, often in the form of DVDs, maps, tools and games. Visitors are encouraged to take what they like, but to leave something else of equal value.  What’s the most unusual object found in a cache? In 2001, an enterprising suitor used a geocache to propose marriage—hope the bride-tobe was technology-inclined!

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YOU’VE BEEN OUT on the trail for a full week and your GPS batteries died two days ago. You’re lost, the food pack is alarmingly light, and the fun is draining from this trip faster than the colour from your cheeks. How do to find your way home? It’s time to get back to basics. Here are some simple direction-finding ideas:

Use the sun as a compass You’ve seen sun dials before: a circular platform with a rod protruding from the centre that helps you tell time. An improvised sundial can help you determine direction, too. 1. On a sunny day with little or no cloud, push a straight stick into flat ground. Mark the tip of the stick’s shadow with a stone. 2. After 10 minutes, place another stone at the tip of the new shadow. 3. Next, scratch a line in the ground between the two stones. This line will indicate an eastwest axis. How can you can tell which way is east? The stone that was placed at the point of the first shadow will be pointing eastward.

Find Polaris the North Star At night, you can easily find the North Star by first locating the star constellation known as the Big Dipper. When you see it, imagine a line joining the two outer stars of the dipper and follow it out until you see the really bright star. This is Polaris—the North Star (see diagram). By walking towards it, you are walking north.

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it only provides a rough southerly direction—generally accurate to within 30 degrees. Start by drawing an imaginary line connecting both of the moon’s points (see diagram). Continue the connecting line down to the horizon. Where the line meets the horizon is approximately south .

Orion’s Belt buckle

Find south by following the moon Finding your direction at night under a half moon is quite easy when you know what to look for. This direction-finding method won’t work with a full or new moon. As well,

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The three-star section of the Orion constellation is one of the best-known star formations in the winter night sky. Orion is plainly visible during the late fall, winter and early spring. By using Orion’s Belt, you can easily find the north-south axis. Begin by finding Orion’s Belt. Orion comes up in the east, and sets in the west. A straight line drawn downwards through the centre star in Orion’s belt, and

staying parallel to Orion’s side, generally points south (see diagram). Conversely, a straight line drawn upwards through Orion’s belt to the opposite horizon points roughly north. —Chantal Macartney, a regular contributor to Ottawa Outdoors, is always willing to tell others where to go.

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Don’t get this winter Take our c-c-cold weather survival quiz By Dave Western COLD WEATHER COMMON SENSE. Not everyone has it, yet minor frostbite or first-aid problems can quickly escalate into major emergencies (including hypothermia) for those who venture outside unprepared. With a little foresight, almost anyone can enjoy winter camping, backpacking or strenuous outdoor activity worry-free. Take this Ottawa Outdoors winter safety quiz, then prepare to experience all of the benefits a Canadian winter has to offer. (Answers appear at the end of the quiz.)

Part A: Find the best answer 1. It’s bedtime at camp and you’re already feeling chilled. What should you do to increase the chances of a comfortable sleep? a) Change out of the clothes you wore all day and put on some other ones b) Have a warm drink (not caffeine), and eat a fatty snack c) Go for a hike to get your heart pumping d) All of the above. 2. The greatest danger(s) most people face during outdoor winter activities would be: a) Getting lost b) Breaking a leg while skiing c) Hypothermia and frostbite

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d) Hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration and snow blindness. 3. Hypothermia occurs: a) When your skin gets really cold b) When your body overheats c) When part of your body freezes d) When your core body temperature drops below its normal temperature. 4. Frostbite occurs: a) When your skin gets really cold b) When you lose feeling in skin c) When part of your body freezes d) When you start shivering from the cold. 5. Snow blindness occurs: a) When the sun is so bright that you cannot see the snow b) When the day is so dark and gloomy that you cannot see the snow c) When blowing winds create a whiteout condition d) When you lose your vision for a while due to reflection off the snow. 6. During a family camping trip, which member would be least likely to get hypothermia? a) A young baby b) A teenager c) A mother in her 30s d) An elderly grandfather. 7. One material that retains a limited amount of insulating ability, even when wet, is: a) Wool b) Down c) Polypropylene d) Cotton.

Part B: True or False? 1. Proper clothing and equipment are the keys to a safe and enjoyable winter camp. T__ F__ 2. You should dress in pretty much the same way for all outdoor winter activities. T__ F__ 3. A hat is sometimes more important for winter activities than are gloves. T__ F__ 4. You can dehydrate faster in winter than in summer. T__ F__ 5. On a bitter winter day, if you’re cold and thirsty, it’s dangerous to eat snow. T__ F__ 6. If you build a snow wall around your tent, you’ll be warmer. T__ F__

Part A: Answers 1. D. Before bed, make sure you change into fresh dry clothes. The clothes you wore all day have sweat in them, even though you can’t feel it. That sweat will cool and make you cold. A hot drink will warm you up from the insides, but avoid caffeine; coffee and tea may actually make you colder. A brisk walk is another effective way to stoke up your internal furnace just before bed. 2. D. Winter’s most common dangers include hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration and snow blindness. 3. D. Hypothermia occurs when your core temperature begins to drop. If left untreated, the condition can quickly lead

Photo by Allen Macartney

to coma and death. If you’re properly dressed in layers and well equipped, the chances of falling victim to hypothermia are greatly reduced. 4. C. Frostbite occurs when part of your body freezes. Usually, frostbite affects your ears, nose, fingers and toes. In severe cases your hands, feet, legs and arms might freeze. Warm, dry clothing, mitts, scarves and toques will help you avoid this dangerous condition. If you get frostbite, the affected area will appear white. Warm the area with a hand until a healthy blush returns to the skin, then keep it covered. 5. D. Snow blindness occurs from the reflected glare of the sun on snow. It can occur on bright or dull, overcast days. Symptoms range from swollen and itchy eyes to a total (but usually temporary) loss of sight. Wear good sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes even on dull winter days. When buying sunglasses, look for ones that block both kinds of UV rays. And don’t forget to put sun block on your face. A sunburn is a sunburn, even if you got it at -20 degrees C. 6. C. Women usually have a layer of insulating fat to protect them from the cold. Mature adults are less likely to get hypothermia than either a teenager, baby or senior. The risk of hypothermia increases as a person becomes cold, wet and exhausted. 7. A. Wool retains a little of its insulating value when wet. Cotton is the worst material to wear. Cotton absorbs water and holds on to it, thus permitting it to freeze later on. For warmth, layer your clothes. Wear polypropylene against your skin to wick moisture away from your body.

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(Wicking occurs when moisture moves from the inside of a fabric to the outside.) A bulky layer of wool or fleece should go over the polypropylene, followed by a wind-proof shell. When it’s wet, waterfowl down just mats and loses all of its insulating value.

Part B: True or False? 1. True. Proper clothing and a warm sleeping bag are not luxuries in winter, they’re necessities. Although you might be able to put two good summer sleeping bags inside the other to provide warmth, do this only for relatively mild winter nights—never if you are far from help— and only if circumstances force it. 2. False. Your winter clothing needs will vary according to the type of activity you undertake and the amount of energy being expended. The clothing needed to keep someone safe and warm on a snowmobile at -40C degrees is considerably different from that required by a crosscountry skier in hilly terrain at the same temperature. 3. True. Although it’s best to have all the proper clothing to keep you warm, a hat is essential to prevent heat loss. Seventy percent of the heat lost by your body escapes through your head. A toque or warm hat is vital for warmth in winter. Use your toque as an effective thermostat to regulate your body heat. If you’re getting too warm skiing through the Gatineau, take your toque off. If you start getting cold, put it back on. Why not carry two toques? A heavy woolen toque is great at the end of a long day on the trail, but may be too warm while you’re out on the trail burning hundreds of calories an hour. A lighter nylon toque will prove useful when it’s too cold to leave your head uncovered, but too warm to wear a wool toque. 4. True. Winter air is dry air. That’s why your lips crack in winter. Your body moisture may evaporate so quickly in winter that you might not even know you’re sweating. That’s why it’s particularly important to drink half a litre of fluid every hour during strenuous outdoor activities. Here’s a quick test that will warn you

Basic hypothermia prevention The best way to avoid hypothermia is to understand what causes it. 1. Drink plenty of fluids: A dehydrated skier or camper has a slower metabolic rate, so the body produces less heat. 2. Eat lots of nutritious food: Good food is the fuel your body’s furnace burns to produce heat. Keep your blood sugar levels topped up. 3. Stay dry: If you’re damp, your body is fighting a losing battle against the cold. Avoid sweating. As you become warm from exercise, open your jacket or remove a layer of clothing to keep your body comfortable. Carry extra dry clothing (e.g. socks, fleece, toque) in a daypack. about moderate dehydration. How dark is the yellow colour of your urine? The darker the yellow, the more important it is to get additional fluid into your body. 5. True. Eating snow not only dehydrates you, it makes you colder. A cold, thirsty person who eats snow risks getting hypothermia in some cases. Before you can drink, your body must turn a solid (snow) into a liquid (water). This takes heat that normally would be keeping you warm. Eating snow to quench your thirst robs heat from your body and can quickly lower your core temperature—very dangerous. 6. True. If you build a snow wall around your tent in winter it will protect you from wind. Some winter campers take this one step further and actually build a lean-to shelter right over their tent, and close to the sides. The result: the snow will act like an insulating blanket around your tent. Winter — just waiting to be enjoyed. Winter doesn’t have to limit your enjoyment of the outdoors. All it takes is a bit of cold weather common sense. Winter… I love it!

—Dave Western is an avid outdoorsman who spends much of his free time on the trails enjoying winter.

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Tips for cleaning and storing camping gear By Tim Allard

MUSTY, MILDEW-RIDDLED sleeping bags, clogged stoves, and rusty tools—these are just some examples of what can happen to outdoor gear when it’s improperly stored. First off, if you like winter camping then you’ll have your gear out all season long and you won’t have to store it. If you don’t get out to winter camp read on. It is important to clean and dry your equipment before storage as moisture and dirt encourage mildew growth. Mildew will weaken your gear’s material and reduce its ability to repel water. Checking your gear when not involved in outdoors activities also gives you the opportunity to spot any needed off-season repairs. Let’s look at some basic pieces of gear and the cleaning procedures, maintenance tips and storage options:

Tents Tents are exposed to a variety of elements that weaken and dirty their materials, but frequent cleaning will help prolong your tent’s life. To clean a tent, turn it inside out and shake out any dirt from the interior before washing. Most nylon tents can be washed using mild soap and a sponge, and rinsed with clean water. Do not use a brush as it can damage the nylon and waterproof coating. Also, clean zippers and poles. Debris trapped in zipper teeth or pole joints can prevent parts from connecting properly. To wash, dip open zippers and pole joints in a bucket of clean water and remove visible dirt with a soft, bristle brush. After cleaning, 22

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apply a small amount silicone lubricant at pole joints to ensure an easy fit. Once clean, allow your tent and poles (including shock cords) to completely dry. Inspect the seams and connections of the floor, walls and canopy of the tent, making necessary repairs before storage. Tents can be kept in their original, or a slightly larger, stuff sack.

Sleeping bags Air out your sleeping bag, making sure it is dry before storage. Depending on the frequency of use, your bag may not require cleaning before storage. If it needs washing, however, obtain the manufacturer’s instructions since cleaning procedures vary depending on the bag’s materials. Try using a cotton or silk bag liner to Hang your sleeping bag for reduce the required long-term storage to ensure the materials retain their loft washes to keep the and insulating ability. bag interior clean. Liners are also easier to wash than bags. Store the bag in a large breathable sack or hang it from a hook. Do not

fold it over a coat hanger as the fill will become thin along the hanger’s arm, creating a cold spot in the bag where heat will escape. Bags should not be kept in their original stuff sacks as the tight packing will reduce the fill’s loft, limiting its insulating capacity.

Fuel stoves

Drain fuel from stoves before storing. Leaving fuel in the tank causes lacquer to build up on parts like the fuel tube, restricting fuel flow. Keep fuel in its original container, or in a specialized A small funnel comes in handy when draining fuel from a stove before storage. fuel bottle. Draining the fluid will reduce lacquer build-up Use dishon the stove’s internal parts. washing soap or a degreasing cleaner made with orange oils and a rag to remove dirt from the stove’s exterior. If required, dissemble the burner using steel wool to remove dirt from the rings and manifold. Note that burners must be reassembled in the proper order, usually alternating between waffled and flat rings, to operate properly. After cleaning the stove, rinse it with clean water and turn upside down to dry before storage. To ensure smooth operation, apply a few drops of light machine oil to the pump cup, on the tank’s pump plunger mechanism. Keep your stove in a sealed plastic bag to prevent spiders or insects from crawling into the unit and blocking air flow.

Boots At the end of the season, clean and waterproof your hiking boots. Remove the laces and

Cleaning boots will remove dirt and sand that can damage, scratch and weaken leather.

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Photo by National Capital Commission

insoles before cleaning. Next, lightly Knives and tools brush off any loose dirt before wetting. To remove stubborn dirt or stains, Pocket knives and multipurpose tools use warm water with a soft brush and are a necessity in the outdoors and should soap for cleaning your bootsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; material. be in top condition. Remove rocks from the boot tread with a Most tool components are made of sturdy object, like a flathead screwdriver, stainless steel which, if not properly and soak mud caked soles in an inch of cared for, will corrode and eventually water to loosen dirt. To finrust. To clean, remove ish cleaning, scrub laces in a loose parts, like mild soap solution and wipe tweezers, open the the inside of your boots with components and soak a damp cloth to remove salt in warm, soapy water from perspiration. for a few minutes. Use The process for watera brush to remove any proofing your boots will An old toothbrush is an excellent tool to sand or dirt trapped in vary depending on their mateclean pocket knives and multi-tools. the unit. Thoroughly rial. For example, waxed-based dry the unit after products usually require your boots to cleaning and apply light machine oil to be dry, while most sprays or liquids the joints and wipe the excess off with a recommend the boots be damp. Contact rag. Another option is spraying the tool your manufacturer or place of purchase with WD-40 and allowing it to dry. This for specific information on waterproofwill drive out any moisture from the ing products for your footwear. Finally, joints as well as protect the steel. Finally, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to sharpen your blades after waterproofing, allow boots to dry at room temperature; placing them near before storing your unit. Cleaning and maintaining your gear direct heat will damage leather and is a wise investment of your time. Proper weaken glue. Boots can be stored with care and storage will ensure your gear is your camping gear, or in a closet. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

ready for the upcoming season and functioning properly. To reduce the chance of mildew, store gear in breathable containers in a cool, dry place. Take some time for annual maintenance and your gear will be in top shape once the warm weather arrives.

Water filters Clean water filters during the season to remove debris, which can reduce water flow and filtration speed. Prepare your filter for storage after each use by disassembling the unit, rinsing the filter components and allowing them to air dry. When storing water filters, leave hoses and accessories unattached to prevent seals from weakening. Depending on the type of system you own, and frequency of use, you may be able to store and reuse your water filter cartridge next season, or you may need to purchase a new one. See your product manual or dealer for specific information on cleaning your cartridge and model.

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Water bottles and hydration packs Clean water bottles and hydration packs with a cloth, and allow them to soak in warm, soapy water. Solutions of water and baking soda, or a cup of water and one tablespoon of liquid bleach, are good for removing stains and odors. Another washing method is to fill two-thirds of the container, cap it, shake it and let it sit until the water cools. Use caution when opening, as pressure is formed from the shaking process. Many water bottles are dishwasher safe but do not place them near the unit’s heating element. Once washed, remove caps to allow units to dry and keep caps off during storage to reduce stale odors. Additional gear and tips for storage and maintenance:

SURVIVAL KIDS

• Self-inflating mattress pads should be stored flat with the valve open. Longterm storage in a stuff sack will limit the pad’s ability to inflate. • Ensure you remove batteries from any electronics (such as GPS units, 2-way

Don’t forget to remove the batteries from any electronics you may use when camping. Batteries can leak acid when stored for long periods and cause damage to your equipment.

Apply lubricants to knives and multitools and leather protection to your boots after washing—beware that cleaning products often remove lubricants.

radios, or flashlights) to prevent battery acid leakage which can ruin your equipment. • Inspect your gear for any loose screws or bolts that need to be tightened. • Don’t forget to clean and store your cookware. Aluminum pots can also be touched up by applying a few drops of vegetable oil to a paper towel and wiping the container’s interior.

Disassemble your stove over a drop-sheet to keep all the pieces together. Choosing a contrasting color will allow you to spot small items, such as screws and springs.

Inspect your gear and make a list Take the opportunity when cleaning your gear to inspect other equipment and stock up on supplies during the off-season. Check rope and straps to ensure they are fit for another season’s use. Also, do an inventory of your first aid kit and spare parts, such as flashlight bulbs, and make a list for the upcoming season to replenish supplies.

Make your own rules for shinny by Angie and Ryan Brown (aged 13 and 11)

ockey Night in Canada was extra special November 22/03. In front of over 56,000 fans in –20C weather, the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadians faced off on an outdoor rink placed in the middle of Commonwealth Stadium. We watched the game with our cousins between games of mini-stick on the floor. We had little choice but to listen to our dad and uncle talk about the “glory years” of Guy Lafleur and the Montreal Canadians and Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers. They said the game in Edmonton was like a big game of shinny — and that’s where we got confused! Everyone

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knows you don’t keep score in shinny. With outdoor rink season coming soon, we thought we would share some of the shinny rules we play by on our outdoor rink: • Make your own rules! • Best way to pick teams is to throw your stick in a pile at centre ice and have one player throw sticks down to each end — with his/her eyes closed. • Shinny is only played for fun • Be your own hero — there can be more than one Hossa or Redden on the ice at once! • No fighting. • If you want to play, you have to shovel. • No ‘chicken shots’—shots most be

from in the crease area. • Everyone is welcome — from beginners out on skates for the first time, to Dads trying to relive the “glory days”! • No laughing at Dads — well, don’t get caught! • No slap shots. No raises. • Pass to the beginners and little kids, but make them work for their goals. • The game never stops, you just take a break when you want to. • The game does stop when all the pucks have disappeared in the snow banks. Everyone looks for them. • Mother Nature owns the rink.

CAMPING

TIPS

By Chantal Macartney

hat is the longest night of your life? That’s easy—it’s the one you spend in a wet sleeping bag.

Outdoor winter activity shouldn’t become a grim battle with nature. Ignorance is not bliss! Enjoying the outdoors goes hand in glove with planning for maximum comfort and safety. Let’s consider some tips that will make your outdoor adventures a more pleasurable experience.

PACK THE RIGHT WINTER CLOTHING

Photo by National Capital Commission

Are you planning a camping trip this winter, but don’t know what to pack to keep warm? Cotton is one material to avoid. Whether it’s rain or sweat, cotton will lose all insulation value if it gets wet. Try wool or synthetic materials like polypropylene, instead. These will retain some insulation value even when wet, so they’re much more suitable for cold weather. Covering your head is vital in winter if you want to stay warm. Over half of your body heat is lost through your head, so it is essential to keep it covered if you are cold. A toque or balaclava in cold weather can make the difference between having a good day or a bad day outdoors.

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AVOID HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia can kill people even in summer if they get wet and their core body temperature drops too far. In winter, the threat of hypothermia should be constantly in the back of your mind. During outdoor activity, it’s important to drink lots of fluids. When you’re dehydrated, your body produces less heat. Drinking lots of fluids will actually pump up your metabolic rate, stoke your internal furnace and reduce your chances of getting hypothermia. Eating lots of wholesome, healthy food will also help keep hypothermia at bay. Healthy food provides your body with energy to generate heat and it keeps your blood sugar levels high. A healthy snack just before getting into your sleeping bag at night will help keep you warm. It’s true that “warmth is dry,” so stay dry. When exercising, avoid getting overheated. If you start to sweat, open your jacket for a short time to dry off, but not too long or you could lose too much valuable heat. Remember to bring an extra change of clothing in a day pack, in case you get sweaty. Wetness from rain or sweat will add to your discomfort because your body cools faster than when it’s dry.

SNUG AS AN ARCTIC HUSKY

When camping during any season, always put a thick insulation mat underneath your sleeping bag to avoid heat loss through the bottom. A sleeping bag liner adds insulation to your sleeping bag and it’s easy to sew at home from a flannel sheet. It won’t provide much insultation, but it will trap another layer of warm air to help induce a comfortable sleep. The liner will also keep your bag cleaner during camping trips.

On a cold winter night, before sliding into your sleeping bag, go for a walk. Don’t work up a sweat; just get enough exercise to get your blood moving. Once more, it’s like stoking up your internal furnace so it keeps you warm throughout the night. Because so much body heat is lost through your head, wear a toque to bed. On cold nights, you might even want to wear a scarf and gloves or mitts. Sometimes, I even slip a hot water bottle into my sleeping bag 10 minutes before bedtime. Ahhh! Sheer pleasure. Don’t wear too many layers of clothes in your sleeping bag. They could prevent your body heat from warming up the bag itself. If you wear a light layer of clothing to bed you’ll be chilly for a few minutes, but you should be more comfortable in the long run.

WISE WINTER WEATHER WATER TIPS

When out on a skiing or snowshoeing adventure, do you find that the water in your bottle freezes too quickly? Here’s a tip… water mixed with lemonade, Gatorade, or Kool-aid freezes at a lower temperature than just plain water. As well, the sugar in these drinks give added calories that your body needs for highenergy winter activities. Leave your water filter at home during winter camping trips. If you don’t, when you finish pumping water, the moisture still left in the filter may freeze and split the inner systems and ruin the filter. Chemical treatment of water isn’t ideal when winter camping either, because the chemicals take much longer to kill bacteria in cold weather. Boiling for 10 minutes is often the best method for water purification. And there’s a payoff— you just have to add hot chocolate to have a nutritious and comforting drink.

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K-9 SCENTS

Woman’s best friend By Cathy Brown and Wanda Purton

t’s Friday evening and “the girls” are paying homage to a crackling fire in the corner. With the ethereal voice of soulsister, Ottawa’s Lynn Miles, wafting from the stereo, copious amounts of wine and a proportionate plate of cheese, the conversation turns philosophical. In these busy times when life seems to revolve around e-mails, voicemails, and sadly, too many nights with no males, we reflected on what we were “looking for” in our partners. The qualities we blurted out were in synch with our gender’s emotional intelligence. We knew exactly what we wanted: a kind heart, laughing eyes, loyalty, an ability to laugh at oneself, bravery, an appreciation for nature, a need to howl at a full moon, and finally, someone who will love us unconditionally. I glanced around the room and noted that we had chosen to sit and lie on the floor to be nearer to our dogs. Stretched out next to us, our pups were snoozing after the long hike we took earlier. Suddenly the answer to, “What’s with you dog people?” came crashing home. Obviously our dogs fulfilled many of the attributes we had been looking for in men. . . save one very important one :). We did note there was no mention of “abs of steel,” or a full head of hair, or Dash Riprock good looks. We at K-9 Common Scents have always believed in Karma. We know the sense of contentment that our dogs give us, how lonely evenings are magically transformed when they make us laugh, and the happiness of simply snuggling on the couch. We want everyone to know about the peace and joy a dog can bring to an empty house.

K-9 Common Scents exists to remind people about the friendly companionship that comes with owning a dog. Concerned that you don’t have time for a puppy? Or, that you can’t afford to invest $800 on a poster dog? Or, maybe you visited the Humane Society and saw only three dogs up for adoption and none of them suit your lifestyle? If these are roadblocks, get a more mature dog. You can forego the puppy training—and the cocker spaniel mix you thought you had adopted won’t evolve into a hulking shepherd cross that makes your townhouse feel like a bachelor apartment. Consider a rescue dog. If you are honest with the shelter people, they will find a suitable match for you. There are dogs out there that have basic obedience training, and through no fault of their own, were abandoned by people for a host of reasons. We have worked with some extraordinary dogs, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing a dog succeed that has been rescued from a shelter. These rescued dogs often approach their new owners with trepidation—ears down and tails tucked. They quickly become happy, healthy dogs that could teach us all a lesson on how to forgive. So, if a puppy is out of the question, but you would like a dog to hike, ski, or just hang out with by the fire this winter, why not look for a dog waiting to be rescued? Of course, you just might find that your new friend rescues you right back! —Cathy Brown and Wanda Purton are professional dog trainers, and the owners of K-9 Common Scents.

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Following are just some of the reputable local organizations that you can check out:

B.A.R.K.—Bytown Association for Rescued Kanines Contact: Sharon Mckeil (613) 738 -0119 B.A.R.K. was formed in September 2001 and is a Registered Charity dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused or abandoned dogs.   F.O.A.P.—Friends of Abandoned Pets (613) 729-9820 A non-profit organization with volunteers dedicated to caring for and placing abandoned and homeless dogs and cats.   Trinity Of Hope Rescue (613) 725-9218 Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue is a small group of like-minded dog people whose goal is to help one dog at a time. They launched their efforts in March 1998 when they were able to help Hope, an exceptional, young Rottweiler. Their goal is to rehabilitate dogs with sound temperament who haven’t received training or proper socialization so that they can evolve from unwanted dogs to wanted companions. The Ottawa Humane Society 101 Champagne Avenue South Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1S 4P3 Tel: (613) 725-3166 Fax: (613) 725-5674 Email: ohs@ottawahumane.ca Visit the K-9 Common Scents web site at www.findem.com and share any activities or locations that you enjoy with your canine companion. We also welcome any dog stories or reflections you may wish to share with Ottawa Outdoors Magazine readers.

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WINTER TRIATHLON

THE 2004 WINTERLUDE TRIATHLON

By Rick Hellard “Skaters. Take your mark. GO!” Imagine 500 blades flashing, clacking and gliding along Dows Lake and funnelling into the Rideau Canal. At 35 kilometres per hour. A bit intimidating perhaps, but really cool to see. The lead pack forms quickly with one skater hammering up front and the rest falling in behind for the tow. The wicked pace separates those who possess turbo-diesel engines for hearts and lungs. Slowly, the lead group is whittled down to 20 by the end of the skate. Blowing vast plumes of hot vapour into dry air, participants rush to metamorphose from speed skater to cross-country skier. They change footwear in a flash and push off hard into the stiff wind on the challenging ski course. Arms, legs, poles and skis flail in controlled chaos as the best skiers put distance between themselves and the pack. Before long, the triathlon course is festooned with great skiers whose skating is not their www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

strong point—great skaters whose skiing leaves something to be desired, and all who lie in between. It is exhausting, humbling and great fun. Before the last skaters are even off the ice, the front skiers are already in transition for the final event—running. Burning, uncooperative thighs and calves propel the skiers-nowturned-runners as the blood changes course toward the running muscles. By now the frontrunner’s lungs are searing in the winter air. The running portion is the final test to sort out who wants victory most. It’s often the great equalizer—either you can run faster than the people around you, or you can’t. All that fancy equipment and agonizing over the proper waxing technique is in the rear-view mirror. Unlike the first two events, people tend not to fall when they run. They don’t get tangled up with other runners. This is the final push to the finish, so everyone fights to either catch and pass, or not get caught and passed. Once across the finish line, everyone catches their breath

and laughs about everything that happened during yet another Winterlude Triathlon. Meanwhile, skiers continue to finish up their stint on the “misery sticks” and head out on the running portion of the course to finish their race. Many of them are thinking, dollars to minutes, they’re getting better value than those who are already finished—and they have a point! This staple event of the National Capital Commission’s Winterlude consists of an 8-km skate along the Rideau Canal, a 7-km cross-country ski through the Dominion Arboretum and a 5-km run along a new-in-2004 running course—the snow-packed side of the Rideau Canal. As Race Director and a long-time participant, I offer a few suggestions to prepare for this great winter activity. First and foremost, don’t be intimidated by the distances or the speeds. This event is suited to everyone from the fast and furious to the “weekend warrior.” Secondly, treat it as a goal that will help you maintain or improve

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Photo by Zone3sports

athletic shoe retailers. Trying to tie your shoes with cold hands in a hurry doesn’t work very well. 3. Expect your legs to feel “off-full” after the ski—they’ve gone from smooth gliding in the skate and ski events to thumping the frozen ground. Use the first two minutes or so to get your “running legs,” then pick up the pace as you feel better. The 2004 Winterlude Triathlon— sponsord by Bushtukah Great Outdoor Gear—is scheduled for Saturday, February 7. For more information, please visit www.Zone3sports.com or drop by local retailers for an entry form. —Rick Hellard has been competing in running, cycling, triathlon and cross-country ski races for more than 21 years. The owner of Zone3sports: Multi-Sport Training Programs, he is also a snowshoe racer, undefeated in three years. Hmmm, is that a challenge Rick? :)

RACE DAY 1. Arrive early so you can get ready in a relaxed setting. 2. Dress for the weather, bearing in mind you will be working hard during the race. 3. Wear warm clothes before and dry, warm clothing afterwards. Change quickly after the race to avoid getting chilled. 4. Make sure to warm up on the ski course, then the skate. Warming up on skis will let you know if you nailed the wax of the day or not. It will also give you a chance to preview the ski course so you know where you’re going. Warming up on the skate last allows you to head straight for the starting line without changing footwear. 5. Have fun. This race is a blast and opens the door for levity and good health. THE SKATE 1. Don’t learn to skate a week before the race. 2. To better enjoy the experience, you should be comfortable skating 15 kilometres. This will ensure you have enough of an energy reserve for the rest of the race. 3. You don’t need clip-on blades, but

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they do help a great deal for speed, comfort and ease of transition. They are available from most local cross-country ski retailers. 4. Skating hunched over for 10 to 20 minutes can be tough on the lower back; do some abdominal and lower back exercises to prepare. 5. On race day, treat the skate like a bike race—be prepared for a very fast start. The first couple of minutes are ballistic, but it will settle down to just plain fast. THE SKI 1. Don’t learn to ski a week before the race. 2. You can use either the skate or diagonal stride technique. Skate skiing is generally faster and recommended. 3. You should be comfortable skiing 15 kilometres. Again, this will ensure you have enough energy to ski well after the skate with energy to spare for the run. 4. Practice skiing in tight conditions with lots of twists and turns on crowded (but friendly) trails. 5. Use the first couple of minutes to establish your “ski legs” and balance, then pick it up. THE RUN 1. Make sure you can run a minimum of eight kilometres fairly comfortably to ensure you have enough left in the tank for the run portion. 2. Use lace locks and/or elastic laces in your running shoes—available from most

a winter rush?

Dogsledding in Wakefield of course IF YOU’RE LOOKING for a new experience in the great outdoors of this Ottawa region, then you’ve got to get out and give dog-sledding a go.

“This was the most fun day of my life.” The quotation above was just one of a bunch of testimonials we found on their website. Our own staff writer went last winter and she hasn’t come down yet. Give James a call and he’ll tell you all you need to know. Have fun! Here’s their contact info: Expéditions Radisson www.ExpeditionsRadisson.ca Toll Free 1-888-459-3860

Photo by ©Robert Faubert www.holeriders.com

your fitness over the winter. If you do, it’ll help motivate you to get outdoors on those not-so-beautiful days between now and February. If you plan to participate in the 2004 Winterlude Triathlon, here are a few simple guidelines and mid-term goals that may prove helpful.

HEALTH

exer xercise cise mythhs: myt Changing your mind about changing your body By Dr. Geoff Outerbridge, M.Sc., D.C.

UTDOOR enthusiasts living in Ottawa are twice blessed— they’re doing something they love and they enjoy the health benefits that flow from physical activity. Many people don’t understand, however, the complex relationship between exercise and their body. A surprisingly large percentage of outdoor enthusiasts still compromise their fitness by clinging to health myths. We’ve all heard these common complaints: “I work on my abs all the time and I still have this gut,” or “I’m too old to start exercising,” or “Playing tennis hurt my shoulder, so I packed it in.” Not only do such myths make it difficult to maximize the health benefits of your favourite activities, they prevent people from engaging in the activities they love. By understanding a few key concepts about how exercise affects your body, you can avoid these common misconceptions. Here’s the basic concept to dispel most exercise myths: When your body is exposed to a physical stress, it slowly adapts so the next time it encounters the same stress, it’s better suited to deal with it. We all understand that muscles will get bigger if we make them lift heavy loads. Our body will also adapt to physical stresses by increasing the density and diameter of bone, creating molecules that burn fat and www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

carbohydrates or make proteins, increasing the number of blood vessels to tissues, and so on. In order to build these molecules and tissues, the body needs the basic building blocks such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The adaptations the body generates are specific to the demands. If your exercise routine involves lifting heavy weights, your body will adapt for weight-lifting, but it won’t be ready to run a marathon. Your physical demands must be within your body’s capacity to adapt and it has to have sufficient time to recover. If the demands are excessive, tissues will become damaged. This damage and subsequent repair is often sub-clinical (you don’t feel it) and bits of fibrous tissue will be left behind. These bits of tissue can accumulate over time, perhaps years, and eventually cause pain. The discomfort may be sudden, but the problem was probably building for a long time. Let’s examine some common exercise fallacies:

1. I can use the same exercise routine for months. Exercise stimulates physical adaptation. Once you’ve adapted to an exercise routine, your body stops adapting unless the activity changes. Vary your routine by changing the exercises, intensity, frequency or duration of activities. There are a lot of variations and if you need help,

consult a personal trainer. It’s worth the investment if you are going to spend all that time working out.

2. Now that I’m exercising, it doesn’t matter what I eat. It is more important to eat properly when you begin an exercise program, as your body needs proper building blocks to re-model and create tissues.

3. If a woman lifts weights, she will get “bulky.” The hormone testosterone helps stimulate the production of new muscle tissue and determines how large your muscles will become. Women have a lower testosterone level than men, so their muscles will not enlarge as much.

4. Eating more protein will cause new muscle growth. Muscles are mainly made up of protein, but eating protein is not a stimulus to build more muscle. To stimulate muscle growth, the muscle must do work. Without the demands of physical exercise, the body has no reason to build more muscle.

5. Working the abdominals will give me a flat belly. Many people believe it’s possible to “spot reduce” fat by exercising specific parts of the body. Many exercise machines advertised on TV exploit this myth. In fact, fat is lost evenly from all parts of the body. So, getting

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rid of fat on the belly requires an exercise routine that burns fat. Generally, this should include low intensity aerobic exercises and higher intensity strength exercises.

The Pilates Method FITNESS & AWAKEN YOUR

MIND & BODY CONNECTION

6. If it hurts, stop doing it.

7. I’m too old to start working out. Exercise improves physical strength, stamina, mental health and well-being. Many individuals begin exercise programs later in life—even after age 85! They find dramatic improvements in strength, coordination, balance, energy, and mental acuity. It’s never too late to begin an exercise program and it needn’t require a lot of time or effort. You can start at any level, and any increase in activity will help. If you’re currently inactive or approaching middle age, start with a visit to your doctor. Seniors can get started by contacting a personal trainer who has experience with elderly clients. There are no limits to what you can change about your body with exercise—only misconceptions about how to do it. Change your mind about changing your body, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

• Mat classes • Reformer classes • Individual lessons

Tel: 239-3855 315 Somerset St. W.

Pam Forth, BA Pilates Teacher

ACE Certified, Certified Reflexologist

www.PamForthPilates.com

mind body spirit

Although this may be true in the short term, many people never return to the activity they have enjoyed for years. Without consulting a health care professional, many assume that the pain will never go away (or they’re just getting old) and they quit. More reasonably, why not get it fixed and get back to the activity you love? Most pain is due to accumulated, repeated and painless mini-traumas. These aches and pains can be remedied reasonably quickly by massage therapists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, and athletic therapists who treat soft tissue (muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments). Soft tissue therapists can get you back in the game.

5:00-8:00pm

—Dr. Geoff Outerbridge is a chiropractor, ergonomics consultant and personal trainer who treats occupational and sports-related musculoskeletal problems. He lives an active outdoor life in the Ottawa area. You may contact him at 521-5355.

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NORDIC SKI

Take the

“country” out of

cross-country skiing Stay in the city! By Peter McKinnon

WHEN you gotta go, you gotta go.

any cross-country skiers in the National Capital Region think they need to travel outside the urban grid to enjoy variety of terrain and a profusion of trails. They are lured by the likes of Gatineau Park, which boasts hundreds of kilometres of the finest groomed trails this side of the Rocky Mountains. Trouble is, the 20- or 30-minute drive from Ottawa makes it tough to take to the boards on a whim. Fortunately, our privileged existence here in The Nation’s Capital includes a wealth of great cross-country ski destinations inside the city. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular inner-city trails.

Happy trails close to home The National Capital Commission (NCC), a federal agency mandated to beautify the capital, is the largest land owner in the region. Granted, the most famous NCC real estate lies in Gatineau Park, but there are thousands of hectares of NCC land inside the urban portion of Ottawa that are ideal for skiing. Regardless of where you live in the 32

city, you’re only a few minutes away from NCC greenspace. The biggest swath of NCC land in Ottawa is the “Greenbelt,” a wide expanse of space set aside in the 1950s and ’60s to protect it from development. As a result of this policy, neighborhoods such as Blackburn Hamlet and Barrhaven are separated from urban Ottawa. The Greenbelt is a hybrid of managed forests, active farms and natural scrubland sliced up by arterial roads and all-season trails. The NCC sells maps of the trails for $3 at InfoCapital across from Parliament Hill, or you can download a PDF version at http: //www.canadascapital.gc.ca/explore/ destinations/greenbelt/index_e.html The NCC can’t afford to maintain or improve all of the Greenbelt, so it negotiates agreements with non-profit recreational groups that want access to parkland. There are cross-country ski clubs in Kanata and Orleans that set and maintain trails in the Greenbelt each winter. The Kanata Cross-Country Ski Club maintains a network of trails on NCC lands near Corkstown and Hazeldean Roads, and in Stony Swamp. Recently, developers have been staking out some of these areas for housing projects, so the trails change from year to year. The club also runs a series of learn-to-ski programs under the auspices of Deena Schanzer at 592-5391 and Mike

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Duivenvoorden at 591-8697. Check out the club website at http://kanataxc.tripod.com/. In the east end, Orleans Nordic Ski Club offers learn-to-ski programs for all ages and skill levels. The contact there is Frank Roscoe at 837-7669. The club maintains more than 10 kilometres of trails through Hornet’s Nest and Mer Bleue. Most of the terrain is flat, although there are a few challenging sections, most notably up and down the toboggan hill at Green’s Creek. The Club operates a heated clubhouse at Hornet’s Nest, but you must be a member to go inside.

City of Ottawa Ski School The City of Ottawa maintains a compact cross-country facility and offers courses at the Terry Fox Centre in Mooney’s Bay Park at Walkley Road and Riverside Drive. The park features five kilometres of groomed, lit trails that accommodate both classic and skate skiers. A large hill provides a challenge for even the fittest skiers. A ski pass costs $2 a day or $25 per season. The centre also features the largest ski school in the region with more than 90 different lesson packages geared to all levels and ages. Last year, more than 700 people honed their skills at the centre. For more information, contact the aptly named

Photo by Allen Macartney

Break your own trail

Howard Friendly at 247-4883 or visit www.ottawa.ca. A few words of wisdom: setting and maintaining tracks is both expensive and challenging. Unfortunately, some visitors ruin trails by walking on them, rather than alongside them. Remember the cross-country skiers’ perpetual plea to those who walk the trails: “Please don’t step on our tracks!”

Not all the sites I’ve listed are suitable for all types of skiing. For instance, Mooney’s Bay is the best (and perhaps only) place to skate-ski in the National Capital outside Gatineau Park. Backcountry skiers, on the other hand, tend to head for the more remote corners of the Greenbelt in search of pristine snow. For the casual skier seeking only a reliable set of tracks, the Greenbelt trails are perfect. The more adventurous skiers might look for a network of unofficial trails winding their way through some of the most picturesque parts of the city. Their travels might include trails along the Ottawa River, running east from the Rockcliffe boat house and west from the Western Parkway; or along the Rideau River through Vincent Massey Park at Heron Road and Riverside Drive; or through Stanley Park at River Road from Coventry Road north to Sussex Drive. More functional and slightly less aesthetic trails run behind the Ottawa Hospital complex north of Smyth

All the winter gear you’ll need!

Road and along the adjacent hydro right-of-way, and through the transportation corridor near McCarthy Woods. Unfortunately, there are no trail maps for these areas yet. You need a good sense of direction, a healthy appetite for adventure, or a friend who’s been there before. The Riverview Park Community Association in Alta Vista Ward is currently defining a recreation trail for skiing and jogging throughout the vicinity (www.rpca.ca.) Of course, there are dozens of other locations within city limits that offer interesting possibilities. To learn about trails in your area, inquire around the neighborhood, at your local community centre, or local ski equipment retail outlets. A cross-country ski on a crisp winter’s day can be pure magic: squinting against the glint of sun on snow, savouring a deep breath of frosty air, with skis sliding effortlessly along a slippery slope. And while spectacular Gatineau Park casts its own well-deserved spell on local skiers, there is always the option to conjure up a little winter enchantment closer to home.

• Alpine skis • Nordic skis • Snowboards • Snowshoes • Camping gear • Accessories • Tons more!

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

Ottawa’s largest independent outdoor gear store! 203 Richmond Rd. 792-1170

www.Bustukah.com

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Ski your first Keskinada Loppet Some tips to get you started

ONVINCED that loppets are populated only by elite athletes who treat cross-country skiing as a new religion? Maybe you’ve seen the TV ads, or your friends have talked about it, or perhaps you’ve been close enough to cheer on the frost-caked skiers crossing the finish line. But, the notion of doing it yourself sends a wintry shudder down your spine. Skiing 25 or 50 kilometres through the far reaches of Gatineau Park has not been your idea of a good time. This, too, can change. For many people, the Keskinada Loppet is their main winter objective. Every year, skiers start to get ready for the mid-February event as summer begins to wane. This gala event held in the National Capital Region is geared to winter enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. The Keskinada Loppet is Canada’s largest cross-country ski event. The 25th edition held last February attracted 3,428 participants, including 563 skiers visiting Canada

from 22 countries. The Keskinada Loppet is more than a race—it is an event. The organizers go to great lengths to introduce activities for all ages and abilities. The signature 50-km Freestyle event takes place on Sunday, February 15th. There are also a 25-km and a 10-km Free Style event on the same day. The Classic Style events on Saturday include 5-km, 25-km, and 50-km races. The youngsters’ event—MiniKeski—provides the skiers of tomorrow with a 2-km course. Volunteers dressed according to the annual theme will entertain them along the course. The great thing about all these events is that skiers are encouraged to travel at their own speed for each event. For example, skiers in the 50-km Freestyle event will leave the start area at the same time as about 1,000 other participants. Skiers are seeded into waves with the faster ones leaving first. The start of the 50-km Freestyle is one of the most exciting moments of the ski season. Participants will ski for two to six hours, depending upon their ability and stamina. An entrant who skis once a week for about three hours can expect to

be on the course for around five hours. The elite skiers will be back at the finish line in just over two hours. All along the course, you will experience what the Keski is all about. After a few kilometres, you’ll be skiing with people who share a similar level of skill. They might be strangers at first, but a sense of camaraderie quickly evolves. After initial words of encouragement, you discuss where you’re from, where you ski, and how many times you have done the Keskinada. At approximately the 10-km point, you reach the first feeding station. These stations are run by 20 to 25 volunteers who make sure you get something to drink and eat. They’ll also check to see if you’re feeling well enough to keep going. All along the 50-km course, as in all the other Keskinada distances, skiers enjoy breathtaking scenery and perfectly groomed trails. The knowledge and effort of 450 volunteers make the events run smoothly year after year. Organizers do everything possible to make the skiers’ experience memorable so they will join again.

Photos by Keskinada Loppet

By Claude Laramée

As you begin to tire along the 50-km course, you may be tempted to ask yourself, “What am I doing here?” You will take comfort in noticing that your newfound skiing partners also seem a little tired. You may then recognize that little voice from inside saying, “I’ve started this thing and I’ll finish it.” You forge on. A few minutes later, you reach a feeding station, have something to drink, eat a banana or an energy bar and get back in the tracks even more determined then ever. Nearing the end of the Keskinada course, you pass a marker on the Gatineau Parkway near trail #26 that tells you there is just one kilometre left to go! You’re almost there. On trail #26 you go up and down a few rolling hills and finally, down the last long hill onto a 100-metre flat stretch. You see the crowd of spectators, the finish area and the big banner rippling in the wind at the finish line. You feel that incredible sense of accomplishment that comes with going the distance. Crossing the finish line is always special for both the experienced skier and the first timer. And it’s not over—the finish area features the last feeding station on the course. You’ll have a chance to chat with new acquaintances and proceed into the main building for the post-race meal and a last visit to the ski show. The Keskinada Loppet has been designed for maximum participation across all skill levels using the classic or freestyle technique. Skiers need only reserve the weekend on their calendar and register for the race they wish to enter. The classic events take place on Saturday, February 14 and freestyle events will be on Sunday, February 15. preparation tips

Here are a few suggestions that will prepare you for the long-range courses: First of all, make sure that your equipment is in good condition. If you are buying new skis or boots, the latest or the best equipment is not absolutely necessary. Remember that you will glide better on medium-priced skis with the correct camber than on a high-end pair that isn’t the right fit for you. You should wear several layers of clothing that draw www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

moisture away from your body. You will appreciate the option to add or subtract a layer once you are on the course. Secondly, start now to get into shape for the Keskinada— February is not that far away. A simple point of departure is to start taking long walks. Initially, try to walk for an hour or so in your neighbourhood. Later on, go for longer periods on the Gatineau Park trails. Long climbs on the trails leading up to Ridge Road or Trail 1 are an excellent way to train. The more time

you spend preparing for the event, the easier it will be to attain your goal. For event and registration information, consult the web site at www.keskinada.com or phone (819) 595-0114. —Claude Laramée is the President of the Keskinada Loppet.

Adventure for Everyone!

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1-800-267-9166 O T TAWA O U T D O O R S W I N T E R

By Mike Coupland

OW DO YOU figure out what length, width and style of snowboard is best for you? Some people fear this issue is clouded in mystery, but it’s actually very simple. Here’s a five-step checklist that both experts and entry-level riders can use to figure out what kind of deck you need to successfully combine snow, a hill and gobs of gravity.

1. IMPACT.

The most important factor in choosing a board is your weight. This determines how a board will turn, flex, and respond to the beating you’re going to give it.

2. ABILITY.

The length of board a rider chooses should vary according to the rider’s experience. The range of snowboard weights that manufacturers provide is very broad. An aggressive rider with more experience is happier on a longer board to accommodate his or her ability. Someone with less weight or ability is better suited to a softer model. This makes it easier to 36

get from edge to edge and the rider doesn’t require as much force and energy to control speed. Having less material in contact with the snow causes the board to accelerate slower when not on edge. Choose carefully when you see boards with a weight range of 130-170 pounds. Consider both your weight and your ability.

3. WAIST WIDTH.

Not yours—the board’s. This is the narrowest point measured on a board. Your choice should be contingent on whether you have a small, medium or large foot. Unlike a ski, where the skier’s foot runs parallel with their edges, a snowboarder has to worry about edge contact and toe and heel drag. The size of a rider’s foot, in relation to the board waist width, will affect how the rider is able to turn. If your foot is too big, it will cause your toe and heel to drag in the snow. If your foot is too small, it makes for slow turns because the rider can’t get good edge contact. Veterans are reminded to think about your binding angles when choosing your board.

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4. STYLE AND BOARD SHAPE.

The many different snowboard shapes, flexes, sidecuts and constructions exist for a reason. There are boards designed for cruising, flying, halfpipe, jibbing (handrails), powder, backcountry, bordercross, or just going crazy. Whether you are a beginner or you have been riding for years, there is a board out there to suit your style and ability.

5. GENDER SPECIFIC MODELS.

Finally, after years of women having to ride boards designed for men, you can choose boards, boots and bindings made just for you. Designed and tested by women, these products allow women to take snowboarding to the next level. Don’t forget to do a little research before you go out to buy your next deck. Check out some demos, ask the right questions and don’t be afraid to “shred the NAR.”

Photo by Tommy and Lefebvre

SNOW BOARDING

The size of your deck does matter

Chillin’ on the links

Don Lane, at icebowl@rogers.com. You can sign up by email or register at the Ultimate Disc Golf Store located at CD Exchange at 142 Rideau Street in the Byward Market.

DISC GOLF

By Kevin Grignon

s the days grow colder and shorter, many outdoor enthusiasts follow their passions indoors. Bubble domes and specialty gyms mean that Ultimate, soccer, football, lacrosse, rock-climbing and golf can be year-round pursuits. Many folks fear the “mushroom effect” from moving indoors—sunshine and fresh air is an important ingredient in an outdoor enthusiast’s life. At Jacques Cartier Disc Golf Park in the winter months, you’ll find a multitude of snowshoe and cross-country trails meandering from each tee pad to basket. Jacques Cartier Disc Golf Park offers the peace and serenity of a winter trail with the excitement and challenge of playing a summer game in winter conditions. The high point of the winter disc golf season is the annual Ice Bowl charity tournament, which raises money and

TIPS FOR WINTER DISC GOLFING: • To find your disc more easily, attach a metre-long thin piece of reflective Christmas ribbon to the centre of the disc with some duct tape • Test your throwing technique with a variety of gloves until you find one that gives you control as well as warmth • Avoid using white discs! • Bring some hand warmers to keep your fingers in prime shape

much needed food for the Ottawa Food Bank and the Shepherds of Good Hope. The 2004 Ice Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 24, will be only one of more than 100 Ice Bowls held across North America and around the world. Ice Bowls raise close to (US)$75,000 for local charities each year. For more information about this year’s Ice Bowl, contact Tournament Director

In About 30 Seconds, Only One Thing Is Going To Matter.

Play disc (Frisbee)™ at night!?

No kidding, this is for real. This is a regular-sized disc and it really glows! It uses a battery L.E.D. & Fiber Optic Technology. An excellent gift for that disc-playing friend with everything! Check’em out at the Ultimate Disc Golf Store, 142 Rideau Street., 613-241-9876.

You’ve never gone this high up before. Up until four days ago, you’d only ever ridden the hard pack back home. Your board and knee are half done from Monday’s ride. But in half a minute, none of that’s going to matter. The only thing that will matter is the only way up has disappeared behind those clouds, and the only way down is in your right hand.

Photo: Helly Hansen

The Board Room At Tommy & Lefebvre Adult & junior snowboard equipment & apparel. Pow, freestyle, pipe or jib. We ride. We know.

ESCAPE the everyday. 464 Bank 236-9731 2206 Carling 828-4550 Orleans 834-2653 Gatineau 568-3595 Kanata 271-8524 www.tandl.com

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Ten reasons why you should take up Nordic skiing this year 1. Super-human fitness: Nordic ski racers are arguably the most highly conditioned athletes on the planet. It is low-impact sport that exercises your heart, lungs and every muscle in your body—an excellent way to stay in shape. Runners will find that Nordic skiing will help them maintain or improve their fitness while allowing their joints and muscles to recover from overuse or repetitive stress injuries. 2. Fresh air experience: Nordic skiing is a clean oxygen-fed sport that takes you into nature and away from busy roadways and claustrophobic gyms. In the spring, a strong crust of snow covers the entire landscape that allows you to ski anywhere in total freedom. “Crustcruising” can take you skate-skiing from the trailhead, through the woods, over a mountain and back within a morning. 3. Great return on investment: Good equipment is essential to provide a quality skiing experience. Expect a modest entry cost that may be higher than running, but certainly less than canoeing or alpine skiing. The new gear will last years and thousands of kilometres. The payoff is immeasurable in terms of health, fitness, recreation and personal growth. 4. Nordic lifestyle: People of all ages frequent the Nordic ski trails to maintain and improve their health. It is an environment where Spandex lives in harmony with wool, and where skiers, regardless of ability, exchange salutations 38

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in passing. Hard bodies in Lycra and rosy, healthy faces make an afternoon outing in the park not too hard on the eyes. 5. Ski in potluck: You are missing out if you haven’t skied hut-to-hut, stopping for a candlelit dinner around a woodstove with wine, fondue and friends. It’s a decadent and efficient way to share the effort of preparing a meal and enjoying a workout. Food always tastes better if you have to carry it some distance. Delicacies warmed over a woodstove seem so much more wholesome inside your tummy when there is a cold breeze on your face and icicles hanging from your eyelashes. 6. Star-gazing: You would be surprised how many people ski in the Ottawa region after work. The night sky is a planetarium overhead stretching from horizon to horizon. The trails are particularly bright on evenings where there is a full moon casting a blue hue magically through the trees. Skiing at night can feel a lot like striding at the edge of the universe—without gravity, you might even ski into space. 7. Launching pad: Science has told us that given enough thrust, it is possible to make a brick fly and so it is with a self-propelled activity like Nordic skiing. There is even more satisfaction knowing that the experience is self-generated. This is perhaps why children aged eight to 80 will find any bump in the woods to launch from for hours, or the more amplitudecraved jocks pop a “backscratcher 720” off something improbable.

8. Time: Squash court bookings, scheduled aerobic classes, ice time, and alpine lift lines are the few obstacles to doing exercise on your own terms. Avoid getting stuck dangling from a chair while your limbs freeze and your butt goes numb. There is no wasted time waiting to Nordic ski. It’s up to you when and where you go. Nordic skiers can do lots of vertical runs in a day without ever stepping into a lift line. 9. Free-riding: Unless you and your friends have a helicopter at your disposal, the only environmentally-friendly way that you are going to get into the backcountry is on snowshoes, alpine touring, or Nordic skis. The fastest means is using Nordic/telemark gear. Since the majority of your time will be spent climbing or traversing the flats, it is in your best interest to become proficient in Nordic ski technique. 10. Earn your turns: There is a certain satisfaction reaching a destination or ascending a mountain under your own power. In a time before lifts, people made every turn count; focusing on the quality of the experience. In Nordic skiing, speed only comes with skill and experience. You need not fear getting blind-sided by some novice skier going Mach 2 who can’t turn or stop because they’re supported upright by the stability of their high-tech equipment. —David McMahon is a former National Biathlon Champion, and was a personal coach at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. He now operates XCZONE.TV with his wife Lise Meloche, featured in this issue’s Profile. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

Photo by National Capital Commission

By David McMahon

ICE CLIMBING

The hidden jewels: Ice climbing in the Ottawa region

The hidden jewels: Ice climbing in the Ottawa region By John Wade The squeaky crunch of car tires on snow goes silent and the sun bathes open fields in a hard, piercing light. That’s useful, as the binoculars come out of the glove box to study the escarpment for the glint of ice streaks. In this neck of the woods, it can be tough to tell the difference between climbable ice and snowy junk on a faraway cliff. Ice climbing around Ottawa often means you have freezing rain at +5°C or a stiff wind at -25°C as a constant companion. Or, you may get spring-like conditions with snow-free trails and perfect climbing ice the consistency of cork. Today is one of those ‘real’ winter days. It’s time to hop out of our toasty vehicle and into the warm-up jacket before a final check on the pack. Lead rack and ropes are divvied up for the hike in. Ice tools are well attached with no protruding sharpies to accidentally impale the innocent. Shell layer and spare gloves. Helmet and crampons. Energy snacks and liquids. Flashlight and first aid gear. Has anyone on the team done this approach hike before? Can they remember the way? If not, best to devote a few minutes to studying the line of approach now, to minimize bushwhacking.

At last it’s time to shrug off the warm-up jacket and stuff it into the pack, too. Pick a local terrain feature and head for it, line up the next one and get the rhythm going. After a half-hour or so, the chosen section of cliff comes into full view. Everyone stops for a good look at the twisting ribbons of ice. How thick are they? Are they continuous from the base to the top? Are there any “thin” sections? Given the bitter temperatures of the last few days, we can expect a hard, brittle surface layer of ice before getting down to the good stuff. In cliff ice, Fat is Beautiful.

It looks like there might be a rappel line off to the right. Meanwhile, this is an opportunity to catch our breath, let some steam out of those armpit zippers and warm up cold fingertips. After the short break, the last section overland passes quickly despite our bulky packs – even the boulder scramble at the base of the cliff. The group spreads out along the crag, a couple of climbers below each line. Those who are psyched for the challenge of the lead have grabbed the ice screws and quick-draws and tied into the rope ends. Belayers have found their anchor points, out of the firing line of falling ice chips.

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Now is the good ol’ moment of truth for the leader. The first move focuses many personal choices of style and ethic. We must choose between the total commitment of ‘leash-less’ style, or the other extreme of leashes-plus-tethers, or something in between. Each climber is free to select their personal balance between risk, freedom of movement, and reassuring connections to the tools. Identifying the players While the intrepid leaders enjoy the vandalism of using their tools to break ice and clear away the surface crud for solid placements, one might reflect on ice climbing, who does it, and how it differs from rock climbing. As with all outdoor sport, ice climbers come in various shapes and sizes. However, that by far the majority of ice climbers started out as rock climbers. Although not mandatory, an understanding of rope management, setting belays, rappelling and so on are a real asset for a novice ice climber. The previous experience helps because ice climbers are more constrained by the tools that create their holds – it’s more difficult than sniffing out rock climbing holds in summer. It is simply easier to concentrate on this different technique if you don’t have to learn about most of the safety stuff at the same time. Rock climbing, for most of us, employs a more natural flow of movement, but the unique experience of climbing ice is not inferior, just different. Another big difference between rock

and ice climbing is the transient nature of the medium, especially in the more temperate environment of Ottawa compared to, say, the Rockies. In rock climbing – rock falls aside – you can at least count on the route being present on the cliff. In winter, only a few of our local routes and cliffs can be relied upon for climbable ice even in the mushiest warm spell. Others may appear only after a prolonged cold snap. Yet again, some routes require the exact combination of copious ground water from a wet autumn and the right cold-warm-cold weather cycle to bring them into shape. Where to climb So where can you practice the arcane and delightful sport of ice climbing locally? A good source of information for the long-established climbs on the Eardley escarpment is the excellent guidebook, Climbing on the Eardley Escarpment, produced by Yann Troutet. One climb that he missed on the escarpment is a short, steep line to the right of the Erlkoenig cliff. The approach route described in the rock climbing section of Troutet’s book will get you to the base of the route. Be aware, however, that part of this hike follows snowmobile trails, so staying out of the way of speeding machines is mandatory. Be courteous and remember that snowmobilers pay for the trail upkeep, not climbers. Another area of interest for ice climbers is at Calabogie. Once I would have

described this as a very significant area for Ottawa ice climbing with wide, fat reliable flows in even the leanest winters. This cliff has proven even leaner in recent years, but it’s still well worth the relatively short drive. The cliff section of most interest for ice formation is approached by hiking south through the bush from a pull-off on the north side of Highway 508, 2.5 kilometres south of the Calabogie Peaks ski area. There has been some interest in commercializing the climbing area recently, but there are some looming access issues. The routes are short and mostly steep, ideal for toproped practice as well as early season warm-ups for experienced leaders. A second, taller cliff is located further south along the same slope, but it’s not known to form significant ice. Two other lines are known on a narrow crag overlooking Calabogie Lake. Both are very steep and the left pillar, which hangs from the large roof, may never have been climbed. If you go to take a look, be prepared to negotiate respectfully with property owners for a way through to the base of the cliff. No review of local jewels can omit the significant lines close to the Edelweiss ski area. To reach the cliff, follow route 366 east from the north terminus of Autoroute 5 and turn north on a side road immediately before the ski resort. The escarpment faces west and the routes may be reached by a short, steep hike up from roadside parking spots. The renowned test piece is low and north on the slope, consisting of a 15+ metre curtain hanging from a huge roof, followed by a 10-metre vertical wall. If the curtain, or your arm power, is not in shape, a narrow slot on the left can be used to bypass the initial section to gain the upper wall. Many other lines exist higher up the slope and to the south – they likely have been climbed before but I don’t know of any ascents. This area probably needs a good, hard freeze to come into condition. On the ice face Enough of the theory – let’s check up on our climbing team: Time has passed in a subtle lantern show of sunbeams, a few back-lit clouds and spindrift. The leaders are well past their halfway points,

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ice screw hangers coupled to the rope reveal the punctuations in their progress upward. Voice communications are getting difficult, but no one is concerned. Suddenly, there is a shout and one belayer lifts a few inches until the anchor tightens. A leader has taken a short fall from a well-protected crux move. First

Bibliography Climbing on the Eardley Escarpment, Yann Troutet. 2001 ISBN 0-9688399-0-8. Published by the author. Available in local stores.

Schools and clubs Part of the ‘kick’ of most outdoor sports arises from the opportunity to exercise a skill that allows for efficient progress in a potentially hazardous environment. Ice climbing is well up there on the risk scale, to the point where a relatively simple error can have sudden, life-threatening consequences. In this respect, it has a reputation of being somewhat ‘riskier’ than rock climbing. If you are interested in trying this unique sport, it is imperative that you do so in the company of competent people. The web sites below may help you find them. Alpine Club of Canada Ottawa Section www.angelfire.com/on2/ accottawa Alpine Club of Canada Section Outaouais iquebec.ifrance.com/clubalpinoutaouais MultiTrek Climbing School www.multitrek.com Jim Ongena, mountaineering guide www.corporateheights.ca

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the feet, then the tools, popped out of marginal placements. The short fall back to the stance where the protection placements were made involves no more damage than a crampon point tear in a gaiter. The rope is running out faster now. The leader has completed the “real” climbing but must scramble up a slope of boulders and frozen dirt in search of a belay anchor. This is a test of patience, taking care not to dislodge anything or take a tumble toward the big drop-off. Finally “the second” hears a voice call; the leader is secured. Immediately, the rope is pulled from the belaying gadget and the second can start leaping about in an attempt at big boot aerobics to get warm and get the blood moving. While the leader sets up the new belay and pulls up the slack, the second can start to climb. It’s a different experience from following a rock climb. The second can make things a little easier by hooking the picks of the tools into the slots created by the passage of the leader. There is an opportunity to appreciate the ice-craft of the leader: a placement to thread a tape runner behind a fat icicle was made by punching a hole with a pick through an ice curtain. At the leader’s stance, the rope slack is hauled in as the second gains height. There is time to enjoy the view over the farms and fields toward the river. The first sound of the second’s progress is the metallic ringing as a screw is tapped against a tool to remove an ice core. Next is the sound of picks slicing into ice before a swinging ice tool head comes into view. Reunited at the belay, the team elects to traverse right in search of a rappel station. It’s a good set-up – the slings are fairly new and threaded through a couple of aluminum rings for the ropes. The line drops past an overhang and is free of the cliff for most of the way to the bottom. There’s not much chance of the ropes getting snagged when they are pulled through. Back at the ‘sacks there is time to check that the other teams are okay and eat a leisurely second lunch. As the short, mid-winter daylight starts to decay, there isn’t enough time for a second route – we’re not keen on completing the climb and descent in the

light of a headlamp. When all climbers are safely down, there remains only the hike out and the quest to answer that most critical of questions: where’s the best coffee shop on the way home?

About John Wade John has backpacked and climbed on three continents during the last 25 years. Currently a resident of Ottawa, he is a member of the recent crop of local Alpine Club of Canada climbers who are also first-time parents.

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Rock-climbing in the great indoors

S SOON AS windshield-sc windshield-scraping raping season arrives, hundreds of climbers start making their way to the gym.

ROCK CLIMBING

Most are dazzled with visions of getting in shape to scale tall peaks. I have a confession to make. I have been rockclimbing for almost a decade and I have never scaled even a small wall outdoors, let alone a tall peak. peak. By David Brook

N MY CASE, rock-climbing is strictly an indoor activity to stay in shape and have fun until the sun returns to our northern clime. Spandex-clad women suspended six metres off the floor have almost nothing to do with my annual pilgrimage to the gym walls. Is it difficult to get into climbing? Over the years, I have probably brought a hundred of my friends climbing with me. Of that sampling, I estimate that 98 percent enjoyed themselves and five percent took it up as a sport. Like all of life’s worthwhile pursuits, you get better after practice, and that enhances the enjoyment. My sampling also reveals that even first-time climbers will have a lot of fun and enjoy a good workout, too. There are a few pointers that could prove useful to the uninitiated before you wander down to the local gym.

Safety first

One of the most common complaints climbers hear is, “I couldn’t try climbing—it’s just too dangerous.” At the risk of detracting from the mystique and excitement of indoor rock-climbing, it is actually much safer than nearly any other sport I can think of, including jogging and lifting weights. All climbing gyms supply the basic ropes and safety equipment required to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Not surprisingly, safety equipment is only as good as the people using it, so take the time to double check the equipment before you climb. Make sure that all your knots and buckles are done up securely and listen carefully to your instructor. Accredited gyms have instructors to teach you all the basic safety techniques you’ll need to get up and down safely. If a gym doesn’t have safety instructors available, don’t climb there. Period.

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The equipment

Indoor climbing gyms rent safety equipment. But climbing isn’t just about safety—it’s also about making it to the top and having fun. There are a couple of other crucial pieces of equipment that you should think about renting to make your experience even more enjoyable.

The harness: The most important piece of equipment you will use on your first day at the gym is your harness. This basic safety device attaches around your waist and legs to your rope and will help you ascend from your climb. Every harness is slightly different, but they all have a couple of things in common. First, a good harness is designed both for safety and comfort. It should be snug but not tight, and should feel comfortable whether you’re climbing or waiting your turn. Second, every harness is designed to be able to meet and exceed the most exacting safety standards. I don’t recommend trying, but your harness is designed to withstand a long fall with several hundred kilos attached. It will definitely hold your weight when you fall. And yes, you will fall, but more on that later. The shoes: Most first impressions of shoes relate to how small they are. (You’ll also wonder how many people wore them before you, just like the time you went bowling). Climbing shoes are designed to fit your feet as snugly as possible. Take a look at some of the good climbers in your gym and you’ll notice they wear climbing shoes between one and three sizes smaller than their street shoes. With tighter shoes, your feet are more sensitive to the rock. You will be able to use your edges to stand on rocks so small you thought at first they were pieces of chewing gum. The rope: When you first start climbing, you will almost certainly be doing routes that are “top-roped.” This means there is a rope anchored to a belaying device (a fancy pulley that lets you control the speed that www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

someone is lowered). It feeds through another pulley at the top of the route. As a climber ascends the route, a partner (the belayer) takes up the slack in the rope so that if the climber falls, he or she only drops a foot or two. Eventually, as you gain experience and become interested in new challenges, you can buy your own rope and begin to “lead” climb. But that’s a different topic for a future column.

The chalk: Just as “loose lips sink ships,” it’s also important to remember that “sweaty hands cause falls.” It is worth begging, borrowing or buying some chalk and a small bag so you can “chalk up” to dry your hands as you climb. Most chalk bags come with either a lightweight belt, or a clip that attaches to your harness.

Basic techniques

Relax: What is the most important

piece of advice I give new climbers? Relax. New climbers tend to get on the wall and hold on for dear life, fighting with all their might not to fall. You’re really better off using your energy to climb and worry less about falling. When you’re climbing tense, you burn through so much energy that you won’t be able to finish a single climb, let alone a day’s climbing at the gym. Relax. Here’s a good lesson learned—experiment at the bottom of the wall with how little energy you need in your wrists and fingers to hold on. Try it and you’ll be surprised.

Opposing motion: If you get

on the wall and move your right foot and hand at the same time, you will find yourself pivoting out from the wall and, more likely than not, falling. This phenomenon is called “barn dooring” and is easy enough to avoid. A good rule of thumb is to always have an opposing hand and foot on the wall at the same time. If you are going to move your left hand,

your right hand and left foot should both be firmly on the wall. Now like anything else, once you get better at climbing you’ll find yourself violating this rule, but it’s an important tip for getting started. Falling is fun! My final tip is to enjoy the whole climbing experience, including falling. More than half the fun of climbing is pushing to your physical limit. This means that sometimes you will fall. Once you have your first fall out of the way and you realize how safe and fun falling can be, you will soon start to launch yourself off of the wall just to see how far you can pull your belayer off the ground. Or, maybe that’s just me.

Where to go

There are two rock-climbing gyms in the Ottawa area. They both charge about $15 to climb for the day, including equipment rentals and safety lessons. Check them out and enjoy: Coyote Rock Gym, 1731B St. Laurent Blvd., (613) 739-4074 and Vertical Reality Rock Gym, 161 Middle St., Victoria Island (613) 569-3903. —David Brook is an experienced climber living in the Ottawa area.

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PROFILE

Two-time Olympian Lise Meloche on XC racing, coaching and making movies By Tim Allard Photos by XCZone

Who’s Who in Canadian Sport, 1999 calls Lise Meloche “one of the best technical skiers in the country.” This local Ottawan and two-time Olympic skier is passionate about sharing her technical expertise at her cross-country ski camps and on film. Lise and partner Dave McMahon run XCZONE, a sports cinematography company committed to both educating and entertaining audiences. XCZONE’s latest film, Unlimited Skiing, is a multimedia package endorsed by Cross-Country Canada and Biathlon Canada. Shortly after the first snowfall, Ottawa Outdoors Magazine spoke with Lise at her home in Chelsea, Quebec, about her experience as an athlete, coach and filmmaker. OOM: What makes cross-country skiing and biathlon special to you? LISE: They’re challenging sports. They’re complete sports in the sense that they involve the whole body. They’re cardiovascular, mind you. You need a certain amount of strength. They’re sports that allow you to feel free. You get to be one with nature. You can go really slowly sometimes and take time to appreciate what’s around you, but you can also go extremely fast. You can go uphill or downhill, go in the mountains and explore. They’re sports that give 44

you everything in that sense. OOM: What changes have you seen in cross-country skiing over the past four decades? LISE: I guess technology. The equipment has been upgraded in the sense that it’s much more versatile, and offers a lot more control and glide. It makes it easier to ski. Cross-country encompasses access to uphill, downhill, flats and all types of terrain. And it’s expanded in that way. The racing equipment has made it super-fast, if you want it, and made it easier to learn, too. In cross-country skiing since 1985, skating has come to be an extra facet of the sport. The skate ski has a closer sidecut to a downhill ski, and you can do so many things with it that are just like downhill skiing. You can do tricks, and more and more people are doing tricks now. It’s jumping to a new level. OOM: Tell me about your most challenging competition to date? LISE: It’s hard to pick one. I think the Olympics are more of a media frenzy. There’s more anxiety involved for the athletes before the races because everybody finally shows up. I think the ones that were the most difficult were always the first few big races of the year, the first few international races. You’re getting

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Lise Meloche comfortable and testing how well you trained and how well prepared you are to face the circuit that year. You know you’re prepared, but there’s still that sort of doubt in your mind. OOM: How did you make the transition from a world class athlete to a coach? LISE: I have a BSc in Kinesiology, so I have a lot of background in physiology, biomechanics, psychomotor-learning and all the years of training as an athlete. I’ve had many coaches with different styles of coaching, so I’ve been able to pick from the best of the best. Also, I have a lot of learning from being on a circuit as an athlete, watching other coaches and what they do, talking to other athletes. I think it’s very important if you’re coaching to have raced. You know what athletes are going through, you know what you need, you know how to better prepare for it. The thing is, most athletes at that international level are very selfsufficient, and what they really need is that whole support team around them. And organization is huge. Organization, timing, things like that, it’s really part of the whole recipe. OOM: What are the most rewarding components of coaching? LISE: It’s just trying to show people a www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

OOM: Can you describe XCZONE? LISE: XCZONE is a small company that primarily makes cross-country films. Well, we’ve expanded into clean oxygen fed sport™, with a primary base in cross-country skiing. We specialize in state-of-the-art type of cinematography. We do point-of-view filming, in the sense that the viewer has a chance to be part of the action. Whatever the sport, the camera will be integrated with the motion; the cameraman will be moving with the athlete. We’ve done the “learn how to ski” type films, and we’re also doing

promos and advertising for resorts and companies that are involved in outdoor aerobic sports. We also do ski camps for cross-country skiing, that’s another component of the company. OOM: Can you tell me about Unlimited Skiing? LISE: Our latest film is a double DVD pack that includes a motivational DVD, Unlimited Skiing, and the other DVD, the second disc, is all you wanted to know about cross-country skiing. Unlimited is now being used as part of the coaching package for Cross-Country Canada and Biathlon Canada, and has gone out to all the clubs in Canada. It’s also bilingual with French narration. There are features of a DVD ROM and there’s a PDF where people can get the whole technical manual that goes with the technical disc. You can download MP3s and then go out and ski, and listen to tips and try them. It’s like having a coach behind you, but it doesn’t negate the fact that a good lesson and some good coaching are important. You often need that human touch to understand what you are doing in time. OOM: What does the future hold for Lise Meloche? LISE: We’ll continue to make more films and we want to make a really good film with a great story line. Maybe film some World Cups or the Olympics. I’d like to do a lot of ski camps, but do them at

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large downhill venues where they would integrate a package—where people go skiing for a week, but they would get a day or two of cross-country if they wanted to. I also want to continue showing people what these sports are really about, and trying to get society to integrate them into their daily living. Rather than being bored at the gym on the treadmill and quitting, before they’ve had a chance to really know how to enjoy it. I want to reach that everyday person and get them to incorporate a better, more enjoyable way of living. To learn more about XCZONE’s films or ski camps, visit their website at www.xczone.com.

—Tim Allard is a freelance writer and photographer who lives in Ottawa.

www.XCZONE.com

way that they can do the sport and enjoy it, and be happy being out there and playing at all levels. It’s making them feel good, feel healthier, feel they’re enjoying what their doing. All the people I’ve taught how to ski or coached to make a better racer, they’re all happier once they’ve achieved a certain level of technical ability. Technique is very important in skiing and sometimes people don’t realize that. We tend to coach, or teach groups, and take some good athletes from other sports and make them better in skiing. I see coaching as looking at athletes, analyzing them where they are in time, and taking them that extra step further. Or when a high calibre racer is doing well nationally, but you know if you could just tweak them technically, you could make that difference for them to jump a notch. I like to see that. I don’t necessarily need the credit of having done it. For me it’s like, “Yes, it worked!”

Unlimited Skiing DVD Available on the web, and various retail outlets around the city. A must-see! O T TAWA O U T D O O R S W I N T E R

s with many one-pot meals, paella earned its name from the dish in which it is cooked.

In a concave fry pan, men traditionally cooked this classic Spanish meal in the open air. It was served at a round table and eaten with boxwood spoons as each guest carved out their allotted portion. Ladies, not only is it tradition for the men to cook this meal, but using only one pot means less for them to clean up. Paella is a rice dish laden with vegetables, chicken and seafood. Saffron gives the rice a vibrant yellow colour and adds a distinctive aroma and flavour reminiscent of honey. It has garnered a reputation for its ability to aid digestion, increase appetite and act as an aphrodisiac. However you choose to serve it, paella is an excellent meal for a hungry crowd when you crave a splash of colour, great flavour and minimal clean-up this winter.

30 seconds. Turn shrimp over and sear for another 30 seconds. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside. 4. Add chicken. Reduce heat to medium. Brown chicken on all sides for about four minutes. Add onion and continue to cook for two minutes. Add garlic, peppers, 4 cups (1 litre) chicken stock tomato, salt and pepper. Cook for two minutes. 1/4 tsp (1 mL) saffron threads 5. Add Arborio rice. Stir just to coat rice with oil. Add 1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil wine. Stir and cook until it evaporates. Add hot stock 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined and sausages. 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 500 grams) 6. Place pan uncovered in oven. Cook for 15 minutes. Stir 2 cups (500 mL) Arborio rice 1/2 cup (125 mL) white wine, optional in shrimp and frozen peas. Continue to cook five to 10 1 medium onion more minutes or until liquid has absorbed. Fluff with a fork. 1 red pepper Makes 6 to 8 servings. 1 green pepper 1 yellow pepper 4 large cloves of garlic Spiced hot cocoa 1 large ripe tomato 1 tsp (5 mL) kosher salt 3 tbsp (45 mL) brown sugar 1 tsp (5 mL) fresh black pepper 2 tbsp (30 mL) cocoa powder 6 Andouille or cooked chorizo sausage (about 200 grams) 2 tbsp (30 mL) skim milk powder (Andouille sausage is a spicy, smoked pork sausage) 2 cups (500 mL) water 1/4 tsp (1 mL) cinnamon 1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas 1/4 tsp (1 mL) vanilla Brandy and Kahlua to taste (optional) 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Dice onion, peppers, tomato and chicken into one-inch cubesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;keep In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, cocoa and chicken separate. Slice garlic thinly. Slice sausage skim milk powder. Add cold water. Wisk occasionally. diagonally. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Add cinnamon and 2. Bring chicken stock and saffron to a boil in a vanilla. Serve hot. Makes two very rich servings. medium saucepan. Simmer on low. The first three ingredients can be mixed together in 3. Meanwhile, in a large, heavy-bottomed, oven-proof large batches and stored. Try 2 cups brown sugar, 1 1/4 cups pan, heat olive oil to hot, just before it starts to cocoa, and 1 1/4 cups skim milk powder to make 10 cups of smoke. Add shrimp. Cook over high heat for hot cocoa.

ONE-POT PAELLA

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Photo by Julie St. Jean

URBAN SPICE

By Julie St. Jean

URBAN GRAPE

Wine for

beginners

By Joe Hatz

HE QUEST for the perfect all-occasion wine has easily created as much anguish as the search for the Holy Grail. Wouldn’t it be easy if you could buy one wine that’s great for a party, enjoyable with food, and good on its own? But, a wine that works with a steak often doesn’t work with seafood. How to choose? You could read the label, however, it’s helpful if you know what all the wine jargon means. And, sometimes the wine in the bottle isn’t as good as the label implies. How about price? Will a $20 bottle of wine be twice as enjoyable as a $10 bottle? Sometimes, but usually it’s not. You might be surprised that with some basic knowledge of wine, you can cut through the mystique and take your enjoyment of wine to a new level. What makes one wine different from another? Wine is usually made from grapes and there are hundreds of different varieties. In the same way that Spartan, Macintosh, and Granny Smith are different apple varieties, Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon are grape varieties. Each type of apple has a characteristic taste—some are sweeter and others more tart, depending upon the balance between sugar and acid. Once you have tasted a variety of apples, you might acquire a favourite. The same is true for wine. Each wine grape has a distinctive flavour, so a wine made with Merlot grapes will taste different from a wine made with Shiraz grapes. You might find that you like one grape variety more than another after you sample a few different wines. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

You can learn to describe wine in terms of five main traits: flavour, weight, acid, tannins and sweetness. Flavour is a combination of the aromas you detect with your nose, and the tastes you sense with your mouth. Weight, or body, is the way the wine feels in your mouth. A full-bodied wine feels big, rich and heavy in the mouth. Acid is found in all wines and is an important consideration when matching wine to food. The tannins in a wine dry the sides of your mouth and make your gums pucker. This astringent feeling is a lot like drinking a strong cup of tea, which is also rich in tannins. Sweetness in a wine can range from dry (rated as 0 or 1) to off-dry (2 or 3) and extends up to very sweet, like an icewine (around 25). After you have found a few wines you like, try to describe them in terms of weight, acid, tannins and sweetness. Maybe you like dry, medium-bodied wines with soft tannins and low acid. If you can describe your preferences to the staff in the wine store, you’re more likely to emerge with a new wine that you will enjoy. Once you have chosen the type of grape, there are other factors that determine how a wine will taste. Growing grapes in different types of soil will change the flavour of the grapes, and so will climate. For example, a long, hot summer ripens grapes fully to produce a very ripe fruit taste. A cool, wet summer could slow the ripening process and the wine could take on some vegetal flavours, like green pepper. Winemakers use different techniques, like aging wine in oak

barrels before bottling. Techniques vary from using cutting edge science to summoning ancient traditions that steep wine in a country’s unique culture. Good wines can develop new flavours by bottle aging. One example is how tannins soften over time, usually as sediment forms in the bottle. And remember, certain wines are good with certain meals. Some are great with a protein meal like steak, but the same wine might not be a good match for a spicy pasta dish. So the next time you’re invited to a friend’s place to eat, ask in advance what’s being served and you can choose a wine that will complement the meal. As a case in point, we might speculate on what drink to serve while we’re waiting for the One-Pot Paella to cook, featured in the Urban Spice column on the previous page. I recommend enjoying a “Splash” made from equal parts white port and tonic water, shaken with an ice cube and add a slice of lemon. Delicious. When the paella is served, it needs a medium-bodied wine to match the strongest tastes coming from the chicken, peppers and sausage. Some fun white wine choices would be Cava (that’s what sparkling wines are called in Spain), or a Spanish white wine, or for a hint of sweetness, try an off-dry Riesling. For reds, look for an easy-drinking wine with light to medium tannins like an older Rioja (a Spanish wine usually made with Tempranillo grapes), a Cotes du Rhone from France, or maybe an Italian Valpolicello. Have a great wine winter! —Joe Hatz is a wine sommelier expert and teaches courses on better understanding and appreciating wine.

On-premise winemaking and wine accessories.

CONTACT PAUL TO HELP YOU GET STARTED 203 Colonnade Rd., South Nepean Tel: 725-0498 Email:vinhaus@rogers.com

O T TAWA O U T D O O R S W I N T E R

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Your source for ice skates and hockey gear for your winter fun. Year round service. 5 Hawthorne Ave. at Pretoria 567-8180

cycosport@on.aibn.com

www.CycoSport.com

Get the right map for your journey! • Ottawa’s BEST travel source • Explore your city, region or the WORLD, with the help of maps and travel information. 1235 Wellington Street, Ottawa (613) 724-6776 / 800-214-8524 info@World ofMaps.com

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WINTER FLEECE TOPS & TONS Level Six OF STUFF #31-174 Colonnade Road South TO KEEP Ottawa, ON K2E 7J5 T: 613.274.0144 F: 613:274.0332 YOU info@levelsix.ca www.levelsix.ca WARM

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Get away this winter to some warm escapes. Contact us to plan your next adventure!

Weekday and Evening Appointments Available 21 Metcalfe St. (at Sparks St.)

613-729-0507 trips@outingclub.com www.outingclub.com

accepted

563-2396

call for an appointment

NORDIC SKIING Jan 5 TBA – L1.5 Jessica T. 237-0870 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 5 P7 along red trails – L3 Alison J. 731-5312 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Feb 16 TBA. Joan R 729-5914 L2.5 P13 to Western, trail 9. Ramparts, trail 21. Steep inclines and red trails – L2 Teresa B. 236-9307 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Feb 23 Greenbelt area – L1 Pauline A. 829-7837 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Jan 12 Greenbelt – L1.5 Gilles C. 258-6636 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Feb 23 Eardley Rd to Lac Richard, trail 56 to Renaud Cabin and return. 20km – L2 Jim F. 234-4598 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Jan 12 P5 to Huron – L2 Robert A. 744-7985 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 2 Trail 55 – L2 Jessica T. 237-0870 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Hey! Every week there are tons of outdoor activities planned that you probably didn’t know about! Take a look below and plan your winter outdoors!

Jan 19 SKATE SKIING P5. John K. 957-9666 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 2 P7 Kingsmere to Western via trail 3 – L2 Steve J. 728-8228 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Jan 19 Les Montagnes Noires near Ripon – L2 Marie-Reine F. 749-1469 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 9 Carp Ridge along back country trails – L1.5-2 John W. 839-5238 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

SPECIAL EVENTS

Jan. 26 P16 to Herridge – L2 Tim C. 729-8471 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 9 P12 to Huron – L2 Peter S. 729-9557 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Jan. 26 P19 Lac Philippe trail 19 along unset trails with inclines to Lusk Cabin and return. 12 km loop. Must be able to snowplow in back country – L2.5 Dagmar B.568-3496 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 16 Pine Road to Herridge Lodge – L1 Robert A. 744-7985 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Dec 18–21 Choir in the Caves Listen to the haunting sounds of an accapella choir in the Cavernes Lafleche, located just a 10-minute drive from the Wakefield Mill Inn. The performance includes Gregorian chants, traditional carols in French, English, and Huron, as well as an outdoor bonfire before and after the performance. This event sells out each year, so book now to start off your holiday season. Call the Mill Inn for to book reservations or to find out more 888-567-1838

Mar 25 Perspectives on Nature Lecture Series Is West Nile Virus Killing Off Our Birds? Explore the threat of West Nile Virus on North American birds with David Bird, wildlife biologist and Montreal Gazette columnist. (English presentation) Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre 240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe) Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 / $8 for students, seniors/members Multi-lecture packages available (613) 566-4791 www.nature.ca

Jan 22 Perspectives on Nature Lecture Series Impact of Mercury in the Environment: Learn about the impact of mercury in our ecosystems with professor Marc Lucotte who will share his research on mercurial contamination in fish in Canada and the Brazilian Amazon. (French presentation) Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre 240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe) Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 / $8 for students, seniors/members Multi-lecture packages available (613) 566-4791 www.nature.ca

Apr 22 Perspectives on Nature Lecture Series Our Lakes: Get to Know Them to Better Protect Them – Join professor and author André Hade for a discussion on protecting our beautiful yet vulnerable lakes, often exploited by tourism and recreation. (French presentation) Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre 240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe) Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 / $8 for students, seniors/members Multi-lecture packages available (613) 566-4791 www.nature.ca

Feb 19 Perspectives on Nature Lecture Series The Cougar Conundrum: What, if Anything, is the Eastern Cougar? Find out if the rumoured presence of the eastern cougar is fact or fallacy in this fascinating discussion with biologist Fred Scott about the cougar situation in eastern Canada. (English presentation) Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre 240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe) Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 / $8 for students, seniors/members Multi-lecture packages available (613) 566-4791 www.nature.ca

HIKE/SKI TBD

Feb 6–22 Canada’s Capital Region celebrates the 25th Winterlude. Most Winterlude activities are free of charge, but registration and admission fees may apply to certain sporting events and shows. For more information please call (613) 239-5000 or 1 800 465-1867 or Fax (613) 239-5063 www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude/

Dec 14 Julia V. 798-9870 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Dec 21 John G. – L3 238-1468 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Dec 28 Darcy B. – L1.5 526-9015 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Feb 2 P10 Fortune Parkway along side trails – L2 Gerry S. 731-5312 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Feb 7 & 8 38th annual Canadian Ski Marathon (crosscountry ski tour) Lachute to Buckingham with an overnight stop in Montebello. As little as 12 km or as much as 160 km. www.csm-mcs.com/ Feb 9 Mer Bleu – L1 Gilles C. 258-6636 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Feb 14 2004 Keskinada Loppet Canada’s biggest cross-country skiing event —3400 skiers! Classic Style day (Rossignol 5 Km, Rossignol 25 Km and 50 Km) www.keskinada.com/ Feb 15 2004 Keskinada Loppet Canada’s biggest cross-country skiing event —3400 skiers! Freestyle (2 Km Mini-Keski, 10 Km, 25 Km and 50 Km Hilton Lac-Leamy) www.keskinada.com/ Feb 15 Lac Philippe and/or Lac Renaud - All Levels Meet at 18:00 at Hostel for car pooling. Spaghetti dinner at 22:30. (Be sure to eat before ski!) Small donation for dinner required. Jim B. 827-0706. Co-leader TBD. OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 23 P10 to Huron and/or Western along trails 3, 21, 2/18, 1B,1 – L2 John C. 730-9851 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Mar 30 TBA Check hotline OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

ALPINE SKIING Two-for-one nights at Camp Fortune every Tuesday night from January 7 to February 14. Cost is approximately $11 per person plus $3 to driver. Meet at Hostel at 17:30. John G., 234-1468

WEEKEND TRIPS (Alpine & Nordic Skiing) Jan 9-12 Downhill skiing. Mt Ste Anne, max 8, Thursday departure, $40 deposit - All Levels Tim C. 729-8471 or Chris C. 254-7002 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 17-19 Downhill, X-C skiing, Mont Tremblant. Townhouse-condo, max 8, $50 deposit – L3 Chris M. 371-8358 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 31-Feb 2 Downhill, X-C skiing. Agnes Horth Inn (Sutton), max 16, $50 deposit – L2 Marie-Reine F. 749-1469 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

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Feb 7-9 X-C skiing. Le Chalet Beaumont, Val David (Que), max 14, $50 deposit – L1-3 Ken Z. 228-8553 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Feb 14-16 X-C skiing, Mont Tremblant Hostel, max 16, $50 deposit - All Levels Robert A. 744-7985 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Mar 7-9 Downhill, X-C skiing, snowshoeing. Dr’s Inn, Saranac Lake, max 18, $60 deposit – All Levels Reserve by Jan 11. Belinda B. 748-0358 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Mar 21-23 X-C skiing, snowshoeing. Harris Farm (Que), max 16, $60 deposit - All Levels John G. 238-1468 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

SNOWSHOEING Jan 1 TBA Check hotline OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 3 Synergy Mad Trapper Snowshow Series Race #1 Sponsored by Redfeather and Trailhead All races will be sanctioned by the Canadian Snowshoe Union and will follow a 5k/10k format. Series begins with a January 3, 2004 “Urban” race through one or more of Ottawa’s greenbelt areas. This will be a flat, fast course designed to initiate the newcomer to the sport of snowshoeing while still providing a decent challenge to the competitive 10k runner or triathlete. www.synergyat.ca Jan 4 Bushtukah Snowshoe Demo Day. Try out snowshoes, learn new techniques – All Levels Approx $10, pre-register with Danielle B. 595-9979 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 11 Mer Bleue – L1.5 Ron M. 748-0684 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 18 Carman Trails – L2 William C. 234-4394 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 25 Rideau Trails – L1.5 Marie-Reine F. 749-1469 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Jan 31 Synergy Mad Trapper Snowshow Series Race #2 The second race will be held 40 minutes north of Ottawa, in the heart of the Gatineau Hills. This course will be considerably more challenging with a more rugged and varied terrain and a greatly increased elevation gain over the span of the race. Race will follow a 5k/10k format. Feb 1 Gatineau Park – L1.5 Followed by spaghetti supper. Jim B. 827-0706 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

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Feb 8 Wolf Trail.– L2 Gerry S. 731-5312 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Feb 15 P19 to P17, some bushwhacking – L2.5 Jim F. 234-4548 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Feb 21 Synergy Mad Trapper Snowshow Series Race #3 – Championship Categories will include Women’s and Men’s in both the 5 and 10k events. First and Second place prizes will be awarded by Trailhead and Redfeather Snowshoes. There will be an overall championship prize to those who particapate in all three races.

WINTER BIRDING FIELDTRIPS Half Day Excursions in The Ottawa Area (7:30am to Noon - $40.oo per person, per excursion) Full Day Excursions outside The Ottawa Area (7:00am to 8:00pm - $80.00 per person, per excursion)   Jan 10 The Ottawa/Rideau River Complex Guide: Tony Beck – 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony Jan 11 Ottawa South, Open Country Guide: Tony Beck – 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony

Feb 22 Kingsmrere – L1.5 Ann M. 827-8740 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Jan 17 The Greenbelt Trails of Ottawa West Guide: Tony Beck - 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony

Mar 1 Gatineau Park – L1 Meg C. 722-3482 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Jan 18 The Ottawa/Rideau River Complex Guide: Tony Beck – 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony

Mar 8 Lac Phillippe – L2 Larry B. 225-7903 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Feb 1 Open Guide: Tony Beck – 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony

Mar 15 Larimac Trails – L1.5 Teresa B. 236-9307 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Feb 21 Special: Full day to Algonquin Park 7:00am to 8:00pm Guide: Tony Beck – 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony

Mar 22 Carman Trails – L1 Shaelah R. 723-5342 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Mar 29 Gatineau Park – L1 Patrick A. 521-6846 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

WEEKEND TRIPS Feb 28–Mar 2 Snowshoeing, winter camping, Adirondacks, max 6, $20 deposit – L3-4 Treena G. 728-5311 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

Mar 6 Special: Full day to Amherst Island 7:00am to 8:00pm Guide: Tony Beck - 613-828-5936 e) beck.tony@sympatico.ca www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony

DOG SLEDDING Weekdays & Weekends Expeditions Radisson One, two and three-day expeditions Wakefield 1-888-459-3860 www.expeditionsradisson.ca

Jan 3 & 18 Feb 14 & 22 Trail Dancer Sled Dog Adventures Fulton’s Sugar Bush Lanark, ON (613) 256-8736 traildancer@igs.net www.traildancer.com Feb 6–7 Feb 28–29 Trail Dancer Sled Dog Adventures Weekend Cabin Getaway Lanark, ON (613) 256-8736 traildancer@igs.net www.traildancer.com

RUNNING Jan 6 – Mar 9 Running Start: Every Tuesday Aiming for St. Patty’s Day 5k March 13 Bustukah – www.bushtukah.com Paula Burchat pburchat@hotmail.com (Cost $65) Jan 8 – Mar 11 10K Clinic: Every Thursday Aiming for St. Patty’s Day 10K March 13 Bustukah – www.bushtukah.com Paula Burchat pburchat@hotmail.com (Cost $65) Feb 11 – May 26 Half Marathon Clinic Every Wednesday 16 weeks to NCRW May 30. Stronger runners can aim for Kingston Half April 25th (11 weeks) and then go again for NCRW. Bustukah – www.bushtukah.com Paula Burchat pburchat@hotmail.com (Cost $75) Mar 23 – May 25 2nd Running Start: Aiming for NCRW 5k May 29 Bustukah – www.bushtukah.com Paula Burchat pburchat@hotmail.com (Cost $65) 2nd 10K Clinic: March 25-May 27 aiming for NCRW MDS Nordion 10K May 29 (Cost $65)

Mar. 7–9 Downhill, X-C skiing, snowshoeing. Dr’s Inn, Saranac Lake, max 18, $60 deposit. Reserve by Jan 11 – All Levels Belinda B. 748-0358 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/ Mar. 14–16 Snowshoeing, Adirondacks hostel, $40 deposit. Reserve by February 22 – L3-4 Treena G. 728-5311 OHOC Hotline – 230-6703 ohoc.ncf.ca/

SPEED SKATING Jan 31 Speed Skating Marathon Big Rideau Lake, Portland, ON Race to be held on a 2.5km oval. Races of 5km, 10km and 50km are planned with prizes for all age groups participating. Clubs participating include: Ottawa Pacers and the Kingston Striders. speedskating@portlandoutdoors.com www.portlandoutdoors.com

O T TAWA O U T D O O R S W I N T E R

BuG Juice Tall (but true) Tales from the Woods by Jim Hargreaves

ARCTIC TUSK FORCE

THE SKY ABOVE Dundas Harbour was crystal clear as we made our way eastwards in three double kayaks along the south coast of Devon Island in Nunavut’s far north. Located on the north side of Lancaster Sound, opposite Baffin’s rugged headlands, Devon is a large uninhabited island capped with an extensive, permanent snow and ice plateau. The island is very remote, but traces of Franklin’s ill-fated 1845 Arctic expedition in search of the Northwest Passage have been found on the southern beaches, and the wild valleys and ice littered coastal waters are teeming with wildlife. Apart from a few archaeological digs and a handful of Franklin buffs, the island is seldom visited. We were there for a week of exploratory kayaking and wildlife viewing, and what a week it had been. Although the island had been shrouded in mist for most of our stay, the wildlife had made itself very visible. Musk ox, polar bear, snowy owls and herds of Arctic hares had appeared almost upon demand. Our shutters had been busy. Now it was time to see whether the marine life was going to be as cooperative. We had set off in our kayaks hoping to get sightings of beluga, walrus and possibly even the elusive orca. Our kayaks knifed through mirror calm waters and the reflections of already awe-inspiring icebergs seemed to double their size. We were eight kilometres from camp on a perfectly calm day with 24 hours of daylight—what could possibly go wrong? Pamela, my partner in the front of the kayak, suggested that we paddle a little closer to a rocky headland some distance away from the rest of the group—she wanted to get photographs of some spectacularly folded rock layers covered in bright yellow lichen. After firing off a few snapshots we headed back out to open water to rejoin the group. As we made the turn an irresistible force collided with us from underneath lifting the rear end of the kayak completely clear of the water. I looked over my right shoulder and less than a metre away I saw a massive, whiskered head with two enormous tusks lunging towards me. We had just got up close and personal with a rogue male walrus. “What was that?” asked Pamela, calmly continuing to paddle. She hadn’t seen the beast in question and was oblivious to the attack—she thought we’d risen up over a large rock due to the swell. This impression was slightly flawed as there was no trace of a ripple on the surface of the ocean. “We’d better get back to the rest of the group,” I said, trying desperately not to display any hint of fear or panic. There’s safety in numbers I thought. Like his distant cousin, the seal, walrus are web-footed pinnipeds, and are huge lumbering mammals on land often weighing over a tonne. On an ice floe his movements are not 52

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exactly Gretzkyesque, but put him in the water and his movements soon become as graceful, and as agile, as The Great One. As we paddled towards the rest of the group, I saw a huge mottled back break the surface to my left and realized that our newly made marine acquaintance had passed underneath our kayak and surfaced for another inspection of the target. There was no point in trying to deceive Pamela any longer so I came clean, “That’s what lifted us out of the water—keep paddling!” Her response was to calmly put down her paddle and start rummaging for her camera. “Where the heck is my zoom lens?” she said. “I don’t think you need it,” I replied. By now the animal was six metres away and still heading for us at full speed. At about two metres the walrus disappeared below the surface and swam right underneath us for another hull inspection. I suppose you could call it pinniped periscope depth. There was no collision this time but the charge had the desired effect. We were now paddling as hard as we could towards the rest of the team who were watching our plight with astonishment from five hundred metres away. At this point I got that sinking feeling. Literally. The kayak was becoming sluggish and unresponsive and my cockpit was now somehow completely full of icy Arctic water. We were going down. By the time we reached the rest of the group we were wallowing up to our armpits, still in the kayak, but totally submerged. These rats were not going to abandon their sinking ship—the idea of evacuating the comparative safety of a sunken kayak to join a walrus in his backyard was somehow not particularly attractive. Like true skippers we stayed with the vessel. Our companions rafted up on either side of us to make our underwater silhouette seem more intimidating (the orca is the only enemy a walrus has, so we tried to appear orca-like from underneath). Feeling a little more secure, we held on for support while the rest of the team paddled the clumsy raft to shore. The walrus continued to circle, his beady eyes firmly focused on us. Eventually we made it to shore and hauled out on the beach. An inspection of the kayak revealed a half-metre long gash in the canvas skin—another two centimetres and my rear end would have had an ivory insert. Now all we had to do was hike twelve miles with the remains of our craft while the rest of the team paddled back to the campsite. So, our Arctic adventure was over. We’d visited Thule sites a thousand years old, and been privileged to view a wide variety of wildlife. And somewhere down there, beneath the frigid waters of Lancaster Sound, lives a walrus as big as a nuclear submarine with a penchant for petrifying paddlers and an appetite for folding kayaks. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

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Photo by Mike Beedell

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Issue #6 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

Articles inside

SNOWBOARDING

Low-tech methods for getting home again

Camping tips

A map of the local ski hills

NORDIC SKIING

Winter Photography tips

SNOWSHOEING

Find your way with a GPS

WINTER TRIATHLON