SNOWSHOEING
Snowshoeing: great exercise in a heartbeat By Rick Hellard
I
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
O T TAWA O U T D O O R S W I N T E R
3
