Riding Mountain National Park is a place that feels like home away from home for me and I always feel wrapped in the warmth of Mother Nature's arms. I seek good vibes and I do a lot of work to cultivate it around me. My self-care sometimes calls for a little soul-reviving action and that … Continue reading A Soul-Reviving Solo Adventure
I have been mentally exhausted constantly and with gearing up to hopefully lead outdoor events again soon, I was also in need of professional development. What better way to get everything I need than to wander through the woods! Spending time in nature always helps me with refocusing. With a much longed for and needed … Continue reading My Day of Solo Hiking
Welcome to the end of 2020. It will not be missed but it will surely be remembered. While looking through photos I took this year and reading journal entries, there were a lot of very good times sprinkled in among all the challenging times. In my current mindset, I would go as far to say … Continue reading End of 2020 Reflection
When talking about my hiking and backpacking pace, I joke that I am an overweight asthmatic. It is also the truth. I feel no shame and in fact, I use the way my body is as a source of empowerment and motivation. My body is powerful and strong and is capable of doing incredible things. … Continue reading Mantario South to Caribou East
There is something about Hunt Lake Trail in the Manitoba Whiteshell that calls to me to conquer mental and physical goals. My first experience on Hunt Lake was traumatic and to this day, I still talk about it because it is part of a story that has catapulted a goal-oriented venture for me. I recall … Continue reading What is it about Hunt Lake Trail?
Blue Jay has been home since March and has had little-to-no formal structure other than spending one day at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for a small day camp. Select day camps are open this summer with greatly reduced numbers and we managed to secure a week at the YMCA. Well, let me tell you what … Continue reading Lovely Little Weekend
Trails in Southern Manitoba are bursting at the seams with new-to-the-outdoors explorers. While it is great that people are going outdoors, I am also concerned because risk management and safety may not be a priority or even on the minds of new hikers. Numbers have spiked in local Facebook hiking groups and many new hikers … Continue reading Risk Management in the Outdoors
I wrote the below post one year ago today for Backcountry Women. To my recollection, hosting the Ten Essentials of Hiking talk was the first event that I led with Backcountry Women. It felt like way longer than just a year ago when I saw the memory pop up on Facebook. Time flies when you … Continue reading The Tenderfoot Hiker and the Ten Essentials
A controversial topic has risen within the hiking community: to hike or not to hike? Our local National Park in Manitoba, Riding Mountain is closed, as are all National Parks throughout Canada. Some Provinces including Ontario and British Columbia have closed their Provincial Parks as well. Manitoba Provincial Parks are still open. I firmly believe … Continue reading Should Provincial Parks Close?
I recently read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and there is a section in the book that resonated with me. Gilbert describes possessing a creative mind is like having a border collie for a pet. Without a job, that breed of dog can become destructive and will eat the couch and drywall. She asks us … Continue reading Mission Accomplished: Certify as a Field Leader
