Snowshoeing 101: Hitting the Trail

I left off with this image yesterday. Today I want to cover just a few basics to help you feel more confident once boots and snowshoes are securely fastened to your feet.

If this is your first time on snowshoes look for fairly flat terrain. With your trekking poles for balancing support try and slowly turn around on the spot by just shifting your feet, one at a time in one direction. Don’t rush, just make slow movements and get comfortable with how the snowshoes feel attached to your feet/boots. Complete at least one full revolution, then reverse your direction.

Next find a snow covered area and practice getting up from a fall. You will fall! Don’t expect never to make contact with the ground. The sooner you know how to upright yourself, the better. Poles will be your best friend as you use them to pull yourself up. Avoid icy sections as pictured in the image above. Snowshoes have substantial cleats but caution is still advised when crossing icy areas. It’s easy to loose control without somewhere to firmly plant your poles. Give yourself time to build skills and confidence.

Respect groomed trails. Groomed trails are often found in public parks and nature preserves and favoured by cross-country skiers. As a snowshoer it’s a good idea to keep to one side. Also try to avoid placing your poles into the ski tracks, it potentially can tear up the smooth tracks and pose a hazard for skiers.

What happens when we encounter skiers or snowshoers? Faster moving outdoor enthusiasts have the right away. Step out of the trail and let others pass. They won’t sneak up on you, skiers and snowshoers approaching from behind will call out to make you aware. Keep your eye out for skiers coming toward you and move aside to make room. If you are still feeling a little unsteady, just step off the trail, stop moving and let the skiers pass completely before you resume your trek.

A word of caution about exploring private land: always obtain permission to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary confrontations ahead of time.

Navigating hills can be daunting at first. Remember to take shorter steps and get acquainted with how it feels to move uphill or downhill with snowshoes attached. Watch your balance. In most cases you can just keep your snowshoes straight. If the terrain is steeper than what you are comfortable with feel free to step in a herringbone pattern or side-step uphill. Side-stepping downhill is perfectly acceptable. Don’t let people rush you. Move to the back of your group so you don’t feel rushed or self-conscious during a descent. And don‘t forget to use your trekking poles!

This pretty much covers the basics for getting on the snowshoe trail. Snowshoeing is one of the easiest Wintersports to get involved with, a natural progression for hikers. It’s a great way to socialize. Packing a lunch and sharing it in a suitable location is always a good idea. Remember to pack out what you pack in. Food wrappers and beverage containers don’t have a place in the backcountry, beaches or ditches!

The 2023 winter in Nova Scotia has been a bit of a let-down for snowshoers so far. I haven’t given up hope for more snow yet but instead of worrying about the current lack of fluffy white stuff I believe in being prepared. Reviewing some simple and straight forward information on snowshoeing this week will help anyone who plans to get out and enjoy the snow when it arrives sometime in the future.

I hope to see many of you out there sporting snowshoes, trekking poles and big smiles like this group!

What did I forget? Leave your questions in the comment section below and I will do my best to answer them. Happy Friday, Anna

Snowshoeing 101: Equipment

Have you ever imagined yourself breaking a pristine snow covered trail without sinking up to your knees into the white stuff? You may be interested in trying out snowshoeing. If you love hiking you might enjoy snowshoeing just as much.

When it comes to equipment you may already have everything except the snowshoes. Equipment shops and, as is the case in Nova Scotia, many municipalities rent snowshoes through their recreation department. We are so fortunate here in Parrsboro: snowshoes are available to rent for free for a two week period.

Let’s talk about this equipment: snowshoes come in all sizes. Depending on where you plan to venture you need to consider what best suits you. As a beginner we go to the basic snowshoe and just look at lengths. Be aware that there are snowshoes for children, women and men. And the size you need ultimately depends on weight, that is body weight, outdoor clothing AND the pack you are carrying. I suggest a google search with keywords: men, women, snowshoe sizing chart. It will yield the info you are looking for. For example: 21” snowshoes will accommodate a female with a combined weight of up to 150lbs, 25” snowshoes allows for a combined weight of up to 200lbs.

Above are my 25” snowshoes that have served me well for over 10 years. I recently invested in some adjustable carbon trekking poles for hiking which do double duty for snowshoeing.

It took me a while to make friends with the binding. These days most snowshoes feature a ratchet binding system that is easy to adjust across your boots, the adjustable strap that wraps around the heel varies from a simple silicone strap with securing post to a click in fastener, depending on the brand you decide on. There are pros and cons with either heel strap but one gets used to the mechanics easily.

The question comes up often: what footwear do I need? If you have waterproof hiking boots they meet the requirements spot on. Sneakers, no matter how much you love them, will not work for snowshoeing. A soft winter boot also lacks overall support but may be fine for a short excursion. In my experience participants with inadequate footwear tire easily and don’t find the experience enjoyable.

Let’s move on to some tips on how to attach snowshoes to your boots. It took me several frustrating attempts to get comfortable with my snowshoes. Once I realized that there is a right way to put on snowshoes the sport became much more enjoyable.

And yes: there is a right way to proceed. Start with your dominant foot and step into the binding, lining the ball of your foot up with the front of the binding. Fasten the strap across your toes first. The ratchet mechanism (grey square) easily tightens the strap to the point where the toe section is secure. To release the strap, lift the red square. Another consideration: the straps always point to the outside!! Strap ends facing each other while snowshoeing contribute to tripping, falling or other difficulties.

Lastly tighten the strap across your foot and arch. Bring the heel strap around and pull the silicone strap to the point where it is tight and the post easily slips into the hole. Now guide the strap back and slide it into the provided holder so it doesn’t flop around. (See above image)

If you are not wearing waterproof or snow pants you may want to use leg gaiters to stay dry. When snowshoeing we kick up snow which often clings to our pants and has a tendency to melt. Exercising in wet conditions is not a lot of fun, so protect yourself, stay dry and warm and look for gaiters. The set pictured above are short, full length gaiters reach from just below the knees to the ankle, they hook onto the shoelaces and a strap positioned just in front of the boot heel keeps them securely in place. Here is is an example of what it looks like in use:

What do you wear inside your boots? Stay away from cotton socks. Cotton absorbs perspiration but it does not wick it away from the body. Get yourself wool socks, synthetic socks work in a pinch. If you are a knitter or know someone who knits see if they will make you a pair. Hand knitted merino wool socks sound not only luxurious, they are the best. Once you have tried hand-knit socks you will be hard pressed to wear anything else!

A word about trekking poles: some like them, some don’t, others just use one.

I am flexible with that decision. I always bring both but there are loops on my backpack I can use to fasten them to in case I find they hinder my movement. if you have never snowshoes before I suggest you use them. Trekking poles will aid with balance. On uneven terrain they help us test the ground and if the trail has a lot of elevation differences poles are wonderful.

If you opt to include poles in your hiking and snowshoeing gear look for lightweight options. You won’t regret this! The fact that trekking poles are adjustable make them easy to pack. My poles have clips for quick adjustment, I also have a set that adjusts by simply twisting the section to losen or tighten for height adjustments.

Poles usually come with two sets of baskets. I like the smaller set as they provide a little resistance when snowshoeing or passing through muddy sections.

As always, dress in layers. Wear comfortable pants and outer shell to allow for unrestricted movement. Carry a pack with water, high energy snacks, extra socks and mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves and remember a hat! We lose more heat than we realize via our unprotected head.

That’s it for today: a primer for snowshoe equipment. Feel free to contact me with questions. Check back tomorrow where I talk a little about the basics on how to break the trail and general trail etiquette.

Happy Thursday! May you be blessed with a fresh layer of snow to embark on a snowshoe excursion, Anna

First Snowshoe Outing This Winter!

I have made myself available this winter to lead snowshoe or hikes on Wednesday afternoons under the auspices of NSWalks and Cumberland County Rec. The local recreation department has a free lending program for locals and tourists where one can try out snow shoring or cross country skiing without investing their own money in equipment. Many Nova Scotia communities have this program.

I was pleased to see three interested participants meet up with me after lunch. It has really been the first Wednesday this winter that we could actually don snowshoes for the first time: we have a thick layer of the white stuff to test.

The woods we explored are in Parrsboro proper and we all agreed that the snow covered trees lent a certain magic to our outing. Did I create some new snowshoe enthusiasts? The jury is still out on that. I am very proud of everyone who came out and gave this Wintersport an honest try!

It was a beautiful setting for our outing. The forecast for tomorrow is for strong winds and heavy rain. All the more reason for feeling grateful for today’s outdoor experience!

Best wishes to all, Anna

Time stands still…

A winter wonderland greeted us this morning. I can’t remember the last time I was excited about so much snow… it means we can do a snowshoe session instead of a hike on Wednesday afternoon. Yeah!

The back yard looked magical!

And the Canada Geese appeared frozen to the ground. Every once in a while there was some gentle chatter between family groups but everyone did their best to preserve body heat. By the time I cleared the snow from the driveway and decks the geese were up and about on the water.

Happy Snow Day! Best wishes, Anna

Redhead Trail Hike in Five Islands Provincial Park

The map on the AllTrails app was somewhat confusing when I checked it a couple days ago. I decided to leave it for a bit and connect with someone who knows the area well. I didn’t have to wait very long: yesterday my friend Gaby asked if I was up to exploring, wait for it: the Redhead Trail. We thought there would be enough snow to use our snowshoes for the first time this Winter. But once we arrived at the trailhead we left the snowshoes in the car and put our trust into our winter hiking boots instead.

The Redhead Trail leads through the forest to a look off providing unrestricted views of the Redhead, Old Wife Formation and Moose Island.

We could not have asked for better weather: minimal snow over on the natural trail, at times sheltered from any wind, constantly changing light with clouds opening up to blue sky and and reflecting off the Bay of Fundy. It was a treat and I stopped often just to survey the landscape and sea beyond.

Once we reached our destination we caught glimpses of Soley’s Cove at high tide in the opposite direction, another favourite ocean floor hike I embark on several times a year.

It was tough leaving the look off behind with the scenery bathed in magical light and the powerful sounds of waves crashing against the Jurassic sandstone cliffs below.

Upon returning to the main path we decided to hike back to the car via Five Islands Provincial Park Campground. The trail wasn’t easy to navigate and at times the descent proofed quite steep. We remarked how grateful we were for our hiking poles.

Downed trees from Hurricane Fiona were a constant reminder of last September’s devastating storm. The layer of fluffy snow added contrast and a way to highlight how much damage the area sustained. The trails were mostly clear and easy to navigate for which we were grateful.

Trail notes: we gauged the distance of our hike to be about 10+ km which took us approximately 3 ½ hours. We didn’t push, took time to admire the scenery and kept a steady pace along the road leading back to the main gate.

Hiking poles are highly recommended. Carrying water and some energy providing snacks are also strongly suggested. We didn’t notice issues with cell reception but I can’t vouch for full cell service as we didn’t check constantly.

While we didn’t use cleats and/or snow shoes I recommend carrying cleats if the weather stays below freezing or more snow accumulates. We completed this hike on January 22nd, 2023

Hope this hiking recap had something for everyone. May you find energy and inspiration for the start of a new week, Anna

Recipe for a Great Sunday

The best way to reconnect with a friend after not seeing each other for a while is during a crisp winter morning at -11C with the sun shining brightly!

Try it some time… it’s good for the soul! Happy Sunday from the Bay of Fundy, Anna

Frosty Saturday in Magical Light

The snow had stopped and the sun tried to break through the clouds this morning making for a surreal landscape experience.

The chilly beach walk presented a strong contrast between silvery greys against colour-infused close ups.

Wishing you all a restful weekend, Anna

Tranquility…

It’s a snow day today and I am grateful for yesterday, when on my way home from the Cape Sharpe hike I stopped at the beach near Partridge Island. The tide was receding. And all I did was listen, give in to the rhythm of nature … and breathe.

I was reminded of that moment today while reading a passage by Mark Nepo in The Book of Awakening: “…to be accepting of the life that comes our way does not mean denying its difficulties and disappointments. Rather, it means that joy can be found even in hardship, not to be demanding that we be treated as special at every turn, but through accepting the demand of the sacred that we treat everything that comes our way as special.”

Friday blessings to everyone! Best wishes, Anna

Cape Sharpe: Solitary Hike

A return to Cape Sharpe has long been on my “to do” list. It’s not a long hike but it is one I don’t consider an easy hike.

I came here last October when I was not my best due to a shoulder injury. The relative short but steep rocky ATV path posed a challenge and I seriously questioned my overall fitness level.

Today helped me verify that the October incident is behind me. I hiked the stretch solo today so I wouldn’t slow down my hiking buddy. With regular stops along the way for photo opportunities the 2.6 km round trip took me just under 1 hour. The images above don’t really do the steep path justice. But if you take your time it is achievable for most hikers.

The views are second to none! On a sunny day the lighthouse would make for a great picnic destination.

From stunning vistas to tiny natural treasures, this hike offers something for everyone!

Some trail details to consider: this is one of those “uphill both ways” kinda trails😜. It is rocky and uneven and requires sturdy hiking boots. Hiking poles are also recommended to aid with balance when negotiating the steep uneven terrain. Dress in layers as the wind can be strong and getting chilled is a definite possibility.

…here is a reminder to pack out what you pack in when you plan your lunch or picnic. Please respect the “leave no trace” principles. The aluminum beverage can was an unnecessary tree topper. I was unable to retrieve it as the tree grows on the extreme cliff edge.

Hope you find this trail info valuable. Happy Thursday, Anna

Phinney Green in January

Yes, it’s January 18th and we are exploring the Cliffs of Fundy GeoPark beaches! I had planned a hike a little closer to Parrsboro but after the snow and rain we had last weekend access was too uncertain. Instead we carpooled to Phinney Green, about 10 minutes further down shore toward Advocate Harbour.

With five participants and loads of enthusiasm I was very pleased about the level of interest this hike generated. The beach was vast due to the outgoing tide and the light was magical, as it so often is after several days of rain and snow.

Several participants had never visited Phinney Green before. There was much to discover and appreciate on our hike. We may not have walked far but a short rest was welcome. While refuelling we discovered a petrified tree not far from where the driftwood log was. There were scallop shells scattered along the beach for another impromptu sharing session.

It’s always a great day to explore a beach on the Fundy Shore. Phinney Green is not an easy beach to find. Driving from Parrsboro watch for the Fraserville Loop and take the turnoff at the guard rail. Follow the road to where it leads down a hill (80 m) through the forest. Today I was glad for the option of four-wheel drive. This approach through the woods is often rough and can have washed out sections. There is a level space for parking at the bottom of the approach.

After last weekend’s storm we encountered a lot of driftwood and debris that had washed up near the beach access. We watched our step and took it slowly. Once on the beach it’s easy going. I would consider it Level 1 terrain, which means no slippery rocks or boulders to climb over. Watch for cliff erosion and keep your physical distance. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least one school bus length away from the cliffs to avoid falling rocks or mini-mudslides.

I hope this short recap of today’s hike will inspire you to get out and explore. Happy Wednesday, Anna

Rainy Landscape Musings…

On grey days one must look for colour, and delight in the small treasures nature presents.

The way a raindrop captures the whole world and throws it back at us… upside down!

Or how, by accident, the camera lens beholds that one magical moment when light appears in a flash…

On these gloomy Winter days I yearn for the sun… don’t you? Tuesday blessings, Anna

Backyard Inhabitants

I love observing our resident crows and their antics. The species of crows living at the bottom of the yard bordering the wetlands is identified as Fish Crow. Fish Crows fit the standard crow shape: hefty, well-proportioned birds with heavy bills, sturdy legs, and broad wings. At rest, Fish Crows’ wings fall short of their medium-length, square tails. Fish crows are on the larger side, and at first sight we wondered if they were ravens. But the beaks gave them away…

Our crows are lively and communicate loudly when our ShihTzus decide to explore the yard. The neighbour feeds them, I just enjoy their chatter and how they patrol the yard, moving from tree to tree, hopping from branch to branch.

Happy Monday. Best wishes, Anna

Memories are Golden…

…and so are images of favourite beach hikes.

The Soley Cove group hike scheduled for today was cancelled due to freezing rain and overall inclement weather that has lasted all weekend. I took time to reminisce and decided to share images of this spectacular destination. I visited four times last summer and the landscape always inspires.

I hope this virtual walk along the Jurassic landscape brightens your winter day. Happy Sunday, Anna

Reflections on a Grey Day

Yesterday morning’s snow had nearly melted by mid- afternoon. I donned my rubber boots for a walk about town and captured the inner harbour bathed in diffused light and natural grey scale any artist would love to explore.

The circular slushy tracks caught my attention for their pattern and texture.

I do look forward to when the rain let’s off and some colour comes through the clouds. the last images was captured at Ottawa House Beach near sunset the day before last.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and calm weekend, Anna

Ward’s Falls, Part 2

Two days ago I quickly posted images from the afternoon group hike to Ward’s Falls. Today we woke to a surprise snow day. We weren’t supposed to get this much white stuff until further into the weekend. But, here we are, somewhat housebound. And before I immerse myself in a long overdue studio reorganization I wanted to share a few more images and more details from the hike.

This hiking trail is considered Level 1 terrain with some higher levels sections, meaning: challenging sections. The narrow trail requires attention due to protruding tree roots and rocks. On Wednesday the trail was snow-covered, with about 1” of powder. There are several sections that have experienced minimal flooding. The wet areas had frozen and navigating these sections was relatively easy.

The first of three challenging sections is roughly 400 m from the trailhead. Negotiating it with poles in single-file was the way we conquered the undulating terrain. The second section is found approximately ⅓ of the way to the falls, a distance of about 1.5 km from the trailhead. There the path presents with a steep incline coupled with very rough terrain. A rope is provided to assist with the ascent and equally steep descent. Wrapping the rope around one’s arm will further help with staying upright. Most of us used poles, an additional helpful piece of equipment to carry.

This scenic hike is stunning at any time of the year. 16 bridges lead to the destination, an imposing granite wall eroded for millennia, where a stunning waterfall has carved its path. It is one of two so-called slot canyons in our area of the Cobiquit Mountains. During the colder months, icicle formations offer unique photo opportunities.

I have already mentioned two challenging sections to navigate along the trail, the location of the third and last section is immediately following the final bridge. I discouraged everyone from climbing it on this hike as it was impossible to determine how icy it would be. Everyone was cautious and in agreement that we will leave the climbing to the pool of Wards Falls for another time. After a short snack break, we headed back to the parking area.

The last time I hiked this popular trail was in mid-October, shortly after Fiona had blown through the area. At the time I didn’t realize how many trees were affected by the storm. With a dusting of snow over fallen trees and broken limbs, the damage was hard to ignore this week.

For anyone interested in following in our footsteps, here are some pointers to consider: We spent roughly 2.5 hours hiking at a leisurely pace. This included a 10-minute snack break at the turnaround point. We had ample time for photographs along the way and nobody raised concerns about the pace (too slow or too fast). The terrain requires focus and attention due to the uneven path riddled with tree roots and rocks. There were two trees that had fallen over the path but we cleared them easily. The trail is advertised as 7 km round trip but according to my step counter, it is more like 6 km round trip.

The most challenging sections remain the path through the trees along the brook and the final ascent past the bridge below the falls. If the ground was more frozen it might have been easier to negotiate the section along the shore of the brook. The securely fastened rope really helped with balance and steadiness.

Personal equipment must include hiking boots with excellent tread. We didn’t use cleats or micro-spikes due to the lack of ice and there wasn’t enough snow for snowshoes on the narrow trail either. We dressed in layers, some of us had to switch to mittens when gloves proved not sufficient for warmth.

I hope this detailed account of our hike is helpful in planning your outing to Wards Falls. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! Best wishes, Anna

Sublimation…

…post sunrise.

The view was spectacular once again this morning. Vapours rising from the Farrells River as it flows toward the Bay of Fundy, peaceful and mesmerizing!

Happy Thursday, everyone! Best wishes, Anna

Winter Walk to Wards Falls

Wednesday afternoon means hiking time for anyone interested in Parrsboro.

I was joined by four like-minded people eager to explore one of the best woodland hikes in the area. 16 bridges lead the way to the falls. No words are necessary as I share this afternoon’s stunning scenery.

Hopefully everyone enjoys the images as much as we enjoyed the hike. Six kilometres through a winter wonderland. Sheer joy!

Enjoy, Anna

Snowy Surprise!

Daylight revealed a layer of snow blanketing the landscape this morning! No words are necessary to describe my surprise. There was a silver lining to the weather change… the Canada Geese had a blast getting a polar dip bath!

Now, if that doesn’t put a smile on your face I will be surprised!😁 Enjoy, Anna

Off The Beaten Path: Londonderry, NS

On our way home from shopping in Masstown we turned right toward Londonderry at the crossroads in Bass River. Finding our way to Londonderry, an old mining town, has been on our agenda for two years. The sun shone brightly but it was too chilly for a walk with -15C due to a steady wind. So the impromptu Sunday road trip was the best option.

We travelled mostly on pothole-riddled gravel roads, through woods, past isolated homes and farms. Once we crossed the Trans Canada Hwy via a tall bridge the village of Londonderry appeared in the distance

There wasn’t much to discover in the village. I had hoped to come upon remnants of the mining site. The only sign of its historic significance was situated on the north side of the road. The Geosite sign drew our attention. We pulled into the minuscule parking area and explored Londonderry Memorial Square.

We left with our curiosity heightened. It is our goal to return in spring or summer. Meanwhile we shall engage in some research about Londonderry, it’s industry and the families that lived and prospered there.

A Sunday well spent! We discovered another historic site in the Cliffs of Fundy GeoPark. Thanks for coming along. Best wishes, Anna