Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

At Wilderness Traverse this year, Eco, Amber and I talked about doing a winter camping trip together in Algonquin and I'm pleased to say that this wasn't one of those adventures that stops at the idea phase! We picked this past weekend not knowing at the time that it might have been the most perfect weekend for winter camping. Since Amber and I had never been, we were convinced the Universe gave us perfect conditions so that we would love it and want to do it again...and we definitely do!

We met up at Eco's early Saturday morning to drive up to Algonquin together. By the time we stopped at the Farmer's Daughter for lunch, got our permits and got our gear organized, it was just after 1. Our goal was to make it Maple Leaf Lake. We all had heavy loads but what differed was how we chose to carry them - Eco had a very cool sled and harness that took some weight off her back but I sure didn't envy her up all the hills (after I assured here Western Uplands was relatively flat - ooops!).

With all the fresh snow and our packs, it was pretty slow going. Fortunately there had been a few people out to pack down the trail a bit as we found when we tried to go off trail to investigate possible sites, the snow was well past our knees. We saw a few day hikers and a couple other groups of backpackers but many had set up camp en route to Maple Leaf Lake and we really noticed a difference in the quality of the trail when the traffic went down from 8 people having been ahead of us, to 4, to 2...etc.

When we got to Maple Leaf Lake we first checked out a side trail on the near side of the lake, but the snow was so deep we didn't make it very far before decided to go a bit further on the main trail. The campsite we chose was perfect, with a lovely view of the lake, a thunderbox within walking distance, and a dead tree we could harvest some firewood from. We set up camp and enjoyed a lovely happy hour, dinner, fire, dessert, and maybe some whisky.

Really enjoyable treadmill intervals at the gym after work, inspired by this article that I read just before I left work and the freezing rain that made the prospect of an outdoor run less appealing!

http://trailrunnermag.com/training/trail-tips/from...

There is another mountain film festival coming to Waterloo in a few weeks....the Vancouver Mountain Film Festival. I've never heard of this one before but love any outdoor films and am planning on going. If anyone wants to come down for it, let me know and I'll grab some tickets!

http://www.princesscinemas.com/event/vimff-best-of...

Headed to Hockley to make friends with some hills. Went out on the main trail and then back on all of the side trails on the parking lot side of the road (yes, I should be able to say what direction that is...I think north?). I imagine that if I stuck to my original plan and ran on Saturday it would have been much firmer, but with the snow overnight the sections further out were pretty powdery and soft. Wore my Spikecross but think I could have gone with the Microspikes instead, as my back was pretty sore by the time I was done from all of the slipping around. Saw a few other people out there on the main trail but had the side trails to myself.

I think that the Tom / Isabel East side trail combination is perhaps my favourite section of the Bruce Trail that I have ever seen. It makes me so happy every time I am on it. :-D