GHTC News, March 2013

PO Box 1, Guelph, ON Canada N1H 6J6 Volume 41, #1 - March, 2013Telephone: 519 836 9147, Internet: www.guelphhiking.com

Look How Far We’ve Come!

Excerpt from GHTC Newsletter #3, Oct., 1972.“Pictures along the proposed Speed River route, takenand shown by Pat O'Brien, indicated that this area hasabundant scenic appeal.After considering its resources of personnel andfinances, the Guelph Club approved undertaking themaking of a trail from Guelph to Preston with Jill Leslieleader of the project.”

and just one year later

In the photo at the bottom of the previous column,Guelph Mayor Norm Jary, centre-right in the light shirtand hat, and Cambridge Alderman Gordon Chaplin,wearing the checkered pants, were on hand for theofficial opening of the Speed River Trail on Sunday,May 27, 1973.

NOWbe certain to bookmark

International Trails DaySaturday, June 1 , 2013st

to come out and celebrate the

Speed River Trail’s40 Anniversaryth

E2E plus section hikes and BBQ

Watch for final details in via GHTC e-notes and in the local press.

Archive materials courtesy of Dave Hull

Many gracious landowners, both private and corporate, allow our hiking trailsto pass through their land. Without this permission, the trail system would not

exist.

The Guelph Hiking Trail Club extends sincerest appreciation to our landownersfor their continued generosity and support for allowing us the privilege of

hiking on their properties.

As trails exist only by virtue of landowners’ permission, it is incumbent uponevery user to ensure that this privilege is not abused.

Thus, hikers must always abide by the Trail Users Code.

GHTC NewsletterVol 41, #1, March, 2013

The GHTC Newsletter, published in March, July and October,is sent to all of the club members, other trail organizations, landowners who provide access for our trails, advertisers andclub supporters. Opinions and views expressed in thisnewsletter are those of the individual writers or advertisers anddo not necessarily reflect those of the Guelph Hiking Trail Clubexecutive, members, or affiliated bodies such as Hike Ontario.

Check the club web site or blog for details on advertisingrates, merchandise for sale and club contacts.

www.guelphhiking.comwww.guelphhiking.blogspot.com

Mail: PO Box 1, Guelph, N1H 6J6

Club members and others are encouraged to submit articles,notices and photographs to the newsletter editor for possiblepublication in your club’s newsletter. Deadlines for receiving material for publication frommembers, hike leaders and other contributors are: February15 for the March issue, June 15 for the July issue andSeptember 15 for October issue.

GHTC Contacts for 2013President Bill Mungall 519 836 5567

[email protected] President Kathy Somers, 519 836 9147

[email protected] Vice President position open

Secretary Christine Bando, 519 822 [email protected]

Treasurer Henry Graupner, 519 763 5842 [email protected]

Membership Dave Culham, 519 716 [email protected]

Hike Ontario Mike Curtis, 905 877 [email protected]

Publicity Susan Atkinson, 519 837 [email protected]

Hike Schedule Gayle Jeffery, 519 856 [email protected]

Social Jane Shifflett, 519 822 [email protected]

Website Pat Scott, 519 763 [email protected]

Newsletter Gord King, 519 824 [email protected]

Advertising Ben Polley 519 265 [email protected]

Trail CaptainsRadial Line John Fisher, 519 853 1719

[email protected] River Bill Mungall 519 836 5567

[email protected] Bridge Mike Curtis, 905 877 4134

[email protected]

Message from the President

The GHTC is becomingknown for its “interesting”trails. These run alongsurprisingly wild rivervalleys over a variety of terrain,are well maintained andeasy to walk thanks to thehours put into maintenanceby our trail captains, andhave many unusual pointsof interest. They areuseful, allowing you to walk continuously from theBruce Trail to Acton, Eden Mills, Guelph andCambridge and onward to the Grand River. They arealso largely on private lands, at the pleasure of somethree dozen owners. The Club sincerely thanks thelandowners for their steadfast support of the trail; thisyear we will be even more focused on showing ourappreciation to the owners and in consistentlycommunicating with them.

2013 marks the 40 year of the opening of the Speedth

River Trail and the Starkey Hill Sidetrail. Join usJune 1 for a BBQ picnic at Silvercreek Park to capoff a day of several hikes along the 3 sections of theSRT. Take the opportunity to personally thank the 12landowners, who are all being invited. And come outto Starkey on April 27 for our 4 season of Trailsth

Open (in conjunction with Doors Open Guelph),when we will schedule several guided hikes.

Once again Gayle Jeffery has elicited from thecertified hike leaders an excellent slate of hikes foryou to choose from. In most cases, we offer threehikes a week, in a few weeks, even more. Ourleaders report that they are most encouraged by theincreasing turnout coming out for their hikes. Andthat they are getting to know some most interestingparticipants!

Finally, I want to pay tribute to the well organizedleadership shown by our Past President, KathySomers. Kathy encouraged others to forward theirgood ideas and contributed many of her own. Shethen “gave legs” to these ideas though facilitatingthese through the executive committee anddelegation to ad hoc committees such as those thathave organized our successful kids hikes series andour slate of social activities. And Kathy is already avery active Past President, carrying on with a numberof initiatives.

Bill

Fairy Tails et al.Little girl: “Daddy, do all fairy tails begin with -

‘Once upon a time’?”Daddy: “Oh no dear, a great many begin with -

‘After I am elected’!”

E-notesMany GHTC members receive the club’s twicemonthly, e-mail reminders of upcoming events. If you are not currently and would like to receivethese notices, please send your request and e-mail address to Dave Culham at:

[email protected]

GHTC Newsletter - March 2013 - Page 2

Where in the GHTC World Is This?

Spectacular river view from the end of one of our newer side trails. Check it out during the 40 anniversary celebrations!th

Help Wanted: Section leader for the Kissing Bridge Trailwaybetween Katherine St (Grand River) and WollisRd. (2 km of rail trail) Contact Mike Curtis [email protected] or 905 877- 4134 forjob specifications, rates of pay including benefits,and travel opportunities!!

The Guelph Hiking Trail Clubseeks a Volunteer to take on the responsibilities of

TREASURER

The Treasurer is responsible for managing the Club’s financial affairs and funds.In broad outline, he/she will:1. Maintain a record of income and expenditures, and2. Receive payments made to the Club and make bank deposits, and3. Write and distribute cheques against invoices and out-of-pocket expense claims, and4. Sort and maintain all supporting documentation, and5. Prepare regular financial reports including the year end report.

The Volunteer should have some familiarity with basic bookkeeping processes but does not require a formalaccounting accreditation. Experience with computer spreadsheets and access to appropriate computer

equipment, would be essential. The accounts are presently kept using Microsoft Excel.

The new Treasurer would commence her/his duties on September 1, 2013, at the commencement of the2013/2014 financial year. Prior to this, handover assistance will be provided by the current treasurer.

A detailed statement of job responsibilities is available. For further information, please contact:Bill Mungall, President, at 519-836-5567 or [email protected] orHenry Graupner, Treasurer, at 519-763-5842 or [email protected]

This year’s Hike Ontario Summit, held in Kitchenerin conjunction with the 40 Anniversary of the Grandth

Valley Trails Association, was a splendid success. One of the highlights was recognition of Janna and

Stan Stanek as Hike Ontario Volunteers of the Year. The Staneks are receiving congratulations from

GHTC President, Bill Mungall, and Mike Curtis, ourclub’s Hike Ontario Representative.


Hike Ontario Volunteer of the YearAward

This November's Hike Ontario Summit held inKitchener featured one of HO's three Volunteerof the Year Awards being given to Stan andJana Stanek, Trail Captains of Section 1 of the

Speed River Trail. The Staneks, ever so humble,accepted their award on behalf of all of the TrailCaptains of the GHTC. Their citation for the awardwas read to the assemblage as follows:"

Stan and Jana StanekStan and Jana are long-time trail captains who havebuilt, improved and maintained the most challengingand heavily used Section 1 of the Speed River Trail(and the John Wood Sidetrails), running from theGuelph Humane Society to Whitelaw Road on theedge of Guelph.

The Staneks were obliged to leave their nativeCzechoslovakia in 1968 during the Soviet crackdownon “Prague Spring” (i.e. an important antecedent ormodel for “The Arab Spring”) but they brought theirlove of hiking the Tatras, Carpathians and the bigBohemian hills with them to Canada. They also maybe the most traveled hikers in the Club, bringing backinsights about trails from their travels all over theworld.

Their trail section includes challenges from floods,erosion, tall weeds, deadfall, trailhead dumping, creekcrossings, and even debris left by homeless personsliving in the woods near the trail. In 2005, andlargely on their own, Stan and Jana built 6 bridgesover seasonal creeks that discharge under the trail. All these issues have been “managed away” throughthe Staneks’ diligent efforts in maintaining the trailfor the dozens of runners and walkers that frequent itevery day of the year.

The Staneks have also been key in working closelywith the landowners to improve the route of the trailand to create a new series of sidetrail loops, such thattheir section is now truly “optimized.” They evendrafted their own house guests from Quebec to brushout kilometers of new sidetrails!

The GHTC considers itself most fortunate that theStaneks have devoted so much of their spare time tothe trail and also to leading hikes for the Club and thelocal Czech community.

The Importance of Exercise I joined a health club last year, spent about 400bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have togo there.


Hiking the Finger LakesBy Jane Shifflett

In June 2012 I persuaded my sister to do a 5 day hikingtrip with me in the Finger Lakes Area of New York State. This was a Road Scholar trip – www.roadscholar.org. Not only did we hike the beautiful Finger Lakes trail butwe also visited wineries, hiked through amazing StateParks and visited museums including Corning GlassMuseum. Our accommodations were hotel type rooms ata retreat center. An Olympic size pool soothed any soremuscles.

Road Scholar’s mission is to provide learning adventuresso we had talks on Leitchworth park, area forestry, theIroquois Nation, and experienced a climbing wall andmaking ice cream. Our hiking leader also explained factsand quirks of the area as we rode the bus to our hikingspots. And the hiking – through forests, along rivers, upand down hills, beside vineyards – beautiful!

The Finger Lakes Hiking Trail starts at the AlleghenyState Park in the west of New York State and ends in theCatskills. The main trail is 558 miles and has 400 milesof sidetrails. It is a well- marked footpath and like ourtrails is maintained by volunteers. There is even aconnecting link to the Bruce Trail. Information about thetrail can be found at www.fltconference.org . Wethoroughly enjoyed our trip and plan to visit the FingerLakes Area again to walk more miles.

Jim Hoare led a number of club members and friends on the traditional Boxing Day Hike at Starkey Hill.

Contrast participants in the latest hikes with theturn-out for GHTC’s first Clear the Cobwebs,

held on January 1 ,1975.st

Lots of people also joined club President Bill Mungall on January 1 for the annual Clear the Cobwebs Hike.st

GHTC Newsletter - March 2013 - Page5

Battle of the BuckthornBy Mike Curtis

As coordinator of the Kissing BridgeTrailway, there is always something to bedone, depending on the urgency of thesituation. On my “list” was to cut back the

small sapling growth between km 2 and 3, wherethe trailway has become quite enclosed. I plannedto do it sometime in the fall. Imagine my pleasantsurprise when I was contacted by Ruth Robinson ofthe Wellington County Stewardship Council askingif we (GHTC) minded if they cut back the invasivebuckthorn in the very section which I intended toclear. “Yes please!” was my response and weproceeded to plan the attack.

Some of the trees required a chainsaw (noproblem) while others could be cut with loppers,but it was the in-between ones which I thoughtcould be a challenge. They were too small for achainsaw and too large for loppers. I hadpurchased a battery powered reciprocating saw(sawsall), with pruning blades, in the spring forhousehold use, but the battery lasted only 30minutes – rather of limited use on the trailway. Saws with extension cords could be used, butpower was a problem. The solution was to rent aportable generator capable of powering two sawswith long extension cords (one on either side of thetrailway) mounted on a pickup truck (ease ofmovement) which also pulled a chipper to get ridof the brush!

On October 13 (cool and breezy) 8 GHTCth

volunteers and 10 WCSC volunteers met at Ariss. I met another volunteer with a pickup truck atRoyal Rentals where we picked up the generatorand the chipper and off we went to war.

We worked from 9:00 until 12:00 and managed toclear about 80m of buckthorn but could only chip

about 20 m of it due to extreme bushiness of thebranches. The residual will be attended to later onin the fall. Only two very minor injuries(scratches) were suffered requiring a mere cleaningand no bandages. This was very good, consideringthe number of sharp tools in use and the pointednature of the enemy. Ruth invited all thevolunteers back to her place near Ariss for abarbeque lunch and the day was a great success!

Check the GHTC e-mail messages foropportunities to participate in future trail

maintenance parties!


Social Activities - 2012By Jane Shifflet

What do a skating party, a solstice picnic and aChristmas potluck have in common? They were socialactivities enjoyed by GHTC members in 2012.

In January 2012 a skating party was held at the newskating rink in front of Guelph City Hall. Twelveenthusiastic skaters tried out the ice amid flashingcoloured lights. Afterwards, skaters and non-skatersenjoyed refreshments and great talk at a local pub.

The summer solstice picnic was held at RiversidePark. The weather was perfect, the food delicious andthe talk enthusiastic. A gentle hike around the parkled by Bill Mungall helped to excuse anyoverindulgence in food.

Our first Christmas party was a great success. Theunion hall on Silvercreek was festively decorated and45 people shared a wonderful potluck dinner. We aregreat cooks! We got to know each other better whenwe played our get-acquainted game. Thanks Gitta forgetting (forcing) us all to play the game! Thanks toDave Wallace for being our MC and to Terry Spittleand Norm Sailian for leading two hikes before theparty so that everyone could truly enjoy the food.Thanks to everyone who attended.

Do you have a great idea for a social activity orconstructive suggestions about last year’s activities? If so we would love to hear all about it. Share yourthoughts with any social committee member – JaneShifflett, Kathy Somers, Christine Bando and GittaHousser.

Kids Hikes

The December hike was cancelled due to rainyweather, so our last hike was on October 14 lastth

year with 13 kids and their 8 adults on the hare hikeplus 19 kids with their 12 adults on the tortoise hike. With leaders, this made a total of 58 hikers (32 kids!)on our Starkey Trail hike.

We gave pedometers to the children and they reallyliked that. Generally the hares took 5,000 steps towalk the full Starkey loop, and the tortoises did partof the trail taking about 7,000 steps.

Next Kids Hike is on Sunday May 5 at 1:00 pm onthe Radial Line Trail, Section One. Check e-notesand posters for final details.

GHTC Christmas Party - December, 2012


Welcome New Members!Those joining GHTC since August, 2012

John Ambrose, Nancy Atwood, Jean Burrows, BrendaChomiak, Dave & Doreen Clarke, Marco Durepos,

Heather Embree, Douglas England, Moira Ferguson, Lori Gallaugher, David & Sarah Greisman , Beth

Hasson, Astrid & Trevor Hearn, Frebis Hoffmeyer. Aphra Hughes, Jan Ingham, Pamela Jacobs, Stan

Kania & Family, Marion Kelly, Catherine Killen &Karl Baader, Elizabeth Kovacs, Dr. Stanley Litch, LiFang Ma, Linda Markle, John Marsden, Linda & DanMcCarthy, Barbara McKivor, Anne Nederend, GracePeters, Lesley Anne Ratky, Leonie & Steven Reinhart,

Erika Samu, Souhaila Sarkis & Gordon Skinner, Raymond & Kathy Soucy, Jane Sutherland, Susan &Paul Tesar. Vincent & Teresa Wall, Mark & SandraWilson, Lorna Wojcicki, Sunghwan Yi, Barbara &

Stephen Zibotics, Karen Zorzi.

Habits 4 Health ....... Good!!Christine Wenzler and Jana Stanek

Homewood/GTHC programme co-ordinators.

Throughout the spring and summer seven GTHCmembers worked with the Guelph A.C.T. Team (Homewood Health Centre community outreach) tofacilitate weekly 1 hour group hikes for clientsparticipating in a Habits 4 Health Programme. The hikes,in Preservation Park, Royal City Trails and variousGuelph City Trails, usually had about a dozen clients andstaff in attendance. Jana and Stan Stanek, Paul White,Bill Mungall, Mary Henderson and Christine Wenzler ledfun and informative hikes that included plant I.D.,harvesting puff balls, tasting chicory coffee, as well asbits of history and geology. Results were very rewardingas walkers’ stamina for the exercise and level of socialinteraction increased over the weeks. At least 2 are nowGTHC members and it is hoped several more will attendsome club activities.

Completion of the spring and summer modules of theHabits 4 Health programme was marked and achievementcelebrated on Sept. 25 at Rockwood Conservation Park.For many in the group it was an exciting first visit to thepark, for others it was a happy return trip to enjoy therugged scenery, caves and aquatic life. The weather wasperfect for enjoying the hike and the fine picnic lunchprovided by the A.C.T. Team. All of us who assistedwith this endeavour feel it is a very worthwhileprogramme and would participate again at some futuretime.

In addition, GHTC received this note (along with asecond honorarium): "Thank you for your wonderfulsupport to facilitate our weekly hikes! Your enthusiasmhas been contagious and our clients have really enjoyedthe hikes. Thank you so much for donating your time toour program - your efforts have made it very successfuland much-loved by all! Many, many thanks!

Vikki and the Guelph ACT Team staff and clients"

Invitation to Join Voyageur Trail40 Anniversary Celebrationsth

The Voyageur Trail Association (VTA) extends aninvitation to all hikers/trail users to help celebrate their40 anniversary. Plans include an end-to-end hike (overth

12 months) of the 600+ km of completed trail, starting infall 2013. [The completed trail extends (discontinuously)from Spanish, west of Sudbury, to Nipigon, east ofThunder Bay.]

One of our challenges living in the north is the relativelysparse population. VTA volunteers do a wonderful job inmaintaining our trails, but there are some areas that havebecome neglected. If you are able to join us for a fewdays, a weekend or even a day, please get in contact. We'll be putting together a list of work party events thiswinter. If you can only come at a specific time, let usknow and we'll try to accommodate your schedule.

It would also be great to have you join us for one or moreof the many 40 anniversary hikes and snowshoe outingsth

we will be planning (starting in late August 2013). If youwould like to help, please send your name, address, emailand phone # to: Carole Blaquiere [email protected] or Steve Dominy [email protected]. We'll put you on our list toreceive regular updates of work parties and 40th

anniversary activities.

Of course, we'd also love to see you anytime you cancome to explore our trail system. Our current outingschedule is posted at: www.voyageurtrail.ca.


DID YOU KNOW?How the Rivers Got Their Names

By Janet Baine, GRCA Communications SpecialistReproduced, with permission, from Grand Actions

[vol. 17, No, 6], the Grand River ConservationAuthority newsletter.

There are 11,000 km of rivers and creeks flowingthrough the Grand River watershed and we takethem for granted. Ever wonder where thenames of these rivers and creeks come from?

With a little delving and the kind help of somelibrarians, this is part of the story of how the riversgot their names.

According to the Geographical Names of Canada setup in 1897, there are three Grand rivers in Canada,but only one Conestogo, Nith, Speed and Eramosa.

The Grand Native residents in the area called theGrand River the Tintactuo. History books say thatFrench priest and geographer René de Galinée wasamong the first explorers to encounter the GrandRiver and in 1669 he named it “La Rapide”. Frenchcartographer Jacques-Nicholas Bellin published thefirst map that showed the river, and he named it,“R.d’Urse ou la Grand Rivière”. Governor John GravesSimcoe christened it the “Ouse”in the 1790s. This isa river in Yorkshire, England, and this name is stillcommemorated by a road called Ouse Street on theriverfront road in Cayuga. However, it is theAnglicized version of Jacques Bellin’s “laGrandRivière” that the Grand River is known by today. James Gordon wrote a song about the Grand Rivercalled “She is Fickle.”

The Conestogo The Conestogo River that runsthrough Drayton is spelled differently fromConestoga College in Kitchener. In 1809,Conestogawagons took early Mennonite settlers to the village ofConestogo, located just north of Waterloo and theriver was likely named after these wagons. Perhapsit was a spelling error.

The Nith The troublesome Nith River has noreservoir and floods occasionally around NewHamburg. It is named after the seventh longest riverin Scotland that flows through Dumfries, Scotland.

The Speed John Galt named the Speed River becausehe was impressed by the power of the river's current. The name was intended to connote success, fortuneand prosperity, according to the book Cambridge: theMaking of a Canadian City, by Kenneth McLaughlin. There’s a Tragically Hip song called the Speed River.

The Eramosa Local history books say it is namedafter Un-ne-mo-sah, an Indian word meaning dog. There is also evidence from books and the internetthat it could mean a specific kind of dog: black dog,dead dog, ornery dog, old dog or dog leg. Exactlywhich native language is a little murky. VirveWiland, the librarian at the Woodland CulturalCentre, discovered that there is no “m” in any of theSix Nations languages. So she checked the Ojibwaydictionaries which give “animosh” as the translationfor dog. She also looked into a book The Dog’sChildren: Anishinaabe Texts Told by AngelineWilliams and found that many Ojibwe/Anishinaabestories are about half-dog people.

Did you know that all of these rivers are designatedas Canadian Heritage Rivers? When the Grand Riverwas designated in1994, its four major tributaries werealso designated.

If you can shed further light on the origin of othernames of local waterways, please [email protected].

To subscribe to Grand Actions by e-mail, send a blankmessage to: [email protected]. To receive it in the mail, send a request with your addressto [email protected]. There is no cost.

Hike for your Heart’s Sake

When thinking of heart disease, one tend toimagine a sudden event - a heart attack. Butusually, that's only a small part of the story. In fact, the good news is that most people

recover after their first heart attack. The bad news isthat a first heart attack is often the start of life withheart disease.

The Conference Board of Canada estimates that heartdisease and stroke costs the Canadian economy morethan $20.9 billion every year in physician services,hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity.

What are the costs per person? One US studyestimated that over a person's lifetime, the direct andindirect cost of heart disease is more than $1 million. Direct medical cost can rack up quickly. After a heartattack there are immediate charges: ambulancetransportation, tests, hospitalization, and possiblysurgery. Long-term maintenance of heart disease isalso expensive, including medications, testing, andcontinued cardiologist appointments.

Indirect costs are harder to grasp but they can beenormous. The biggest are lost productivity andincome. Those without good disability insurance


could be financially ruined. But even if one does not develop heart disease, it's still costing through taxesand additional health insurance premiums.

One way that can help reduce your risk of heartdisease is to improve your lifestyle. Try these 5 tips:1. Get more physical activity. Regular exercise can

improve blood pressure and cholesterolconcentrations, control weight, and reduce the riskof heart disease. The Heart and StrokeFoundation of Canada estimates that if you areinactive and become physically active, you canreduce heart attack risk by 35 to 55%. Thirtyminutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity,such as brisk walking or biking five days perweek, is a reasonable goal.

2. Improve your diet. Eat more vegetable and cerealsbut always remember that no matter how healthya food might be, eating too much of it will makeyou gain weight and obesity increases risk.

3. Eat less salt. Sodium contributes directly to highblood pressure which in turn, promotes more

cardiovascular disease. Salt, if discovered today andsubmitted to Health Canada for testing, would neverbe approved for human consumption! Cutting outsalt isn't easy. Start by gradually reducing the amountadded to food and pay attention to sodium onnutritional labels. Packaged or processed foods canaccount for 75% to 80% of salt intake.4. Control other risk factors like high blood pressure,

high cholesterol, or diabetes and work with yourdoctor to get them controlled. If you smoke- stop!

5. Reduce stress. Researchers aren't sure how chronicstress contributes to heart disease, but the two arelinked. Do what you can to reduce tensionthrough breathing exercises, meditation, yoga orjust walking along a trail.

OF course, many of us have seen, and ignored,the suggestions for heart disease reducing,lifestyle changes before. Yet they really canmake a difference. That $25 GHTC annual

membership is infinitesimal compared to the lifetimecosts of treatment for cardiovascular disease.


BOOK REVIEWWill Ferguson. Beyond Belfast: a 560-mile walk acrossNorthern Ireland on sore feet.Viking Canada, 2009. 398 pp.

When I last traveled in Newfoundland I came acrosstwo loquacious elderly gentlemen in a café north of St.John's. I must have been in an Irish areaof The Rock for the following account byWill Ferguson on his trek in NorthernIreland is almost verbatim to myencounter.

To Ferguson: "Is it hard unnerstannin us? The accent an' all?" Ferguson: "Wellyou speak fast in Northern Ireland." ToFerguson: "Ach, we don't speak fast. Youlot listen slow."

Ulstermen are never at a loss for words. As Ferguson points out, the longestdistance between point A and point B istwo Ulstermen in conversation. Partly ahiking travelogue, partly a search formysterious ancestors, this book is full of history andmyth, sometimes outright funny, sometimes angry,sometimes wistful or elegiac and never afraid to ask thequestion "why?"

The Ulster Way, set up in the 1970s and early 1980s, is520-630 miles long depending on your source ofinformation. Notes Ferguson, " If they cannot agree onthe length, how can they agree on the actual route." Itruns through some of the most glorious countryside inthe world – sea cliff tops, mountains, green-green-greenfarmland, inland loughs and pretty towns. Offsetting allthis beauty is the fact that guide books probably cannotbe trusted, way markings are sometimes non existent,local knowledge can be infuriatingly vague and theweather can be wet, wet, WET. "Turns out in Ulster,unless you are drenched to the bone and facingimminent hypothermia, you didn't get rained on." Thank goodness for Ordnance Survey maps – theysaved Ferguson's bacon on several occasions. Thelocating of a telephone booth on an O.S. map turnedout to be invaluable.

In the year 2000 he took about two months to completethe Ulster circuit. Originally he had intended to trekthrough, camp out and carry a large rucksack, but theweather soon changed all that. Day hikes of up to 25miles became the norm. At the end of a day he wouldcatch a bus or hitch hike back to his B & B, thenreverse the procedure the next day.

A couple of incidents left him lucky to be alive. Heonly just escaped the tide in absolutely foul weatherclose to the cliff base at St. John's Point in CountyDown. Another time in a pub, after a few drinks of anevening, he got into a political slanging match with a

couple of rowdies; they followed him outside and intoan alley where heaven knows what might havehappened had not a group of "the other side" comealong and sorted out the rowdies.

Ferguson's take on the Northern Irish was as follows."Over the course of my trek, the one thing I learned to

rely on, other than the unpredictability ofthe weather, was the kindness of thepeople, whether Protestant or Catholic,Prod or Fenian. Why they couldn't showthe same generosity of spirit to each otherI never was able to reconcile. "Aye, welove visitors and hate our neighbours" washow it was explained to me."

There are four pages of backgroundmaterial listed at the back of the book,mostly referring to Irish history, should youwish to read more. In addition Fergusonhas provided decent maps of the sevensections into which he breaks up the UlsterWay. As this book went to press in 2009 itwas announced that the Ulster Way would

be re-launched with a new route, improved signage andan emphasis on promoting shorter, "quality" sections. All this sounds great but, as Ferguson might have said,be forewarned and remember that this is Ulster!

For those of us who have done any long distancehiking, this is a must read. For those of us who don'tunderstand the Northern Irish, this is a must read. Forthose of us who revel in travel literature, this bookshould be a very high priority read (and it's by aCanadian!).

[Dave Hull ]

Potpourri of Resources

Listed below is a no-particular-order bunch of websitesor book stores encountered in the last while that areuseful in support of hiking. If you have your ownfavorite lists or discoveries of this sort of thing, send itoff to our newsletter editor for the next issue!

A Trails Map of the Hanlon Creek Conservation Area(and Preservation Park) – as compiled by Stew Hilts,past Chair of the U of G Geography Dept. First timeanyone has attempted to make such a map, despitepublic ownership of this area going back 35+ years.Should prevent folks from getting lost as much as theydo in there! And he nicely gives credit to GHTC fororiginally opening up some of the trails.http://hanloncreekjournal.blogspot.ca/2010/01/trails-of-hanlon-creek.html

Toronto Hiking Website:http://www.torontohiking.com/tohi/ A surprisingly good website with all kinds of features,


and excellent maps. The hikes listing focuses on theGTA and variations of Bruce Trail hikes along theescarpment, but also cherry picks some otherinteresting hikes from other parts of SW Ontario.Oddly, nothing from GHTC trails, though, many ofwhich are more interesting than some of their otherpicks, IMHO.

Greg Vincent’s Website: Features some of the bestpractical advice on hiking, by a local GVTA memberand accomplished hike leader, famous for hisPennsylvania hiking holidays.http://home.golden.net/~gvincent/

The Adirondacks: This site is by an engaging couplewho are “peak baggers” (isn’t everyone who goes tothis upstate NY park?) from Quebec who have seen itall. A six hour drive to Lake Placid from here.http://www.go.to/adirondack

Finger Lakes Trail: http://fltconference.org This 550mile long trail runs through the “southern tier” of NewYork, from the Allegheny Mountains to the CatskillMountains and can be reached in as little as an hoursouth of Buffalo. Maps can be bought on line by thepage. Some of our members have been saying parts ofthe trail are reminiscent of hillier bits of England.

Open Air Books: if you are heading out of countryanywhere, this store is an excellent resource, with veryhard to find titles, if impossibly cramped. Adelaide St.E. in Toronto, about 2 blocks east of Yonge. (A goodbackup after you have checked out The World’sBiggest Bookstore travel section …located just west offYonge, one block north of Dundas.)

City of Waterfalls (Hamilton): a local marketingindividual has created a stunning site, succeeding inincreasing local awareness of the beauty spots aroundthe region. This has triggered much of the recententhusiasm at “waterfall-bagging” (i.e. seeing every lastwaterfall) not only in Hamilton, but along theEscarpment, and throughout Ontario.http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca

[Bill Mungall]


HIKING SCHEDULEMar 2013 through mid July 2013

Over the years the GHTC has enjoyed permission from the generosity of private landowners for footpaths through theirproperty. The friendship, respect and trust of these landowners are the Club's most important assets. Let us continue to care forand properly use their property while maintaining the objectives of the Club.

All hikers should check the GHTC web site www.guelphhiking.com for detailed advice and information on Terrain RatingSystem, Hike Speed, special seasonal instructions and other timely recommendations. Hikes from other clubs are listed. Please check their websites for their terrain and speed ratings, as they may be different thanGHTC's.

• To avoid disappointment due to cancellation, please notify the hike leader if you intend to join a scheduled hike.• Cancelled or rescheduled hikes will be posted on the GHTC web site. The leader may choose to post a rain date here. Be

sure to check for updates and impromptu hikes!• Occasionally it proves more convenient for a hike leader to select a meeting place that is not in Guelph. If you cannot arrange

a ride to get there, call the hike leader who may know of someone who is willing to take you. In other out-of-town hikes theleader will meet at a local location to carpool. If the distance is considerable, it is customary to offer to help pay for gasoline.

• It is important to stay with the group while hiking, alerting the leader of intentions to ‘drop-out' at the beginning a necessityand appreciated.

NOTE: HIKE Dates and TITLES in BOLD are conducted by the Guelph Hiking Trail Club.

Once again the GHTC hike leaders have put together a great hiking schedule that address different interests and hiking levels. Ifyou have a hike location that you would like to see in a future schedule, please email me. [email protected].

Hikes from other clubs are also listed. Please check their websites for details or cancellation notices.

And just a reminder that the times listed with hikes are departure times so please arrive 5-10 minutes earlier. We would bedisappointed if we left without you.

Sat Mar 02 GOLDIE MILL 1-1½ hrA "Beginner's Hike", in the north/central area of Guelph. Meet at 10:00am in the parking lot at Exhibition Park Arena onExhibition St / Division St. This will be an urban hike, in a figure of 8, so there will be a drop-out point halfway through thehike if needed. Bring water & snack & icers for your shoes if the streets are icy.Leader: Susan Atkinson 519-837-9470 evenings before 10 p.m. [email protected] Level 1. Speed Casual

Sun Mar 03 KOLAPORE UPLANDS SKI TRAILS 5 hrChallenging, semi-wilderness trails on the Escarpment, 90 minutes north of Guelph. For adventuresome and reasonably fitskiers. XC ski only. Meet at 8am.Leader: Call Bill Mungall at 836-5567 for transportation info. Level 3

Sat Mar 09 ROYAL RECREATION TRAIL 1-1½ hrThis is the second "Beginner's Hike". Also good to start to get back in shape if you have been idle over the winter. Meet10:00am at the Guelph covered bridge on Gordon Street to hike from Gordon street to Victoria Road then back.Leader: Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 1. Speed Casual

Sun Mar 10 PRESERVATION PARK 2 hrMeet at 1 pm. in the city parking lot on the North side of Kortright Rd (just west of Edinburgh Rd) Come and enjoy the mazeof trails that can be found in the 67 acres of forest. All are welcome.Leader: Paul 519 824-6241 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Mar 16 PRIVATE PROPERTY TRAILS 2 hrBy the generosity of a property owner south of Guelph in the cranberry bog, come enjoy discovering the trails meandering overhills and meadows, in and out of woods, a weather-dependent chance to hike, ski or snowshoe. Meet at the ‘Y' parking lot for a2pm. start. Bring waterLeader: Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun Mar 17 ROYAL RECREATIONAL TRAIL - PHOTO HIKE 2 - 2½ hrThis will be the first of 3 Photo Hikes. We will take an easy stroll along the River Trails for a total of about 5 Km. Meet at theCovered Bridge Parking Lot on Gordon St. at 2:30pm. We will start and finish there. We will travel at a slow pace pointing outmany photogenic scenes and providing lots of time for composing and taking pictures. The time of day was chosen with a viewto the probability of good, low angle dramatic lighting. Bring a camera that you are comfortable with, fresh batteries and amemory stick with room for perhaps 50 or more high resolution pictures. Do not be put off by overcast skies or light drizzle,etc. If it is raining heavily, or a thunder storm is underway, we would probably not want to proceed, but otherwise there can besome great photo opportunities even if the day is not bright and sunny. Leader: Bob Fanning 519 822-5181 or [email protected] Level 1 Easy pace


Thu Mar 21 GHTC SLIDE NIGHT Zehr's Community Room, Imperial and Paisley Roads 7-9pm. More details will be provided in GHTC "Upcoming Events"email prior to event.

Sat Mar 23 CALEDON TRAILWAY 15 - 20 km 5-6 hrsWe will explore the Caledon Trailway, part of the National Trail, an abandoned rail-line between Caledon East and Terra Cotta.This will be an easy hike over 5 or 6 hours. Bring water and a lunch. We will meet near Georgetown around 9:30am. Call Mikefor details of the rendezvous place. Optional drop out after 8km at Ingelwood needs to be arranged in advance with leader.Leader: Mike Curtis 1-905-877-4134 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Mar 23 GVT PINNACLE SECTION, HIKE 1 OF 6 11kmElora area . For more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun Mar 24 ELMIRA RESERVOIR AT FLORADALE 8 km, 2 hrFlat ,varied topography including Lion's Club Sugar Bush operation around reservoir on Canagagiue River. Old orderMennonite farm country. Meet on Florapine Rd just west of Arthur St N for a 2pm departure. Guelph carpool location isGolden Griddle parking lot by Woodlawn Rd. with a 1:15pm departure.Leader: Stan Litch 519-843-5915, Guelph carpool Suzanne Gates 519-265-3962, [email protected]

Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Mar 30 K/W UNIVERSITY GROUNDS 8 km, 2 hrMeet at railway museum parking lot on Father Bauer Drive and Erb Street, 10 a.m. Walking north through university grounds.Bring water. Suggested lunch at Sole, Erb Street. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate.

Mon Apr 01 IGNATIUS JESUIT CENTRE HIKE 1 OF 5 2 km, 1 hrCatherine Donnelly Walk - Stations of the Cross & of the Cosmos. A slow meditative walk. Meet in the parking lot by theLabyrinth and Jesuit Cemetery for a 6:30pm departure.Leader: Vanessa Hyland, 519-821-5335, [email protected] Level 1. Slow

Mon Apr 01 HURON NATURAL PARK 8 km, 2 hrMeet at 10am at Huron Natural Park entrance. Reach Park by Homer Watson Boulevard, Beasley Drive, Trillium Drive. Bringwater, lunch. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 2. Speed Moderate.

Wed Apr 03 GUELPH LAKE CONSERVATION 1½ hrMeet at the entrance to the park on Conservation Road for a 6:15 pm start. We will hike the trail through woods and walk someof the roadways in park.Leader: Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 1. Speed Moderate.

Sat Apr 06 GVT PINNACLE SECTION, HIKE 2 OF 6 10.3kmElora area . For more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Apr 06 ELORA GORGE AREA (GVTA TRAIL) 4km, 1hrSpectacular views of the Grand. Meet at parking lot of ball diamond on west side Ct.Rd7 (Elora Rd) and Middlebrook Rd. for a10am departure. Guelph carpool location is Golden Griddle parking lot by Woodlawn Rd. with a 9:30am departure.Leader: Stan Litch 519-843-5915, Guelph carpool Suzanne Gates 519-265-3962, [email protected]

Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun Apr 07 CAMBRIDGE TO PARIS RAIL TRAIL 10 kmMeet at 10am in Churchill Park off Water Street. Bring water, lunch. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate.

Mon Apr 08 IGNATIUS JESUIT CENTRE HIKE 2 OF 5 1½ hr, 5 kmGreat Auk Wetland Trail goes through woodlot and wetlands behind Marymount Cemetery. Meet in the parking lot by theLabyrinth and Jesuit Cemetery for a 6:30pm departure.Leader: Vanessa Hyland, 519-821-5335, [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Wed Apr 10 SPEED RIVER SECTION 1 2 hrMeet for a 6pm departure at the parking just outside of Guelph Humane Society. We will follow Speed River sect 1 to NiskaRd. and return on the John Woods Side trail.Leader: Norm 519-836-3668 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Thu Apr 11 ELORA/FERGUS HIKE 1 OF 3: GORGE LOOP 6.8kmFor more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2. Speed Moderate


Sat Apr 13 HALTON AGREEMENT FOREST 3 hr, 8-10kmWe enter on the 4th Line of Nassagaweya and hike along fire road and woodland trails. Lots of wildflowers in this section,including green and white Trilliums. Meet at Guelph covered Bridge for a 12:30pm car pool departure. Bring water and snacks.Trails may be wet.Leader: Norm 519-836-3668; Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Mon Apr 15 IGNATIUS JESUIT CENTRE HIKE 3 OF 5 1½ hr., 5 kmChardin and Martin Royackers Trails explore the old gravel pit. Meet in the parking lot by the Labyrinth and Jesuit Cemeteryfor a 6:30pm departure.Leader: Vanessa Hyland, 519-821-5335, [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Tue Apr 16 DUFFERIN HI-LAND SECTION, PRIMROSE, MAP 20 13.4 kmA 13.4 km car shuttle hike at a medium pace with some hills. Hiking boots recommended. Bring water, snack and lunch, and nodogs please. Depart: 9:30 am from the meeting point at km 15.2 on Hurontario St. where there is roadside parking on the southside of Hwy. 89 at least 30 metres from the intersection. Take Highway 10 north from Orangeville to Primrose (junction of 10and 89), then east one concession to Hurontario St. Park just south of this intersection. From the meeting point, we will carshuttle to km 29.2 and then hike back taking in Walkers Woods and the Boyne Valley. We will look out for signs of spring.Leader: Leader: Susan Atkinson 519-837-9470 evenings before 10 p.m. [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Wed Apr 17 ROCKWOOD CONSERVATION 1½ hrHike the Rockwood Conservation area trails and view some of the 200 glacial potholes found here. We'll pass by some of the12 caves, the ruins of a woollen mill and 500 year old cedars as we follow the Eramosa River. Park on Fall Street S. inRockwood for a 6:30pm departure.Leader: Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Thu Apr 18 ELORA/FERGUS HIKE 2 OF 3: MUSEUM LOOP 8.6 kmFor more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 1. Speed Moderate

Sat Apr 20 MIKE'S TRADITIONAL SPRING HIKE & WALK FOR WILDLIFE 6hrsThis is a great hike, looping along the Bruce Trail near Scottsdale Farm, north of Georgetown. The meeting place is onTrafalgar Road north of Hwy 7, opposite the Cango gas Station (Silvercreek) at 10:00am, and a three minute drive takes us tothe parking lot at Scottsdale Farm. We will follow the Bruce and a couple of side trails returning to the cars around 4:00ish. Weather appropriate clothing, andfootwear (rocks can be slippery), lunch and water are essential. Our kilometers walked will be added to the Canada-wide totalkilometers of the Canadian Wildlife Federation's 2013 Walk for Wildlife. (The goal of Walk for Wildlife is to encouragepeople to spend time outdoors.)Leader: Mike Curtis 905-877-4134 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Apr 20 WILDWOOD CA 10 kmMeet for a 10am departure in Wildwood CA, located 16 km west of Stratford on hwy 8, cross dam, turn left at intersection, turnleft again at first road. You may be required to pay admission. Suggest lunch at Woolfy's at intersection. Contact Susan toarrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun Apr 21 RLT SECT 2 - PHOTO HIKE 2 - 2½ hrOur second photo hike will take place on RLT Section 2. Meet at the Guelph Covered Bridge Parking lot on Gordon for a2:30pm departure to the Starkey Hill parking lot. We will hike along the side trail to the main trail in section 2, going east alongthe main trail and then returning the same way, to finish at the parking lot. The turnaround point would be determined by thegroups progress, such that we would finish by about 5:00 PM. Bring a camera that you are comfortable with, fresh batteries anda memory stick with room for perhaps 50 or more high resolution pictures. Do not be put off by overcast skies or light drizzle,etc. If it is raining heavily, or a thunder storm is underway, we would probably not want to proceed, but otherwise there can besome great photo opportunities even if the day is not bright and sunny.Leader: Bob Fanning 519 822-5181 or [email protected] Level 2 Easy pace

Mon Apr 22 IGNATIUS JESUIT CENTRE HIKE 4 OF 5 1½ hr, 5 kmBack 40 and River Chardoner Trails explore the bee hives, the willow dome and the hermitages. Meet in the parking lot by theLabyrinth and Jesuit Cemetery for a 6:30pm departure.Leader: Vanessa Hyland, 519-821-5335, [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Wed Apr 24 ROYAL CITY RECREATION TRAIL 2 hrMeet at the covered bridge for a 6:30 PM start along the RRT. We will head toward Victoria road on north side of Eramosariver and return on south side.Leader: Norm 519 836-3568 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Thu Apr 25 ELORA/FERGUS HIKE 3 OF 3: FERGUS LOOP 8.5kmFor more details see www.gvta.on.caLeader: GVTA leader Level 1. Speed Moderate


Sat Apr 27 TRAILS OPEN / DOORS OPEN GUELPH 1½ hr.Join the GHTC and GRCA in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Starkey Trail. Wild flowers such as Trilliums, Hepatica, SpringBeauty and Dutchman's Breeches are found along the Starkey Hill trails and chickadees will take food from your hand. Meet inStarkey Hill parking lot, south side of Arkell Rd., about 1km east of Arkell Village. Four hikes departing at 9:30, 11:30, 1:30,3:30Leader: various GHTC leaders Level 2. Speed Casual

Sat Apr 27 WOODSTOCK 10 kmUse Hwy 401, exit 236 to Tower Line Road. Turn right onto Oxford Road 4. Meet at trail entrance on left just past bridge for a10am departure. Bring water, lunch. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Sun Apr 28 FERGUS HISTORIC HIKE 1½-2hrWe will walk the streets of Fergus, passing by homes, churches, mills and commercial buildings built in 1800s. Are journey willprovide some great views of the Grand River. After our walk we can lunch at the Brew House on the Grand, originally built as ahome circa 1851, it was converted into a flour mill, electrical generating plant, chicken hatchery, Police department and finally anInn and pub. Meet in Golden Griddle parking lot close to Woodlawn Rd. for a 10:00am carpool to Fergus. Wear shoes suitablefor sidewalk walking.Leader: Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 1 Easy pace

Sun Apr 28 CRAWFORD LAKE/RATTLESNAKE POINT LOOP 14 kmFor more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2/3. Speed Moderate

Mon Apr 29 IGNATIUS JESUIT CENTRE HIKE 5 OF 5 2½ hr, 10 kmVilla by the Speed Trail - a walk along Marden Creek to where it joins the Speed, and then out to Victoria Rd. and back. Meet inthe parking lot by the Labyrinth and Jesuit Cemetery for a 6pm departure.Leader: Vanessa Hyland, 519-821-5335, [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat May 04 HOCKLEY VALLEY 14kmFor a challenging hike in beautiful Hockley Valley we will be hiking the Bruce Trail between Hockley Road and Dunby Roadthrough fields and forests and enjoying the sights. Bring water, snacks, lunch and wear hiking boots. We will carpool at 9:00 a.m.from Guelph's covered bridge parking lot east of Gordon. Pub stop after hike. Returning around 5:00p.m.Leader: Lynn Glover, 519-780-0342 Level 3, Speed Moderate

Sat May 04 GVT, PINNACLE SECTION, HIKE 3 OF 6 10.3kmLake Belwood area. For more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun May 05 SPEED RIVER TRAIL 2½ hr, 9 kmWe will hike Section 2 of our Speed River Trail and John Wood Sidetrails on Section 1. Meet at the Humane Society parking lotsouth of Wellington Str. (west of Hanlon) at 1:30 PM.Leader: Stan & Jana, 519-821-7996 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun May 05 KIDS HIKE - RADIAL LINE TRAIL, SECTION ONE 1½ hrIntroduce the young people in your life to the fun of hiking as we hunt for signs of spring along the river, the meadow and ancientcoral reef cliffs found on the Radial Line Trail right in Guelph! Meet prior to the 1:00 pm hike start in the parking area just outside the Barber Scout Camp at 733 Stone Road E. Enter via thelaneway on the south side of Stone Road E, immediately east of the railroad track (between Victoria Road and Watson Road). You will not see a 733 sign at the roadside, instead there is a small blue "Barber Scout Camp" sign on the telephone pole onStone Road near the laneway.Children must be accompanied by an adult on the Tortoise or Hare hikes. Dress for the weather. Bring water and sunscreen. Nostrollers and no pets. Refreshments provided. For details and to register, please call Kathy at 519 836-9147 [email protected]: Guelph Hiking Trail Club Leaders Level 1, hiking at an easy pace

Wed May 08 UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM 1½ to 2 hrCome join us for the " Sights and Smells of Spring in the Arboretum". Park at the Arboretum Centre for a 6:30pm departure. Theentrance to the Arboretum Centre is off College Ave., a short distance west of Victoria Rd.Leader: Martin [email protected] or cell is 226 979 1495 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Sat May 11 TORONTO BT LIMEHOUSE LOOP 2+ hrThis area always intrigues any season with its novel "Hole in the Wall" and heritage lime kilns being refurbished. Bring waterand snacks. Poles are helpful with some up and down passages. Meet for a 1:00pm departure at the Guelph covered bridgeparking lot east of Gordon Street for carpooling to trail head.Leader: Norm 519-836-3668 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun May 12 BACKUS WOODS 14kmThe crown jewel of Carolinian Canada is under 90 minutes away. Ideal time to see early growth, and before bug life makes fortougher hiking. Bring lunch. Meet 8:30 a.m. at Guelph covered bridge parking lot.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate


Mon May 13 ARKELL RESEARCH STATION 4 kmEnjoy the best views over Guelph from the open ridge. Meet at 6:30pm at Meghan Crescent and Clair Rd., one block west ofVictoria S.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat May 18 WILSON'S FLATS 8-9 km, 2½ hrWe will start down river on the Grand at Wilson's Flats ending up at the ball diamond at Middlebrook Rd. and the Elora Rd.( onGVTA trail on the north side of the river) Meet at ball diamond for a 2pm departure to Wilson's Flats. Guelph carpool locationis Golden Griddle parking lot by Woodlawn Rd. with a 1:30pm departure.Leader: Stan Litch 519-843-5915, Guelph carpool Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat May 18 NEW HAMBURG 6 kmThis is a new trail to explore. Following hwy 7 and 8 to the third set of traffic lights, turn left onto Haysville Road. Trail beginson the right at the second entrance to new development. Meet for a 10am departure. Suggest lunch at Waterlot Inn. ContactSusan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Mon May 20 STRATFORD 8 kmMeet at 10am in parking lot of Art Gallery on Romeo Street, walking east along Avon River. Suggest lunch at Mercer Hall onOntario Street. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1, 2. Speed Moderate

Wed May 22 SMITHS SIDE TRAIL 2 hrsMeet at the Guelph covered bridge for a 6:00 PM carpool departure, or 6:15 at the trail head on Watson Rd. We will hike alongthe rail bed to the dam then up to a scenic view. Bring water, snacks and good footwear. Dogs OkLeader: Norm 519 836-3568 [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat May 25 SPEED RIVER TRAIL 3hr, 13kmHike the Speed River Trail between the covered bridge on Gordon Street and the trail head at Roszell Road. The footing can bewet so wear appropriate boots. Bring lunch, snacks and water. Meet at the Guelph covered bridge parking lot on Gordon Streetat 12 noon for car pooling to the Roszell Rd. trail head. Possible pub stop afterwards.Leader: Terry Spittles 519-265-6203 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat May 25 UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM - PHOTO HIKE 2 - 2½ hrOur third photo hike will be an exploration of the demonstration gardens at the Arboretum, plus some of the woods trails alongthe south side, including the trail past some old quarry ponds. We would meet at the Arboretum Centre Parking lot just offCollege Ave and start at 2:30pm. We will finish at the same spot. Bring a camera that you are comfortable with, fresh batteriesand a memory stick with room for perhaps 50 or more high resolution pictures. Do not be put off by overcast skies or lightdrizzle, etc. If it is raining heavily, or a thunder storm is underway, we would probably not want to proceed, but otherwise therecan be some great photo opportunities even if the day is not bright and sunny.Leader: Bob Fanning 519 822-5181 or [email protected] Level 1. Easy pace

Sat May 25 PARIS TO CAMBRIDGE RAIL TRAIL, PART 1 OF 2 20 kmFor more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun May 26 HANLON CREEK CONSERVATION AREA 2-3 hrMeet in the parking lot in front of The Fat Duck restaurant at the SW corner of Kortright and Edinburgh for a 1:30pmdeparture. We will hike from there through Preservation Park, down to wander the web of trails in the Hanlon CreekConservation Area. All welcome.Leader: Suzanne Gates 519-265-3962, [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Mon May 27 SECTION 2, SPEED RIVER TRAIL 3.8 kmPrettiest section of the SRT, right along the river, from the gas compressor station on 124 to end of Whitelaw/Sideroad 10N.We will shuttle cars to make this possible as an evening hike. Meet at Guelph covered bridge parking lot at 6:30pm.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Jun 01 SPEED RIVER TRAIL 40TH ANNIV. (INTERNATIONAL TRAILS DAY) variousCome out and help us celebrate the founding of the Speed River Trail in 1973. BBQ at 4:30 at Silvercreek Park (south ofWellington, off Edinburgh). 14.5 km end to end hike (12:00 start at Silvercreek Pk.), plus 3 hikes for each individual section,of 5 km, 4 km and 3.5 km., all with afternoon starts. Dignitaries, past presidents and landowners will be invited to the event.(Watch for email update notices for start times or call Bill.) Pace moderate for all hikes, all ending at approx. 4:30 for BBQ.Leader: Bill Mungall and other leaders [email protected] 836-5567 Level 1-2. Speed Moderate

Sun Jun 02 CALENDAR GIRLS THEATRE HIKE AND EATS 1hrBy popular demand, we'll stretch on a hike after an afternoon of theatre giggles, stopping at Eggcetera for refreshment and atasty meal. Meet in the lobby by 1:45p.m. to group and receive tickets. Tickets are $19. Recommend registering early toguarantee a seat!Leader: Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Casual.


Sun Jun 02 FORKS OF THE CREDIT LOOP 8.6 or 9.8 kmFor more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 2/3. Speed Moderate

Mon Jun 03 EDINBURGH RD TO MARDEN TRACT 4kmWe will walk one possible connection from Guelph to the Kissing Bridge Trailway head. See it before it's converted to a privateroad to service the new Cargill flour mill. Meet behind Swiss Chalet at corner of Woodlawn and Edinburgh at 6:30pm, andshuttle cars to Marden Tract.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 1. Easy pace

Sat Jun 08 BRIDGE TO BRIDGE 25.5kmMeet at the Guelph covered bridge for 9:00AM departure to bus to West Montrose Kissing bridge. From there we will hikeback to the Guelph covered bridge a distance of about 20 km. Refreshments will be provide at checkpoints. Pre registration anda participation fee are required. Badges will be available. More details will be provided in "Guelph Hiking Trail ClubUpcoming Events" email or contact leader.Leader: Norm 519 836-3568 [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Jun 08 MITCHELL 10 kmFollow hwy 8 west of Stratford to Mitchell, turn right at second set of lights (St. George Street). Continue to Frances Street.Turn left and park at end of street. 10am departure. Bring water, lunch. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1, 2. Speed Moderate.

Sun Jun 09 RIM PARK, WATERLOO 8 kmFollow University Street, turn right onto Park Road to meet at 10am in the parking lot. Bring water, lunch. Contact Susan toarrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate.

Mon Jun 10 SPEEDVALE AVE TO THE BOATHOUSE 3.5kmAn easy beginner hike, all on the TransCanada Trail with excellent views of rapids along the river. Possible historic and currentevent vignettes along the way. Meet at Guelph covered bridge parking lot at 6:30pm.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 1. Easy pace

Wed Jun 12 TWO RIVERS HIKE 5km, 1.5 hrMeet at the Guelph covered bridge for a 6:30 PM start along the RRT. We will head toward Victoria road on north side ofEramosa river and return on south side.Leader: Norm 519 836-3568 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Sat Jun 15 HILTON FALLS 6hr, 21kmWe will hike sections of the Bruce Trail and side trails on the Niagara Escarpment and Halton Conservation area. Meet at theGuelph covered bridge on Gordon Street for a 9:00 am departure. Bring lunch snacks and water. Possible pub stop afterwards.Leader: Terry Spittles 519-265-6203 Level 3. Speed Moderate

Sun Jun 16 SHADES MILLS, CAMBRIDGE 8 kmMany favoured hardwood forest trails are here to hike along Mill Creek. Meet 10am in parking area inside the CA, 412 AvenueRoad east of Franklin Blvd in Cambridge. CA admission fee. Bring water, lunch. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1, 2. Speed Moderate.

Mon Jun 17 GUELPH'S KETTLE LAKES 2½ kmSome of the prettiest views within the City are along the edge of several deep ponds nestled under tall pines on the surroundinghills. See it all before it becomes surrounded by industrial parks! Some bushwhacking. Meet at the front lot of BishopMacdonell High School at 6:30pm.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate

JUNE 21-23, 11 ANNUAL ORCHID ADVENTURE, TOBERMORY th

For more details see www.gvta.on.caGVTA leader Level 1. Leisurely

Sat Jun 22 TORONTO BT SPEYSIDE LOOP 10 kmHere is a lovely area close to home for a loop hike along Bruce main and side trails with variable terrain, rocky sections as wellas a great lookout. Wear proper footwear and seasonal protective clothing. Bring water and snacks. Meet for a 1:00pmdeparture at the Guelph covered bridge parking lot east of Gordon Street for carpooling to trail head.Leader: Norm 519-836-3568 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sun Jun 23 GO BUS HIKE 28 kmJust to prove it can be done, we will board a GO bus to Acton, use the new Moroz sidetrail leading out of south Acton to theRadial Line Trail, and walk back to downtown Guelph! No car shuttle necessary! (Note, during the weekdays, you can also takea GO Train to the new Acton station and do the same hike.) Meet at Via/GO station no later than 7:00 a.m. to buy a one wayticket and board the 7:10 bus.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 3, moderate to brisk pace


Wed Jun 26 GUELPH CORRECTIONAL CENTRE GROUNDS 1½ hrsThe Guelph Correctional Centre other than once the home for prisoners, has been the site for movies and TV shows. In 2007 aparanormal investigation was filmed there. We walk by the buildings and through the fields and park-like areas created by theformer prisoners. We will meet at 6:30 in the south end of the old Legion parking lot, located off York Rd. (highway 7), justeast of Watson Parkway.Leader: Gayle 519 856-1012 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Sat Jun 29 ELORA TO FERGUS ON THE CATARACT RAIL TRAIL 2 hr, 8 kmHike the Cataract Rail Trail between Elora and Fergus. Meet at the Canadian Tire Store parking lot on Woodlawn for a 1:00pm departure. Drive to Fergus and then do a loop hike on the two rail trails with a brief stop in Elora to window shop. Bringsnacks and water. Possible pub stop in Fergus afterwards.Leader: Terry Spittles 519-265-6203 Level 1. Speed Moderate

Sat Jun 29 ST. MARY'S 8 kmCan be reached by Hwy 7 or 8. Park at tennis courts on Water Street for a 10am departure. Suggest lunch at a restaurant in citycentre. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate.

Mon Jul 01 SPEED RIVER, GUELPH LAKE AND FIREWORKS!! 1½ - 2 hrJoin in a lovely loop hike close to home along the Speed River to Guelph Lake depending on numbers as we will want to beback to enjoy the dazzling 9:00-9:30 p.m. fireworks at Riverside Park. Wear proper footwear and seasonal night clothing. Bringwater, snacks and a flashlight. Meet 7:30 p.m. at the Golden Griddle Parking Lot off Woodlawn Rd. E.Leader: Suzanne Gates 519-265-3962 Level 2. Speed Causal/Moderate

Mon Jul 01 PERTH MUSEUM AND AVON RIVER 10 kmMeet 10am in parking lot of Perth Museum just west of Stratford on Hwy 8 for a brief walk in the grounds; then, move cars tonatural area to hike along Avon River. Bring water, lunch. Contact Susan to arrange carpool.Leader: Donald Hughes, Susan Bard 519-836-6570 Level 1. Speed Moderate.

Sat Jul 06 FORKS OF THE CREDIT 10 kmMeet at the Guelph covered bridge for a 9:00AM departure. We will hike the Bruce Trail along the Credit river to the Forks Ofthe Credit Provincial Park to view the Cataract Falls and ruins of an Hydro Station. Wear proper footwear and bring water andsnacks and lunch.Leader: Norm 519-836-3568 Level 3. Speed Moderate

Mon Jul 08 DOWNTOWN GUELPH – SATURDAY LATE NIGHT! 3-4 kmA repeat of our infamous downtown tour from 2012, exploring the underbelly of street life after dark. A very different Guelphyou probably have never seen! Meet at Guelph covered bridge lot at 10:30 pm. Pub stop afterward.Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 1. Easy pace

Sat Jul 13 GUELPH LAKE - GORBA TRAILS 2½ -3 hrMeet at 1:30p.m. in the Tim Horton's parking lot at the NW corner of Victoria and Woodlawn Roads. From here we can walk totrail head on Victoria Rd. We will then walk along the maze of bicycle trails and view Guelph Lake from the top of the dam.Leader: Suzanne Gates 519-265-3962 Level 2. Speed Moderate

Sat Jul 20 BRUCE TRAIL BETWEEN HOCKLEY ROAD AND DUNBY ROAD 14 kmFor a challenging hike in beautiful Hockley Valley we will be hiking the Bruce Trail between Hockley Road and Dunby Roadthrough fields and forests and enjoying the sights. Bring water, snacks, lunch and wear hiking boots. We will carpool at 9:00a.m. from Guelph's covered bridge parking lot east of Gordon. Pub stop after hike. Returning around 5:00p.m.Leader: Terry Spittles 519-265-6203 and Lynn Glover 519-780-0342 Level 3. Speed Moderate

Information on joining a Club hike, the hike rating system, what to bring on a hike, etc., can be found on theClub web site under "Safe Hiking" (www.guelphhiking.com/Safe_Hiking.com).

GHTC thanksRita Ladjansky

for designing this badge.Join the group on June 8

to earn one.


2013 Organized End-to-End HikesThere is a registration fee to participate in most of these organized hikes. For most of these hikes pre-registration isrequired. For more hike details visit hosting club's website.

Dufferin Hi-LandSaturday, April 20 – Dufferin Hi-Land 3 Day End-to-End, Hike 1Saturday, May 25 – Dufferin Hi-Land 3 Day End-to-End, Hike 2 Saturday, June 1 – Dufferin Hi-Land 3 Day End-to-End, Hike 3nhMay 4th 2013 9:30 am Dufferin Hi-Land 20 Km ChallengeJune 8: Dufferin One-Day End-to-End (Rick McCoy)June 15-16: Peninsula End-to-End, Hikes 1 and 2 (Rick McCoy)July 13-14: Peninsula End-to-End, Hikes 3 and 4 (Rick McCoy) Details at: dufferinbrucetrailclub.org

Ganaraska Trail E2ESun. May 12, 2013 - Ganaraska Trail - Orillia Section, Hike 14 of 21. Level 2: Moderate ~ 15.8 kmSat. June 8, 2013 - Ganaraska Trail - Orillia Section, Hike 15 of 21. Level 2: Moderate ~ 19.5 kmSat. June 8, 2013 - Ganaraska Trail - Orillia Section, Hike 15 of 21. Level 2: Moderate ~ 19.5 kmSat., July 13, 2013 - Ganaraska Trail - Barrie Section, Hike 17 of 21. Level 2: Moderate ~ 20.7 kmSat. July 13, 2013 - Ganaraska Trail - Barrie Section, Hike 17 of 21. Level 2: Moderate ~ 20.7 kmSun. July 14, 2013 - Ganaraska Trail - Barrie Section, Hike 18 of 21. Level 2: Moderate ~ 13.1 kmDetails at: gvta.on.ca

For more hikes go to other Clubs website:Maitland Trail Association - maitlandtrail.ca/upcoming.htmHalton Outdoor Club - outdoor.spectranet.ca/index.html Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club - iroquoia.on.ca/hikes.htmlDufferin Bruce Trail Club - dufferinbrucetrailclub.org Thames Valley Trail Association - tvta.caHalton Hills Bruce Trail Chapter - on a link at media6.magma.ca/www.torontobrucetrailclub.org/indexhttps.php

Jim Hoare and Terry Spittle brief the hikers who turned out for the traditional Boxing day hike, held this year at Starkey hill.


Best Lens to Take Hiking?

Aphotographer's dilemma when planning to goon any GHTC hike - “I’ve graduated beyondthe simple point and shoot camera so whatlens or lenses should I take?” Pack weight

and volume are always at a premium, often leavingroom for only limited photography gear. Considering weight, function and quality, whichlens might best handle all the many requirementsone might encounter and helpbring back images that warrantentry into a photo contest?

Wide angle lens, i.e. those with afocal length of 35 mm or less,are ideal for landscapes. Thesework great for the sweepingvistas or flower beds, but whatabout capturing the fine detailsof individual blooms or bugs? Amacro lens allows very close focusing on the subjectbut is only useful in these specialized situations. Since most digital SLR cameras have a close-upfunction incorporated into the body that works witha variety of compatible lenses, this should negatethe need for carting a dedicated macro.

Capturing pictures of wildlife is perhaps the mostdemanding type of nature photography since it mustusually be done quickly and at a considerabledistance from the subject. Thus, a telephoto lenswith a focal length approaching 200mm is needed toget those up-close views of wild animals or birds.

Fortunately, camera manufacturers produce zoomlenses that can vary in focal length. With the longfocal length, one can get close-up images of ananimal without getting too close, particularlyimportant for animals with teeth, scent or attitude. Employing the shorter focal lengths allowscapturing wider fields, ideal for scenery or a hikinggroup picture.

Not that long ago, a travel photographer on the roadprobably had so many camera cases that a Sherpawas required just to get to the airport. Zoom lenseshave drastically changed this scenario. Today, onemight easily travel the world with just one zoomlens and never miss a shot.

If cost is not a factor, the best compromise might besomething like an 18 to 200 or even 300mm zoomlens which, at 18mm, is wide enough to capture thelandscape panorama, and will get you close towildlife when stretched out to 200mm or more. Unfortunately, these very versatile lenses are

expensive, often costing more than the camera bodyto which they attach.

Thus, the two or three lens compromise, whilesomewhat bulkier, may be preferable. Digital SLRpackages include a body plus lens, often one with avariable focal length between about 18 to 55mm. This can be combined with a second lens ranging

from 55 to around 250mm, probablyfor less cost than a single 18 to200+ lens.

The question then becomes: Is itbetter to have one very long lenswith a broad coverage, or a fewzooms that cover smaller but morespecific focal-length ranges? Theanswer really depends on shootingstyle and ones willingness (orunwillingness) to carry gear. If you

like to travel light but still want a good zoom range,nothing beats a quality zoom lens with a wide-angle-to-telephoto range. Rather than spending timechanging lenses, you can just keep shooting – veryconvenient!

On the other hand, if you like to work within specificranges for specific subjects - such as wide-anglelenses for landscapes and a telephoto zoom forwildlife - and you spend a lot of time shooting thosesubjects, it’s worth owning a few separate zooms.There is no point in carrying a 28-300mm lens everyday if you’re mainly going to be working in thewide-angle range. You’re better off owning adedicated wide-angle zoom because you canprobably get broader coverage, along with a fasterlens of better optical quality.

On an assignment, professional photographers mightoften have three zooms: a 10-20mm wide angle, an18-70mm, and a 70-300mm. These three lenses willcover everything from 10mm to 300mm, and that isa huge range for three lenses. Before zooms, thesame photographer might carry six or eight lensesto blanket the same range. However, most wouldalso own a 18-200mm lens for days when they wereonly out for a hike!

One problem is that when shooting in anything lessthan the brightest sunlight, the image obtained at 200mm or higher will likely be blurred without somecamera support. Rather than lugging a bulky, heavytripod, include a carbon-fibre monopod in your gear. This can also double as a hiking stick when notsupporting the camera,. And don’t forget to sendyour best pictures for inclusion in future newsletters.


Hike Ontario’s Long DistanceHiker Awards

Summit 2012 Update: Hike Ontario was pleased toannounce that a record-breaking twelve individualssuccessfully received their Long Distance HikerAwards at the annual summit held in Kitchener thispast November.

These prestigious awards celebrate dedicated hikerswho logged long distances on multiple Ontario trails. The awards are:Red Pine AwardThe red pine is noted for its twoneedles, representing two trailsystems to be hiked extensively. One must hike a total of 550kilometers with 150 kilometers ormore on at least two trails.

Trillium AwardThe trillium is Ontario 's provincialflower, with three petals. Theserepresent three trails one must hikefor a minimum of 150 kilometers.Recipients must log a total of 950kilometers.

Tamarack AwardThe tamarack, is known for itsmultiple needles, representing themultiple trails one needs to hike tolog the required 1500 kilometers.Recipients must hike at least 150kilometers on each of at least threetrails.

Awards ProcessKeep a hiking log (upload the appropriate form fromHike Ontario’s web site), have your log verified byan executive member of an Ontario hiking club andsubmit it to Hike Ontario . Badges cost $15. For more award information, visit the Hike Ontarioweb site: www.hikeontario.com

Want to Give Up Carrying Water?

If you have a $100 to spend a water bottle, this is it:CamelBak’s All Clear Microbiological UV WaterPurifier. As its name suggests, this is an all-in-onepurification and drinking system, handy when you’rein the great outdoors.

Cleaning trail-side water isquite simple: screw the capin; hold the power buttondown for two seconds; androtate the bottle while theUV rays do their work. TheLCD screen counts downand lets you know when theprocess is complete and thewater safe to drink. The UVsystem is claimed to zap99.9999 percent of bacteria,99.99 percent of viruses and99.9 percent of protozoa in25 ounces (0.75 liter) ofwater in 60 seconds time.

The rechargeable battery thatcomes with the All Clearbottle is good for about 80purification cycles percharge, and the purifyingbulb can last 10,000 cycles

— enough to clean three liters of water a day foralmost seven years, according to CamelBak. Thepackage includes a protective case for the All Clearcap, mini-USB charging cable and a classic bottle capfor drinking.

Caution, probably not for use on night hikes!

Remember when we had something called winter, andour club President, Bill Mungall, could take people out

on cross-country skiing adventures?


The Trails.com app

For Smart-phone owners, the Trails.com app offersover 48,000 trail guides from top outdoor publishers. Trail guides cover over twenty-four different outdooractivities including everything from mountain biketrails to off-road trails. Apparently, one can searchfor trails, view details and get up-to-date weatherconditions.

The app is free but requires a paid Trails.comsubscription to access the trail guides. If anyone hasexperience with this app/subscription, please forwardyour assessment of suitability for our or other areas tothe newsletter editor so this can be shared with otherclub members in future newsletters.

Be Careful Where You Walkand What You Carry!

Parry Sound is more than the home of hockey legendBobby Orr. The local OPP detachment reported thata man picked up some sausages at a wild game dinnerin the local community centre before making his wayover to Don Cherry’s Sports Grill for a drink.

While later walking home, the man was followed andattacked by another man who had also been at thegrill, with the packaged meat allegedly stolen duringthe altercation. An investigation of the sausageincident led them to the home of a third man, whothey say was seen wearing bloodstained clothes whilecooking a sausage. The two men were arrested andthe sausages were seized at the scene.

Toronto Star, Thursday January 03, 2013

Hiking Keeps You Healthy

Or, "Move More and Sit Less: Live Longer in GoodHealth" was the actual title of the keynote presentationat the Hike Ontario Summit held in Kitchener inNovember. Dr. Liana Nolan, the Medical Officer ofHealth for Waterloo Region made these simple butstunning points:

• walking 3 mph is considered to be "moderate"-• level physical activity; a minimum of 150 minutes

a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity isneeded to be considered "active";

• bone and muscle strengthening activity is alsorequired, twice a week;

• add balance enhancement activity if over 65 andwith poor mobility, to prevent falls;

• being "active" by itself will add on average 2.4years to your life;

• being inactive carries about the same "death

penalty" as smoking does;• cease smoking, eat a healthy diet, and being active

will add 6.9 years to your life; reduce; stress andexcessive alcohol consumption and you add another1-2 years;

• active people also have many more years free ofdisability;

• trails, and organized hiking groups can help us to bemore "active";

• for a life-expectancy calculator, seewww.rrasp-phirn.ca/risktools

How Some Select a Dining Spot

A group of chaps, all age 40, decided to meet forlunch at least once per decade and discussedlocations. Finally it was agreed that they would go tothe Old Marina restaurant on Puslinch Lake becausethe waitresses were pleasant and glamorous.

Ten years later, at age 50, the friends once againdiscussed where they should meet. After someconsiderable debate, it was agreed that they wouldmeet at the Old Marina restaurant because the servicewas good and the food not overpriced.

A decade later, the Old Marina restaurant was stilltheir choice because they could dine in peace andquiet with a beautiful view of the lake.

At age 70, again it was agreed that they would meetat the Old Marina restaurant because one could parknear the entrance and there was a ramp.

At age 80, the Old Marina restaurant was chosen – because they had never been there before.

Exercising in Cold Weather

Most people can exercise comfortably in coldweather, assuming they bundle up. The primeconcern is preventing hypothermia -- the loss of toomuch body heat.

The American Council on Exercise offers thesesuggestions for exercising safely in the cold:- Wear layers of clothing that you can peel away as

you warm up.- Keep your head, hands and feet warm with a hat,

gloves and socks.- Always check the weather before heading out.

Don't exercise outdoors in dangerous conditions.- Avoid cotton or tightly woven clothing, which may

retain moisture next to the skin.- If it's very cold, wear a scarf or mask to cover your

nose and mouth.


Vice President Wanted A vacancy on the GHTC Executive Committee has arisen out ofthe 2012 AGM, and the Club is searching for willing volunteers. No previous executive experience is necessary, and there is noimplied obligation to become the President in 2015 at the end ofthe incumbent’s current 3 year term. Nor is there a formal jobdescription! A willingness to engage in, lead or initiateoccasional "special projects" that are priorities for the Club byinvolving the executive, member volunteers and otherstakeholders and that are within the comfort zone of theindividual is the main requirement. To be a "sounding board" oninitiatives for the President and other executive members. Andto act for the President in his absence (none planned!).Contact any member of the club executive if interested.

COVERED BRIDGE TO COVERED BRIDGE HIKESaturday, June 8 th

Meet at the Guelph covered bridge for 9:00AM bus departure to the West MontroseKissing Bridge. From there we will hike back to the Guelph covered bridge, a

distance of about 25 km (a Level 2, Speed Moderate hike). Refreshments will beprovide at checkpoints. Pre registration and a participation fee are required.

Badges will be available. More details will be provided in "GHTC E-notes” or contact the hike leader.

Leader. Norm, 519 836-3568 [email protected]

Documents

GHTC News, March 2013