Wednesdays in winter
By SHEILA ASCrOFT
.
c
om
EVERY Wednesday starting usually in no National Capital Commission fee for section of the Alpine Club of Canada,
t
o
late December, Roger Bird exchanges snowshoers in Gatineau Park. The RTA use the trails in Gatineau Park.
P
ho
city streets and a computer screen for group shares gas costs, sometimes parks Although Roger has avoided any inju-
t
ock
snowshoe trails where “the cold bush air in NCC lots, sometimes too the side off ries, he carries a well-stocked backpack
smells like wine.” He’s been doing it for roads through or to the east or west of (see left) for the unexpected.
selin-is
us
10 years. the Park.
: m
He and other members of the Rideau “I prefer bushwhacking – it’s more
Backpack
Trail Association (RTA) gather at a des- challenging. If there are six of you on a
t
o credit Regular snowshoers usually
ignated schoolyard in central Ottawa in designated trail, it becomes so packed
Pho
backpack something like this:
the brisk morning air. Snowshoes and down that’s like walking on a sidewalk.”
1. Hot (soup, stew, tea in a
backpacks in hand. A quick car-pool For beginners who may not be up to thermos) and cold (sandwich,
trip to Gatineau Park and the “Winter such rigours, the NCC has a couple of
fruit, nuts, cheese) food and
Wednesdays” begin. The hikers are easy trails at its visitors’ centre in Chel-
drink
2. Water bottle (fill it hot)
dressed in layers of real winter clothing. sea, which provides rentals as well. The
3. extra socks and mitts, a fleece,
No flimsy, sweat-absorbing car coats NCC also has 25 kilometres of dedicated
shoelaces for repairs
here, but a shell and properly fitting snowshoe trails around Lac Philippe, Lac
4. maps, compass or gPS
snowshoe or hiking boots that will stay Meech and in the Wakefield area. (cellphone signals are hard to
warm if wet. It’s often a day-long tromp Roger says his “clumsy ways” preclude
come by up the gatineau)
with lunch in a snow bank or NCC hut. snow poles for him, but many snow-
5. Whistle
Members bring their own food and shoers (they’re not saying, but some
6. a thin, plastic insulating sleeping
bag (easy to carry; can be a
drink. of his companions are over 80) rely on
lifesaver in an emergency)
Roger (yes, our intrepid birder and them. “Many snowshoers find them use-
7. matches and fire starter
Ottawa Outdoors Magazine editor), ful in bushwhacking, especially if you (Vaseline-soaked cotton balls
started with the basic level 1 and worked fall down in deep snow and need the jammed into a plastic film
his way up to the RTA’s level 3 (see levels leverage to get yourself out. They are
canister)
sidebar) after two years of snowshoeing also handy for helping a friend across a
8. multi-purpose tool or Swiss army
knife to fix broken gear
on his own. stream or up a slippery rock face.”
“If you’re not on life support and can While the level 3 certainly includes
walk, then you can probably handle a physical fitness aspect, Roger says
Rta levels
level 1,” says Roger, whose fitness belies snowshoeing is a strongly social activ- The non-profit Rideau Trail
his 70- plus years. “ For Level 3, you have ity. “There are interesting people in the association’s three hiking clubs
to be accustomed to hiking, biking or group,” he says, “people who have trav- – Kingston, Central (Perth), and
skiing in a demanding way.” elled abroad and have interesting stories Ottawa – designate these activity
He recommends if you’re new to like hiking the famed Camino de San- levels. For all snowshoeing, proper
snowshoeing “to stick with a group until tiago in Spain. insulated boots are needed.
you develop the needed skills,” as it is If Wednesdays don’t work for you, the level 1: Suitable for beginners.
not just a matter of learning proper tech- Rideau Trail group also offers Saturdays Well-defined trails, gentle inclines.
nique of snowshoeing (see McCartney’s outings. As well, many other clubs in Trails may be wet under the snow.
article), but also backwoods winter safety. Ottawa-Gatineau use the trails in the level 2: generally on trail. may
“On Wednesdays, there are almost al- Park. The Ottawa Rambling Club http:// include hills, light bushwhacking,
ways too many people for one hike. Im- orc.ncf.ca/ goes out on Sundays and of- rough spots, obstacles and water
promptu leaders then announce their fers special outings such as a late winter possible.
hike to the multitude and people choose snowshoeing trip in the Madawaska level 3: Rough terrain,
who they want to go with based on Highlands. (Note, however, the Rambling challenging hiking and extensive
how long and tough, or short and easy, Club is full and no new memberships bushwhacking. Level 2 experience
the snowshoe hike might be,” he says. are available until March 8.) There’s sev- and a high level of fitness essential.
Unlike cross-country skiers, there is eral other clubs, including the Ottawa
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca OTTAWA magazine fall/winter 2009/2010 21
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