NAC Newsletter 1 - 100

Last week we spoke of the importance of hydration and how to keep yourself properly hydrated, which is great, if you actually have access to clean drinking water. But what about those times that you don't?   This week we will dive into water, how to clean and purify it for drinking while on the trail or deep in the back country! Why all the fuss about water treatment outdoors? The answer is that there’s no easy way to tell whether or not that pristine-looking stream a few hun

Not much is more important than proper hydration while on the trail and in the backcountry. But it's not always the easiest task when you have uncertain water sources, limited carrying capacity and more working against you. Take a look at this weeks article for proper hydrating techniques, tips and tricks to stay hydrated and the risks associated with improper hydration. The adult human body is about 60 percent water, and even light exercise can deplete that percentage, leavi

Anyone who has hiked with me knows, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke is difficult to deal with and, quite frankly, scares the s***t out of me while I'm guiding. With the extreme heat we have been facing this season, these ailments are on the rise. Hikers, Climbers and Backpackers are especially susceptible. Being in the outdoors for long periods of time and off the beaten path, far away from help and medical equipment make it especially difficult to care for someone with such

I have always known it to be called "Toxic Water Syndrome", but here, in this article, they refer to it as "Water Intoxication (Hyponatremia). Well, no matter what name it goes by, it is very dangerous, especially during the summer months, and we should all know how to prevent it! Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, isn’t a well-known hazard in the outdoors. But it’s more common than you think. In 1985, South African researchers reported a strange new syndrome of “water into

This week, we look at the final article in our orienteering segment. Although it will only affect a few of you in your life, those that choose to hike coastal trails must absolutely know how to read a tide table and plan around the tides. It could literally save you from losing all your gear, or worse, drowning! Whether you’re a coastal hiker, fisher or mariner, it’s important to know how to read a tide table for safe navigation. Understanding tide heights and when high or lo

We have now learned everything we need to know in order to find navigate a hike using a map and compass. The basics that all outdoor adventurers should know. But now let's look at some modern technology, the GPS Unit. Personally, I have been using a GPS Unit since 2009 (and yes, I still carry a map and compass at all times). I currently have two units, the Garmin GPSMaps 64c, the flagship in the Garmin outdoor line-up, and a Garmin InReach GPS/Satellite Communicator. I only c

P.S.A.: Some of the images contained in this article may give some of the more sensitive readers the HeeBeeGeeBees!   As you may have noticed, the last six newsletters had articles with a basis in wilderness first aid. Today will be the seventh and final article on the topic. Not to say we won't visit it again in the future, as we should always stay in practice when it comes to first aid, but it will be the final first aid article for this season. And so, without further ado.

Blisters can put a quick end to any hiking or backpacking trip. Your feet are your only source of mobility while hiking the backcountry, so it's especially important to protect them. But hard as we may try, sometimes blisters sneak up on us. Follow along to see how to prevent, and in those unfortunate situations, treat blisters and carry on with your hike. The first blister probably occurred shortly after the first humans strapped something on their feet to protect them from

Nothing is worse than waking up terribly sick on day 3 of a 7 day trek. Knowing you have to drag yourself and a pack full of gear for 25kms when you feel completely drained is the absolute worst. You just want to wrap yourself in your sleeping bag like a burrito and stay in your tent for a week. But since we can't do that, here is a great article to help you through it. Getting sick at home is bad enough, but catching a bug in the backcountry, miles away from your cozy bed, c

The next in the series of First Aid articles deals with injured ankles on the trail. One of the most common and debilitating injuries on the trail. Knowing how to deal with a sprained ankle is extrememly important, but knowing how to prevent one is even more so important. After reading this article, take time to pactice a few of the techniques! Your ankle joints allow your feet to move this way and that so you can run along rocky trails, cruise down snowy slopes and jam your

In following with the First Aid topic of the last few Newsletters, I have decided to continue on this week with an article that will help you deal with some of the more common and dangerous injuries you will most likely come across during your journeys. A life lived outdoors will inevitably include a few wounds (hopefully only minor ones). Injuries such as little cuts or deeper gouges, minor scrapes or larger abrasions are fairly common among outdoor adventurers, so knowing h

I have always felt that Wilderness First Aid is one of the most important pieces of knowledge you can bring with you on the trail. Accidents happen, more often that we like to think, and in the wilderness even the smallest accident can ruin your trip or even become fatal if you don't know how to deal with it. This article will offer you some of the knowledge you need, but as with any knowledge, remember to practice these techniques as well. This is a long one, but worth the r

If you’re headed outdoors, you should always carry either a prepackaged first-aid kit or a DIY kit that you can create using our list as a guide. Knowing how to use the items in a first-aid kit is as important as having them, so consider taking a training course. This list is a good starting point. It also includes emergency essentials that you might carry separately from a kit. You'll also need to include any prescription medications your group needs, as well as additional s

Camping season is so close we can almost taste the s’mores, smell the forest, and feel the morning breeze. You better believe we’re counting down the days, so we want to spread the excitement with a contest and plenty of pre-season tips. Book your campsites early MEC is proud to call Parks Canada one of our community partners, and we’re excited to announce that Parks Canada camping reservations will open in April 2021 (for trips between May 2021 and March 2022) – details and

How often should you take a break while hiking? How long should your break be? We broke it down to show you the optimal break strategy to hike more miles in a day. Break Time Optimization   I have always wondered if longer breaks are better than shorter breaks for long-distance hiking. There are so many variables on the trail it is difficult to determine optimal break time with any accuracy. When you are hiking the terrain changes, you must stop to refill water, the weight of

The average person takes 2,000 steps to travel one mile. Factor in the up and down of a hiking trail and the roots and rocks you’ll encounter along the way, and that number only gets higher. With every step, the right socks play a critical role in keeping your feet comfortable and blister-free throughout your journey. To choose the best hiking socks for your trip, it’s important to consider these four things:   Sock height:  The right height sock protects against abrasion wit

Winter is over, and temperatures are starting to rise, but don't be fooled! Hypothermia can happen in the summer, spring, fall or winter. Learn how to prevent and treat a dropping core body temperature. Cold can be more than uncomfortable: Under the right circumstances, it can turn into hypothermia, a potentially-fatal lowering of the human body’s core temperature. It can happen in summer in the Smokies just as easily as in winter in the Rockies, and it can affect anyone from

Forget bears and lightning: The most common and dangerous backcountry hazard is a river crossing, especially during the spring melt, when backcountry waterways run high and rough. Follow these tips to learn to do it safely. Mark crossings  as you plan your route, and call ahead to check water levels. Carry a tide chart  if you’ll be hiking coastlines.   Look for a different place to cross if you’re in deeper than your knees; scout downstream  if you encounter rapids, waterfal

Trail guide and cellphone and water in bottles, Flashlight just in case your hike is a dawdle, High energy snacks secured with drawstrings, These are a few of our essential things… (can’t you just hear Maria von Trapp’s voice?)   This week, I decided to post an article about the necessities of winter hiking, as it is a very different challenge than summer hiking. So, with that said, take time to read this helpful article... A walk through a pine tree forest in crunchy snow

A few weeks back, I posted the article, How to Store a Tent. So, falling in line with that, and since this is the season that most of you have your sleeping bag stored away... Those of us who love to backpack often develop a secondary obsession: the love of a sleeping bag that stuffs down to almost nothing. When it comes to storing your sleeping bag between trips, though, it’s important to free it from stuff-sack confinement.   Properly storing your sleeping bag at home is b