NAC Adventure Blog

The backpacking season is once again upon us. With that, it's time to get out all that gear that you packed and stored away last season and get it ready for this season. A good backpacker would have properly cleaned all their gear before putting it away, but we all know that doesn't always happen. And the worst culprit is typically the sleeping bag. This week, we are going to take a look into the best practices regarding sleeping bag care. Many of us have a warm and cozy rela

Once you decide what you will need on the trail (choose wisely), the next challenge is how to carry it without breaking your back. It's important to pack your pack in such a way that the weight will be properly distributed without throwing you off balance or causing aches or pains. And once packed, how the heck do you get that heavy pack on your back. Well, this week, let's look at all the ins and outs of packing your pack in a way that will make your trip even more enjoyable

It is a well documented fact that being in natural areas is very beneficial to humans. It lowers depression, boosts the immune system, resets your circadian rhythm, and much more, so it's only safe to assume that spending the entire night out there would be even more beneficial. To find out more about the benefits of sleeping outdoors, read on...   Discover the many health-boosting benefits of a night spent outdoors—and how to reap them with the right sleep gear from Sea to S

I know I had posted a Navigation article last week, and I had planned to carry on with that, but I have something much more important to go over... During the pandemic many people with nothing else to do rushed into the outdoors without any knowledge or respect for the land. Many of them started ridiculous trends for social media likes, and these trends gained traction through copycat behavior. Trends such as rock stacking, rock painting and now foraging. These trends, when c

Navigation is probably the most important skill you will need and rely on as a backpacker. Really, you can't go backpacking if you don't know how to get from point A to point B. In most cases, there is a well marked and laid out trail to guide you and all you need do is follow a simple Trail Map. But you may be completely unprepared for the terrain that lies ahead if you haven't taken the time to study and understand your map. More importantly, knowing what's actually on the

Well, once again we are going to talk about that embarrassing subject that everyone does and no one wants to talk about. But the fact is, we really should, because in the backcountry it is becoming quite a problem. With the ever increasing numbers of visitors to even the most remote locations on the planet, there has been some serious damage due to the lack of a conversation! And so today, I plan on continuing on with my poop discussion. This week, let's talk about the proper

Well, everyone poops, this is something we all know, and it really shouldn't be that embarrassing. But, yet, it is. In the backcountry, pooping is a whole different beast with many rules that differ by location. If you're lucky, you'll be in an area with composting toilets or thuderboxes. Luckily for outdoor adventurers, these are becoming more and more common. But in many places, catholes are still the only method of safely disposing of human waste. In either case, you will

Backpacking season is upon us, and as always, Spring will bring much rain. It's more important than ever during this time of year to ensure your gear is up to par for the drastic weather conditions you are to face. But what could be more important than your shelter. Water proofing your tent isn't the easiest of tasks, and if done poorly could make for many miserable treks. This week, let's go over the proper way to keep yourself dry and safe in a properly waterproofed shelter

Many many years ago, when I first took to this hobby, meal planning was much more difficult. Upon visiting the local outdoor store you could only find a limited selection of Freeze Dried Meals. Although they were edible, and supplied all the necessary nutrition and calories, they weren't much for flavour. In fact, most tasted like soggy cardboard, which led to many of us using dehydrators to make our own meals. These days, it's much different. With so many different brands of

Solo Hiking can be a dangerous endeavor. If anything goes wrong, you could be stranded a long time without help. Letting people know where you are and leaving a copy of your plans is always a requirement of solo hiking. Unfortunately, woman who are solo hiking have some added dangers to consider. It shouldn't be this way, but unfortunately it still is. This week we will look at some of the dangers of solo hiking from a woman's perspective, and what women can do to mitigate th

When it comes to gear there is little as important as your hiking boots. Let's face it, your feet are your mobility and without mobility, you're not going to accomplish much out there. Taking care of your feet is extremely important, and the best way to do that is dress them correctly. Socks and Boots can make a world of difference. This week, we are going to delve into Hiking Boots and help you get the perfect fit for you! Confused when shopping for hiking boots? Here's how

One of the most common mistakes I see when hiking and backpacking, is either poor choice in a backpack or a backpack that isn't properly fitted. Having the wrong backpack can completely ruin your hike not to mention your back. So this week, we will take a look at some of the different types of backpacks and how you should wear them. Are you looking forward to your first backpacking trip? Or maybe you’ve been on the trail and are wondering why your back hurts so much. A poorly

In 2023 Niagara Adventure Club added Climber's Rock Inc.  to our list of NAC Partners. Since then we have hosted numerous climbing events and introduced quite a few adventurous people to the world of indoor rock climbing. Feel free to join us, and if it's your first time, NAC will provide you with a free day pass and a free lesson. But why should you come you ask? Well, read on... Appropriate for almost all ages, indoor climbing improves fitness while building trust, teamwork

Any Winter hiker will tell you how tiring it is to be "post holing" through deep winter snow. Post holing is the term used to describe the action of stepping into deep snow. With each step you have to lift your leg very high to get out of the hole you just made and step forward to sink and leave another "post hole". The fix for this? Snow Shoes! Although you will still sink a few inches in your snow shoes, it's much better than those 30" holes you've been digging for the last

It's common knowledge that indoor climbing is a fun sport with many physical benefits. It is a great way to be social, meet new friends and stay in shape. However, it's not the easiest sport to get into, it requires some skill and uses many different muscle groups that most of us are not used to using on a regular basis. So, what's the best way to prepare for climbing and hone those skills, let's dive into the best exercises for climbers.   Climbing is a very challenging spor

The snow hasn't fallen yet, and the temperature is still a little high for this time of year, but it has gotten colder out there and as such, we need to dress a little differently and pack a little more, just in case. Dressing for a winter hike is not an easy task. Wear too much, and you'll soak yourself in sweat, only to freeze from being wet. Wear too little, and you risk frostbite or hypothermia. It's really a balancing act, and there's quite a bit to know, so let's jump i

I am always amazed by the large number of people who find it incredible, even impossible that I continue to guide hikes all winter long. They just either, don't understand the reason for it, or why anyone would enjoy it. Some even go as far as to tell me how unsafe it. To those people, I say, "Quit making excuses!" This week, let's look at why hiking in the Winter is perfectly safe. Blankets of snow are starting to cover the ground, tucking the world in for a long winter brea

Hiking in the backcountry is always perilous, but in the Winter Season there are even more dangers! Don't let it discourage you though, with a little knowledge and some extra gear you will be able to stay safe and handle anything that a cold Winter's Day can throw at you. Social media and winter photography can make the winter seem like a wonderland filled with nothing but adventure and fun. The other side of the winter can be a dangerous trek for anyone who might not properl

Whether you like it or not, Winter is here and with it, freezing cold temperatures. A very smart man once said, "If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow!" One way to find joy in the snow is to stay warm and dry, so let's take a look at a few tips for staying warm in those cold winter temperatures. Hiking in winter can quickly turn south if you don’t head out prepared. Sometimes you feel warm and happy un

Whether you're hiking, backpacking, rock climbing or skiing, the one thing every outdoor person needs is a good, proper fitting backpack. If you're like me, you need at least 12. But choosing the right backpack is not always easy, and if it's not properly fitted for you, it could make all your adventures very uncomfortable. So let's dive in to choosing and fitting backpacks properly. Planning to buy a new pack for backpacking? There are three main areas where you’ll need to m

We have been doing a lot of climbing lately. As such, it's probably a good idea to sound like climbers, when in Rome and such. So without further ado, here is the longest article ever posted in Adventure Weekly! In recent years rock climbing gyms and public climbing walls have been popping up in cities across the world. As such, it’s time we face how popular climbing has become. It's an Olympic sport these days even! And it’s not just mountain towns getting in on the action.

A "Shoulder Season" is the time when one season is transferring to the next and you never quite know what to expect. Sure, some weather stations try to predict it, but it is very seldom accurate. Shoulder Seasons are the hardest times of the year to make plans, and usually end up by over packing and a lot of extra weight to carry. So, in hopes of offering some help during this shoulder season, here are 10 tips for preparing for adventures during a shoulder season. Fall is oft

It's no secret that Indoor Rock Climbing is a great form of exercise that both challenges you and leaves you feeling accomplished. But do you know why it's such an incredible form of exercise? Read on to learn how Indoor Rock Climbing can benefit you! If you want to burn some calories but don't want to go to a regular gym, indoor rock climbing is the perfect sport for you. Not only does it get your heart rate going, but it also pushes you to your limits and gives you a great

In my younger years, I always assumed that trekking poles were for weak, feeble old people. I assumed wrong. Like many younger people, I was uneducated and let my pride dictate my reasoning. Around my mid 30's, as I took on tougher and more challenging hikes, I realized the importance of trekking poles and the incredible advantage they offer. On shorter day hikes, with a light pack, they don't offer a lot of benefits and are sometimes more of a hinderance. But on those long,