NAC Adventure Blog

It's that time of year, you know, short days and long nights. Although you may not plan on it, there is a chance that you will end up hiking in the dark. I personally don't mind a nighttime hike now and then, but without proper preparation, it could be scary, and potentially dangerous. This week, we'll take a look at some advice on being prepared for hiking at night. Getting stuck in the dark on a hike can be a scary and potentially dangerous ordeal if it's not in your plans.

As we are preparing to head to Yosemite, the top question I have received is, "Are you going to carry bear spray?" The answer is No. First, because bear spray nor bear bangers are not allowed in Yosemite. Too many people purchase these products without the proper education or experience to use them, and they end up making an already bad situation much worse. Secondly, bear spray isn't always necessary, and as I just stated, can make situations worse at times. In Yosemite, we

As a guide I have to help my clients be completely prepared for anything the trail can throw at them. From Peeing, pooping, and periods on the trail, to all the various animals we may meet. There is much to go through while preparing for an adventure. I do my best to be as helpful as I can, but one area I am failing in is bras. My female clients ask the question often, but I never have an answer, I just offer the advice women in the past have passed along, so this week, we wi

Summer is gone, and we are moving into the beautiful season of Autumn. But with the beauty of Autumn comes many cold, wet days. Days such as these begin to force many outdoor climbers into the Indoor climbing gyms, and the gyms become crowded. To help everyone enjoy their off season at the gym just a little more, it's a great idea to take a look at the unwritten (now written) rules of Climbing Gym Etiquette! Climbing gym etiquette is similar to many other sports unwritten rul

One of the most important things you carry while hiking is, of course, water. But how much water will you need? Deciding how much water to carry can be more complicated than you think. You have to consider many factors such as temperature, terrain, can you filter along the way, and more! Let's dive into how much water is enough water while you're hiking! Learn why staying hydrated on the trail is so important and how much H2O you should be carrying on your hikes How much wate

Last weekend, Niagara Adventure Club lead a 3 day backpacking trip through Bruce Peninsula National Park. On the second day, we arrived at the famous Grotto. It was over-run with hundreds of people. I was absolutely horrified when I stepped around a large boulder to find that someone had pooped directly in the middle of the Bruce Trail only moments before and left it there along with the poopy toilet paper and the park maps they used to cover themself while doing the nasty de

One of the most overlooked items when hiking or heading out for almost any outdoor activity is a simple whistle. A very small, light and cheap item that could easily save your life in a number of scenarios. Although I have always carried a whistle, I am guilty of burying it deep in my pack. I have recently purchased a new, more powerful whistle, and it will remain clipped to my shoulder strap on all outdoor excursions for now on. I also purchased a second color matched whistl

Fall hiking is always a treat, streams are flowing faster, waterfalls are flowing stronger, the incredible fall colours and leaves falling to the ground offer some cushioning to our tired feet. Even better, is backpacking in the Fall. NAC plans most of it's backpacking trips in the Fallseason, the cooler temps are nicer to hike in and even sleep in. Even nicer, is the lack of insects. But be careful, the Fall offers some problems of it's own, like more rain and humid conditio

I am a known as a bit of a "know-it-all", and so on trail I have been given (lovingly I'm sure) the nickname "Professor". This is my Trail Name. Over the years, I have hiked with and guided many people. It is always a pleasure to meet new people, but some of those people have stuck around for many years and become my Tramily. As you hike more, you too will eventually get your Trail Name, and it will most likely be given to you by your Tramily! This is the first article in an

One of the most common questions I get is, "What do you do if you see a bear?" followed by, "Aren't you afraid?" The answer is, "No, I am not afraid!" The reason I am not afraid is because I know very well the bear has no intention of getting into it with me or any human and I know that if I respect the bear, act correctly, and stay calm, the bear will let me be. I have spent many years learning how to deal with various animals in the wild, but the one that comes up most is b

Currently, I have a big toe nail that is slowly growing back after losing it on a 3 day hike along the Bruce Trail. On the other foot, I am sporting a large bruised toe nail that is slowly growing out after a long day hike. Your feet take a beating on the trail, but there are ways to lessen the blow. This week, we will take a look at how to prevent those nasty Toe Bangs and what you can do to keep your toes fully intact. Do your toes always hurt after hiking? If so, you are n

Social Media has become very dangerous to natural areas over the past decade or so. Copy cats reproducing the bad behaviors of "influencers" have done much damage to natural areas and local eco-systems. These influencers claim to be professionals, yet have little to no experience in the outdoors and most have never even heard of Leave No Trace ethics. Behaviors such as rock stacking, rock painting, foraging and others can be harmless when it's just one person. But posting suc

As you get older, you will find it takes much longer to recover after a big backpacking trip or intense hike. Yes, I am speaking from experience! And at some point in your life, you will realize that you have to start taking a little better care of your body after a big trip. Here are five great tips from a personal trainer that will help you recover much more quickly after your travels. An expert personal trainer shares tips on a post-hike recovery regimen that'll keep your

Deciding what to pack when backpacking isn't always easy, it takes a lot of knowledge and experience. But what about when you are heading into foreign lands. There is so much more to consider and you're going in nearly blind. Let's take a look at some packing tips from REI for international backpackers. Editor’s note: This article was published prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need to travel, check the CDC FAQ page about COVID-19 risks for travelers , which provides the

Tents, namely backpacking and camping tents are getting more and more advanced all the time. Lightweight materials, super fine mesh, ultra light poles and pegs and more. As all this new technology arises, so does the price. As such, we must take better care of our home away from home. So this week, let's take a look at some tent care tips from Eureka!  a major tent manufacturer. Tent Cleaning Clean the tent by setting it up and wiping it down with a mild soap (liquid hand soa

We are only a little ways into this summer season and already we have had numerous heat warnings. These promise to only get worse in the coming years and so we will have to do more to ensure our safety while partaking in outdoor events. Hiking is one such event. Being outside in these temperatures with only a limited supply of water and sometimes nearly no coverage will prove to be very challenging and very dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken. So, let's take a qu

Six weeks back, we took a look at how climate change is affecting the spread of ticks throughout our province and the effect it has had on the spread of Lyme Disease. But the best way to protect yourself from Lyme Disease and the other pathogens that Ticks may carry is to avoid them altogether! With that, let's dive into this week's article and learn the best ways to check for ticks, remove ticks and best yet, just avoid them altogether. For those who hike, bike, paddle and c

It's that time of year, when hikers are plentiful and provide a smorgasbord for many insects. The most apparent, and most annoying are the hordes of mosquitoes buzzing about the forest just waiting for the unprepared hiker to wander in and supply them with a tasty dinner. This week, we will look at the best ways to defend yourself from these relentless parasites!. Few things can ruin an outdoor adventure quicker than swarms of hungry mosquitoes, leaving you with itchy red wel

When transitioning from hiking to backpacking, the first thing you have to consider is shelter. Unless you plan on living in caves or under other rock formations, you're going to have to start looking into tents, bivy sacks, hammocks or a simple tarp. The world of backpacking shelters can become a little overwhelming, but hopefully, this week's article will help you sift through all the excess mumbo jumbo and help you pinpoint your perfect shelter. Because it has a big effect

The World is changing at the hands of humans. As these changes happen, we will be forced to also make many changes and learn new behaviors. But more importantly, we will have to learn how to survive these changes while still continuing on with our day to day lives. For hikers and backpackers, this could be terrifying. This week we are looking into a skill, that it seems, will be necessity on all future adventures. "Wildfires are going to become bigger and more frequent in the

Last week, we looked at how to navigate the backcountry and what to do if you get off trail and completely lost. But what if you're not the lost one? What if it's your hiking partner or a member of your group? This week, let's look at the best way to reconnect with your hiking pal and how to prevent losing them in the first place. Let's get into it! "Where the hell are they?"   This is a scenario we all dread: you’re on a group hike and one of the hikers in your group disappe

One of the most common things I find along the trail; Lost Hikers! No one should be heading out into the backcountry without at least the minimal navigational knowledge. Simple things like Google Maps or a hiking app can keep you safe and are very easy to use. Those who plan to venture off a little deeper into the rabbit hole need to learn how to obtain proper topo maps and use a compass to navigate. With that said, let's dive into the world of Navigation.   You’re miles into

Over the last decade or so, more and more hikers have been getting bitten by Lyme infected ticks. Although that the odds of contracting Lyme Disease from ticks are very low, and there is progress being made on a vaccine, but in the meantime, I am a firm believer that knowledge is your best defense. And with that, enjoy this week's very educational article. Blacklegged ticks are spreading across Canada — and they’re bringing Lyme disease with them Blacklegged ticks are unable

Keeping clean on the trail usually isn't a big issue. If you're only hiking for a day or two, it's not even something you really think of. But what if you're going to be out there for 3, 4 or maybe even 7 days. Now you really have to start thinking about hygiene, and planning carefully. A huge misconception, "I can lather up with biodegradable soap and jump in the river." But, biodegradable soap is not biodegradable when placed directly in rivers and streams or any open body