NAC Adventure Blog

Even as an experienced hiker and guide, one of my least favorite tasks is buying new hiking boots. Over the years, I have used more than 14 different pairs and 6 different brands, but the fact is, you really never know what you are going to get. You try them on in-store, and wear them around a bit and everything feels great. But then you get them out in the backcountry only to find they weren't all that you hoped they would be, or worse, they chew your feet up. Buying boots i

Although I personally don't do it often, as I am usually leading a group, many have asked me about hiking alone. My personal opinion, it is nice to have solitude from time to time, but on those long difficult sections, nothing is better than having someone to help distract you from your agony. But, is hiking alone safe? Let's delve into this week's article and find the answer... We’ve all been there – maybe you’re new in town or have found yourself with an empty weekend and h

Spring is here, and with spring, comes rain! Lots and lots of rain. Even while you are sitting there reading this, Niagara Adventure Club and 6 awesome hikers are out on their 3rd day braving the rain. Rain in the Summer is nice and refreshing. But with Spring's cool temperatures, rain can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous. So let's take a look at some of the best ways to stay dry and safe in the rain. Are you headed out for a hike and worried about the weather? It’s i

Experiencing the backcountry responsibly and safely is absolutely life changing, and I feel everyone should try it at least once. However, for our female hikers, it can be more challenging. As a guide, I regularly have to have discussions with first time female hikers about how to manage their menstrual cycles in the back country. Luckily, it's not that hard. It only requires a bit of planning and a few extra items. But I am no expert on the subject, so let's dive into this w

On almost every hike, on every single multi-day hike, and every expedition, you will find a set of hiking poles strapped to my backpack. But, are they necessary? Yes, in my opinion, they are! I will not use them every time, but they are there when I need them. Some hikes are nearly impossible without hiking poles, and without them, you would be eating mud much more than you like. Other times, poles are a hindrance, but, that's why your backpack has a nice little system for ha

n just a few short weeks, NAC will be hosting our first backpacking trip of the season. One of the most difficult things to do when first starting out as a backpacker, falling asleep in an unknown environment. Hard surfaces, small sleeping area, things falling onto your tent and so many other factors can make it very difficult to fall asleep until you get used to it all. However, once you do, nothing is as relaxing as sleeping in the backcountry. That is, when the raccoons ar

When setting out on a Winter hike, you dress warm, you pack warm, and you stay warm. Planning a Summer hike? You plan to wear shorts and a t-shirt, pack light and you're good to go. But what about that Spring hike. The weather can change drastically in just a few hours. It may pour, it may be bright and sunny, it will probably do both. One moment it can be freezing cold, and a few hours later, you're sweating. Not too mention, you may be traversing deep mud one minute and int

Last week we went through some pointers for hiking in the mud. But truthfully, mud is just one of many challenges you are very likely to face during a Spring hike in Canada. Sudden rain, snow, ice patches and more all pose threats to hikers on the trail. Let's dive in and go through a few more tips for hiking in the Spring. You don’t have to wait until summer to go hiking. Spring is a great season to explore the trails, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Check out so

Seeing that winter is just about done and we did get quite a bit of snow over the last while, we could look forward to a very muddy Spring as the snow melts. Hiking in mud can be treacherous, dangerous and scary. It must be be done with caution and care. So, read on and learn how to traverse those muddy trails with confidence. Spring hiking in Colorado Springs, or just about anywhere in Colorado, is synonymous with mud hiking. Many of us ask the question, can you hike in the

While guiding day hikes and multi-day hikes, I would say that the most common question asked of me is, "Do I need hiking poles?" The short answer is, "Yes, you absolutely do need hiking poles!" Although you won't use them on every hike, it's best to have them and not need them. In my years of hiking and guiding, I have traversed many trails that just aren't possible without poles. Ok, maybe they are 'possible without poles', but they would be much more difficult. On the West

So, we have reviewed rock climbing lingo, contemplated the various types of climbing holds and learned of rock climbing gear and it's proper use. So, in keeping with the theme, this week we will delve into the realm of climbing technique. It's not always about strength. The proper use of technique will get you up the wall quicker, and with less effort! If you are wondering how to get into rock climbing, there is no wrong way to go about it. You can take a class at your local

For the past few weeks, we have been learning about Rock Climbing. You learned a few new climbing terms, you learned about the various types of rock climbing holds and despite all that, you still have a bit more to learn. Therefore, this week , we will dive into the wonderful world of Rock Climbing Gear! Rock climbing has had an explosion of growth over the last couple of decades. The unique sport offers excitement, a challenge for all abilities, and different ways to explore

If you've been reading along the past few weeks, you should now be well versed in many different hiking terms, and a few climbing terms. This week, we will continue with your vocabulary training. In particular, we will be looking at some of the different names for climbing holds, and some of the various types of climbing moves. Take notes, these terms and phrases will be very helpful at the crag! (You should remember that word from last week's article!) When you are just gett

Last week we dove into the wonderful world of hiking lingo. This week's article won't be so long, I promise. This week, we shall take a look at some of the most popular climbing terms, but only a few of them. If you want to learn the other 3058493, you'll have to Google it! If you are getting into rock climbing, one important thing to learn is the vocabulary. When you are hanging around other climbers and working on similar bouldering problems, you are likely to strike up a c

While out on our latest hike, a NAC Season Pass Holder (Christopher) mentioned I should have add a Word of The Week section to Adventure Weekly. It's a wonderful idea, and I may in the future, but currently, I will just post this, the longest article ever featured in Adventure Weekly...   Like any serious hobby, hiking has a lot of jargon and confusing terms that can frustrate any beginner. Even if you’re trying to learn more, without “speaking the language,” it can be hard t

I spent some time this past Friday, talking with a couple who are interested in our upcoming Iceland trip, however, they were hesitant as they have never before done any overnight hiking or backpacking. Well, the joke is on them, there is no "overnight" in Iceland during the summer! However, we spent a good deal of time going over all the basic fundamentals of backpacking, and I thought I would share the basics with all of you today.   Ready to spend your first night out but

Winter is here, and with winter comes cold temperatures. Dressing for the cold while hiking is a serious skill. When you are walking uphill, your body heat sky rockets and you are dying of heat in all those winter clothes. On the downhill or flats, your body temperature drops, and you find yourself freezing. So, what do you do? Layering! Layering is extremely important in the world of winter. So let's take a very detailed look at how to layer properly.   P.S. I swear, I did n

With the upcoming addition of Climber's Rock Climbing Gym to the Niagara Adventure Club Partners Program, it is only fitting that we take a look at some of the major psychological and physical health benefits of indoor rock climbing. So, without further adieu, let's take a look at why you should get into the world of indoor rock climbing! You might be thinking about trying indoor rock climbing, and if you just cannot choose whether or not it is good for you, you should keep i

So you just spent a ton on those new boots, but they just don't seem to fit right. In the store they seemed to fit perfectly, but now they are rubbing, or creating pressure on top of your foot, so what gives? Well, don't toss them aside just yet, maybe you just need to lace them a little differently to add or releive pressure in just the right spots. Keep your feet snug and comfortable with these step-by-step directions for common hiking boot lacing techniques. It’s easy to o

Winter is here and temperatures are plummeting. Deep snow surrounds your feet while you push through the trail. So, how do you keep your precious feet warm? If you are hoping to hit the trails this winter, you will need to know how to keep your feet warm while hiking. With treacherous temperatures and feet of snowfall not uncommon in the area, warm boots and warm socks are essential pieces of hiking gear here in Colorado. We’ve got some of the best fall hikes near Colorado Sp

Everything You Need To Know About Getting The Perfect Fit With Those Boots for Hiking The most important piece of hiking gear is what you put on your feet. In the backcountry your feet is your only means of locomotion and therefore, taking care of your feet is of utmost importance. We have looked at how to properly fit and purchase hiking boots in the past, but this is a subject that warrants a reminder. A good pair of hiking boots is the most important piece of gear you’ll n

Even though we took a look at winter hiking tips last week, I decided to post a similar article this week from a different authors perspective. Last week's article was very in depth, and therefore, very long. This week, we have a condensed version. So, once again, lets take a look at Essential Winter Hiking Tips. While hiking is generally a simple activity, it becomes more difficult to hike in winter due to low temperatures and potentially hazardous conditions on the trails.

This week's article is a long one, but a very important one. As Canadians, we don't believe in hiding and sheltering in place just because the weatherman says it might be a little dangerous to play in this cold. Instead, we bundle up with the great knowledge we have taken in over the years and we get out there and do our thing. But just in case you missed out on some of that knowledge, let's go over it again! “A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”- hiking is the way to

It's that time of year again, you know what I am talking of, it's the dirty season! The constant snowfalls and melting of said snow leads to some pretty raunchy trail conditions. All that mud and water leaves your boots soaked and caked in mud, not to mention the rest of you, as you have no doubtedly taken a slip and fall or two. So, what's the best way to clean and treat those boots? Well, read on to learn all you need to know about cleaning hiking boots.   No matter where y