The Adventure Forum

Although I always love the memories forged while out on a trail, the amazing views granted to me by nature, and the bond formed with fellow hikers, sometimes, just sometimes, while I'm pushing through deep thick mud, torrential downpours, hurricane like winds, or many of the other adversaries in the backcountry it just doesn't seem worth it (it always is). So, here are some tips and tricks to trick yourself into enjoying the hike at the very worst of times. I spent the night shivering. I was deep in Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness in April, and it was cold—somewhere in the teens. All night, I watched moisture from my breath plume into the darkness of the tent. By morning, it had frozen to the walls in a smooth white rime of ice. When my alarm went off at 6 AM, I stepped over my partner, pushed my blistered feet into frozen ski boots, and hobbled through the woods with my avalanche shovel. Nature was calling, and I had two feet of snow to dig through before I’d be granted the privilege of hacking my six-inch cat hole. This was my first backcountry ski trip. I wasn’t sold. We spent the day laboring up steep, icy, 2,500-foot slopes. Every time I peeled off my sticky climbing skins to transition to downhill skiing, the wind would snatch them up, sticking them to my jacket, my hair, and themselves. Imagine working with foot-long strips of Scotch tape in front of a box fan, and you’ll have a pretty good approximation. That night, I returned to my tent, exhausted—only to find that the sun had warmed the walls, melting the condensation right into my bedding. My down sleeping bag lay curled like a withered rose petal. It was soaked. I tried not to cry. The temps were expected to drop into the teens again that night—and the three nights after. "Well", I told myself, "You wanted an adventure." Whether it’s winter camping, rainy hiking, or backpacking in triple-digit heat, hike long enough and you’ll end up doing it in conditions that are flat-out miserable. The secret to having a good time anyway? Knowing how to stay calm and find the silver linings. At least, that’s my takeaway after surviving everything from gnarly food poisoning, to poisonous plants, to insufficient food on the trail—not to mention a long career of ice climbing and mountaineering in subpar weather. Here are some of the tips I’ve picked up along the way. Learn to Identify Type Two Fun. Reframing suffering as just “Type Two Fun,” or “Type Three Fun” is the first step to embracing it. If you’re not familiar with the fun scale, it goes something like this: Type One Fun is anything that’s just plain, honest-to-goodness fun. Think rope swings, water slides, hiking downhill in amazing weather—all the stuff that makes you say “Whee, this is fun,” in the moment (and especially out loud). Type Two Fun is anything that’s fun in retrospect: You weren’t pleased at the time, but afterwards you were really glad you did it. Type Three Fun is, well, basically not fun. It sucks, it’s probably a little dangerous, and you never want to do it again. The only “fun” part is telling the story later. Fix the problem. Now that you’ve identified that your fun is no longer Type One, ask yourself if the situation is fixable. Can you spend five minutes warming your cold hands in your armpits? Get out of your tent and move it to a flatter spot? Switch your wet socks for dry ones (or, better yet, dry ones wrapped in plastic bags to keep out the puddles)? Suffering is great and all, but don’t do it if you don’t have to. Lie to yourself. It’s wet and freezing and you’re exhausted, right? Wrong. Complaining only makes things worse. If there’s nothing you can do to fix your situation, turn to your partner and say, “Wow, I feel so warm right now. Warm and energetic! I’m thinking we do 10 more miles today, what do you think?” Or, patently deny that the rain exists: “Rain? There’s no rain. Rain is a state of mind.” Best case scenario: You’ll actually convince yourself. Second-best: You’ll both crack up laughing and the mood will lift. Sing about it. If things are just too miserable for sarcasm or self-deception, you’re allowed to complain—but only in song format. It sounds silly, but it’s actually pretty Zen: Singing about the rain or mud or how hungry you are is a way of acknowledging and naming your suffering without getting sucked into the negative brain spiral that will leave you screaming into the void and telling yourself you’ll never hike again. Try it. Take a snack break. When you start to get really angsty, pause. If it’s cold, sit on your pack and put your big jacket on. If it’s raining, set up a tarp or find somewhere dry. If you’re underfueled or dehydrated, you’re more likely to feel cold, disoriented, or irritable. Eat something sugary (those Snickers commercials were on to something), drink some water, and/or make yourself a warm beverage. Then, make a plan. Remind yourself you’re alive. Gratitude is another proven way to lift negative moods and alleviate anxiety. While you’re taking that snack break, try this: Look around at the scenery, take four deep breaths, and remind yourself that you’re alive. You’re not in an office. You’re not in a hospital. You’re here, in nature, doing something relatively cool. Let that sink in. Then, name three other things you’re grateful for. Think about how good the stories are going to be. When you’re deep in the pain cave, it might feel too soon to laugh about the situation. But try to take a step back from it, anyway. Are your setbacks starting to verge on ridiculous? Do you feel like you’re at the bottom of the second act in a comedic drama? Start to imagine how you’ll tell the story when you get home. Odds are, a lot of it will be funny in retrospect. Written by Corey Buhay for Backpacker Magazine on April 14, 2022 N.A.C. NEWS (Sunday, July 3, 2022) Good Morning, HAPPY CANADA DAY! Yes, I am aware that Canada Day was on Friday, but let's be serious, you have been celebrating all weekend and still are! I wasn't as lucky. I had to work Friday, then had my last Saturday off for a while, and will be going back to work this evening. As of this week, I begin my new schedule at the casino, and will now have Thursday and Friday off each week. As I had stated before, anyone that wants to climb Thursday evenings or hike on Fridays, get in touch. I have one interested party for hiking on Fridays so far, and one possible climber for Thursdays. Last Sunday, I guided the last guided NAC Day Hike for the time being. Thank you to everyone who came out. It was an awesome hike and it was so nice seeing everyone. And don't forget, all the photos from last weeks hike and all the past hikes are available on the Niagara Adventure Club Facebook page . Last week was my last day hike for a while, but you're not done! I have arranged for others to lead some day hikes, and will have some posted on the Events Page soon. Christopher and Bruno will be leading the first one on July 16th and it's already posted on the Events Page and below. Mike is also putting together a list of dates that he will be able to lead and we will plan some more hikes for those dates. Come September, I will be guiding a multi-day trip up on Manitoulin Island. Nine other adventurous souls will be joining me while we visit the Honey House, do an awesome day hike on the Cup & Saucer Trail, and then finish with a 4 day trek along the gruelling Heaven's Gate Trail. It will be a tough one, but worth every ache and pain as we pitch our tents each evening and enjoy the beautiuful Northern Ontario sky. Weather permitting, we will see a brightly lit sky full of stars, nebulas and the Northern Lights. And finally, I have booked some more days off, creating a few long weekends. Once they are approved, I will be planning a few short multi day hikes along the Bruce Trail and possibly a few other areas. These will be perfect events for beginner backpackers to have one or two nights out and learn a few things while we enjoy an amazing trail. More to come in future newsletters... That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club

There are a few different ways to conduct a day hike. There are Out and Back Hikes, Loop Hikes, and End 2 End Hikes. Out and Back can get boring, Loop Hikes are sometimes difficult to find and typically rather short. But End 2 End (point to point) Hikes are where it's at! These allow you to cover the most ground in a day, and always have fresh views along the way. But it does have it's problems, mainly in the transportation field. So let's look at a few ways to deal with the in's and out's of hiker transportation. Sure, loops are great, but sometimes the best use of time involves a one-way, point-to-point hike and a car shuttle. (Case in point: section-hiking a long trail). But don’t let the logistics get you down. Here are 4 different options, and some tips to make sure you get to the trail (and back) without a hitch. Option A: Sweet-talk your loved ones Convince your family or friends to drop you off and pick you up. Coerce them with promises of mountain views, good company, and half your post-hike pizza. This works best when you have a reliable idea of when you’ll be finishing your hike. Be a good friend and try to arrive early, so you’re waiting on your ride, not the other way around. Option B: Get professional help Only one car at your disposal? Yo-yo the trail (turn the section into an out-and-back) or consider hiring a service. Do a web search for “hiker shuttles to” the intended trail. Or search out Facebook Groups for that trail. Many trails have "Trail Angels" that will be willing to help for a small fee. Finally, find local towns and use their taxi cab services. Ideally, make arrangements at least 1-2 weeks ahead of time to ensure availability. Option C: Full DIY Want to keep the car shuttling business between hikers? Here’s how (provided you have at least one partner in crime and extra vehicle): Drive two cars to the trailhead and drop off any extra passengers. Then take both cars, each bearing only a driver, to the trail’s end. Leave the bigger car there and have the other take both drivers (and both sets of keys!) to the trailhead. Start hiking. At the end, cram everyone into the one car, then split the load between cars when you return to the trailhead. If you have more than one car’s worth of passengers, just make sure you bring the second car’s driver along so she can pickup those stranded at the trail terminus after being reunited with her wheels. Option D: Key hand-off Consider sending hiking parties from either end of the trail. Swap cars at the start so that you arrive at your own vehicle at the end of the day. Don’t forget to exchange keys when you pass each other mid-hike. A temporary tattoo to the forehead makes for a good reminder. A Few Tips 1. Front-load the drive If you opt for a professional or friend-based shuttle service, make sure it’s on the front end! This means, park your vehicle at the trail terminus and get shuttled to your starting line. (It’s easy to be on time for a trip departure, but missing a post-trip pickup due to unforeseen delays can be a real bummer). 2. Stock the getaway car Fill the getaway car with dry, clean layers, water, and snacks. When you trudge into the parking lot after unsuspected torrential rainfall, you’ll want them. Plus, a car full of water, snacks, and clean socks will reward you after a long trek. Only exception: Bear country. It’s not uncommon for a hungry bruin to break into vehicle if it smells food. 3. Strategize like a war general If shuttling with others, have a planning meeting the day prior. Stretch out a map, drain a couple of beers, and model your car movement strategy with the bottles. Toy cars and figurines from the Game of Life can also be useful. 4. Account for the STUFF If you’re shuttling cars for a long hike, make sure you account for the egregious amount of space full packs can take up in the car. 5. Be a good DJ Burn some CDs, stock your phone, or download a few Spotify playlists before you take off. Some trails are off grid, and radio reception can be frightfully erratic. Choose tunes that will keep you stoked for your adventure. 6.Park smart When dropping off a car, lock CDs, expensive stereos, GPS units, sunglasses, and other valuables safely out of sight – or, better yet, remove them entirely and leave the glove box open and empty (unless this activates a light that will drain your battery). Don’t reverse into your spot with the trunk facing the woods, and don’t leave notes for your friends advising them of your plans – better to leave word of your whereabouts before you leave for the trip. Written by Corey Buhay for Backpacker Magazine on June 5, 2015 N.A.C. NEWS (Sunday, June 26, 2022) Good Morning, Today I am out guiding my last day hike for the time being. Until things at the casino pick up during the weekdays again, I will be not be able to have any weekends off, and as such, will not be able to guide hikes for the club on Saturdays and Sundays as I have been doing since 2009. I will miss everyone and our adventures very much. However, that doesn't mean the fun will end for you. Christopher along with Bruno, and Mike have agreed to lead some hikes for the club. I will plan hikes as I always have, post them to the Events Page, and you will be able to register as you have always done. I will still post the weather, and a list of what you should wear and bring, but you will be responsible for yourself. Christopher and Mike will lead the way only. They will not be responsible for your safety or well being. So please be prepared and be safe. I will also still be available via email or text if you need advice or guidance before attending the hike. Please note, I do work nights, so no early morning calls please. As for me, I will now be off work from 4am Thursday morning until 8pm Saturday night each week. I will still get some hiking in, as I have found at least one person that would like to hike on Fridays, and I am hoping to get back to rock climbing more on Thursday evenings. If you would like to join me for Thursday Rock Climbing, or Friday Day Hikes, please get in touch by replying to this email. That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club

Anyone who has hiked with NAC, knows I carry an extensive First Aid kit for the group, and I have the knowledge and training to properly assess and care for most injuries that could happen while on the trail. As I will no longer be guiding our hikes for a while, I think it's very important to reiterate the importance of carrying a First Aid Kit, and what supplies you should have, as well as the importance of knowledge needed to use it! A first aid kit is one of hiking’s Ten Essentials. That is, hiking gear you should have. The first thing I learned as a Wilderness First Responder is that in the outdoors, preparation is key. Whether you are a seasoned summiter or a daily stroller, carrying a first aid kit is essential for the safety of you and others. Here is a checklist, including some tips, for your hiking first aid kit. Pre-Packaged First Aid Kit vs. DIY Pre-packaged first aid kits like the Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit and Ultralight Adventure Medical Kits provide a great foundation for your first hiking medical kit. Each is equipped with carefully selected tools and supplies to keep you and a friend equipped for most small adventures. Each pre-packaged kit, however, is different, and it is important to tailor each first aid kit depending on your adventure. That being said, we recommend that everyone should have a DIY first aid kit. Here is how: How to build your own first aid kit for hiking Building your first aid kit can be a little daunting. What if I pack too much? What if I forget something? What if it is my first hike ever and I have no idea what I will need? Have no fear. We are here to help! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build your very own first aid kit for hiking. Think: SLARS There are four important things to consider before you create your first aid kit. You can remember them by the acronym “SLARS” . 1. Size of Group Are you building a personal first aid kit or planning for a group hike? The group size will determine the number of supplies you need. 2. Length of Trip This determines the same thing as number 1, in case of a backcountry accident, you will likely not have close access to a pharmacy. Because of this, it is imperative that you have enough medical provisions in case you need to reapply gauze and/or provide more medicine. 3. Activity While this is a guide to building first aid kits for hiking, it is likely your trips will vary widely from others. As we know, each hike is different, that’s what we love about it! However, because of the variations in hiking trips and environments, it is important to personalize your first aid kit for specific issues you may run into. Are you prepping for a flat day hike or an exposed, 14er scramble? If you are prepping for the 14er, a Sam splint is a good precaution for a potential broken bone or sprained ankle from a fall. If you are planning a first aid kit for routine hikes, the splint might be overkill. 4. Risk Risk falls under the activity section but is more focused on the environmental factors you will face. For example, if you plan on hiking in an area known for poison ivy (such as the east coast and midwest) and/or ticks, consider carrying a poison ivy treatment like Climb On Lotion Bar and/or a tick-specific tool like the Tick Ease Tick Remover to your first aid kit. 5. Special Needs Whether you are making a hiking kit for a group or yourself, always ensure you carry your personal medications whether for daily or emergency use. It is never a bad idea to carry extras. If you are planning a group hiking first aid kit, make sure everyone brings their personal medications. If you are in charge of medical care and the group members feel comfortable, it is always good to know their relevant medical history like allergies and/or respiratory issues. First Aid Basic Care Basic Tools Tweezers Multitool or Knife Small Mirror Blunt tip scissors Medication and Ointments Personal medication (such as Epi-pens) Ibuprofen Antibiotic ointments Antidiarrheal pills Rehydration salts/pills Antacid tablets Bandages Gauze Athletic (or climbing) tape Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred) Butterfly bandages/adhesive wound-closure strips Blister treatment/kit (such as moleskin) Other Items Wilderness First Aid Guide handbook Burn dressing Splints and elastic wraps Tick remover Antiseptic towelettes Bee-sting kit N.A.C. Note: A Wilderness First Aid Handbook is essential if you are unpracticed in Wilderness First Aid. I always have my pocket handbook in my kit. During my Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course, we were given a text book, Outward Bound Wilderness First Aid Handbook , and a waterproof pocket guide, Wilderness Medical Associates: The Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine . I highly recommend purchasing each, and practicing some of the skills and techniques. Always carry the pocket handbook with you. Another option is to search for apps on your mobile device. In your App Store, search Wilderness Medicine, and you will find many options available. Comprehensive First Aid Kit Wraps, Splints, and Wound Coverings Rolled gauze Elastic wrap (ex. ACE Bandage) Triangular cravat bandage Finger splint(s) SAM splint(s) Hydrogel-based pads Cleansing pads with topical anesthetic Hemostatic (blood-stopping) gauze Iodine Peroxide (wound cleaning) ( Pro Tip: Avoid cleaning a wound with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. It can harm the tissue and slow healing. The best way to clean a wound is with cool running water and/or iodine peroxide.) Aloe Vera/Extra Sunscreen Tools and Supplies Waterproof container to carry First Aid items Small notepad with pen/pencil ( Pro Tip: Notepads are extremely beneficial to record a patient’s ongoing condition. Put your notepad in a plastic Ziploc bag to avoid water damage.) Knife (or multi-tool with a knife) Standard oral thermometer Shears (blunt-tip scissors) Cotton-tipped swabs Irrigation syringe Medical gloves (avoid latex) CPR mask Medical waste bag ( Pro Tip: Plastic Nalgenes, or any extra water bottle, are a great place to store sharp medical waste items like used needles.) Emergency heat-reflecting blanket Hand sanitizer Biodegradable soap Lightweight tarp litter ( How to make a stretcher with a tarp ) Extra tampons, pads ( Pro Tip: Tampons are a great solution for bloody noses when you are on the move!) Additional Medications/Treatments Prescription medications (e.g., birth control, antibiotics) Allergy medications (e.g., Claritin) Injectable epinephrine (e.g., epi-pen to treat severe allergic reactions) Glucose or other sugar (useful to treat hypoglycemia) Cough drops and throat lozenges Aloe Vera Extra sunscreen Anti-itch spray (for bug bites, rashes) Ibuprofen Antacid tablets Diarrhea medication Aspirin (response to heart attack) Baby powder (keep sweaty feet dry) First Aid Kit for Ultralight Hiking It is critical to never sacrifice preparation and safety for weight. Always keep in mind the SLARS acronym we listed above. However, if you are a stubborn ultralight hiker looking to keep weight low, we have broken down the hiking checklist to the most essential items. Essentials for an Ultralight First Aid Kit Gauze pads (x2): Important to stop bleeding and keep an injury clean from bacteria and dirt. These are important to prevent infection. Antiseptic wipes (x4): Also important for preventing infection, antiseptic wipes help clean up wounds and the area surrounding them. Bandaids (4): Helpful to cover up small scratches, cuts, and blisters. Butterfly Bandages (4): Used to close deeper lacerations when stitches are unavailable. Multipurpose Knife (1): Used for everything and should include tweezers. Imodium or loperamide (4): Diarrheal medication Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen (4): Help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and treat fever. Moleskin: Protect your feet from blisters and hot spots. This can make or break your trip. Duct tape strips: Can be used for everything. Especially helpful to fix torn gear and keep bandaids/moleskin in place. For Ladies: Extra tampons, pads, diva cup: You never know when mother nature will hit you. Always bring spares! First Aid Training Despite the wide range of first-aid backcountry handbooks, training in first aid is always a great idea to stay prepared and safe before an outdoor adventure. Basic medical training will help you conquer the initial shocks of a medical emergency and be more prepared for any incident. There are many first-aid courses including through Wilderness Medical Associates Canada , Canadian Wilderness Medical Training , St. John Ambulance , and the Canadian Red Cross . Written by Ellie Stanton and publish on Hiking Daily on March 11, 2020 N.A.C. NEWS (Sunday, June 19, 2022) Good Morning, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY There is no hike this week, as by design. It is Father's Day! I hope all of you can spend time with your family, and to the Father's, I hope you have a great day! After today, I only have one more weekend off. For that weekend I have planned the Lion's Valley Hike which will be a 11km Loop hike in Oakville, ON. This will be my last hike with everyone for some time, so I hope that you can join me. For those of you that are unsure of the distance, there is a shorter 8km option. After June 26th, there will still be planned hikes, but it is important to note, that these will not be Guided Hikes! Some of the Season Pass Holder's have graciously agreed to Lead these hikes, but they will be in no way responsible for anyone's well being. Each person attending will be responsible for their own well being and safety. The Registration form will have an attestation to this, you will have to agree to participate. These awesome Hike Leader's will have a map of the route and will simply guide the way. That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club