TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jan 22, 2012, 8:59 am
Recently,I got trained as a Walkabout Leader with NS Heart & Stroke Foundation, and found out about the many benefits of walking as well additional information on the 10,000 steps a day program. Once you registered on their website, you have the opportunity to track your progress and steps. All yo...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jan 21, 2012, 4:19 pm
Loon, St. Ann's Harbour Something told me that day to take my DSLR camera with my zoom lens and teleconverter (1.5x) ,which made my zoom go to 405 mm. Off I went for my walk. It was a grey, overcast day not to cold at least I thought, so I took my hiking gloves. About 30 minutes later I switch to w...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jan 1, 2012, 5:34 pm
Sun reflecting off the ice As new year begins, many hikers take time to reflect on the past year,2011 and what it was for them. Hikers remember the trails they hiked, the people they have meet, those incredible photos taken and those special memories. It is now time to plan and prepare for the 201...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Dec 12, 2011, 2:03 pm
Wast Water Lake, Wasdale Head As we enter Gosforth, Nether Wasdale and then Wasdale Head, I could tell this area was majestic.  The narrow roads, country homes, green grass,  Wast Water Lake and mountains made this a very special place. We decided to check out the start of Scafell Pike hike and g...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 16, 2011, 6:43 am
Swimming at Fishing Cove, photo by Bob Harrison Two of Nova Scotia’s best seacoast hiking trails were hiked yesterday by close to eighty hikers in the 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival. Sunny and warm conditions made the return trip hot in the afternoon with lots of water breaks and stops. Both hi...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 15, 2011, 5:40 am
Hikers Mickey & Sharon enjoying the views on Skyline, photo by Phyllis MacLeod It was a day when records fell and hikers were out in big numbers at Salmon Pools, Le Buttereau & le Chemin du Buttereau and Skyline hikes. The Skyline hike had the most hikers on any hike since the festival started 8 ye...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 14, 2011, 5:40 am
Hiker Distance Award Program Hikers continued their quest for the Hikers distance award (25, 50 or 100 km) during the 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival. Close to 80 hikers enjoyed Beulach Ban Falls/Aspy and Roberts Mountain hikes on another sunny day. Beulach Ban Falls Beulach Ban Falls /Aspy trai...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 13, 2011, 6:23 am
Tenerife Mountain Tenerife  and Cabot Landing Beach were the featured hikes on Day 4 of the 2011 Hike the Highlands festival. Over 9o plus hikers enjoyed sunny & cool hiking conditions. North Harbour from Tenerife Mtn. Tenerife Mountain is a new hike this year in the festival and after today wil...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 12, 2011, 6:19 am
Money Point Gulch looking back It was a perfect day for hiking on Day 3 of the 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival- sunny and 18 degrees. Eight-one hikers enjoyed the day on the Meat Cove Mountain and Money Point Gulch hikes. Meat Cove Mountain by Sharon Proctor At Meat Cove Mtn. hikers enjoyed outs...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 11, 2011, 6:16 am
White Point Close to 100 hikers enjoyed the hikes on Day 2 of 2011  Hike the Highlands Festival at White Point and Sugar Loaf . It was a day to enjoy great coastal scenery,  a climb up a steep mountain and to prepare you with some wet weather. White Point hike provided great coastal scenery, the...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 10, 2011, 7:04 am
Middle Head Group Pic by Sam Schwartz The 8th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival got off to a great start with forty -two hikers enjoying the first hike of the festival – Middle Head in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.  There were lots of hugs as friends said hi again. Sunny conditions a...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 3, 2011, 9:19 am
Deuter Futura 28 AC Daypack With the 2011 Hike the Highlands festival starting in less than a week, it is important to have your checklist ready for hiking so you pack your daypack  and enjoy the day hiking, 1) Weather reports – always check the weather reports before you start out hiking for t...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Aug 15, 2011, 11:46 am
Hiking in the Rain Despite some hot weather recently, the 2011 summer, has been a mixture of rain, showers, drizzle and fog. Here are 5 tips to help you hike in the rain : 1)  Equipment – a) daypack with a rain cover. If your daypack doesn’t have one, invest in one,  b) rain gear – pants...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Aug 4, 2011, 12:50 pm
Taking a break with Hiking Gear on Franey With just 5 weeks away, it is time to start planning and preparing for the Hike the Highlands Festival, Sept. 9-18, 2011.  Here are some tips: 1) Determine your Hikes  - Review the list of hikes scheduled ie. trail description, photos & map. Determine t...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jul 18, 2011, 1:26 pm
2011 Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge - July 16th Eighteen teams believed and took the challenge on – hiking three mountains in one day at the Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge, July 16th.  They all made it in safely and the organizers, Hike the Highlands Festival Society, are extre...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jul 9, 2011, 12:20 pm
   It was rather fitting for Gilbert M. Grosvener, Chairman of National Geographic Society Board of Trustees and Education Foundation, who calls Baddeck his favorite place,  to launch this new book at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. The new book of course is National Geogr...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jun 26, 2011, 8:10 pm
Bull Moose on Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge The 75th Anniversary Cape Breton Highlands National Park in 2011 has provided hikers with a new challenge – hike  75 km from May to October. It also provides you with a wonderful opportunity to see the whole park,  its great scenery, wildlife and pla...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jun 26, 2011, 7:21 pm
Cape Breton Highlands National Park 75th Anniversary Geocoin In 2011, Cape Breton Highlands National Park celebrates its 75th anniversary. One of the popular activities in this park has been geocaching.  This year geocachers who find all 5 ecocaches and complete the quiz will receive a special lim...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jun 19, 2011, 8:36 pm
It was our first sunny weekend in weeks or maybe months, and all I could think of was hiking, taking off km in the 75 km hiking Challenge – Cape Breton Highlands National Park and geocaching. I was getting the car packed when I heard a loon call out loud a yodle in front of my property on St. Ann...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jun 6, 2011, 7:03 pm
Trails Day, Saturday, June 4th, 2011 On International Trails Day, Saturday, June 4th, we hiked the Cape Smokey hiking trail , a 11km seacoast trail that features a number of scenic look-offs – seven in total.  The look-offs are located over 900 feet from water on high granite cliffs. Besides the...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - May 31, 2011, 7:16 pm
A tough year ahead for hiking boots The year 2011 can be declared the year of hiking challenges in the Cape Breton Highlands.  Here are just a few below : 1) The Cape Breton Highlands National Park celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2011 has issued a 75 km hiking challenge from May to Octob...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - May 31, 2011, 12:27 pm
Roberts Mountain, Pleasant Bay The big event is coming ….just 7 weeks to prepare and get ready for the Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge on Saturday, July 16, 2011 .. The challenge is to hike 3 mountains in one day – Franey (1400 ft), Roberts Mtn. (1400 ft) and Acadien(1500 ft).  Three ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - May 31, 2011, 11:48 am
Jack Pine, Cape Breton Highlands National Park Generally, the Victoria Day weekend is the start of the hiking season in the Cape Breton Highlands area for many hikers. You can expect wet conditions, some windfalls, cold temps, winds and much more. Here are some tips to get ready for the season: 1)...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - May 14, 2011, 10:33 am
Spring hiking means wet conditions, streams and brooks to cross, and using your trekking poles and wearing your gaiters. But don’t forget about snow...Franey is one of your classic hikes in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park - incredible views on top and a nice aerobic workout. It was around...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Apr 25, 2011, 8:49 pm
Getting an early start to hiking season is what most hikers want but it forces us to hike in wet spring like conditions and in snow sometimes. Here are some tips to start the season off early: 1)  Crossing streams – With melting snow and milder conditions, streams are higher this time of the yea...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Apr 25, 2011, 3:19 pm
Emily Forrest On April 24, 2011, Emily Forrest did it – she walked 99kms in 19 hours to raise over $2,000 in funds for Diabetes. Her original  goal was to do it 24 hours but she surpassed it. An amazing feat for a great person. She average 5. 2 kms an hour…. She started at 3:00 am. and in the...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Feb 26, 2011, 12:53 pm
Sophia & JF In 2009, a young lassie, Sophia, from England came to Canada for a year to travel and work.  Her first stop was Hike the Highlands Festival…About midway thru the festival she met a lad from PEI who was studing at University of British Columbia. JF was working at Cape Breton Highlan...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Feb 19, 2011, 9:24 am
Snowshoeing is a great winter sport to enjoy the outdoors. One of Cape Breton Highlands favorite activities in the winter is to go out and explore trails by snowshoe. So far this winter conditions have been ideal for this sport with lots of snow. Did you know snowshoeing is one of the best aerobic...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Feb 17, 2011, 11:54 am
Hike NS 150 km distance award pin In February 2011, Hike Nova Scotia announced its new program – a Hiker Distance Award. Pattern a bit like Hike the Highlands Festival in Cape Breton, the award program provides a lapel pin to people who hike, walk or snowshoe in Nova Scotia. There are three dista...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Feb 17, 2011, 8:43 am
Snowshoeing is being coming a popular winter sport in the Cape Breton Highlands Lets face it no one likes getting up in the dark to leave for work or coming home in the dark..In means for the first part of the winter, being outdoors can only happen on Saturday and Sunday.   Here are some helpful...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Jan 6, 2011, 12:31 pm
Marie Stradeski, a friend and volunteer of Hike the Highlands Festival has left Cape Breton Highlands National Park and is heading for the Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia.  Marie was Heritage Presentation Officer III at Cape Breton Highlands National Park for the past 6 years. She p...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Dec 6, 2010, 8:13 am
The christmas trees are up in some homes and more are on its way. It is that time of the year again…I read the other day on Canadian Tire Flyer cover – just 3 weeks to go. Wow time is flying by….Here are some ideas for you to help you decide and pick out the right gift for your hiker friend(s...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Nov 10, 2010, 8:23 am
This week’s post is not about hiking but remembering …on 11th hour, 11th day, and 11th month , those who served our country, Canada, and those who paid the supreme sacrifice during the wars and peace time activities. Rembrance Day was always a special and big day in our household as my Dad was ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Oct 25, 2010, 8:03 am
Hiking in the rain on the West Highland Way in Scotland Hiking can be enjoyed in most types of weather but the key is to prepare with right type of equipment, clothes and gear. Here are some tips that I learned over the years hiking in the Cape Breton Highlands, Scotland and Ireland. Tip # 1 – ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 19, 2010, 8:39 pm
Group Picture on top of the summit at Smokey Towers - Photo by Chrissie Hawley Forty hikers enjoyed the last two hikes of the festival on day 10, Sept 19 at Smokey Towers and Clyburn Valley…..the sun was with us on the last day of the festival. It was a sad day for many us – saying good-byes â...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 19, 2010, 6:28 am
Money Point Light Trail - Photo by Sam Schwartz Heavy rains the day before made conditions on Cape Smokey wet and on Money Point Light tricky with some washouts but 60 plus hikers enjoyed the sunny day. It was nice to see the sun again… Money Point Light Group Pic - photo by Chrissie Hawley Hi...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 17, 2010, 10:06 pm
Hikers on Branch Pond Look-off Trail Today’s weather forecast was 30-40 mm of rain, heavy at times with winds 20-70 kms… I never thought 40 hikers on Day 8 would show up at 9:00 am. to hike Branch Pond Look-off at Cape Breton Highlands National Park. They showed at Middle Head at 10:00 am and ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 17, 2010, 5:32 am
It finally happened it rained during hikes on day 7 of Hike the Highlands festival. Despite inclement weather, all three hikes – Skyline, Fishing Cove and Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge were completed.  The passionate and dedicated hikers were out in full force today. They carried on despite wind...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 16, 2010, 5:19 am
View on top of Acadien Trail, CBHNP Another sunny day provided hikers with amazing day for hiking on Day 6 featuring the Salmon Pool, Acadien and Le Buttereau & Le Chemin du Buttereau hikes on trails in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Today was a day, many hikers used their trekking poles....
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 15, 2010, 4:44 am
Group pic at Pollett's Cove Hikers had a beautiful sunny, fall hiking day to enjoy the Pollett’s Cove hike on Day 5 of Hike the Highlands festival.  Led by veteran guide Dave Williams, thirty -four hikers enjoyed the spectacular scenery at Otter’s Brook and Pollett’s Cove. Interesting eno...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 14, 2010, 5:23 am
 The NHN trails hike in Cape North provided a scenic view of South Harbour along with Peak Tenerife and Sugar Loaf Mountains.  A picnic lunch sponsored by St. Paul`s Island Historical Society was enjoyed by all  hikers at Cabot Landing Provincial Park before embarking on Sugar Loaf mountain hike...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 13, 2010, 7:56 am
Day three of Hike the Highlands Festival  – Another overcast day with 70% chance of showers but it did not discourage any of the hikers. Close to twenty hikers enjoyed the Cabot Landing Beach walk led by guide Shaune Warren and the historic significance of this provincial park. Another 30 hikers ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 13, 2010, 6:50 am
The hiking gods were with us today and all three outdoor events took place on day 2 of  2010 Hike the Highlands Festival, despite a weather forecast that included rain & showers…. The nature & landscape photography workshop orginially scheduled for White Point moved to Black Brook, Cape Breto...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 11, 2010, 5:23 am
Despite overcast skies, and a few rain drops, everything went well on day one of the 2010 Hike the Highlands Festival.  Wally Hayes dazzle us with his amazing knowledge of photography and shared with us some great tips including geotagging your photos, composition, and shooting with macro lens. The...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 10, 2010, 7:22 am
Money Point Gulch Hike The 7th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival opens today with a Nature & Landscape Photography Workshop, Freshwater Lake Hike and Opening ceremonies.  The 10 day hiking festival runs from Sept. 10 to Sept. 19, 2010. The festival headquarters & registration desk are located ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Sep 8, 2010, 8:14 pm
One of the more interesting trails for plants in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is the Bog Trail.  A short interpretive trail that takes on average 20-30 minutes to complete and that includes time for taking pictures.  A great trail to have a DSLR  camera with a zoom and macro lens for close...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Aug 27, 2010, 7:28 pm
Wally Hayes, Professional Photographer Hike the Highlands Festival will offer two Nature & Landscape Photography Workshops by Wally Hayes, professional photographer, on Sept. 10th and Sept. 11th in Ingonish . ……One of Nova Scotia’s top photographer, Wally brings passion and a grea...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Aug 27, 2010, 3:08 pm
With just two weeks before the Hike the Highlands festival, now is a great time to check your equipment out.  Here is a checklist of what you need for the festival : hiking boots,  hiking socks,  gaiters – protect your legs from branches, thorns etc along with keep your boots dry,  hiking ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Aug 20, 2010, 3:15 pm
Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge trail interpretive sign. Photo by Gayle Bourgeois A new hiking trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park,  “Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge, “ was officially opened on August 15th, on National Acadian Day,  with over 200 people in attendance  includ...
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TC W. posted an article on Hike the Highlands Festival - Aug 4, 2010, 10:18 am
Sept. Issue Backpacker features Best raingear, baselayers and fleece If you avid hiker - you have learn through trail & error, the importance of dressing in layers for hiking. Hot weather, cold weather and rainy weather required different strategies.  There is baselayer, mid-layer and raingear/...
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