Pathfinder Newsletter

Below is the current issue of Pathfinder Newsletter. Enjoy!

Pathfinder Winter 2024

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Past Editions

Pathfinder Winter 2024 Pathfinder Spring 2024 Pathfinder Newsletter – Winter 2023

GDT Horseback Adventure

by Brent Wray; photos by Brent Wray; videos by Peter van der Gugten I’ll never forget the text message that changed my life. It was from Curtis, a Willmore Wilderness guide and outfitter I’d ridden a 10-day pack trip with in July 2021. “Hey Brent, that guy I was telling you about…

Backpacker’s Best Burrito Bowl Recipe

by Melanie Sampson Life on the trail is full of the unexpected; weather and trail conditions can quickly change, there may be wildlife encounters, injuries, slips and falls, turn-arounds, fatigue, dehydration…the list goes on! If there’s one thing that a hiker can count on at the end of the day…

Walk Into Well-being, the Health Benefits of Hiking in Nature

By Jenny Feick, PhD All pictures are by the author unless otherwise credited and along the GDT unless stated otherwise. “Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into…

Pathfinder Newsletter – Autumn 2022

This edition of the Pathfinder Newsletter includes a few key announcements, and articles showcasing adventures on the GDT, accomplishments this year, volunteer recognition, trail crew fun, event reports, and special interest topics. Enjoy! 2022 GDTA Annual Report: It’s amazing what we’ve achieved this year! 2022 GDTA Volunteer Recognition Awards: A…

Oldman River Headwaters Quiz

by Jeff Gruttz The Quiz: For all our Southwest Alberta hikers / geography keeners….. which number is closest to the number of glaciers, or visible remnants thereof, contained in the most southerly drainage basin traversed by the GDT, the Oldman River drainage basin? Clue: this is a semi-trick question. 0…

The Trail Crew Experience

by Joey Gompels During lockdown in the UK, everyone became obsessed with something. From hoarding toilet paper to home fitness, anything to stay sane. My obsession of choice was the Great Divide Trail. A wild thru-hike over 1100 km from Waterton at the US border to Kakwa Lake, tracing the…

Section A: Barnaby Ridge Alternate

by Barb Lauer Every summer for the past four, the mighty Lynnie Wonfor and myself have hiked a section of the GDT. It’s been awesome, something to look forward to every year, an opportunity to reconnect with the trail, hikers and volunteers. This summer we were planning to hike section…

Granny Gets High in Kakwa

by Margaret Gmoser – trail name Gnargret In February our group of six committed to 10 days of hiking SOBO from Kakwa Lake to the Blueberry Lake exit of the GDT. For me the push was to do the route before I hit 80 – I’m 77. We had no…

Thor’s Pioneering Proposal

By Jenny L. Feick, PhD Chapter Two of Tales from the Great Divide, Vignettes on the Origins and Early History of Canada’s Great Divide Trail reveals the sources of the Great Divide Trail concept. It focuses on the pioneering work that established the vision for the GDT and that inspired…

High Rock Trail Opening

by Kate Hamilton July 22, 2022 After 7 years in the making, this summer marked the official opening of the High Rock Trail (HRT)! To celebrate, the GDTA organized an event at Chinook Lake Recreation Area in Coleman, AB, where the High Rock Trail section begins. In attendance were many…