Category: Association

For news related to the operation of the GDT Association – e.g. AGM notices, callouts for volunteers.

Jesse’s 2025 Ultralight Advent Box. Thank You, GearTrade!

For the third year in a row, the Great Divide Trail Association (GDTA) is honoured to be one of the charitable recipients of proceeds from GearTrade’s Ultralight Advent Box.

This year, the project carries special meaning. After the passing of GearTrade’s Jesse Hebenton, the box has been renamed in his memory: Jesse’s 2025 Ultralight Advent Box.

Jesse & Michelle Hebenton, and the entire GearTrade team have been incredible supporters of the GDTA over the years, helping us protect, promote, and maintain the Great Divide Trail. Jesse was a dedicated trail advocate and gear enthusiast whose enthusiasm for the outdoors, commitment to responsible recreation, and passion for helping others get outside safely left an indelible mark on our community and continues to inspire us all through the ongoing generosity of Michelle and the GearTrade family.

When Jesse first reached out to let us know that the GDTA would be one of the charity recipients of the Advent Calendar proceeds, we had no idea this would grow into a multi-year tradition of generosity and support. Yet here we are, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

For those of you who were lucky enough to snag one of these awesome boxes before they sold out, know that some of those proceeds have made their way back to the GDTA, helping us continue the important work of maintaining and protecting the Great Divide Trail. This year alone, $2,500 was donated to the GDTA from the proceeds.

Thank you to Michelle Hebenton and everyone at GearTrade for continuing this meaningful project and for supporting the work we do to keep the Great Divide Trail wild, accessible, and inspiring for generations to come.

November 10, 2025
Calling all Volunteers

The GDTA is always looking for more volunteers to help us build, maintain, and promote the Great Divide Trail. Can you help?

During the non-hiking season, GDTA volunteers collaborate remotely on all the hard work that happens behind the scenes. Even if you only have a few hours to give we would love to have you join us!

Take a look at our Volunteer page for a current list of urgent needs. But even if you don’t see something that catches your eye, please reach out to us at volunteer@greatdividetrail.com. Each of our Committees always welcome extra help!

Photo Credit: Caitlin Hardee

October 25, 2025
Introducing the new GDTA Website!

The GDTA website has been a labour of love since its creation by Brad Vaillancourt in 2013. From the beginning, the goal has been to ensure that hikers can easily find all the information they need to plan an epic adventure on the Trail. It has grown to be the place hikers, members, and fans keep up to speed on everything related to the GDT and the GDTA.

More than a year in the making, the GDTA is proud to roll out a big refresh to our beloved website! Built collaboratively entirely by volunteers, you’ll still find all the content you’ve come to rely upon. The most referenced pages should be even easier to find with more links in more places. You’ll find additional content related to the Association’s commitment to Reconciliation, Responsible Recreation, our Supporters, History of Trail Work, an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions, and more.

Every page has been refreshed and adorned with fresh new images (many courtesy of our annual photo contest). Check out our credits page to learn more about who contributed these beauties!

The look may be new, but the GDTA remains committed to ensuring that the website provides the critical information future hikers.

We’d love to hear what you think of the new site. And if you find something that doesn’t seem right, we’d appreciate you dropping us a message at website@greatdividetrail.com. News, Events, and Blogs will continue to get added, and keep checking back for even more great additions throughout the year.

October 11, 2025
Call for Board Members – 2025
Backpackers, hikers, outdoor enthusiasts!
- would you like to share your passion with others?
- Do you want to participate in responsibly creating an iconic Canadian wilderness opportunity?
- Do you have 6-10 hours to volunteer each month?
The GDTA is seeking dynamic, committed, community-oriented Board of Directors candidates to join our team. These positions will be voted on by Members at our Annual General Meeting on September 29th, 2025.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates with experience and/or a strong interest in the following areas:
- Long-term involvement/history with the Great Divide Trail Association (GDTA)
- Ability to access new financial resources or potential partners through networks
- Financial Management
- Legal & Governance
- Strategic Planning
- Fundraising
- Indigenous Relations
- Events & Community Building
- Thru-hiking
Role-Specific – We are looking for our next Board Secretary.

Our amazing current Board Secretary has one year left in the role and is committed to fully training their successor and supporting a smooth transition over the coming year.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Board

The GDTA is a registered charity, and the Board is accountable for ensuring that the Association is managed in accordance with applicable laws and its membership’s wishes. The Board is responsible to:
- Establish and maintain a framework for delegation and internal control within GDTA.
- Monitor GDTA finances and performance.
- Establish strategic direction aligned with the GDTA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
- Review and oversee the Association’s risk management
- Evaluate and improve the performance of the Board.
- Promote and support the Association and its members.
Responsibilities of Individual Board Members

As individuals and collectively, Board Members are responsible to:
- Create a positive, open organizational culture.
- Adhere to GDTA bylaws, policies, and procedures
- Attend all Board meetings in person or via teleconferencing (Monthly, 3rd Tuesday, 7 – 9 pm MST).
- Be a Board representative or Chair on one of the GDTA’s 7 committees
- Make decisions and work towards positions that are in the best interests of the Association.
Term: Three (3) Years, 6-10 hr/month

Compensation: None – this is a volunteer position.

Candidate Selection Process

Interested Candidates should submit their names via email, to:
- info@greatdividetrail.com
- Attention: Nomination Committee
- Please include why you want to be a part of the Board, any existing GDTA volunteer experience, and any other qualifications or reasons why you’d make a great Board member
The nominating committee will review all applications, possibly interview interested persons and then present qualified candidates to the Association’s membership via email for their consideration. The successful nominees will be presented at the Annual General Meeting on September 29, 2025.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

If you are not interested in a Board position but would like to contribute your time and talents in other way. There are always lots of ways you can get involved, including remotely and outside of peak-hiking seasons! Even if you have just a few hours to give, it can make a big difference.
June 25, 2025
GDTA Statement re: Coal Exploration and Mining in Alberta – Impacts on the Great Divide Trail

The Great Divide Trail Association (GDTA) opposes the proposed construction and operation of a coal mine at Grassy Mountain, and the Government of Alberta’s lifting of the moratorium on new coal exploration and development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The Grassy Mountain project, and increased exploration and development in the region, would have significant negative impacts on the Great Divide Trail (GDT) and the hundreds of people who enjoy it every year.

The GDT is a highly valued long-distance trail in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Each year, hundreds of people from across Canada and around the world are drawn to its spectacular mountain scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation in a wilderness setting. For more than 40 years, the GDTA has invested countless volunteer hours in trail maintenance, promotion and education.

A surface coal mine at Grassy Mountain, and exploration in the vicinity of the existing trail corridor, will pose an existential threat to the trail, irreversibly harming the experience of the hundreds of people each year who enjoy and benefit from it.

Exploration activity and/or surface mining would cause harm far beyond these activities’ footprints, including through significant noise and dust from blasting and heavy machinery; negative impacts on air and water quality, as well as wildlife and their habitat; and sight pollution from great distances in areas of currently untouched natural beauty.

With respect to increased exploration, the greatest threat to the trail is in the Willoughby Ridge area, where there is 100 percent overlap between the trail and exploration leases. As a result of road building, drilling and blasting, parts of the trail could be completely destroyed.

Exploration activity and/or surface coal mining in or near the GDT corridor would negatively impact the world-class wilderness recreation experience the GDTA has worked hard to build for more than 40 years. It will also reduce the environmental gains achieved while building and maintaining an environmentally sustainable and protected trail along the Great Divide of the Canadian Rockies.

The impact on visitor experience would be substantial. In order to mitigate this, the GDTA may be forced to move the trail to a new location, causing years of disruption to trail users. Not only would this be expensive, but the impacts would be felt all across the 1,100km trail as limited GDTA resources would need to be redirected from other projects for the foreseeable future.

The GDTA calls for an end to the Grassy Mountain mining project and the reinstatement of the long-standing moratorium on new coal exploration and development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

The Board of Directors

May 24, 2025
Looking for Trail Ambassadors
Applications are now closed for 2025 – Thank you for all that have applied

Are you hiking some or all of the GDT this summer? The GDTA is looking for a handful of hikers to be volunteer Trail Ambassadors this year. Share your love of this amazing Canadian treasure, and help out the GDTA while you enjoy your hike.

What does an Ambassador do?
- Share awareness of the GDT (and the GDTA) to people you meet
- Share photos of your hike with the GDTA
- Share information about the trail conditions you encounter
The GDTA will make sure you have some GDT stickers to hand out, and we’ll provide a little bit of hiker-appropriate swag (you can leave it at home if you’re counting grams!)

Requirements

Anyone that’s hiking any amount of the GDT can apply to be a Trail Ambassador. All we ask is that you:
- Promise to obey all park regulations
- Have the necessary permits for all nights on trail
- Practice meticulous Leave No Trace Principles
- Be willing to talk up how great the GDT is to anyone you meet!
Priority may be given to people that have hiked parts of the GDT before.

How to apply

Applications are now closed for 2025 – Thank you for all that have applied
April 14, 2025
Membership Month 2025
February is Membership Month at the GDTA!

Are you a member of the GDTA? If you are, then from the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU! By being one of the 600+ members, you help us demonstrate that there are passionate people that love the GDT and want to see it maintained and protected.

There are lot of great things coming up, and we want to thank our members by offering a little something back for your dedication:
First dibs to sign up for our annual Trail Maintenance Trips. These will be open for signups on our website in just a few short days. Stay tuned for a blast-out on our Instagram channel, or on our website.

BIG NEWS: We’re almost set to launch a brand new Wall Poster Map for the GDT! We want to release this with a bang, and we thought the best way would be to reward some of our members. Take a look at the teaser photo. A few lucky members (drawn randomly on March 1 from all active members) will be sent a full-size GDT Wall Poster Map in the mail. These won’t be available for general purchase for a while yet, and when they are, members are going to get first crack at them.
Not already a member?

We hope you’ll consider signing up this month. Membership is not just for people hiking the GDT. Sure, there are the awesome Membership Benefits. But if you love the GDT, the idea of the GDT, or even just natural spaces that are protected, then becoming a GDTA member is one of the best things you can do.

Our members believe in the GDTA’s mission to preserve our mountain wilderness. In fact, we have members that have joined the GDTA solely for this reason. You don’t need to be a hiker, past hiker, or equestrian to believe in this mission – anyone can. By joining the GDTA your presence in our growing, organized, and visible community translates into public demand for wilderness preservation that is recognized by decision makers through the GDTA’s advocacy efforts. In other words, there is strength in numbers. Your GDTA membership adds to this strength and so helps preserve the precious Canadian Rocky Mountain wilderness.

Did you know that our membership numbers are an important demonstration to Parks Canada, Provincial Parks, Grant Providers, and Corporate Sponsors of how important it is to protect and preserve the GDT? The more members we have, the more they take notice.

Sign up now

and help protect this National Treasure!
February 7, 2025
2025 GDT Calendar

Back by overwhelming support is the 2025 GDTA Calendar. Featuring 14 spectacular photos of the GDT, showcasing our Photo Contest winners. These make great gifts!

They are $25 shipped within Canada and $30 to the USA. If you are interested please email Austin.Hager@greatdividetrail.com

These will ship around December 10th via Canada Post assuming the strike is over.

November 23, 2024
2024 Winners of the GDTA Photo Contest

The 2024 GDTA Photo Contest was a huge success, with over 200 photos submitted. A huge thank you to everyone who submitted photos this year. Your entries help the Association as it works to protect, promote, and maintain the trail.

Our winners and honourable mentions are listed below, along with caption information provided by the photographer.

1st Place – Bradley Ayres

Mirror Mountain – Bradley Ayres

Morning Mist on the lake the morning we left Kananaskis, with super calm weather giving the lake a mirror-like quality. This picture is a combination of 4 individual pictures stitched into a panorama.

2nd Place – Rebecca Bradbury

At Ball Pass – Rebecca Bradbury

At Ball Pass on the Great Divide Trail, taking in the endless stretch of mountains and sky (with Rebecca Bradbury).

3rd Place – Sébastien Klam

My lovely friend the porcupine – Sébastien Klam

Arrived to the camp, I pitch my tent and let the tent breathe during the time (30min) I prepare the dinner et eat. I come back to my tent and a porcupine was eating my backpack. The hip pocket is fully destroyed, and the shoulder strap is half eaten. Luckily, it still hold the weight. During the night, he stays all the time at less than 4 meters of my tent. Nobody touch the backpack of a hiker. But porcupines doesn’t care at all.

Honourable Mentions

With so many excellent photos to go through, it was nearly impossible to narrow it down. Here are our honourable mentions.

Very cold, sun is liquid gold – Hailey Rempel

Reflecting – Meaghan Henry

Marvel Lake and GDT – David Burdick

Sunrise at Lone Lake – Sage MacGillivray

Plan makes friends – Yoav Shlezinger

A New Day – Kim Jollymore

Northover Ridge – Leah Harman

Peaceful Rest – Barbara Kitzmantel

November 12, 2024