2021 GDTA Volunteer Recognition Awards

Each year we recognize the efforts of our volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help us achieve our objectives. This year we want to recognize the efforts of these 7 individuals whose hard work and dedication were a big part of our success in 2021:  Jim Schieck – In recognition of…

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Adopt a Trail Program

by Deb Yanchula and Jeremy Bateson It was Day 2 and we were following Dutch Creek up towards Tornado Pass. There was a bare hill, lots of deadfall to climb over (probably brought down by an avalanche) … and the trail disappeared. It was time to put down our packs,…

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Solving the Conifer Conundrum

By Jenny L. Feick, PhD Unless noted otherwise, all photographs in this article were taken by the author or Ian Hatter in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Is it a pine? Is it a fir? Is it a spruce? And why should I care? Most people hike through the coniferous forests…

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2021 Trail Building & Maintenance Trips

For this year’s Trail Building & Maintenance article we decided to let the volunteers tell in their own words about the trail crew trips. Over and above these reports there was one major “Scouting Trip” early in the spring, which besides setting the stage for all the High Rock trips,…

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Pathfinder Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2021

With the arrival of the summer hiking season, the Great Divide Trail Association continues to consider what is best for the health and safety of the trail community that we serve. While pandemic recovery continues and the world slowly reopens, staying active in the outdoors is an excellent way to keep…

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GDTA Spring 2021 Webinars

by Charlene Deck This spring, the Outreach Committee presented two webinars to help hikers prepare for the trails this summer: one on trip planning and safety and one on gear selection. Trip Planning and Safety Keri Bowzaylo, an ultra-runner, fitness professional, and apprentice interpretive guide, showed us how to plan…

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Thinking Outside the Donation Box

By Mary Jane Kreisel June is an exciting month for the Great Divide Trail Association! Our volunteer trail building trips in BC and Alberta are about to begin. Hikers from far and wide will soon embark on a thru-hike of a lifetime on the GDT. Others will attempt a challenging…

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Ordering “Tales from the Great Divide”

By Jenny Feick, PhD Tales from the Great Divide, Vignettes on the Origins and Early History of Canada’s Great Divide Trail and Great Divide Trail Association brings to life the memories of many of the ‘originals’ whose vision, idealism, dedication, and hard work over five decades made Canada’s Great Divide Trail…

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Preparing for the Great Divide Trail

by Austin Hager Wow, was I shocked at how much prep is required for a Great Divide Trail thru-hike.  Still more than a month away from my start date, and I have put in well over 100 hours of preparation.  Between my partner Tanya and I sharing the load, it…

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Pathfinder Newsletter – Winter 2021

As we leave 2020 behind and look forward to 2021, the Great Divide Trail Association continues to consider what is best for the health and safety of the trail community that we serve. Even while the pandemic continues, staying active in the outdoors is an excellent way to keep your…

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