Pathfinder Newsletter
Below are current articles in our Pathfinder Newsletter as well as previous editions. Enjoy!
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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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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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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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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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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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The Great Divide Trail (GDT) is unique. It is wild! It is rugged! It is wilderness! It is pristine! It is beautiful! If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be the GDT. Let’s keep it that way – it is unique. It travels through many areas that are particularly sensitive to overuse…
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By Barb Lauer It’s time to start dreaming about epic summer backpacking trips! And the Northover Ridge should be on your list – it’s on the continental divide (directly on the BC-Alberta border), is easily accessible from Calgary as a short 1,2 or 3 day hike and is spectacular! It’s…
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By Joan Pendleton The Great Divide Trail (GDT) is a backpackers’ trail. Known as an epic thru-hike, it is over 1100 km long. Divided into seven sections, with the shortest section about 100 km long, section hiking also entices backpackers. But what if one wants to do a day hike…
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In May 2020, the Alberta government rescinded, without public consultation, its 1976 Coal Policy, banning open-pit mining on Category 2 lands since they were deemed vital to environmental protection. This decision to rescind exposed these Eastern Slope headwaters to coal exploration and strip-mining, and resulted in more than 350 new…
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By Jenny L. Feick, PhD Snow provides a blank canvas for the artistry of wildlife tracks Figuring out which creatures are sharing their home turf with you while you are passing through an area can provide an interesting diversion from cold oatmeal, blisters and fixing broken gear. Winter snow…
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