Pathfinder Newsletter

Below are current articles in our Pathfinder Newsletter as well as previous editions. Enjoy!

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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…

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…

2022 AGM Summary and Introduction to New Board Members

by Ashley Irving On September 26, 2022 the GDTA held their Annual General Meeting in Calgary, Alberta at Elite Brewing & Cidery. This hybrid version also had an online option so folks afar could Zoom in and take part. Approximately 75 people were in person, with another 20 online. Keynote…

2022 GDTA Volunteer Recognition Awards

by Kate Hamilton GDTA volunteers are one of the most important parts of the organization. Without them, there would not be a Great Divide Trail. We have amazing, committed and skilled volunteers that work hard year round. All of our volunteers are important and have a significant impact to the…

2022 GDTA Annual Report

Presented by Doug Borthwick, President, and Kate Hamilton, Executive Director. ============================================================== by Doug Borthwick, President Wow! What a year. It started pretty rough for a lot of us on the Board. The changing pandemic situation was opening up travel, there were key life changes, and burnout experienced, and as a…

GDTA Trail Building and Maintenance Trips 2022

by Tasha Shakotko and Kate Hamilton The trail building and maintenance committee, chaired by Dave Hockey, had a very busy and productive summer. Several trail crews answered the needs, both planned and unplanned, of Sections B, D, E, F and G. All told, it amounted to: 117 total individual trail…