This edition of the Pathfinder Newsletter includes articles showcasing adventures on the GDT, accomplishments this year, volunteer recognition, special interest topics, useful advice, and the highly acclaimed “Tales from the Great Divide, 2nd Edition” Enjoy! 2021 GDTA Annual Report: It’s amazing what we’ve achieved this year! 2021 GDTA Volunteer Recognition…
Trail Conditions Update – November 30, 2021 Winter conditions are here. Snow is falling on the GDT and accumulating at high elevations so expect wet, icy and slippery trail conditions. Boots, hiking poles, snow cleats or snowshoes are recommended. Temperatures are below freezing, so be prepared for winter conditions and short days when travelling…
By Brad Vaillancourt, President of the Great Divide Trail Association At the beginning of the year, we gladly said goodbye to 2020 and we looked forward optimistically to a new start in 2021. Unfortunately, as we’ve all experienced, the pandemic continued and 2021 has produced its own share of challenges…
By Jenny Feick, PhD, Editor of Tales from the Great Divide Tales from the Great Divide, Vignettes on the Origins and Early History of Canada’s Great Divide Trail and Great Divide Trail Association is a self-published compendium of stories from individuals involved firsthand in the start and development of the GDT…
By Andrew Cotterell First Day “Today was the hardest and most rewarding day. First part was like the Rockwall, Iceline and Molar Pass. Then lots of willow bushwhacking. Body feels good, muscles are tired. bugs are intense. Love you dearly!! Xxx” – InReach message to my wife, Megan on day…
Author: Kyle Philibert-Palmer Background: Kyle & Natasha Philibert-Palmer thru-hiked the GDT in 2021 with their 8 month old son “Toothless”. They write about their adventures, including this hike, on their website http://backpacksandbikeracks.com When we were planning a family, we had one thing in mind: We planned on sharing the outdoors…
By Barb Lauer Another summer, another section of the GDT completed. Woohoo! This summer it was Section D, Saskatchewan Crossing to Field (SOBO). Lynnie and I have now completed more than half of the GDT and feeling better and better that we will eventually complete it all! Section D SOBO…
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…
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,…
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…
