Well I haven't been walking much in the last 2 weeks. I've have a horrible cough and been on antibiotics and just haven't felt up to it. On a positive note I have quit smoking for 12 days. I think this also has something to do with the lack of motivation I've been experiencing. I just don't seem to know what to do with myself. My routine is just plain out of whack. The worst part though is that I'm eating. Could be the time of the month, quitting smoking or the crappy weather, but I just crave junk food. Potato chips mostly but a strange change to the sweet as well. Can't seem to get enough chocolate. Got to get this under control fast.

I've also had trouble contacting the people running The Great Walk event. I sent in my registration and forms over 2 weeks ago and the cheque has not been withdrawed from my account. I have phoned and left a message and sent an email. No confirmation that they received it at all. The last time I spoke to my Dad he had not heard from them either and was going to attempt to contact them. The people who have done this walk in previous years and were kind enough to let me know about this event have all given rave reviews about how organized everything was. I have to wonder if someone new has taken over. I'm getting frustrated. Right now it doesn't take much to get me frustrated.

This weekend my parents are here for a visit and I'm sure my Dad is going to want to spend some time walking or hiking. This I hope will be a kick back on track. My Dad has been walking to and from work everyday which is about an hour each direction. Way to go Dad!

So I've already had problems with goal number 1. This week just got away from me with only 1 really good walk with Heather and Richard. I was pleasantly surprised going out with them though. They have changed their route and go further and longer along the new skytrain path that was created to the airport. It's a nicer walk with much less along the highway. Heather still keeps us going at an almost impossible pace and it was nice to get to know Richard a little better. I would really like to join them more often but I also don't want to do it at the expense of hours at work.

I got my vacation days approved on Thursday and I'm sending in my registration today. My Dad booked us a hotel. All looks like it's in place.

Today I have no training walking planned as I'm heading downtown to check out the Olympic stuff. Will be walking though. Maybe I can draw in some extra motivation although that doesn't seem to be a problem right now.

I have realized that even though I am in better shape than I have been in a long time I will have a long way to go if I plan on finishing this walk in the allotted amount of time. So it's time to set some goals.

• Make time to walk.
  
• Join Heather and Richard at work for their lunch time walk as often as my shift allows. Heather sets a great pace and the route usually takes approx 40 mins.
• Get up and go on weekends. Getting up early will also help keep me on a more regular schedule which should help with Monday mornings and the walks start time of 4am.
• Get the proper gear and practice with it so I know exactly what I want and need with me.
• Lose 12lbs. Only 3lbs per month. This will decrease the amount of impact on my joints.
• Improve my core and overall strength.
  
• Improve my flexibility.
• And probably the most difficult challenge for me will be to quit smoking. I will be working to decrease the amount I smoke over the next 3 weeks and have set a quit date of March 1st.

Today I completed a 1 hour walk and maintained a quick pace. It was raining and this made me realize that having the proper equipment and clothing for the weather could have a huge impact on how successful I am. Based on the time and estimated distance I travelled today I would finish the walk in about 15 hours maintaining that pace throughout without stopping. I have to finish the official walk in 16 hours to receive the burning boot award. This is going to be a considerable challenge.

Okay so I think I've decided what I'm going to use this blog for.

Last year I heard about the Great Walk from a customer of mine at work. It sounded interesting and I looked into it further and decided that this would be something I would like to try. I've never been to that part of Vancouver Island and I love hiking and needed something to motivate me back into shape. So I spoke to my Dad and my regular hiking buddy and tried to find someone who wanted to go with me. My Dad agreed. May buddy already had previous commitments for that date. I am now training for the illustrious burning boot award.

I plan on using the blog to keep a record of my training and accomplishments. To set goals. And have a record of this journey.

The Great Walk is a 63.5Km walk that goes from Gold River to Tahsis. I have not decided if I plan on doing the pledge for charity. I would also need to consider what charity I would like to support. You can find out more about this walk here.

I started my training today with a walk that I estimate to have been about 7km long. I have thought about some routes for training around my neighbourhood and tried to figure out how to schedule this training into my daily and weekly routines. Tomorrow I will post my goals.

Mont Pinacle

With our obvious choice, Mont Orford, not allowing dogs, charging a fee and seeming a bit long for the amount of time we had we got out our Eastern Township guide and decided on Mont Pinacle. Neither of us are familiar with the area and after a few wrong turns we finally could see our destination but had no idea how to get there. We persisted and finally noticed the very small royal blue signs that led us to the Trail Head. (Which was well marked.) Unfortunately where to park was not. Alas another very small royal blue sign, we had arrived.

There are 6 interconnecting trails which allow for a bit of a loop. We explored 4 of these trails as we were not equipped for the 2 more difficult routes. We started up the trail that runs on the Lac Lyster side. The trail is approx. 2 km long and runs through a deciduous forest and reaches an altitude of 400m. You can see a network of maple taps throughout the trees on the lower parts of the hike. The trail can be quite steep at times and was very muddy. Due to this the trail has actually been recently closed. For more information you can go here. Views from the top are beautiful overlooking Lac Lyster and small town of Baldwin.


Quebec has had a dreary summer this year and I was lucky to arrive during a stretch of good weather. The leaves are turning very early this year and we saw some beautiful colourful spots. I would love to revisit this hike in the fall when the trees are in full colour.

The front face is also a popular spot for rock climbing, however we did not see anyone.

This is a lovey hike that can be enjoyed in a few hours. We both just had our running shoes and with the exception of the mud, which I think is due to the poor weather, is all you will need. The trail is popular and we saw many families and friendly faces. There is a nice picnic area near the trail head. The only thing that was missing is a toilet or outhouse. My morning coffees and a mean corner store owner left me squatting in the bushes.

I'm a sucker for contests. Click on the link and help me win Airmiles.

http://www.surfandwin.ca/default.aspx?sID=41388

Damfino Lakes and Excelsior Pass

After a comical citizenship lecture at the Sumas Border Crossing and a drive up a 15 mile one lane mostly gravel road we finally arrived at the trailhead parking lot.
Recreation Pass Required.
Of course we did not have one or know where to even get one. We decided if we got fined, so be it.

Lucky us only a warning upon our return.

Passes available at Glacier $5.00 - There is also a hike registry available. A great idea, just in case.





Damfino Lakes we think. These lakes are the only ones we came across during the hike.










Surprised at the amount of snow on the trail for August 3rd
















The beautiful meadows were so sweet smelling and hummed from the buzz of all the bees.










































Ahhhhh... The reward. Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan



















Western Spring Beauty





Pink Mountain Heather








Lupine, Kneeling Angelica and Canadian Butterweed


I used a great book, Plants of Coastal British Columbia, to find the names of these flowers.




This was an amazing hike in Mount Baker National Park. I'm looking forward to exploring other trails in the area. Definitely near the top of my list of hiking day trips.