Read
Disclaimer.
Please share with us any strategies that you may have tried that would
be useful for other trekkers. Describe them in our e-mail at the bottom
of the menu on the right. They will be included in this list.
Because this is a linear
trail, you may wish to try some of the following strategies:
Use public transportation to
get you to a starting point and hike back to your vehicle along the Trail. In the Fraser
Valley check the following transit links for schedules -- TransLink --
WestCoast
Express
Get someone to pick you up
from a end point (this could be a taxi) on the Trail where you have your vehicle parked
and have this party transport you to the starting point and hike or cycle back on the
Trail to your vehicle.
Even if your are walking
take a bicycle along. Hide and lock it at your destination point. Drive to the
start of the trail. After you have finished your hike, use the bicycle to get back
to the car. If the trail is both cyclable and walkable, then you could experience
walking the trail one way and cycling it back. Quite often the cycling route is
somewhat different from the walking route.
Look for loop trails along the Trans Canada Trail.
These are indicated wherever possible. It gives one the opportunity to explore other
interesting trails along the Trans Canada Trail.
For long distances, here is an interesting
suggestion. Travel as a group of three or more people. On an alternating basis, have one
person be the one to drive the vehicle, find accommodation, food, etc. This allows the
party to travel with day packs for extensive portions of the Trans Canada Trail and give
each person a rest from hiking/cycling for one day when that person's turn comes up to do
the driving.
No Extra Charge- Most international airlines do not charge extra
for taking your bicycle if your total baggage including bicycle weighs
20 kg (44 lbs). Bicycles weigh between 12 and 18 kg (28 to 40 lbs).
Confirm this with your airline or travel agent.
Packaging- Bicycles must be packaged for air transportation. You
can check for reusable bicycle boxes at bicycle stores. Actual packaging
must be done by the person taking a bicycle because of the airport
regulations regarding packing your own bags.
Deflate Tires- This is very important as the airplane altitude
attained in the non pressurized baggage compartment has reduced
pressure, causing the air in the tires to expand and burst if they are
fully inflated at ground level.
Take off Pedals- Mark which is the left and right pedal as you
will find they are reverse threads to each other.
Handlebars- Loosen the handlebars, using an Allen wrench. The
handlebars can either easily be swiveled for packaging or lifted out of
the stem and taped to the side of the frame. No cables or gear wires
need be disconnected in this procedure except for a center pull brake
cable where one exists.
Front Wheel- Usually the front wheel needs to be removed to fit
in a standard bicycle box.
Take along two strong garbage bags -- one
for each foot.
Pull the garbage bags over your boots. It
saves taking them off.
Otherwise:
If you are wearing running shoes take
your socks off and the inner soles out of your shoes. Traversing
streams with your shoes on is a lot easier on the feet. Soon
after you can put on your dry socks and reinsert the inner soles.
Your feet will still be damp but not nearly as much as when you try
this with your socks on and the inner soles in place.
Fire starter. Waterproof matches in a sealed
bag with some dry wood shavings and shredded paper; stamp-sized square of coarse sandpaper
for striking matches; a butane lighter; one or two squares of barbecue fire starter.
Swiss army knife.
Notebook and pencil.
Signaling mirror, flares, a long strip of
yellow or orange plastic sheeting. You can use flares to start a fire if you're desperate;
the plastic can be draped on trees.
Whistle. The louder the better.
Candle. Cut it into segments and shave the
pieces square for compact packing. Four equal candle segments lit simultaneously make an
impromptu stove.
Wire. For mending equipment and hanging a
pot over a fire.
Emergency blanket. A waterproof reflective
space blanket that helps retain body heat.
Food. Six bouillon cubes; two soup packets;
tea bags; sugar; instant juice mix; energy bars.
Layering. Next to the skin, use polyester
that does not absorb water and wicks moisture away from the body.
The next upper layer should be a combination
of wool, or fleece.
Long-sleeved shirt in quick-drying synthetic
fabric can be worn with a fleece vest in hotter weather.
For the lower body, fleece pants can be worn
under a nylon shell. For hotter weather, synthetic trail pants can be layered under rain
pants or with fleece.
The outer layer should be breathable and
waterproof.
For warm feet in cold weather... Before
turning in for the night when winter camping, fill a quart bottle with hot water, put it
in a wool sock, and stuff down into the bottom of your sleeping bag. It'll keep your feet
warm and when you wake up the next morning you'll have some water that isn't frozen. Submitted
by Sara Howe, Killington, VT
Duct tape blister fix... If you're subject to
blisters, try this: pop and drain the blister, cover it with second skin, moleskin, or
band-ain, then wrap it in duct tape and "leave it alone". Submitted by Bob
Bishop, Newport, NH
Keep your rainfly handy... If the
weather looks good and you want to sleep without your rainfly covering the tent (for
ventilation or just to sleep under the stars), keep it handy by attaching it to a couple
of points at the back of the tent and rolling it up there. If the rainfly attaches by
grommets then put the rainfly's grommet on the tent-pole before the tent-body's grommet
(that'll hold it). Now, you can sleep with more ventilation and if you wake up to
raindrops you can quickly unroll the rainfly over the tent. Submitted by Craig Baxter,
Ft. Collins, CO
Expand with a fanny pack... to get a little more pack space when packing, strap a fanny pack around the
top compartment of your full-size backpack. Not only do you have more pack capacity but
now you also have a handy pack for side-trips from your campsite. Submitted by Tom
Grove, Athens, GA
Leave A Message With A Friend. A note, left with a
responsible person, explains your destination, the route (or runs)
you are taking, who is with you, and your return time. If you do not
return as planned, this person can give the accurate information to
the police.
Always Carry the 10 Essentials.
Be ready to stay out
overnight in a survival situation. It is quite likely that you may
not be reported missing for many hours. Carry extra clothing,
survival gear, and be mentally prepared to endure the night out.
Never Hike Alone.
Hike with a group and keep together. If a
person becomes separated by going ahead or falling behind they are
more likely to become lost.
Be Prepared For Your Chosen Hike.
Hiking requires physical
preparation. Be physically fit to enjoy your activities. Stick to a
turn around time, and leave enough time to get home without causing
people to worry about you. Take the proper equipment and have a trip
plan - even if you will be hiking for only a few hours on a local
mountain.
Do Not Panic.
Maintain a positive mental attitude if you
become lost. Being lost is not dangerous if you are prepared.
Stay Where You Are.
People who go on, after becoming lost,
usually get further from the trail and further from people who are
looking for them. Help will come.
Do Not Go "Downhill".
On the North Shore, going
downhill often leads to dangerous natural drainages. These drainages
have the common features of very thick bush, steep cliffs, and
waterfalls.
Use Signaling Devices.
Blowing a whistle, lighting a fire,
and staying visible will help searchers find you. Help people trying
to find you, even if you feel embarrassed or afraid. Remember that
animals will not be attracted to your signals.
Build or Seek Shelter.
Protect yourself from the elements.
Be as comfortable as possible but when it is light make sure you are
visible from the air and visible to searchers in helicopters or
planes.
It Could Happen to YOU.
Bad weather, early darkness or an
unexpected injury can turn an easy hike into an extended crisis. IT
CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! By being prepared you will enjoy your trip in the
backcountry regardless of what nature throws at you.
They are parasites
living in tall grass and low shrubs, and seek out warm-blooded
hosts.
Potential carriers
of disease and therefore should be avoided. One such disease
is Lyme Disease.
Protect your legs by
wearing gaiters, or pants tucked into socks.
Examine yourself,
children, and pets thoroughly after exposure.
It imbeds in the
skin. The best way to remove it is by grasping and pulling
it , gently, straight up and out with a small pair of tweezers.
Disinfect the site with rubbing alcohol. A good idea is to save
the tick in a small plastic or glass container for later
inspection by your doctor especially if a fever develops, or the
area around the bite appears to be infected.
