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Let's go into the wild! One of my favourite hikes, we're going deep into the bush to find some very unexpected surprises, a challenging hike and the satisfaction of making it to the top of Scrabble Mountain.
We're visiting the Southern end of Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands, a decommissioned provincial park in one of the least visited areas. Scrabble is the 2nd tallest peak in the park but at only 340m, it's not exactly K2. While there's plenty of wildlife in the park, it's hibernating season so bears will be keeping a low profile. Visiting during full snowfall should mean that it's particularly beautiful!
This is equivalent to a mega-hike so, if you have any concerns, please reach out in advance!
There are some very real dangers on this hike so you MUST download the map in advance and you MUST have everything that I've outlined otherwise, for everyone's safety you may not be able to join us.
Hike Length: 16km
06:50 - Meet at the PetroCanada at Keele Station
07:00 - Shuttle leaves from PetroCanada at Keele Station. Please note that we leave dead on 7am and can't wait for latecomers.
09:00 - Meet self-drivers at the trailhead. Make sure you're navigating to this exact spot otherwise you're going to get lost. There's a small parking lot here marked for the use of Ganaraska Hiking Trail members. Do not be late! Fair warning, the van may end up being a few minutes late but self-drivers shouldn't come later than the van or they won't be able to join the hike.
13:30 - Lunch at the summit
18:00 - Anticipated return to car
20:00 - Approx return time to Keele Subway Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop.
Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine. We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram.
A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Because clothing becomes a safety issue in winter, it's particularly important that you're dress appropriately and follow these guidelines. If you turn up in clothes that could put you at risk we may have to turn you away. As always, ask us in advance if you'd like any advice, we'll be delighted to help!
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.
There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.
Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you. The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
We're bringing ice spikes for anybody who requested them.
Winter Hiking packing list
A head torch
In case we end up out after dark. Unlikely but we should be prepared.
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
At least 1.5L of water
A packed lunch and snacks
You'll be glad to also have a hot drink!
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone. If you do find your lost, stay where you are until you've been located. There should be cell phone reception where we're going.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
The park is located on the traditional territories of the Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation the Anishnabe and the Huron Wendat.
