Just before the snow came, the Environmental group worked on the European Buckthorn in the Maitland Woods that had not been tackled earlier. They were Bevin, Cam, Hugh, Jan, Colleen and Brian.
It seems that getting rid of European Buckthorn is a never ending task. The Maintenance crew also put in a good days work by replacing the boards on #2 Boardwalk.
Starting on Sunday December 1st winter arrived with a good snow fall. On Monday, my snowshoes got a good work out. I have had a variety of snowshoes during my 56 years in Canada, and my favourite ones are the Yanes I have now. They are very easy to put on and adjust and the claws give a good grip when going uphill. Th only disadvantage is that the pivot on the front is webbing rather than a rod. This increases the tendency to flip snow onto the back of the snowshoe underneath your heal. When the pivot is a rod, the back end of the snowshoe is not lifted up when you walk so results in little snow accumulating under your heal. If snowshoes are on your Christmas list, I recommend ones that are easiest to adjust and put on. You can get very cold if you have to spend a long time fastening your snowshoes on a cold windy day.
Just before the snow came, I slipped twice, once was going down the trail in Morris Tract where the path did not appear slippery, the other time was in an icy parking lot. When this snow turns icy, I will get my icers out. My favourite ones are the ones from Lee Valley, which unfortunately are the most expensive. I personally dislike the ones with coils as they build up with snow and ice, but I know hikers who like them.
Some while ago when hiking the G2G from Luckow lie westwards I lost my pair of red handled Felco pruners and offer a reward of $20 if found and returned.
The odd looking photo in last week’s Trail Talk was of a hollow stump.
Notes:
Thursday December 26th 1 p.m - 2.30 p.m. A Boxing Day hike or snowshoe on the Hullett Sugar Bush trails. Meet at 80602 Wildlife Line. To confirm your attendance email Patrick at pcapper99@gmail.com.
Wednesday January 1st - 1pm to 2.30 pm New Year’s Day hike at the Falls Reserve.
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, complete the form on the MTA website.
Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.
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