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What an absolutely beauty day out with students! Simply stunning! Water’s on for tea and then it’s time for Pumped Up Mac and Cheese!Another from my “panning” phase…catching Marian in zoom zoom action in Upper Pippy Park. Loving the March snow.It was such a great honour to be nominated by co-adventurer, Kim White, for the @cityofstjohns Volunteer of the Year Award for my efforts in improving outdoor accessibility around the city. We've had a fabulous time exploring the nooks and crannies of the city to find ways for more folks to be able to access nature and the amazing mental and physical well-being that comes from spending time out under the open sky.I spent five action packed days on the West Coast of the island in and around Gros Morne National Park. I was there working with @memorialuniversity engagement project that was the brainchild of Sue Rendell, an absolute giant in outdoor recreation and adventure tourism in the province. With loads of local stakeholders, we met to map a way forward where local organizations could attenuate each other’s efforts in getting folks outdoors and connected to nature and being physically active outdoors. Facilitated by another giant and paddler extraordinaire of the outdoor world, Keith Payne, the discussion was rich, exciting, and filled with possibilities. A storm and airport fire afforded me extra time to explore the national park by ski and snowshoe. I so look forward to watching and assisting this project go forward.Skiing down beside a snow-covered brook reminding me of skiing/snowshoeing/climbing beside crevasses-awesome to look down on but definitely “Don’t fall in!”Now tell us how you really feel…about the nature-based physical literacy summit combined with lovely grand outdoor adventures in @visitgrosmorne. It’s been a marvellous few days of being delayed by the storm. :-)TA’s Facebook Page
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Tag Archives: peak
Departing for Mission 5959: Carrying Dreams to the Summit of Canada
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ― Eleanor Roosevelt I am leaving today for Mission 5959…climbing Mount Logan, highest peak in Canada, in Yukon territory. Since climbing Denali, North America’s Highest Peak in … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 28: Fly Back to Kathmandu and Find Your Fit Friday
Today we hope the weather lets us fly safely back to Kathmandu where we can enjoy some yummy treats! 24 is my favourite number and the runway at Hilary Tenzing Airport (Lukla) is runway 24. Did You Know? Archaeological evidence … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 27: Trek to Lukla
This will be our last day in the mountains of Nepal as we trek back to the airport at Lukla. We’ll be watching the weather closely to see if we think we’ll get out of Lukla on schedule. This fine … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 26: Trek to Monjo via Namche Bazaar
Today is a big downhill day as we head all the way down valley to Monjo. Did You Know? Nepal is only slightly larger than the state of Arkansas. Find Your Fit Fact Walking has the highest compliance rate of … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 25: Back to Kyanjuma
We follow the trail from Phortse Tenga down to Kyanjuma. Visit Tashi’s lodge again. Did You Know? Cows are sacred in Nepal and are not eaten. Because the animal is holy, all traffic yields way to the animal and it … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 24: Down the valley to Phortse Tenga
Today we trek down the valley along the Dudh Kosi to Phortse Tenga Did You Know? Mount Everest was actually named after Colonel Sir George Everest who was a British surveyor. Find Your Fit Fact If you are walking outside, … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 23: Exploring around Gokyo
Today we will trek along the Ngozumba Glacier towards Cho Oyu base camp. Did You Know? In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay were the first people to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest. Find Your … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 22: Across the Ngozumba Glacier to Gokyo
Today we cross the Ngozumba Glacier To Gokyo. The Ngozumba Glacier is the longest glacier in the Himalayas. Did You Know? For thousands of years, the Himalayan mountain ranges served as a barrier to interaction between the peoples of … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 21: Over the Cho La (5420 m.)
The plan is to leave Dzonglha and head over the Cho La (a pass) to the settlement of Thangnak. There will be beautiful views looking back to Ama Dablam. Did You Know? The country of Nepal has been recorded to … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 20: Trek to Dzonghla (4843 m) & Find Your Fit Friday
Trek to Dzonghla. This is the same route we followed in section two of the GHT this past spring. Lots of memories of our camping trek with Carm, Ray, Paul, Ed, Bill, our guides Juddha and Balram, our climbing sherpas … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 19: Change in itinerary, trek to Dingboche
From base camp we trek to Dingboche following a high route that contours Ama Dablam. Did You Know? The Himalayas cover about 75% of the whole country of Nepal. Find Your Fit Fact When walking at night it is best … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 18: Rest Day at Base Camp
This is a rest day. The point to remember is that every time we are on the hill we won’t eat enough, drink enough or sleep enough. So rest days such as this at Base Camp are vitally important to … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 17: Return to Base Camp and Rest
We pack the gear up and leave everything we can at C1. We descend, stash our climbing gear, and then drop back down to base camp. Did You Know? There are a lot of fast flowing rivers in Nepal which … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 16: Recce to Camp Two
Another easy start to the day. After breakfast and plenty of hot drinks, we’ll put the harnesses on and recce the route along towards Camp 2. The route is fabulous and is on great rock. The majority of the going … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 15: First Night at Camp One (5800 m.)
It’s now time to move and sleep further up the hill. We pack up and make our way up to the slabs below Camp 1 where we’ll have our harnesses, helmets, and climbing gear stashed. We’ll spend the rest of … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 14: Return to Advanced Base Camp
After a leisurely base camp breakfast, we rest for the morning. After an early lunch, we trek back up to ABC in the afternoon. It’s much easier the second time around because we will have left most of our gear … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 13: Find Your Fit Friday
It’s about a two hour descent back down to base camp so we may want to just pack and go have breakfast in the base camp. We rest and relax in the sun for the rest of the day and … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 12: Acclimatization Climb to Camp 1
Acclimatization day. The sun hits Advanced Base Cmap quite early and thankfully there is no rush to be up and about. So after a leisurely breakfast and having aired our sleeping bags we wander up to Camp 1. From ABC … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 11: First Climb to Advanced Base Camp (5350 m.)
After our final preparations for our first foray up the hill, we will have an early lunch at Base Camp. We start along the easy trail and then gradually gain height along the ridge as we pass the old airfield … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 10: Base Camp Puja
After the Base Camp Puja, which is conducted by a lama who visits from Pangboche, we will have time to start sorting the loads for our first carry. Did You Know? A popular fast food in Nepal are called Momo. … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 9: Rest and Technical Skills Day
This is a rest and technical training day. We have a very thorough session on the use of jumars, belay devices, prussiks and appropriate techniques for dealing with fixed ropes. It is very good to put all this in to … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 8: Reaching Ama Dablam Base Camp (4450 m.)
After breakfast, we visit the monastery at ‘Upper Pangboche.’ This is a beautiful quiet village just 15 minutes easy walking above Pangboche. After our first ‘puja’ (blessing) of the trip, we drop back down to Sonam Lodge for an early … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 7: Trek to Pangboche (3985 m.)
Today we drop all the way down to the Dudh Kosi to the village of Phunki Tenga, before making our way steadily back up to Tengboche where we stop for lunch. After visiting the monastery and looking around the visitor … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 6: Find Your Fit Friday
Today we’ll get our first proper view of Ama Dablam. We’ll trek up to the Everest View Hotel, a fantastic colonial style building, where we have tea on the veranda. The amazing view includes Taweche, Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse, Thamesurku, Kang … Continue reading
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Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 5: Trek to Kyanjuma (3450 m.)
After breakfast, we start on the trail alongside the Dudh Kosi (Milk River) which originates from the Khumbu Glacier some 50 kilometres away. We cross the river four times on the route today on some quite exciting (but very well … Continue reading
Climbing Ama Dablam Day 4: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phak Ding (2650 m.)
We have an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m). After arrival in Lukla, breakfast, and sorting the gear into loads, we will start trekking towards Ama Dablam. We will trek in and stay in a teahouse at Phak Ding (2,650m). … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 3: Sightseeing in Kathmandu
This morning we’ll be sightseeing and taking in key attractions in and around Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley has an amazing range of fascinating highlights. We will visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath (two favourite places of mine). Did You Know? Kathmandu has … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 2: Arrival in Kathmandu
Today is arrival day in Kathmandu. It will be delightful to be back in this vibrant city, catch up with several friends, and start meeting my Ama Dablam teammates. Did You Know? The population of Nepal is approximately 27 million … Continue reading
Posted in Ama Dablam, Everest 3.0
Tagged 2014, climb, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum
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Climbing Ama Dablam Day 1: Leaving Home for Nepal
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss Did You Know? Electric power load-shedding is a way of life in Nepal and power outages can last for … Continue reading
We’ve All Got a Mountain: TA is Climbing Ama Dablam
I first saw Ama Dablam in 2002 and several times since then culminating this past spring, when I saw the peak from many new angles as I completed my Great Big Walk. It was then, that I knew that I truly … Continue reading
M is for Managing Risk: Ama Dablam #15
Tragic events in Nepal over the past six months have showed us over and over again the many ways in which high mountains can kill and injure. Falling ice, rock, and snow, storms, landslides, falls, altitude illness, and more take … Continue reading
D is for Dark & Deary: Ama Dablam #14
I am one of the few who are looking forward to having the clocks fall back this weekend. The morning training has started out in the pitch black these days and now the sunset doesn’t happen until after I’m done. … Continue reading
A is for Anxiety: Ama Dablam #13
I am less than two weeks to Ama Dablam. As usual, I’m not sure where the time went in the lead up to the climb, I just know I don’t quite feel ready. Though, if I am honest, I suspect … Continue reading
The Great Big Walk
By Michelle Osmond On March 5, Dr. TA Loeffler set out on a 600 kilometre traverse of the High Himalaya in Nepal. The HKR professor, along with her partner Marion Wissink from the Department of Computer Science, and two others … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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Great Big Walk: Still Walking
It’s been a whirlwind since getting home ten days ago. I went right into teaching summer courses and the pictures I promised you are long/late in coming. The picture above is the team taking our first few steps west on … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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A Great Big Bus Ride Brings the Great Big Walk Back to Kathmandu
Our first motorized seats in 65 days! The whole crew jumped aboard a public bus (we hiked down to its first stop) and loaded all our packs for a hair-raising (for TA) ride to Barabhise (where we would connect to … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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Great Big Walk Day 65: Bigu Gompa (2516m)
Bigu Gompa (2516m) Bigu Gompa is the exit point for our Rolwaling GHT stage. Bigu is a Sherpa village, and Bigu Gompa is a nunnery dedicated to Avalokiteshwara, the all seeing, all knowing remover of obstacles. Quote for the Day … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Find Your Fit, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, Find Your Fit, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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Great Big Walk Day 64: To Bigu Gompa (2516m)
Trek down valley to Bigu Gompa (2516m) Bigu Gompa is the exit point for our Great Big Walk. Bigu is a Sherpa village, and Bigu Gompa is a nunnery dedicated to Avalokiteshwara, the all seeing, all knowing remover of obstacles. … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Find Your Fit, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, Find Your Fit, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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It’s Find Your Fit Friday on the Great Big Walk Day 63: To Simigaon (2036m)
Find Your Fit! is a provincial physical activity promotions/communications campaign designed to get individuals motivated and moving towards healthy, active living. The Find Your Fit! website is an excellent resource for physical activity throughout the lifespan. You are also invited to … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Find Your Fit, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, Find Your Fit, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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Great Big Walk Day 62: To Dokhang (2791m)
To Dokhang (2791m) As we descend into warmer conditions and lush surrounds the walking becomes much easier now that we are fit and fully acclimatised. We will overnight in Dokhang in a spacious campsite by a small stream. Quote for … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Find Your Fit, Great Big Walk, Great Himalaya Trail
Tagged 2014, climb, Find Your Fit, GHT, Nepal, peak, School Curriculum, trek
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