Adventura / Fall 2014

WEEKEND ADVENTURES WITH BRUCE

VOL. 6, NO.3 | FALL 2014 | free | adventuramag.ca

MYOSTATINSaving Your Muscles

BUILD YOUR DREAM GETAWAY(NO TENT NEEDED)

TRACKING EVERY FITNESS MOMENT

[ GEAR ]Fashion Meets Function Staying Found

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NEW-GENERATION

†Fuel consumption rating posted by Natural Resources Canada of 7.1 L/100 km (highway) is for a 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i equipped with continuously variable automatic transmission. Ratings reflect the Government of Canada’s new test methods. For details, visit nrcan.gc.ca. Your fuel consumption will vary depending on how, where and when you drive. *MSRP of $27,995 on 2015 Outback 2.5i (FD1 BP). MSRP excludes Freight & PDI of $1,650. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. $0 security deposit. Model shown is 2015 Outback 3.6R Limited Package (FD2 LP6) with an MSRP of $38,895. Dealers may sell for less or may have to order or trade. Vehicle shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See your local Subaru dealer for complete program details.

1#1700 – 33 Bloor St EaSt, toronto, on, Canada M4W 3t4 • t 416 925 9819 • F 416 921 4180

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PUBLICATIONS: adventura

Date: 2014, July 31AD #: SUB NMP P49717_10EClient: SuBaruDescription: MY15 outback launch

File Name: P49717_10E_MY15_outback.inddLive: 8" x 9.75"Trim: 9" x 10.75"Bleed: 9.5" x 11.25"Colours: 4C

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It’s equipped for life’s authentic adventures. With symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, for example, it can handle even the most rugged terrain. And with excellent fuel economy that consumes as little as 7.1 L/100 km on the highway, the Outback makes it easy to get to any destination – even if your cellphone signal can’t. Learn more at subaru.ca/OutbackAdventure

Reaches all the places your cellphone signal can’t. The new-generation 2015 Outback.

Well equipped from $27,995*JAPANESE ENGINEERED VEHICLES STANDARD WITH

P49717_10E_MY15_Outback.indd 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM

adventuramag.ca fall 2014 3

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12DAYTRIPPER

Camp Fortune, in Gatineau Park, hosts an extensive network of mountain biking trails well-suited to

intermediate, advanced and expert riders – and it’s just a 15-minute drive from downtown Ottawa.

NEW-GENERATION

†Fuel consumption rating posted by Natural Resources Canada of 7.1 L/100 km (highway) is for a 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i equipped with continuously variable automatic transmission. Ratings reflect the Government of Canada’s new test methods. For details, visit nrcan.gc.ca. Your fuel consumption will vary depending on how, where and when you drive. *MSRP of $27,995 on 2015 Outback 2.5i (FD1 BP). MSRP excludes Freight & PDI of $1,650. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. $0 security deposit. Model shown is 2015 Outback 3.6R Limited Package (FD2 LP6) with an MSRP of $38,895. Dealers may sell for less or may have to order or trade. Vehicle shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See your local Subaru dealer for complete program details.

1#1700 – 33 Bloor St EaSt, toronto, on, Canada M4W 3t4 • t 416 925 9819 • F 416 921 4180

StudioRevisions

REV. # 1

date

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Signature

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IMPORTANT: this art has been checked and proofed for accuracy by all signed.

Production Mgr:

tara

Art Director:

Becky

Account Exec.:

Mike J./lindy

Operator:

KB

PUBLICATIONS: adventura

Date: 2014, July 31AD #: SUB NMP P49717_10EClient: SuBaruDescription: MY15 outback launch

File Name: P49717_10E_MY15_outback.inddLive: 8" x 9.75"Trim: 9" x 10.75"Bleed: 9.5" x 11.25"Colours: 4C

PROOFREADER

ART DIRECTOR

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

COPYWRITER

PRODUCTION MANAGER

It’s equipped for life’s authentic adventures. With symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, for example, it can handle even the most rugged terrain. And with excellent fuel economy that consumes as little as 7.1 L/100 km on the highway, the Outback makes it easy to get to any destination – even if your cellphone signal can’t. Learn more at subaru.ca/OutbackAdventure

Reaches all the places your cellphone signal can’t. The new-generation 2015 Outback.

Well equipped from $27,995*JAPANESE ENGINEERED VEHICLES STANDARD WITH

P49717_10E_MY15_Outback.indd 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM

04 EDITOR’S NOTE

06 FIELD REPORT

12 DAYTRIPPER

14 TRACKING EVERY FITNESS MOMENT

16 WEEKEND GETAWAY: Adventures with Bruce

18 PARKS: In Your Own Backyard: No Tent Needed

20 LIVING LARGE

22 GLOBETROTTER Azorean Archipelago: Paradise Found From way up in the sky, the Azorean Archipelago looks like a small fleet of ships lost at sea. Lying at the edge of the North American continental plate, two-thirds of the way between America and Africa, the islands are indeed as off-the-beaten-path as islands can be.

GEAR24 Fashion Meets Function

26 Staying Found

MIND & BODY28 MYOSTATIN: SAVING YOUR MUSCLES

Myostatin suppression may be key to slowing or even reversing muscle loss associated with aging.

30 LAST CALL

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Huttopia, Hékipia or oTENTik tents, Nordic Huttopias, turnkey campsites, EXP chalets, rustic chalets, yurts… there are countless new ways to escape everyday routines and enjoy the great outdoors, making nature more accessible than ever.

Thanks to these newfangled accommodations, there’s no need to buy camping gear: Simply book and show up. With virtually no barriers to entry, weekend adventures are feeling more and more like resort stays (and that’s not necessarily a bad thing). In the 1970s, camping was almost synonymous with torture because standard-issue gear was rudimentary, heavy and impractical. Luckily, over the years, the industry has grown and today’s products are miles beyond what they once were. The age of painful hiking is behind us. In fact, sales of large backpacks are on the decline, while daypacks are increasing in popular-ity. We are going faster, higher and farther, all while suffering much less.

That doesn’t mean that we know more about our natural environment. Actually, we know a lot less. No need to read a stack of books to brush up on astronomy: Simply point a smartphone toward the stars to learn about the constellations. Point it toward leaves and voilà: You’re a botanist, with all you’d ever want to know about the tree species at your fingertips. With Wi-Fi-enabled parks, you can watch a video detailing how to pitch a tent, update your Facebook

status during a hike, Skype with friends at home about the day’s exploits or download a new song around the campfire.

I’m not anti-technology. In fact, the opposite is true. But I do prefer when an evening around the campfire doesn’t turn into a Facebook catch-up session. I like sleeping in a comfortable bed after a tough day outdoors, but I also enjoy sleeping under the stars or in a lean-to – and I certainly don’t need an electric light in my tent! I challenge you to learn to forget your phone, to take some time to be bored, to meander

without a goal other than to touch a tree, to feel its bark between your hands and to marvel at the force of nature. Reaching the summit of a mountain isn’t the goal, what matters is coming face to face with the elements. Putting one foot in front of the other, persevering despite the challenges of a trail, pushing on even as it begins to rain or snow, climbing that face when the wind starts to howl. These deeply thrilling first-hand experiences shape our understanding and love of nature.

A passion for adventure also means discovering the world that surrounds us, opening one’s mind to better understand it and pushing a little bit farther to make it our own. Many people want to experience the outdoors without hammering a single tent stake. The time of escaping the city to enjoy quiet moments far from the urban hustle seems to be behind us. And yet, it’s easier than ever to stop for a moment and explore.

Adventure can be therapeutic, invigorating, introspective, creative or even illuminating. But first, you have to let go. Choose your own journey, but make sure that you’re pushing through your personal barriers and daring to venture outside your comfort zone. That’s where the real discoveries lie.

Chris Levesque, Editor @chrislevesque

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

///EDITOR’S NOTE

Fall 2014 :: Vol. 6 :: No. 3

PUBLISHER: Stéphane Corbeil ([email protected]) EDITOR: Chris Levesque ([email protected])SENIOR EDITOR: Stephania Varalli | [email protected]: Matt Colautti, Bryen Dunn, Patrice Halley, Sally Heath, Ilona Kauremszky, Shelagh McNally, Travis Persaud, Antoine Stab, Kathleen Wilker. PROOFREADER: Christopher Korchin TRANSLATOR: Christine Laroche COVER PHOTO: © ThinkstockADVERTISING: Richard Gamache, Sales Manager / [email protected] /

450 672-0052, ext. 402Jon Marcotte, Publications sales / [email protected] / 450 672-0052, ext. 426David Mene, Publications sales / [email protected] / 450 672-0052, ext. 428Marie-Ève Raymond, Publications sales coordinator / [email protected] / 450 672-0052, ext. 430

DESIGN: Sève Création, seve.caWEBSITE: www.adventuramag.caEDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: 450 672-0052 #422 / [email protected] ADDRESS: Groupe Espaces Inc 6 Desaulniers Blvd, office 500 Saint-Lambert (Québec) J4P 1L3 [email protected]: 60,000 copies distributed to outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. ADVENTURA is published four times a year by Groupe Espaces Inc., a division of Serdy Media

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: ADVENTURA welcomes editorial and photo submissions, which must be sent by e-mail only. Contact the Editor to discuss. ADVENTURA is not responsible for articles, photographs or any other material sent to its attention. If you do not keep a copy of ADVENTURA magazine for your personal archives, please give it to a friend or recycle it.The opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by Groupe Espaces Inc. Some of the activities reported on in ADVENTURA could entail injury risks for anyone engaging in them. ADVENTURA and its reporters, contributors, photographers and other staff members do not recommend the practice of these activities by anyone who does not have the required skills and technique. ADVENTURA is not responsible for the information contained in advertisements. Any reproduction of material published in ADVENTURA is prohibited without the expressed consent of Groupe Espaces Inc.

PERFORMANCE ENHANCED DOWN.

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FIELD REPORT

WIRELESS WILDERNESSBY MATT COLAUTTI

Last year, Google reached out to the hiking community with its Google Maps Trekker initiative. The Internet giant was attempting to grow its successful Street View library – which provides step-by-step, street-level imagery of most roads in the Western world – to include parks and hiking trails. Organizations that were selected would send out trekkers wearing a bulbous backpack that collects the 360-degree footage. The imagery, in turn, would then be provided online for free, documenting for viewers around the world “some remote and hard-to-reach places that they may never have discovered on their own.”

Many outdoor enthusiasts were quick to decry this technological invasion of the wilderness. Nature, after all, is meant to be experienced in person. Some were concerned about Google’s use of these images in its monetized search-engine business and the possibility of bringing advertising to the trails. They questioned why money should be spent on online maps when park budgets and staff were at an all-time low. Others pointed out that viewing images of trails makes the back-

country seem much less wild than it actually is: Just as Google Maps can give bad directions, Street View images don’t reveal a host of other risks.

The more fundamental question facing parks associations all over the world stems from the very idea of publishing images of something that is considered special. With 360-degree walkthroughs of parks now available on Google, is there no part of our lives that will stay free from technology?

Despite the protest, Parks Canada was one of the first organizations to sign up to work with Google. For them, the possibility of sharing the best of Canada’s wild places proved too alluring. They kicked off the program last year by criss-crossing the country, collecting imagery from parks in nearly every province. Thanks to their efforts, viewers can now stroll along the shores of Lake Louise or look out on Gros Morne’s Western Brook Pond without even leaving their chair. In June, Parks Canada announced that Google would be training seven staff members

VISIT MOST CANADIAN NATIONAL PARKS AND YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE THE SIGNAL STRENGTH ON YOUR CELLPHONE DROP OFF VERY QUICKLY. OUR PARKS ARE, AFTER ALL, LARGE, OFF-THE-GRID SPACES THAT CONNECT US WITH NATURE. DESPITE NEARLY 13 MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR, CANADA’S PARKS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN QUIET PLACES FAR FROM THE TRIVIALITIES OF MODERN LIFE. BUT ALL THAT IS CHANGING. CONNECTIVITY IS COMING, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, TO SOME OF OUR MOST BELOVED OUTDOOR SPACES.

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to document the spectacular landscapes of some of Canada’s most remote and northern parks, including Baffin Island’s Auyuittuq, Gwaii Haanas off the coast of British Columbia, and the towering Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador. Parks Canada hopes the project will showcase Canada’s north, while at the same time inspiring Canadians to visit these remote parks. Like it or not, Google Street View is here to stay.

This expansion of Street View is just the latest debate to emerge around technology in the wilderness. It’s a debate that has been raging ever since cellphone ringtones began interrupting the solitude beyond the park gates. Currently, the U.S. National Parks Service is grappling with unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, and the noise nuisance they cause. The service unilaterally banned operation of all drones for the foreseeable future after a drone crashed into the side of the Grand Canyon earlier this year. In Canada, however, our attention is focused on wireless.

In April, Parks Canada began the tendering process for the installation of Wi-Fi in its parks. Though the governing body has made it clear that the service would only be available in campsite areas – not in the backcountry or wilderness – the massive public outcry made the issue national news. Despite the uproar, the organization maintains that this is a service that its visitors have been requesting. Either way, by the end of this year, visitors will be updating their Facebook statuses and trading Snapchats while camped out under the stars.

Though the outdoor community may condemn this advance of the Web into the wild, Wi-Fi nonetheless represents a bold, forward-thinking move by Parks Canada. Many Canadians have never been to a national park, and domestic visitor numbers are still recovering from a massive decline over the last decade. No matter how many purists object, the reality is that this generation of Canadians expects to always be connected. By not embracing technology, Parks Canada risks not only losing its visitor base, but also losing connection with the places that define us. Perhaps a more connected national park is the most promising way to make the wilderness once again part of our national identity.

For the Street View debate, there is an even more acute perspective: Technology has always succeeded in making life easier. This is true even of the outdoor community, who today use portable GPS devices, satellite telephones, and solar panels without complaint. The Street View images are not only stunning, they are also useful. And they may be the closest we can get to some hard-to-reach wilderness areas. Surely there are not many Canadians who would complain of the availability of Street View images of Machu Picchu or the Galapagos Islands. In some ways, Google has only taken the next step from the still park images of Tom Thomson or Ansel Adams that adorn our wall calendars. Our parks are meant to be enjoyed, whether we are able to visit or not.

As the debate about technology in the wilderness rages on, it is easy to overlook the enormity of our nation. Much of the single road across Canada, let alone the country’s parkland, lacks cell reception. Only a fraction of the country is even inhabited. And without being able to mount Street View Trekker into a canoe, most of the north will always be an empty spot on Google’s digital globe. Despite Wi-Fi, panoramic images, and other future technologies yet to arrive, Canada remains one of the wildest places on Earth.

WITH 360-DEGREE WALKTHROUGHS OF PARKS NOW AVAILABLE ON GOOGLE, IS THERE NO PART OF OUR LIVES THAT WILL STAY FREE FROM TECHNOLOGY?

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Down versus synthetic: It’s the classic puffy-jacket debate. This fall, the conversation is getting a little more complicated, with two new players on the market. Say hello to MerinoLOFT and TurboDown.

New for Fall

MERINOLOFT AND TURBODOWNBY STEPHANIA VARALLI

FIELD REPORT

MerinoLOFTHelix Hood: $299 | icebreaker.com

TurboDownPlatinum 860: $180 | columbia.com

WHAT IS IT? Developed by Icebreaker, MerinoLOFT consists of three layers: a recycled polyester outer shell, an insulator made of wool with a small amount of synthetic, and a woven merino lining.

WHERE CAN I FIND IT? The Helix Hood, available in men’s and women’s styles, has a low-profile hood, zipped pockets and an internal storm flap for extra warmth and protection. The streamlined Helix Vest and Helix LS Zip for men and women work great as performance mid-layers. If you’re more soft-adventure inclined, their lifestyle jackets – the Chelsea Vest and Chelsea LS Hood for women, and the Ranger LS Hood and Ranger Bomber for men – combine MerinoLOFT with a fashionable twill weave.

WHAT IS IT? Columbia’s TurboDown combines a layer of their synthetic OMNI-HEAT Thermal Insulation with a layer of down fill, sandwiched between OMNI-HEAT Reflective material.

WHERE CAN I FIND IT? The Gold 650 TurboDown Hooded Down Jacket is a great entry-level pick, espe-cially if you’re looking for something lighter-weight. The Women’s Platinum 860 TurboDown Hooded Down Jacket and Men’s Platinum 860 TurboDown Jacket offer greater warmth, with 800-fill goose down packed next to the OMNI-HEAT synthetic insulator. All styles have drawcord adjustable hems, zippered hand pockets and a ripstop nylon shell for durability.

WHAT CAN IT DO? TurboDown is designed for the kind of cold that bites. It brings together down – one of nature’s greatest insulators – with OMNI-HEAT Thermal Insulation, which has one of the highest heat-retention levels per gram available in synthetics. There’s no separation between the two layers – they sit one on top of the other, creating a combo that’s better at trapping heat (thanks to the down) and at moving sweat away from the body, plus retaining heat when moisture hits (thanks to t he synthetic).

The outer layers are doing work as well: OMNI-HEAT Reflective uses little silver dots to reflect and retain your body’s own heat, so you stay warmer without the need for added bulk (it can boost retention by up to 20%). It’s also breathable and moisture-wicking, so it helps you stay dry and comfortable.

The combination also means it’s less expensive than a full-down jacket (prices start around $200), and Columbia is offering a variety of options at different price points – each with a different combination level of premium down fill and the synthetic OMNI-HEAT Thermal Insulation.

WHAT CAN IT DO? You probably already have an idea in mind of just how warm merino can keep you. MerinoLOFT is much, much warmer. The innovative insulating layer combines premium merino with strong wool. The result is a lightweight material that’s perfect for chilly weather on its own, and for below-zero temps with some smart layering.

The shell is water-resistant, but not waterproof. Fortunately, just like the wool it’s made from, MerinoLOFT retains its warmth even when it’s wet, making it a great choice for unpredictable weather. And since it isn’t bulky, it works great as a mid-layer paired with a waterproof outer shell.

The woven merino lining is breathable, which helps to regulate temperature. It’s also lightweight and durable – both key features for outdoor performance gear.

The polyester outer layer is 100% recycled, and 10% of the insulating wool comes from offcuts salvaged from the factory floor – the rest is ethically sourced. The touch of synthetic in the fill – 12%, to be exact – prevents the wool from clumping, so it’s machine washable (we think that huge benefit is well worth the small addition).

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ECCO Espace ad Sept.pdf 1 17/07/14 1:40 PM


In 2010, Hamilton-based DontGetLost Adventure Running launched the Adventure Running Kids (ARK) program, a “muddy eco-adventure” for children ages 6–14. Mike Waddington explains that the idea for the program came up on a run one day when he and fellow ARK co-founder Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky were chatting about how “it was a shame that there were no programs for kids that were interested in trail running, adventure racing or adventure running.” From its initial pilot with 17 participants in 2010, ARK has seen incredible growth and now offers two 12-week sessions per year (fall and spring) in Burlington, Caledon, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Niagara/St. Catherine’s and Oakville.

ARK sessions are centred on four running-based activities: strength and agility, speed and power, navigation, and endurance. Each session involves

a half-hour spent at two of the four stations, which get switched up every two weeks. It often sends kids home a little bit muddy, but always feeling happy and accomplished. Participants are presented with challenges that are achievable, while they learn teamwork, environmental appreciation and problem-solving skills along the way. Perhaps the most important skill that kids learn, though, suggests Waddington, is “confidence in both the outdoors and most importantly in themselves.”

For kids who want to take their adventure running to the next level, ARK also offers ARK Attack for ages 10–16, which introduces more formalized training and competitive opportunities, as well as Adventure Running X, a “rep” program for ages 13–18 that meets twice a week with an emphasis on advanced running and navigation training for competitive events.

Children can learn the value of giving back with the Kids for Kenya Toilet Run, also a mud/obstacle run held in September to raise funds for sanitation efforts in Kenyan primary schools. Those who want to test out their skills will also have the opportunity to do so at the Adventure Running Kids Mud Run held each May, an event with races 1–3 km in length, based on age.

New this fall is ARK Fest, an end-of-season event to be held December 6 in Hamilton. “ARK Fest is what the kids are preparing for over the 12-week program. It is completely optional but is also a great way to meet kids from our various programs, and of course get muddy again,” says Waddington. ARK Fest is also open to kids who are not program participants.

So what’s next for ARK? The program intends to continue its growth into new communities in southern Ontario and expand both its summer offerings and its Adventure Running Kids race roster. For more information, to inquire about volunteer or coaching opportunities or to register your child for Adventure Running Kids, check out dontgetlost.ca.

ADVENTURE RUNNING KIDS

An after-school program for young explorersBY SALLY HEATH

OUT. HIKE. Scramble up, sprint down, explore, discover. You are fast, free and invincible. Push your limits with Verterra Sport.

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IT’S A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO SITTING IN FRONT OF THE TELEVISION OR CHATTING ON THEIR PHONES: KIDS IN CITIES ACROSS SOUTHERN ONTARIO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND WEEKDAY EVENINGS TRAIL RUNNING, TERRAIN RUNNING, AND LEARNING TO NAVIGATE USING A MAP.

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Camp Fortune, in Gatineau Park, hosts an extensive network of mountain biking trails well-suited to intermediate, advanced and expert riders – and it’s just a 15-minute drive from downtown Ottawa. A rigorous maintenance schedule keeps the network in great shape, and the natural rocky terrain is a feature of many routes (you can find them all on the trail map, available online).

With a mix of cross-country and downhill trails, and significant vertical to climb and descend, Camp Fortune offers plenty of thrilling opportunities to put your skills to the test. The cross-country trails make great use of Camp Fortune’s steep slopes, with technical downhill sections and lung-burning uphill crawls. Riders can also take Dunlop Road for a self-propelled uphill that is less exhausting.

While the downhill trails range in skill level from intermediate to advanced, the gnarly, sloped trails on Skyline are best suited to experts. A small pump track for improving bike-handling skills is located at the intersection of Humdinger and Slalom trails (during the day, it’s reserved for children enrolled at the mountain bike camp, but after hours it’s available to all). Post-ride, a bike wash station is available to clean up your bike – and your muddy legs.

Activity: Mountain bikingLevel: Intermediate to expertSeason: Cross-country trails are open May 15–November 30. The lift for downhill trails operates Saturday and Sunday, June 8–October 14, 11 a.m.– 5 p.m., and Wednesdays, June 14–August 14, 5 p.m.–dusk.Cost: Cross-county day passes are $6.95, season’s passes are $50; Downhill Skyline lift passes (which include access to all trails) are $20 for Wednesday evenings, $26.09 for a Weekend Day Pass, $8.70 for a single ride, $200 for a season’s pass before May 31, and $250 after May 31. Purchase online, at the Skyline Chairlift or at the Camp Fortune Welcome Centre.Gear: Hardtail bike and helmet rentals are available from Greg Christies Cycle Works, in Chelsea (gregchristies.com).Other activities: An aerial park and zip-lining are also available in Gatineau Park. Getting there: From Ottawa take Hwy. 5 North. Exit 12 on Old Chelsea Rd. Continue on Old Chelsea Rd. It will become Meech Lake Rd. Turn left onto Dunlop Rd. Camp Fortune is at the top of the hill.For more: campfortune.com/summer/mountain-biking or call 819-827-1717, ext. 0.

AN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUNDTHAT SPANS OVER 30,000 KM2,AND THAT’S NO EXAGERRATION.

BOOK YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN THE OUTAOUAIS REGION NOW!1-800-265-7822 outaouaistourism.com/outdoor

WAKEFIELD MILL HOTEL & SPAAfter a day of bungee jumping, mountain biking or hiking, relax and indulge at the Mill. Located in the Gatineau Park, the Wakefield Mill features 42 guestrooms in both the heritage mill and the LEED-certified Eco River Lodge, two restaurants, a casual bar lounge, an outdoor pool and hot tubs and a full service spa.

819-459-1838 / 1-888-567-1838 WAKEFIELDMILL.COM

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KENAUK NATUREExperience the Canadian wilderness fi rst-hand.Package includes: one night’s accommodation (European plan) in a first-class chalet with room for up to 18 people, private dock, access to sports facilities and indoor pool at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello. * Minimum stay of two nights. Offer valid from July 4 to August 31, 2014. Taxes not included.

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ARBRASKA LAFLÈCHE The entire Arbraska Laflèche crew invites you to show off your adventurer side through several courses in the trees! We also offer you a unique experience in the amazing Laflèche Cave!

Take fun to the highest level!

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FIELD REPORTSUMMER’S END MAY BE NEAR, BUT THAT SHOULDN’T MEAN FAREWELL TO THE OUTDOORS. WE’VE SELECTED OUR FAVOURITE ONE-DAY EXCURSIONS TO KEEP YOU ACTIVE INTO AUTUMN AND BEYOND. LESS THAN ONE HOUR FROM YOUR HOME CITY, THESE DESTINATIONS GIVE YOU SCENIC STIMULI AND LOADS OF CLEAN, CRISP AIR. YOU’LL BE PUMPED AND READY TO GO – AND GO AND GO!

DAYTRIPPER

Hilton Falls is a park that truly has year-round fun for everyone. Hikers and walkers can stroll through the mixed hardwood and pine forests on the park’s well-marked trail system, which features options ranging from three to 9.5 km in length, or complete a rugged 22-km Bruce Trail loop using main and side trails for a full day out. Families wanting a more leisurely day can take advantage of the many picnic areas and firepits located in and around the park’s 10-metre namesake waterfall, once the site of a 19th-century sawmill.

Those looking for an adventure on two wheels can cycle the single-track Bent Rim (advanced) or Wandering Lynx trail systems as well as ride on the regular trails (mountain bike recommended). Once the snow falls, the park transforms into a winter wonderland with 16 km of groomed cross-country ski trails as well as rentals for those needing equipment.

Regardless of which activity you choose, you can swap stories while you refuel at the Mohawk Chop

House at Guelph Line and the 401, or seasonally at Finnegan’s Pub at the Halton Country Golf Club on 6th Line. Both feature unique atmospheres and are hiker- and biker-friendly.

Activity: HikingLevel: Beginner to advancedSeason: Year-roundCost: Park entrance fee is $6.75 per adult and $5 for children 5–14. Children under 4 are free. This day fee allows you entrance into all Halton Parks, including nearby Kelso, Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Point. Gear: Proper footwear, food and water, bug spray and sunscreen as the season dictatesOther activities: Mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing Getting there: Hilton Falls is located on Campbellville Rd. between Hwy. 25 and Guelph Line. From Toronto, exit the 401 at Hwy. 25 and turn right. Take Hwy. 25 to 5 Side Rd. / Campbellville Rd. and turn left. The park is about 5 km down the road on the right. Staying found: Trail maps are available at the entrance gate. Those hiking on the Bruce Trail should consult Map 11, which can be downloaded at brucetrail.org/store/view/68-map-11-kelso. For more: Everything you need to know to enjoy Hilton Falls can be found online at conservationhalton.on.ca/hilton-falls

GOOD FORTUNE BY KATHLEEN WILKER

A PARK FOR ALL SEASONS BY SALLY HEATH

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AN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUNDTHAT SPANS OVER 30,000 KM2,AND THAT’S NO EXAGERRATION.

BOOK YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN THE OUTAOUAIS REGION NOW!1-800-265-7822 outaouaistourism.com/outdoor

WAKEFIELD MILL HOTEL & SPAAfter a day of bungee jumping, mountain biking or hiking, relax and indulge at the Mill. Located in the Gatineau Park, the Wakefield Mill features 42 guestrooms in both the heritage mill and the LEED-certified Eco River Lodge, two restaurants, a casual bar lounge, an outdoor pool and hot tubs and a full service spa.

819-459-1838 / 1-888-567-1838 WAKEFIELDMILL.COM

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KENAUK NATUREExperience the Canadian wilderness fi rst-hand.Package includes: one night’s accommodation (European plan) in a first-class chalet with room for up to 18 people, private dock, access to sports facilities and indoor pool at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello. * Minimum stay of two nights. Offer valid from July 4 to August 31, 2014. Taxes not included.

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ARBRASKA LAFLÈCHE The entire Arbraska Laflèche crew invites you to show off your adventurer side through several courses in the trees! We also offer you a unique experience in the amazing Laflèche Cave!

Take fun to the highest level!

819-457-4033 / 1-877-457-4033ARBRASKA.COM

ARBR

ASKA

LAF

LÈCH

E

Cave and Aerial Parks

From $179/night

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Wristbands, watches, and pendants are now measuring the steps we take, the kilometres we run, the laps we finish, the calories we consume and the stairs we climb. They also promise to track our sleep patterns, mood swings, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Most are paired with a smartphone app or website that uses algorithms to analyze our fitness data. Since you log in after you’ve finished your routine, the data is not exactly real-time. The big question remains: How accurate are the results?

We owe the glut of fitness trackers to downsizing. These devices share the same technology found in nuclear submarines, guided missiles, smartphones, digital cameras, and vehicle air bags. The hardware they have in common is the accelerometer, a chip able to detect changes in motion and velocity. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) are responsible for miniaturizing the accelerometer – thereby dropping the price tag from half a million to a couple of bucks. In a smartphone or camera, the accelerometer is used to determine when the screen has been rotated and the image needs adjustment, while in a fitness tracker, it’s installed to detect changes in your motion (up and down, side to side, and front to back).

Herein lies the current flaw with most fitness trackers: They can only measure motion and not exertion. When Albert Sun and Alastair Dunt tested fitness trackers for The New York Times, their results showed that eating a bag of chips was more vigorous (and therefore burned more calories) than doing bicep curls. Likewise, they were considered to be sedentary while doing wall sits and yoga. Obviously, more improvements are needed for more accurate fitness-focused results.

Ironically, the strength of fitness trackers may lie in data collected about our inactivity, rather than our activity. According to the World Health Organization, 60–85 percent of the world’s population has a sedentary lifestyle. By tracking exercise time as well as downtime, we can get a complete view of day-to-day behaviour, including both good and bad habits. It’s assumed that motivation will come from seeing the big picture, which will spur us to be more active. Both the popular Jawbone UP 24 and Fitbit Flex have idle alerts that can be set at various intervals to vibrate and remind us to get moving. That may be enough for some people.

TRACKING EVERY FITNESS MOMENT BY SHELAGH MCNALLY

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Most of us are lousy at judging how many calories we burn and how much physical activity we actually get each day. Wearable fitness trackers are promising to help us become more active. What can they deliver?

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TRACKING EVERY FITNESS MOMENT BY SHELAGH MCNALLY

“Fitness trackers can help get you off the couch and help track your progress. Tracking an improvement is always a good motivator. People like to see their progress,” said Cathy Oesterreich, a Montreal-based personal trainer.

Research has shown that tracking calories burned doing everyday chores gives people a sense of accomplishment. When a mundane routine is turned into a goal-directed activity, people tend to do more. Some gadgets accommodate for this: The Polar Loop lets you track not only your high-intensity exercise but also low-intensity tasks, such as raking the leaves or walking the dog. Current fitness trackers may be more solid as a motivational tool rather than a scientific or medical device.

And with fitness stats, less may be more. Among the early adopters, inaccurate stats are causing tracker fatigue, and some companies are responding with simpler solutions. With its entry into the fitness tracking market, TomTom is focusing on the heart rate alone. Both the TomTom Runner Watch and TomTom Multisport GPS Watch have built-in heart monitors, and their primary states shown are heart rate with calories burned, and distance travelled (shown on a TomTom map).

“Keeping track of your heart rate is the most important thing to follow. You want to be sure you are pacing yourself and hitting your mark. You don’t want to do too little or too much,” said Cathy Oesterreich.

For the manufacturers themselves, the real payoff in fitness trackers may lie in the data collected. Fitbit already sells its devices in bulk to U.S. employees and – with their permission – sends their aggregate health data to their employers, who then use it to negotiate lower insurance premiums. This presents some challenges to our already beleaguered privacy.

The rise of self-monitoring fitness trackers is closely tied to the “quantified self” movement. First popularized in Silicon Valley, this movement believes in the power of raw personal data, and relies on digital technologies to record every aspect of personal life, from what foods are eaten to blood oxygen levels. In their white paper How Safe Is Your Quantified Self? Symantec sounded the alarm about fitness tracker security. They found all wearable fitness-tracking devices vulnerable to hacking, especially those using Bluetooth technology. Symantec also found that 20 percent of all apps had no encryption at all. Synching your fitness tracker to a computer or smartphone and then storing data in the cloud basically gives wide-open access to your location, daily schedules and routes taken, as well as your private medical information.

Even if the safety concerns don’t worry you, there’s also the question of personal space. We have accepted tracking cookies in exchange for free services, but are we ready for even more aggressive marketing, with ads targeted to our health stats?

The fitness tracking industry is still in its infancy – and it has some bugs to iron out. Seeing the big picture may help in the beginning, but can stats, alarms and reminders keep us motivated enough to give fitness trackers longevity?

“Motivation is such a personal thing,” Cathy Oesterreich points out. So the question really is: Will they motivate you?

In 2013, fitness trackers were the bestselling gadgets among fitness consumers, generating an estimated $290 million in U.S. retail sales alone. (NPD Group)

It is estimated that over 17 million wearable devices will be sold in 2014. (Canalys)

There could be 485 million users by 2018. (ABI Research)

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ADVENTURES WITH BRUCE BY SALLY HEATH

eight provincial parks, and forms part of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Originally land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nations, there is an oral history of settlement in the Bruce Peninsula going back 7,500 years.

Once the decision was made, the planning began. As much as we are people that like to be outside from dawn to dusk, at the end of the day we look forward to a nice meal and a proper bed before the next day’s adventure. We decided on an itinerary that would involve one day of mountain biking on a couple of different trail systems and one day of running and hiking on the Bruce Trail. After researching options, we chose

Red Bay as our base camp, as it was conveniently located to the trail systems that we wanted to explore as well as being on Lake Huron.

Saturday morning, we headed north with all our gear in tow and Brant Tract near Paisley as our first destination. We had ridden these trails during an overnight Adventure Race, but it was during the morning of the second day after a long night of rain and the trails were wet and slippery and not particularly memorable due to our lack of sleep. We both remember saying, however, that it would be fun to come back and check them out sometime when we hadn’t already been racing for 20 hours!

Located just south of Paisley, Brant Tract features 20 kilometres of marked single- and double-track trails suitable for all skill levels. During a 90-minute ride, we were able to cover most of the trails, and remarked at the range of scenery along the way. From high valley vistas to wetlands, to riding among towering pine trees, it was often hard to focus on the trail rather than the views! Because Brant Tract is also a well-kept secret, we only saw one other rider. If you are an avid mountain biker, and haven’t checked this place out yet, it is definitely worth the drive – and makes for a nice combination with the Bruce Peninsula Mountain Bike Adventure Park, which was the next stop on our tour.

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“Where could we go that’s… different?” I asked my partner. We both had long multisport races coming up, and were looking for a weekend adventure a reasonable drive from the GTA that would allow us to combine inspirational sights with some quality training. We’d been to Collingwood and the Muskoka area several times for similar weekend training adventures, but wanted to explore somewhere new this time.

“What about the Bruce Peninsula?” he asked. I gave him a confused look. “Where is that?”It is not an exaggeration to say that the Bruce Peninsula lives in the shadow of more popular summer vacation

destinations, but as we found out, it’s a hidden gem with lots to offer to those who like to combine a summer getaway with outdoor activity.

Located just a few hours from the GTA, the Bruce Peninsula is an area of land that extends up from southern Ontario between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, and is home to two national parks (Bruce Peninsula and Fathom Five),

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500OTHER mOdEls

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BELOEIL - BROSSARD - BURLINGTON - ETOBICOKE - LAVAL - OSHAWA - OTTAWA - QUEBEC - VAUGHAN NEW STORE OPENING IN FALL 2014 - CAMBRIDGE

ADVENTURES WITH BRUCE BY SALLY HEATH

W E E K E N D G E T A W A Y + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Located just a little north of Wiarton, this trail system is considered one of the more challenging ones in Ontario for mountain biking, due to the rocky terrain that is a natural feature of the area. While there may not be as much elevation change as with other biking destinations in the province, the roots and rocks on many of the trails require a concentrated ride from even the most experienced riders. In 2013, several “family-friendly” double-track trails were added to broaden the appeal of the location, and there is a pump track that will be especially popular with the younger crowd. Bonus: There is no charge to ride at either location.

After all that driving and riding, we were looking forward to arriving at our destination for the evening: Haven on the Bay. Located in Red Bay, the bed and breakfast is a short stroll from the magnificent sunsets

of Lake Huron, and the perfect spot to rest tired bodies and refuel before another day on the trails. We arrived just before dinner and were greeted warmly by our hosts, the Heinrichs. We stashed our bags in the lovely Birchwood room, cleaned ourselves up and headed back out the door for a much-deserved meal before the day’s exhaustion got to us.

For dinner we decided to drive a bit further north to the Lion’s Head Inn, a British-style pub known for their patio with views of Georgian Bay, as well as their fish and chips. We toasted the day with a pint of real ale and enjoyed the warm summer air on the outdoor patio. Not wanting to waste any daylight, we headed back south to Red Bay with enough time to stroll on the beach and watch the sunset over the lake.

After a solid sleep at the Haven on the Bay, we awoke

to the smell of fresh coffee coming from the breakfast lounge. That was all we needed to hop out of bed. We enjoyed the company of our hosts, exchanging stories while dining on the feast of a breakfast that had been prepared for us. It was difficult to tear ourselves away from the conversation (and the coffee!), but we had another long day planned on the Bruce Trail.

The Bruce Trail is both Canada’s oldest and longest marked trail system, spanning 890 kilometres of main trail with an additional 400 kilometres of side trails from Tobermory to Niagara Falls. We’ve hiked and run several sections of the Bruce Trail closer to home, but had never explored the Bruce Peninsula section. We selected an area that traversed the Lion’s Head Provincial Nature Preserve (Map 38), and which would allow us to park our car and do a long loop without

having to spend much time on the road. We parked at one of the designated Bruce Trail lots

just outside of Lion’s Head with enough food and water for several hours. The Bruce Trail never disappoints, and we shared the mutual giddiness and excitement of exploring somewhere new. Starting on an old logging road, we headed inland through the hardwood forest, taking brief detours to check out the Lion’s Head Pothole and the Giant’s Cauldron, both impressive geological features. Back on the main trail, we traversed a clifftop with outstanding views of Georgian Bay. We spent a few moments at the Lion’s Head Lookout, a definite highlight of the route. Doing a combination of hiking and running

– depending on the terrain, and the distraction of the outstanding views – we took a brief break at Lion’s Head Point before making our way east to the cobblestone beach of McKay’s Harbour. After a short but steep climb back up the escarpment, we opted to take the McKay’s Harbour Side Trail to reconnect with the main trail, with a short detour on the 100-metre Geodetic Side Trail, which marks the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole. We continued on the top of the escarpment down the coast toward Barrow Bay and eventually out into the little town of the same name. There, we were thrilled to find Vicki’s Kitchen, as we were starting to run low on food and water and had a

bit of a road trek back to the car. Several hours after we had started, we found our way back to the parking lot where we had begun and drove back into Lion’s Head for a swim before it was time to start the trek home.

And so, after two amazing days of exploring challenging new trails and being rewarded with breathtaking views, we headed back south. Our curiosity about the magic of the Bruce Peninsula was nowhere near satisfied, but taking comfort in the fact that we had really only scratched the surface of what the area had to offer, we knew we would definitely be back again soon for another adventure.

PLANNING YOUR TRIPCONSIDER THE SEASON: While there are plenty of adventures to be had outside of the warmer months, June–October is recommended for the activities described. Pack sunscreen and bug spray, and if you are going to be out all day, especially on foot, bring lots of food and water, as drinking untreated water along the trail is not recommended.

BOOK AHEAD: While still a hidden gem, the Bruce Peninsula is getting increasingly popular. Book your accommodations ahead of time to avoid disappointment. For a wide variety of accommodation options, visit explorethebruce.com/places-to-stay-accommodation.

CHECK THE STATUS: The status of both of the mountain biking trails mentioned here, as well as

several other trail systems in the area, is updated regularly at mtbthebruce.com.

GET A GUIDE: If you are on your own or navigationally challenged, Explorer’s Tread, a local company, offers guiding services for both hiking and biking, as well as rentals for those that don’t have their wheels with them. explorerstread.com

FOLLOW THE BLAZES: While the Bruce Trail is very well marked with white (main trail) and blue (side trail) blazes, having a map with you is recommended. There is a series of maps that correspond to the Bruce Peninsula section of the trail available at brucetrail.org/places/1 that can be downloaded individually or purchased as part of the regularly updated Bruce Trail Reference Guide.

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IN YOUR OWN BACKYARDNO TENT NEEDED

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ONTARIOBON ECHO PROVINCIAL PARK

The park is known for the 1.5-kilometre-long sheer Mazinaw Rock that rises 100 metres above Mazinaw Lake and features over 260 Aboriginal pictographs, one of the largest visible collections in Canada. Interpretive boat tours allow for an up-close-and-personal look, or rent a canoe or kayak and paddle over.

They’ve added four new cabins to an already extensive list of accommodation options that includes RV and car camping on full-service sites, backcountry canoe-in and hike-in sites, and permanent roofed quarters. The Deluxe Tent features two queen beds, mini-fridge, coffee maker, screened porch and a barbecue. The Camp Cabin has one queen bed and a double with a bunk, fireplace, mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, barbecue and screened porch. Heated yurts are also available in the Sawmill Bay camping area.

The Mugwump Ferry operates on weekends in the fall, and allows visitors access to the Cliff Top Trail, an upward climb to three observation decks. As for canoeing, the Kishkebus Route is a 21-km looped paddle with a 1.5-km portage

that traverses past the pictographs and across the nature reserve. Beyond Mazinaw Lake there are many other smaller lakes that can be reached via short portages, and adventurers can choose to stay at one of the 25 water-access-only campsites. The more experienced may opt to do the 100-km Mississippi River Route with 17 portages, recommended to be tackled over five days.

There are several hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, and distances from one km to 17 km. The Abes and Essens Lake Trail is a series of interconnecting looped options, and it’s spectacularly beautiful during fall. The longest section can involve an overnight stay at one of the five interior campsites alongside the trail system.

Season: Camping closes October 19, 2014 Location: South central Ontario north of Kaladar, approximately six km north of Cloyne Contact: 613-336-2228 For more: ontarioparks.com/park/bonecho

BY BRYEN DUNN

Ontario Parks and SEPAQ have been busy enhancing their accommodation offerings this past year, recognizing the growing demand from individuals seeking a more comfortable wilderness experience. There is now a selection of ready-to-camp options to meet a variety of needs, including cabins, cottages, yurts and more. We took a look at what’s new this fall in Ontario at Bon Echo and Presqu’ile, and in Quebec at Mont-Mégantic and Grands-Jardins.

PARC NATIONAL DES GRANDS-JARDINS

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IN YOUR OWN BACKYARDNO TENT NEEDED

ONTARIOPRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK

Presqu’ile, French for “almost an island,” is a boomerang-shaped spit of sand and limestone that juts sharply into Lake Ontario. The park area was formed when a limestone island was connected to the mainland by a sand spit, and the mixture of sand dunes, marshes and forests leads to very high plant diversity. It’s also a migration hotspot in spring and fall, with 336 bird species as well as Monarch butterflies.

A new retrofitted cabin has been added to the more than 300 car-accessible sites. Plus, there are four cottages remaining along the southern edge of the peninsula, and a few of these are in the process of being retrofitted for rental.

To protect the nesting water birds, access to Gull and High Bluff Islands is closed from March 10 to September 10, but Gull Island can be accessed by foot after that from lookout #5 of the Owen Point Trail. Flat, paved multi-purpose lanes along the lakeshore are popular all year, especially along Lighthouse Lane and Paxton Drive around the peninsula. As well, 12 km of marked wooded hiking trails are cleared of deadfall on a regular basis. The longest are the Pioneer and Newcastle looped trails through beech-maple forest, totalling just over eight km. Canoeing is best done on the sheltered Presqu’ile Bay, while Lake Ontario is recommended only on calm days. Both Presqu’ile Bay and Lake Ontario are also accessible to motorized boats.

This Park is also well-known for fall kite-boarding and windsurfing, and has 16 km of trails and paths along shorelines and through woodlands and meadows. As well, the nearby Trent Canal system is a perfect playground for water enthusiasts

Season: Camping closes October 14, 2014 Location: Southeastern Northumberland County on the north shore of Lake Ontario near the town of Brighton Contact: 613-475-4324 For more: ontarioparks.com/park/presquile

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QUEBECPARC NATIONAL DU MONT-MÉGANTIC

Celebrating its 20th anniversary of operations this year, this continues to be one of the most popular parks in the SEPAQ network and a world-class destination for hiking, diversified lodging and astronomy. It has the first International Dark Sky Reserve set up to protect an endangered natural heritage, and it’s also the only scientific attraction of its kind in Quebec. With three summits over 1,000 m and half of its territory located above 750 m, there’s much to explore.

Seven new EXP. cabins have been added in the Franceville sector; they are fully equipped with hot water, heating, full kitchen, washroom and stove. EXP. cabins have large glass panels and domes that give visitors a sense of living outdoors, as they watch the night sky from bed. There are also 10 backcountry rustic shelters and huts with basic bedding and a fireplace, 10 Ready-to-Camp Huttopia tents equipped with heating, mattresses, stovetop, refrigerator and dishware, plus a multitude of more basic campsites. Three Bienvenue Cyclistes! campsites offer a camping space even without a reservation if you are travelling exclusively by bicycle, a sheltered location where you can eat during bad weather, a pump and tools for making minor repairs, information about local bicycle repair centres, bicycle rental outlets and tourist information offices, and baggage transportation.

The Observatory sector has several high-altitude trails, including 30 km of multi-purpose routes and 20 km of hiking trails over boreal-type terrain, leading to spectacular vantage points at the summits of Mont Mégantic and Mont Saint-Joseph. In this sector there are five new rustic EXP. cabins. For the more ambitious, the Voie Lactée Hut is located at the summit of Mont Mégantic.

Season: Camping closes October 13, 2014 Location: Located near Notre-Dame-des-Bois in the Eastern Townships along the Route des Sommets Contact: 819-888-2941, [email protected] For more: sepaq.com/pq/mme

QUEBECPARC NATIONAL DES GRANDS-JARDINS

The park is located in the natural region of the Laurentian Massif north of Quebec City, where mountains rise to nearly 1,000 metres in altitude. The Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes and Chouenne trails offer breathtaking views in the heart of Gros-Bras Valley, as do two Via Ferrata cliff walks – La Traversée and La Montée.

There are five new EXP. cabins in the park, allowing guests to connect with this very special place in nature while having the comforts of home. These accommodations offer 180-degree views over the Gros-Bras Valley, with access to three hiking trails: Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes, le Pioui and la Chouenne, as well the Via Ferrata activity. Also, the Pied-des-Monts campground now offers nine campsites with electricity, 27 semi-serviced sites and 17 Huttopia tents. The Primitive La Roche campground has 22 campsites, and Étang-Malbaie campground has five campsites. Two Scadinavian-type Pointu huts are accessible by foot only, 18 km from the Visitors Centre. For something unique, the René-Richard Rustic Shelter retains much of its charm and old-fashioned appearance and can accommodate four people.

Besides the Via Ferratas, there are seven different hiking trails to explore, between two kilometres and 10 kilometres long, with some open year-round. Happy Yak meals – pre-packaged, nutritional and lightweight – are available to pre-order or purchase directly at the Visitors Centre before venturing out. .

Season: Camping closes October 12, 2014 Location: Near Saint-Urbain, via Route 381 in the Charlevoix region Contact: 418-439-1227, [email protected] For more: sepaq.com/pq/grj

PARC NATIONAL DES GRANDS-JARDINS


CORNWALL’S WATERFRONT TRAILOTTAWABY ILONA KAUREMSZKYCyclist needing an escape hatch? Fall is a great time to flee the capital region for Cornwall’s Waterfront Trail. While you won’t likely traverse the entire 1,400 km (it starts in Essex North and goes to the Quebec border), roadies often hit the stretch between Ingleside and Long Sault. Hitch the bike onto the car, exit the confines of Ottawa’s busy Bank Street for southbound Highway 31, and in 1.5 hours you’ll be starting your fall weekend cycling escapade. Cornwall’s waterfront is pretty sweet now that an aging bridge has been replaced with one exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.R&R Nightingale B&B (rooms nightly from $55-$80 • 613-537-4427 • nightingale-house.on.ca), a quaint 1880s house, was relocated to Ingleside prior to the St. Lawrence Seaway flooding. It’s full of history, and proprietors Stuart and Lesley O’Gorman want you to feel at home in their three-bedroom, antique-filled property. Breakfast choices are carb-rich for cyclists: from old-fashioned bacon and eggs to Belgian waffles or even Quiche Lorraine. In Cornwall, Chesley’s Inn (weekend room rates $175–$200 • 613- 936-1111 • chesleysinn.ca) has been transformed by a new B&B owner into a classic urban retreat. The stunning Georgian home was formerly a stagecoach stop, and is believed to be Ontario’s oldest operating inn. Themed rooms are elegantly furnished. The Historic Innkeeper’s Quarters, a two-bedroom, self-con-tained apartment, has a private entrance, kitchenette, sitting room, and full ensuite bathroom. Hot breakfasts highlighting seasonal, local products – like homemade waffles and maple syrup, or vegetable frittatas – are served in the dining room. EATUnite for organic gourmet lunches at Love Love Food Café (613-935-3662 • lovelovefood.com). They serve pure and simple comfort food, like a triple-decker bacon grilled-cheese sandwich (special $9.95 with soup or salad) or pulled pork on a bun with a side of slaw ($10.95). Truffles Burger Bar (613-933-9112 • trufflesbgrbar.com) is a love story between people and food. The modern decor, local musicians (Sunday afternoons are reserved for jazz) and a menu that

screams “Meat Heaven” are some of the reasons to drop by. Come hungry – the resto has 40 types of burgers (prices from $7.99). PLAYDownload a trail map from cornwalltourism.com and set your sights on the Cornwall–Long Sault leg – arguably the prettiest. Start the 50-km route from the Tourism Centre (691 Brookdale Ave. • 800-937-4748). Once outside of Cornwall, the road snakes along the St. Lawrence River, passing various towns and criss-crossing the 11 islets. For these 11 km, expect easy, flat terrain. The Long Sault Parkway is shared with cars and has no shoulder, but the rest of the route from Cornwall to Long Sault is on a designated multi-use path. Next, head west following the South Stormont route toward the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where cyclists converge for the fall’s Canada goose migration.

CYCLING IN SIMCOE COUNTYTORONTOBY BRYEN DUNNSimcoe County is located about an hour north of Toronto, and spans across the shores of Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay as part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. Since the terrain is mainly flat with a few rolling hills, the rural roads and dedicated trails are ideal to explore by bike..R&R New this year are the Cycle & Stay (cycleandstaysimcoehuronia.ca) packages. Organized by local Bed & Breakfast owners in the county, they help facilitate lodging, meals and luggage transfers along a chosen route. Riders may also choose from a selection of more formally organized routes, with or without a guide. Orillia’s Forks in the Trail Bed and Breakfast (rooms starting at $135 • 705-487-5723 • forksin-thetrail.com) was one of the first to jump on board, recognizing their ideal location on three of the Simcoe Cycling Road routes. They also offer a variety of off-road mountain biking trails on site, are located near Hardwood Ski and Bike, and have partnered with Ride Guides to offer a selection of day and overnight single-track

SIMCOE COUNTY

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mountain biking packages. For those who enjoy a bit of relaxation after a day on the trails, the owners have installed an indoor sauna, outdoor hot tub and a saltwater pool. Additional activities include cooking and yoga classes. Check out cycleandstaysimcoehuronia.ca for links to other participating B&Bs. EATAlong with accommodations and transfers, there are dining options, attractions and services that cater specifically to the needs of cyclists. Hardwood Ski and Bike (705-487-3775 • hardwoodskiandbike.ca) has a small café that’s open on weekends for hot meals and BBQs (weather permitting), and offers simpler grab-and-go fare during the week. It’s a great spot to munch on a sandwich ($7) and connect with fellow cyclists of all disciplines. If seeking something more substantial after a hard workout, Horseshoe Resort (855-808-4211 • horseshoeresort.com) near Barrie has a few options, from fine dining to cafeteria or café. Carthew Bay Store and Snack Bar (lunches start around $5 • 705-326-3295 • carthewbaygeneralstore.com) is located along the Rail Trail in Orillia, and offers snacks and lunch items to enjoy waterside or to take away as you continue to ride. And they’ve just added Scoops on the Bay to their location, offering delicious ice cream treats from Kawartha Dairy – you’ll have earned it! PLAYROAD CYCLINGCheck out cycleandstaysimcoehuronia.ca for routes that vary in length and difficulty, from the easy, flat Canopy Cruising ride, to the nearly 100-kilometre Hills of Oro-Medonte route that includes a few lengthy climbs. A nice intermediate route would be the 60-kilometre Creemore Beer Run that allows for a stop at the Creemore Springs Brewery. The Simcoe Circle begins in Barrie and loops around Lake Simcoe following secondary shoreline roads, averaging 50 kilometres per day over the course of five days.

MOUNTAIN BIKINGRide Guides (705-241-9938 • rideguides.ca) specialize in mountain biking tours that can meet the needs of novice to expert. Their overnight tours are unique to the region, and they offer skill building for those new to the off-road biking genre.

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Sitting at 2,351 metres atop Mount Pico, the highest point in Portugal, I contemplate a fiery light slowly invading a deep-blue sky. Backlit by the morning star, volcano fumaroles are devilishly dancing on the dark lava.

“You know, you’re incredibly lucky!” says my guide, Sonia Mendes, as the sun’s rays warm up the ambient air. “Most of the time when I make it here with clients, we’re either above or under the clouds, and we rarely see a clear sunrise.”

We started in the wee hours of the morning from the stratovolcano’s visitors centre, nestled below at 1,200 metres. With the vigour of an alpine infantry officer, and the compassion that some athletic people have for fit-wannabes like me, Sonia, a sleek, tall woman from Pico Island, led me to the summit in total darkness. Although I pleaded for a couple of stops,

by 5 a.m. we had ascended the final lava-covered slopes. Going alone, I would most likely have missed some of the post markers on the trail as well as the two-stage show: the orange-popsicle-coloured light rising above the horizon, painting the serrated edge of the 500-metre-wide crater, and, later on, casting a shadow of the volcano’s imposing conical shape on the clouds.

“The worst are rainy and foggy days,” continues Sonia, “Then, trails become extremely slippery and treacherous. Recently, someone got lost in the mist and died.”

I had first heard the name Azores mentioned in weather bulletins. I was intrigued by a place where anticyclones – denoting constant fair weather – are born. When a seafarer friend who had landed there during an Atlantic crossing mentioned that each

island was covered with steep trails, lush forests, pristine waterfalls and ancient calderas circled by footpaths, I knew I had to go.

The adventure began with my partner, Geneviève, 300 kilometres away from Pico, on Flores. Created along with her sister island Corvo by a gigantic submarine volcano, Flores is now included in the UNESCO list of biosphere reserves. With an extremely rugged coastline, the steep land rises from the infinite blue depth of the Atlantic Ocean. Flores is generously covered by green, benefiting from a humid subtropical climate that also allows for the growth of numerous exotic species of flowers – hence its name in Portuguese. With nearly 240 millimetres of precipitation a year, water is abundant and feeds numerous streams and incredible waterfalls, such as Poço da Alagoinha Grande, a series of panoramic cascades falling from 300 metres into a Lost World-like cirque. In the morning, we meet our local host, Marco, at the Hotel Ocidental. The goal is to descend into a more modest cascade, the Ribeira Ilhéus Inferior.

“It’s like the intimate parts,” says Marco, chuckling

FROM WAY UP IN THE SKY, THE AZOREAN ARCHIPELAGO LOOKS LIKE A SMALL FLEET OF SHIPS LOST AT SEA. LYING AT THE EDGE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENTAL PLATE, TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY BETWEEN AMERICA AND AFRICA, THE ISLANDS ARE INDEED AS OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH AS ISLANDS CAN BE.

///GLOBE-TROTTER

BY PATRICE HALLEY

AZORES

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as he skillfully negotiates the many switchbacks climbing up “his” island.

After a safety intro to the sport of canyoning, we are getting ready to rappel 30 metres down from a 300-year-old stone bridge into a dark crevasse, where millenniums of water erosion have carved a steep mountain creek. We are ecstatic, but increasingly nervous: me because of water, my sweetheart because it’s her first rappel.

“Be prepared to be amazed!” calls Marco from the edge, as I drop first in the void.

I have almost no concerns with heights, but I’ve almost drowned twice. So, I am trying to forget that at the bottom I will have to swim 15 metres across a dark, deep pool of water. I focus on the ropes to ignore the challenge awaiting. The waterfall is deafening, but at least the water is not cold. Soon, I swim as calmly as possible across the pool and turn around to look above. The rope is empty and remains immobile. For minutes, nothing happens. I know that even with the double rope, it will take Marco a good deal of his psychological skills training to convince Geneviève that rappelling into her first waterfall will be a safe and pleasurable experience. Eventually, the ropes start to jiggle. A neoprene-covered body is soon dangling above, and minutes later my love, with a big grin of pride on her face, is in my arms.

We continue deeper into the belly of the island, like we’re exploring a docile monster. Swimming on our backs, looking at the distant sky, the sunlight barely reaches us through the vegetation. A tapestry of mosses is covering the canyon walls in a mosaic of hallucinogenic greens. Tree roots desperately fight to find an anchor. Branches and vines intertwine, creating an ephemeral canopy above our heads. We are in another world, where humans rarely step. Three hours and a few waterfall rappels later, we are expelled near the ocean. Our grins could reach both sides of the stream.

With a 53-kilometre coastline, São Jorge, located in the central group of the archipelago, is the second-longest island. The steep and rugged ridge crossing the island lengthwise is dotted on both sides with fajãs. These flat areas were created either by debris accumulation from landslides or from ancient lava flows. Fajãs are iconic, sought-after pieces of land on these mountainous islands. Over the centuries, the supratidal talus platforms became fertile; they were desirable land for agriculture in bygone days, with fields of yams, maize, vegetables, orchards and even coffee. Nowadays, they’re prized for their microclimate and the exceptional peace and beauty they procure.

The Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo was famous for two things: its clams and its surf break. The lagoon is unfortunately contaminated with red algae, but when the break is good, surfers still come from all over – they just don’t feast on clam dinners anymore. We accessed the remote village after a two-and-a-half-hour scenic hike with our guide, Dina Nunes. Dina, along with her partner Jorge Santos, runs a small adventure company that aims at helping people to discover their island more intimately by walking it. The job is a perfect fit for the outgoing, petite athlete;

in addition to guiding, she surfs, runs marathons, mountain-bikes, sea-kayaks, and does yoga.

São Jorge’s footpaths offer a breathtaking experience, and that’s not just a figure of speech! Starting at sea level, the total elevation gain over the first 3.5 kilometres of the Fajã de Santo Cristo path is 752 metres. Thankfully, we start the nine-kilometre linear trail from Serra de Topo, where we descend beside a creek that divides the pastures along the Caldeira de Cima. We end up by the ocean and continue on to Fajã dos Cubres, where Dina has organized a shuttle with her brother-in-law. Family is an important value for Azorean people, and we thanked them for that!

The next day we are hiking again, with Jorge this time. A long-distance runner, his pace is slightly more intense, matching his enthusiasm for his homeland. Jorge is so keen that he would like us to experience all the trails in one day, and by the time we make it back to Calheta, it’s 10 o’clock. We manage to find an open restaurant to enjoy a plate of grilled cod, bacalhau, with a splendid white wine from Pico, a neighbouring island.

In the morning, we catch the ferry from São Jorge to Pico. I am getting ready to climb the highest point in Portugal, which happens to be a little more than 1,600 kilometres away from the mainland. As we are gliding across the channel, I wonder about the same crossing on a stand-up paddleboard, imagining an ultimate day of happiness.

Later, I will learn from Luis Melo, my guide on São Miguel Island, that there is in fact such a race. “It takes a little more than two and a half hours for the best athletes for the journey, often in the company of numerous dolphins or the odd sea turtle,” he explains.

Luis has made the SUP journey in a respectable three hours, but my time with him on São Miguel, the largest and most populated island of the archipelago, will be spent on a mountain bike. Dotted with dramatic lake-filled calderas and cinder cones created over millions of years, São Miguel can’t deny its volcanic past. It was mainly low-level eruptions from 270 volcanoes that eventually joined the Sete Cidades and the Agua de Pau massifs, creating the island that covers 760 square kilometres.

In the morning I get acquainted with Luis, who brings my bike to my hotel. We’d briefly met upon my arrival from Canada, exchanging a handshake when he picked up my ride, still packed in its soft bag, to put in storage. Now, the adventure is ready to begin. We’ll be joined by another rider, Carlos Dos Santos, and for an entire week we’ll carve epic turns into all the ridges and single-track we find worthy on São Miguel. And believe me, there are plenty! Sublime days may seem like a rarity in life, but after two weeks in the Azores, I’m realizing that here, they come like a wave train.

Whether you’re a sailor, an adventurer or simply a traveller, if you make it to the Azores by sheer luck, accident or because you have planned your journey well, be prepared to be amazed.

PLAN AHEADThe Azores are widely recognized for their numerous outdoor possibilities. If you are into hiking, mountain biking, trail running, sea kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddling, paragliding, snorkelling, diving or canyoning – to name a few – you will find an event or a friendly, knowledgeable outfitter to show you the nooks and crannies of “his” or “her” island. If you decide to go, don’t miss out on enjoying local cheeses, wine from Pico and fresh fish – all for a fraction of what we pay at home.TOURISM AZORES: visitazores.comHIKING TRAILS IN THE AZORES: trails.visitazores.com/en CANYONING IN FLORES WITH MARCO MELO: westcanyon.net WHALE WATCHING IN PICO: espacotalassa.comSTAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING IN SAN MIGUEL: saojorge2pico.comPARAGLIDING AZORES: Contact Paulo Luis Rego at [email protected] MOUNT PICO: I highly recommend Sónia Mendes as a guide, who can be contacted through Facebook.WHALE WATCHING IN PICO: espacotalassa.comHIKING SAO MIGUEL: Connect with Jorge Santos or Dina Nunes (both speak excellent English) by searching for Discover Experience Açores on Facebook. MOUNTAIN BIKING IN SAN MIGUEL: Connect with Carlos Dos Santos by searching for Bike Safari Tour on Facebook. Bike Safari Tours: bikesafaritour.comFLIGHTS: Sata (sata.pt), the Azorean airline, offers direct seasonal flights from Canada, with departures from Toronto and Montreal. All other flights are with a connection through mainland Portugal or European countries.

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FASHION MEETS FUNCTION

STOP THE INTERNAL DEBATE: THIS FALL YOU CAN CHOOSE GEAR THAT BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN OUTDOORS-WORTHY AND STYLISH. HERE, WE PRESENT GEAR FOR HIM AND HER WHERE FASHION MEETS FUNCTION – FASHION-FORWARD CLOTHING THAT HAS ALL THE BENEFITS OF TECHNICAL MATERIALS AND FEATURES.

PANDRA PONTE DRESSWho says you have to leave your dress at home on your next outing? Mountain Hardwear’s Pandra Ponte Dress sacrifices nothing in the style department and won’t feel out of place in the outdoors. It’s made with a wool-poly blend that will act like a warm hug on cool fall evenings, while its Wick.Q technology ensures you’re cool and dry during the day. Two side pockets add a dash of practicality. Pair it with leggings or forego the encumbrance of pants to better enjoy the open air. MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR, Pandra Ponte Dress | $120 | moutainhardwear.com

CIARAKeep your arms free and your core warm. Aventura’s Ciara vest provides that versatile piece you can quickly grab when you’re running out the door and purposely pack for your weekend getaway. The vest is made from eco-friendly modal and cotton, with added nylon to give you a little extra stretch. AVENTURA, Ciara | $145 | aventuraclothing.com

PEARL LACEThese boots were made for walking... and jumping through puddles. Bogs delivers their first collection of leather boots for men and women – all waterproof in typical Bogs fashion. The Pearl Lace is a spunky boot that pairs with leggings, a skirt or those chunky wool socks you love to wear. Or try the Pearl Tall when you’re heading out in a sweater and skinny jeans. No matter your choice, know that your feet will remain dry while their DuraFresh technology fights off any unpleasant odours. BOGS, Pearl Lace | Lace $130 | bogsfootwear.com

BY TRAVIS PERSAUD

HERS

LUCKYTry Dahlgren’s Lucky Knee-High Socks for a soothing touch and a funky look. Using an alpaca/merino blend, these socks incorporate Dri-Stride technology – natural and synthetic materials strategically placed to transfer moisture to dry areas for quick evaporation – with a colourful pattern that will make your legs pop. These are great while you’re moving quickly, and feel even better when you slip them on after a long day out. DAHLGREN, Lucky Knee-High Socks | $24 | dahlgrenfootwear.com


CASPERIf sweats are your thing for late evening, then it’s time to ditch those hideous elasticized pants for something a little more refined. Prana’s Casper delivers a fashionable spin on the classic sweatpant, with French terry and organically grown cotton. They feel oh-so-good, you’ll likely keep them on for your morning jog or yoga class. PRANA, Casper | $74 | prana.com

JASPERWinnipeg’s Freed & Freed International, after uncovering a wealth of Old English tweed in their factory, reintroduces their brand with a new lineup – aptly titled FREED. Jasper is one of our favourites on the men’s side of the collection. It’s a sophisticated blazer-length, single-breasted jacket that’s balanced with technical materials – wool bonded with a waterproof and breathable TPU membrane, down-filled – to work for your well-being during the fall chill.FREED, Jasper | $595 | freedandfreed.com

ANATOMICAFashionable choices aren’t always seen – at least at first. Take Icebreaker’s Anatomica Boxers with Fly Stripe, for example. Merino wool? Heck, yes. The blend is so soft and snug, you’ll be surprised at how rarely you’ll need to readjust. Plus, it ensures an optimal temperature that cuts down on unpleasant perspiration. And when things do get toasty, it’s breathing with you to let the moisture out. ICEBREAKER, Anatomica | $45 | icebreaker.com

HIS JOTUN REVERSIBLE JACKET

Helly Hansen has been crafting gear for the high seas and mountaintops for more than a century – and has figured out how to infuse a high level of fashion-forward ideas along the way. Take the Jotun Reversible Jacket. On one side is chic checked flannel, allowing you to wear it as you would a shirt. On the other, water-resistant fabric lets you keep out the wet, cold weather, offering you a piece that works for anytime this fall. HELLY HANSEN, Jotun Reversible Jacket | $160 | hellyhansen.com

SLIM FIT AUTHENTIC JEANSIf you’re still hanging onto your ’90s-era, grunge-influenced denim, then it’s probably time to upgrade to something a little more rugged and “in.” Eddie Bauer’s Slim Fit Authentic Jeans use midweight denim and are handcrafted, so no two pairs are the same. They’re ideal for the drive toward your destination or for around the fire when your technical gear is drying out and taking a rest.EDDIE BAUER, Slim Fit Authentic Jeans | $70 | eddiebauer.com


KEEPING IT DRYIf you’ve ever had a map disintegrate on you due to bad weather, you know that panic that can ensue when you are nowhere near home base and your map is getting increasingly fragile. The new HP Waterproof Map Case from SealLine will ensure this never happens again. The tough urethane material will hold up for any kind of adventure with excellent visibility, and a roll-down closure system makes it a breeze to access your map or documents when you need them. It comes in three sizes (S, M, L) and features an adjustable neck strap and lash points for mounting. SEALLINE, HP Waterproof Map Case | $27.95 | seallinegear.com

SHARING YOUR ADVENTURESIf in addition to wanting accurate stats for your outdoor pursuits you also want your friends and family to be able to relive your journey from home, check out the new Suunto Ambit3 Peak. Released this September, it’s the latest addition to the popular Ambit collection. With a 50-hour battery life, the Ambit3 features include GPS, compass, altitude, temperature, speed, pace and distance, as well as sport-specific tools for cycling and swimming. Compatible with iPhone and iPad, the Ambit syncs with all of Suunto’s apps, like Movescount, which allows you to turn your route into a 3D movie for replaying and sharing..SUUNTO, Ambit3 Peak | $500 | suunto.com

GOING OFF THE GRID Is there anything the inReach Explorer can’t do to help you plan and execute your next adventure? This rugged and waterproof device allows you to map out your route, create waypoints and navigate on land or water. Share updates with your friends and family by notifying them of your GPS location or by sending up to 160-character text messages to any phone or email address, even when out of cellular service. The Explorer weighs only 190 g and has a 100-hour battery life, so you can wander with confidence knowing that it will keep you on track.INREACH, Explorer | $439 | inreachcanada.com

Staying FoundBY SALLY HEATH

There once was a time when wandering off trail or exploring untouched wilderness was only reserved for those who could adjust their compass declination blindfolded. With the range of navigation devices on the market today, there is no adventure too remote to attempt safely (although you still need to know how to use your gadgets). We’ve surveyed the field for a wide range of both low- and high-tech options to help you stay found.


SPINNING THE DIAL For old-school orienteers, there is nothing more satisfying than finding a route with a map and compass. (And in case that GPS battery dies, it’s always wise to have a backup plan.) Silva has recently released the Polaris 177, a compass that ups the ante for precision navigation. Featuring a clear baseplate with meridian lines and a brightly coloured dial, adjustable declination and two-degree gradations, the Polaris 177 offers great value and is an essential tool for any outdoor enthusiast. You’ll want in your pack (or in your hand) at all times.SILVA COMPASS, Polaris Hi-Vis | $17 | silvacompass.com

KEEPING IT SIMPLEBack before there were apps, there were maps. Those who prefer to keep things simple still have lots of options today, thanks to Backroad Mapbooks. The TOPO maps series is well-suited to longer adventures where map detail (maps start at 1:60,000) may not be as important as the big picture. Printed on water-resistant material, TOPO maps are available for all of Ontario and across other regions of Canada. Considered to be the most up-to-date topographic maps in the country, they include more trails than any other map source, including ATV and snowmobile trail systems as well as backcountry campsites and paddling routes, with access points and portages. BACKROAD MAPBOOKS, TOPO Series | $12.95 | backroadmapbooks.org

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS If you consider your smartphone your adventure sidekick, make it pull its weight by adding the Spyglass app. An “augmented reality” GPS navigation tool, Spyglass overlays all of the navigational information you need overtop of photos or maps, allows you to set location coordinates and waypoints and helps you find your way to them using its digital compass. And while you’re at it, you can also save, track and share your speed, altitude and route, as well as take photos of memorable locations and overlay them with relevant data. For just a few bucks, what have you got to lose? Spyglass App | $3.99 | happymagenta.com

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MYOSTATIN: Saving Your MusclesBY SHELAGH MCNALLY

No one can escape it. We can slow it down or try to manage it, but we can’t avoid it. As we age, our muscle fibres undergo biochemical changes: Fat begins to replace lean mass, causing muscles to visibly atrophy. The majority of us reach peak muscle mass in our early forties, and then begin a steady decline. By 80, about 30 percent of our muscle will be gone. Those with a sedentary lifestyle can expect to lose up to 50 percent.

Extreme muscle wasting can tip you into sarcopenia, a condition where the progressive reduction of muscle creates a dramatic decline in strength. Sarcopenia creates symptoms associated with old age: weakened arms and legs, a loss of speed and balance, reduced activity and a softer body, often plagued with chronic conditions. Sarcopenia appears to be an intermediate step to insulin-resistance and diabetes, as well as a fundamental component of the frailty syndrome – a rapid and catastrophic decline of overall health. Frailty syndrome turns functioning older adults into invalids who can’t live independently. Sarcopenic obesity can also show up, when muscle disappears yet the person continues to put on weight. Currently, treatment for sarcopenia consists of strength training and resistance

exercise, combined with a balanced diet high in protein. Researchers want something better – they want to stop muscle wasting altogether. Myostatin suppression may be the key.

Myostatin is part of the growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily, a group of proteins that help control the growth and development of tissues throughout the body. It is found almost exclusively in skeletal muscle cells, and stops muscles from growing too large. Blocking or even reducing myostatin levels seems to keep the body on fat-burning mode, allowing muscles to gain strength and size.

The myostatin connection was first noticed in the late 1990s by researchers at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. They discovered a mutated myostatin gene in Belgian Blue cattle, famous for their double-muscled appearance and lean meat. Belgian Blues have the ability to easily convert food into lean muscle. The Johns Hopkins team was able to recreate the same effect in mice by deactivating their myostatin gene. The mice bulked up by 25 to 50 percent.

MYOSTATIN SUPPRESSION MAY BE KEY TO SLOWING OR EVEN REVERSING MUSCLE LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH AGING.

THE UNDIAGNOSED EPIDEMICSarcopenia has been described as the undiagnosed epidemic. Both the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the EU put in in their top five worldwide health risks. Yet the medical profession is still deciding if sarcopenia is a disease, a syndrome or simply a side effect of aging. Since there isn’t a general consensus, it remains hard to diagnose. Muscle quality and functional abilities also play a key role in a diagnosis, along with the amount of muscle loss. Estimates are that 10–20 percent of people between the ages of 60 to 70, and 50 percent of those over 70, are suffering from the condition. Add to that thousands of younger people already exhibiting pre-sarcopenia (thanks to our couch-potato lifestyle) and this could easily turn into an epidemic.

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MYOSTATIN: Saving Your MusclesBY SHELAGH MCNALLY

While it happens naturally in cows and some breeds of whippets, myostatin mutation is an extremely rare condition in humans. The first case was documented in 2004 with a German boy, born in 2000. At four years old, the boy had muscles twice the size of other kids his age, and half the body fat. He could hold seven-pound weights with his arms extended. DNA testing showed he had a myostatin mutation. Liam Hoekstra was diagnosed with the same gene mutation in 2008 as a toddler. He, too, was exceptionally strong, with 40 percent more muscle mass and almost no body fat. Both boys produce little or no functional myostatin. At the same time, researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that exceptionally frail elderly women have the highest levels of myostatin.

After the Johns Hopkins scientists reversed age-related muscle loss in mice using a short-term myostatin inhibitor, there were high hopes this would be a cure for sarcopenia, muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting conditions.

Initial results were enough to pique the interest of the pharmaceutical companies. Around 2005, they started investing heavily in myostatin inhibitors. However, myostatin remains a mystery. In 2013, the pharmaceutical companies Acceleron and Shire shelved their ACE-031 myostatin inhibitor. Results in the first test group were promising: 48 healthy women aged from 45–75 were each given a single injection of ACE-031, based on their body weight. Their lean-body mass was boosted and a 3-mg/kg dose saw an increase in muscle volume of five percent. It wasn’t long before generic copies of ACE-031 cropped up in gyms across North America as a magic bullet for weightlifters and bodybuilders. Unfortunately, the results were short-lived, and ACE-031 presented some disturbing side effects.

The original test group began experiencing a sudden and unexplained drop in FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which is related to the functions of ovaries and fertility. A test group of kids with muscular dystrophy developed nosebleeds, bleeding gums and dilated blood vessels. While not life-threatening, the reactions were serious enough for ACE-031 to be pulled. Stamulumab (MYO-029), developed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (now owned by Pfizer), was also pulled after disappointing results from the Phase 2 trials. Both compounds continue to be peddled in bodybuilding circles, despite their obvious lack of efficacy.

The buzz on myostatin remains strong enough that the World Anti-Doping Agency has put any type of myostatin inhibitor (working or not) on their banned-substances list. Think of the Olympic records that could be shattered with athletes carrying 40 percent more muscle than their competitors.

We may still see a myostatin cure for muscle wasting. Pfizer continues to invest in myostatin research. Should Johns Hopkins get their current ACVR2B compound to work (and to market), Pfizer will be sharing the profits with them.

For now, turning back time and stopping muscles from ageing remains an elusive promise. Diet and exercise remain our best tools in the fight to stay strong and healthy.

THE UNDIAGNOSED EPIDEMICSarcopenia has been described as the undiagnosed epidemic. Both the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the EU put in in their top five worldwide health risks. Yet the medical profession is still deciding if sarcopenia is a disease, a syndrome or simply a side effect of aging. Since there isn’t a general consensus, it remains hard to diagnose. Muscle quality and functional abilities also play a key role in a diagnosis, along with the amount of muscle loss. Estimates are that 10–20 percent of people between the ages of 60 to 70, and 50 percent of those over 70, are suffering from the condition. Add to that thousands of younger people already exhibiting pre-sarcopenia (thanks to our couch-potato lifestyle) and this could easily turn into an epidemic.

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PROM... ON THE KILIMANJARO!Initially, there were about 75 kids that wanted to occupy one of the 25 spots available for this incredible trip organized by Dominic Marsan, one of the teachers at Collège Sainte-Anne de

Lachine in Montreal. “It was difficult to choose. They were all super-motivated! This is also why we took a few more kids than expected,” says Marsan. It took two years of preparation for

these 26 young novices to develop the necessary foundation for such a journey:

building fires, sleeping in a tent and lean-to, cooking outdoors, climbing New Hampshire’s

Mount Lafayette, enduring many sessions running up the stairs of the college, and finally

climbing Mount Washington in winter. No wonder that once in Africa, the group quickly adapted

to the climate and long days of hiking. Ultimately, the whole group reached the top,

and they had a blast doing it.– Christian Levesque, Editor and photographer

THE TOOLS: Nikon Coolpix AW110, ISO 125, F/3.9, 1/200 second

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Adventura / Fall 2014

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Transcript of Adventura / Fall 2014