Travel and places

Stories

Skills and tips

Gear

Community news

Activities

Outdoor Tips, Tricks, Inspiration and Activities | MEC Blog

Late October and early November often signal the start of Canadian winter (the solstice is a bit behind), and for the Greater Toronto Area surf community, this time of year boasts the biggest and best waves.

“I always tell people that surfing on the lakes makes you a better surfer,” says Antonio Lennert, founder of Surf the Greats, an MEC Outdoor Nation collaborator organization. “Most of the time our waves are messy and hard to catch, but they do clean up nicely and stack up just like the ocean when the conditions are right.”

The local surf season starts in the fall and goes all the way to the spring. Fall through winter generates the biggest, most consistent waves. “The best time to surf in Toronto is during the winter when the big snowstorms come. When Ashbridges Bay works it gets really good – it’s pretty cool to be able to see the CN Tower while you’re riding a wave,” he beams. “Scarborough Bluffs has a few different breaks suitable for surfers ranging from beginner to advanced. Come fall and winter, some of those spots hold pretty big waves that look and feel just like the ocean, plus you get the natural beauty of the bluffs in the background.”



So if you’re ready to come out of Lake Ontario with icicles dripping from your wetsuit… how do you know when to head out in the first place?

“As most people have seen, the lakes are usually flat,” he explains. “Our swells are often short-lived since they only last as long as the storm system moving through the area.” Antonio credits strong winds as a result of low pressure systems blowing for at least 5 hours for generating 2–3-ft waves. “When [the winds] are blowing consistently from the same direction, they push water, which creates small waves that grow larger the further they travel.”

Other wave-making factors include the depth and size of the lake, as well as air and water temperature. As Antonio explains, the colder the air and water, the least amount of wind is needed to generate waves. “That’s one of the reasons why Lake Ontario goes flat during the summer months,” he clarifies. “However, Lake Erie is the shallowest lake, which is why we can surf there during the summer.”

As hurricanes roll through the Atlantic Ocean in the fall, weather systems move through the Great Lakes, and with water and air temperatures cooling, waves start rolling in to Toronto’s shoreline on nearly a weekly basis. “As winter approaches and air temperatures go below freezing, the water temperature stays just over zero … allowing us to surf sizable waves with very little wind.”



Antonio runs Surf the Greats’ wave forecasting workshops (sometimes held at MEC stores), which give newbies and experienced surfers a wealth of information and tools to surf the Great Lakes. They include further science behind wave formation, how to understand weather maps and charts, apps to use, and even an intro to established local surf spots.

For Antonio, safety and self-rescue go foot-in-leash with chasing waves. “Having the proper equipment is rule number one. If you are a beginner, we recommend a soft top board and a warm [wetsuit](/en/products/watersports/watersports-clothing/wetsuits/c/1043?filters%5Bcustom_fields.ideal%20for%5D%5B0%5D=surfing) (think 6mm thick). And understanding the conditions is key. We have different types of currents on the Great Lakes and knowing how to avoid and get out of them is very important.” Some of the area’s best surf breaks have tricky entry points and rocky bottoms, so choosing a spot you’re comfortable with is paramount to staying safe. “Never surf alone,” he says, adding that the beaches aren’t supervised in the colder months. “Go with a friend and paddle out where there are other surfers.”

The changing nature of the Great Lakes is something Antonio has come to live for, and hopes to expose more Toronto-area residents to it over the years. “They can go from completely flat to having 6-foot waves breaking in just a few hours and then stop completely shortly after. It makes the chase very rewarding.”

*Photos by [Lucas Murnaghan](https://www.instagram.com/lucasmurnaghan/).*

*Want to try surfing? Check out **MEC Outdoor Nation** and* [*Surf the Greats*](http://surfthegreats.org/) *for the latest events, and don’t forget to tag your freshwater Instagram pics with* [**#myhomewaters**](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/myhomewaters/) *to help protect Canada’s waterways.*



Tips on when and where to surf in Ontario from Surf the Greats. This Toronto-based organization aims to share the stoke for surfing in the Great Lakes, including spots like Scarborough Bluffs and Ashbridges Bay.

Ontario's Surf the Greats: winter wave forecasting | MEC Blog

Surf the Greats: catching winter waves

Chances are, throughout your workday, your left brain does a lot of heavy lifting. You’re setting realistic goals, coming up with unique strategies, and finding logical ways to see your plans through. And if you’re someone who loves the outdoors, you’re likely intermittently daydreaming about your next getaway. That’s when your right brain takes over. This is your free spirit side, full of imagination, keen to seek out sensory experiences, get moving, tap into your feelings and express yourself.

Everyone has a dominant side, and while right-brained types are usually considered more naturally creative, the difference between right- and left-brained is in the approach. Lefties see details first and piece them together to form a larger picture, while righties use visual reference and see a whole before working into the finer details. So, even if you may not consider yourself a “creative person,” you’re actually already tapping into your more expressive hemisphere when you’re out hiking, taking in a meteor shower, or trying not to trip on tree roots on a trail run.

MEC’s Digital Asset Administrator [Jessa Gilbert](http://www.jessagilbert.com/) is a sterling example of letting your creativity flow outside. The New York native moved to Vancouver in 2013 and has been on a constant mission to meld her love of activity with her desire to explore outside, one that saw her transition from figurative painter to landscape artist.



“This place is magic,” says Jessa. “I take my studio outside into the wilderness, bringing along my sketchbook, watercolour paper, pens, brushes – the whole gamut, just on a smaller scale – and try to replicate the feelings and the sentiments of either getting to a peak or being within the environment.” When Jessa gets back into the studio, she works with acrylic paint at a larger scale. “I think about how I show the passing of time on a two-dimensional plane; how I take the trip at large and create something that speaks to how it was, or how we look at the environment around us.”

Another crew taking the studio outside is one of MEC Outdoor Nation’s newest Toronto-based collaborators (they were granted $5000 at the 2016 Think Outside Summit). Outdoor Studio is all about getting young urban creatives outside and connected to nature – the group links interested parties up with wilderness guides, outdoor instructors and creative mentors on multi-day trips and excursions. The studio is run by four creatives with a passion for getting outside: graphic designers Franziska Brand and Sarah Paul, visual artist Sarah Carlson, and advertising and marketing specialist Cherie Tsang.



“Making typically happens in a four-walled studio or in front of a computer screen. As a result, many creatives are unfamiliar with the outdoors and simply don’t have the knowledge to go out and explore on their own,” explains Sarah Carlson. “The great irony is, a desire to be connected to the land is a narrative woven through the creative histories of art, design and film. Outdoor Studio is a space that allows creatives time to meditate, explore and physically reconnect to natural spaces.”

Ready to join Jessa and Outdoor Studio and let your right brain take the reins? Here’s how to get outside and start making:

#### 1. Let go of your work zone
Being creatives themselves, Outdoor Studio was finding their colleagues don’t get outside as much because of a production-focused mentality, project deadlines and a pressure to rise to the top in increasingly competitive fields. “It’s important to merge creativity and recreation because they feed into each other,” explains Sarah Carlson. “Creative blocks are challenging, and it’s important to take a breather and step outside of your work zone to recharge,” adds Cherie.

By getting outside solo, or with groups like Outdoor Studio, you’re fueling your creativity, networking with like-minded people and adding a transitionary layer to your personal practice and artistic work flow.

#### 2. Make it part of your process
“If recreation is defined as what we do when we’re not working, then we absolutely need recreation to fuel our work,” says Cherie. For Outdoor Studio’s artist mentor, Sarah Carlson, recharging outdoors is central to prepping for her next big project or exhibition. She frequents artist residencies in highly natural settings such as Algonquin Park and the Yukon.

#### 3. Tap in to your senses
“I find clouds have such personality, they have this pulsing liveliness, and sometimes they really open up for you,” says Jessa. “I usually look far in the distance so I can see everything.” Here, she details more of her thought process when she’s in making-mode:



#### 4. Streamline your pack list
No matter what you’re doing out in the wild, some practical items should be a given: a [sturdy pack](/en/products/packs-and-bags) with a [rain cover](/en/products/packs-and-bags/pack-accessories/rain-covers-and-pack-liners), a [hydration bladder](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/packs/hydration-packs-and-accessories) (your cap can be helpful with watercolours), a [headlamp](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/headlamps-and-lighting/headlamps) if you want to keep at it after dusk, and a warm jacket like the MEC Boundary Light Down Jacket ([men's](/en/product/6015-540/boundary-light-down-jacket) and [women's](/en/product/6019-623/boundary-light-down-jacket)).

Carry a sketchbook (you can even get [waterproof ones](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/tools-and-accessories/notebooks-and-pens)), a couple of pens and a pencil (in the winter your ink may freeze). If drawing isn’t your jam, then bring any materials that allow you to explore and make in the wild. Outdoor Studio suggests watercolours, pastels, carving tools and a camera.



“I bring a what is basically a [travel pouch](/en/products/packs-and-bags/luggage/travel-pouches-and-packing-organizers/c/1354) with a couple brushes, pens, a pencil, a couple sketchbooks and a disposable film camera,” says Jessa. “Plus secret items like sparklers to mix it up and keep things light.” She also recommends making sure your watercolour set is non-toxic (acrylics are not compatible with Mother Nature), using a mechanical pencil so you don’t have to worry about a sharpener, and grabbing a Moleskine notebook for dry days. “The elastic band keeps the notebook closed and the pouch in the back can hold small drawings,” she says.

#### 5. Get ready to learn
“[Being outside] has taught me to be grateful for the environment I live in,” says Jessa. “Sitting there and really being patient and taking the time to actually *look*. So often we interpret things through our smartphones and devices – we’re just snapping an image and moving on, and I think its important slow things down, appreciate what’s around you and just wait. See what the clouds do, see how the colours change, think about how the environment feels and affects you. It’s also great for keeping your hand-eye coordination going.”

#### 6. Leave your insecurities at the door
Don’t worry about making things perfect. Everybody was an amateur at some point in their life, but it’s through the struggle of making that you find change and growth.

“When people say ‘I can’t paint’ or ‘I can’t draw’ or ‘I don’t know how to look at art,’ – it’s really just about letting go,” explains Jessa. “The way you experience and interpret it is totally authentic. It’s not about how you relate to anyone else’s skill or what’s good or bad. If you’re out there and you want to be creative, you should just do it. There’s no reason not to.”

She adds that it’s important to acknowledge that you even *have* the opportunity to be creative. “It’s freeing to just try to play. Doodle and have some fun; keep it light. You don’t start out creating masterpieces, you start small and build.”



Feel like you can’t put a view into words? Make outdoor art instead. Get tips and inspiration from artist Jessa Gilbert, who brings her studio into BC’s backcountry, and Outdoor Studio, a Toronto-based crew of creators.

How to do anything: Make art in the wild | MEC Blog

How to do anything: make art in the wild

Not so long ago, Anna Pearson woke up at 2:45am, walked 8km up to Cascade Lookout in Manning Park, BC, and watched the sun slowly creep up from behind the mountains, turning the sky shades of gold, rose and powder blue. There’s no doubt that morning’s sunrise meant something special to all 50 strangers who witnessed it as a part of MEC Outdoor Nation and [Chasing Sunrise](/en/article/chasing-sunrise-36-hours-in-the-unknown)’s [Chasecamp](/en/article/chasing-sunrise-36-hours-in-the-unknown) weekend, but for Anna, it meant something different.

As she later recapped on her personal blog, [*Daily Insanity*](https://www.dailyinsanitycollective.com/blog-1), “… taking on new adventures, meeting new people and exploring the world … was my way of showing the monsters that lived inside my head that I was in control of my life and that they would never be able to stop me from pursuing my happiness.”

The Ottawa-based McGill University grad has spent the past five years coming to terms with her clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder, following what Anna describes as a breakdown and emergency situation over a summer during university. Now, with a healthy routine in place, she bravely chronicles her thoughts on relapse, remission and therapy on the blog, and touches often on a core part of her daily practice: exercise and outdoor activity. “I’ve been doing ballet since I was 4 years old, but I kind of stopped when I went to school,” she says. “Now, being active is hugely important to my daily routine – hiking absolutely has its advantages. My friends say they’ve never seen me so happy.”



It’s a lesson those involved in Canadian charity [Jack.org](https://www.jack.org/) know well. Alexis Lahorra and Jacob Halloran are young leaders with the organization, and help start conversations to end the silence around mental health issues. “I wish people knew that we all have mental health,” says Alexis. “Although 1 in 5 young people will live with a mental illness in their lifetime, 5 in 5 of us have mental health and we all need to care for it.” It’s a sentiment that Jacob echoes. “Just like our physical health, our mental health can fluctuate from well to unwell,” he says. “I’d love for everyone to know that it’s okay to fluctuate across this spectrum.”

Truly, the two go hand in hand. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the [Canadian Mental Health Association](http://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/connection-between-mental-and-physical-health/) describe mental and physical health as “fundamentally linked,” further noting that key aspects of prevention of poor mental health include “increasing physical activity, access to nutritious foods … and fostering social inclusion and social support.” A recent [Stanford University](http://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/) study also found quantifiable evidence that “walking in nature could lead to a lower risk of depression.”

For Alexis, who has faced depression and anxiety as a result of cyberbullying, being outdoors not only decreases her stress levels, but ups her overall happiness. “There is something so soothing and relaxing about being around trees, mountains and fresh air,” says the Montreal resident. “I like to bring a journal with me. I use that time to disconnect, reflect and enjoy the moment.”

Jacob is adamant that people should not have to suffer in silence because of the stigma that surrounds mental health and mental illness, and sees himself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. “Love is love, and health is health,” he states. As a marathon runner based in Halifax, he sees activity as his go-to for mental health self-care. “I love distance running because it offers me a chance to lose myself in the moment and let go of daily stresses. Spending time outside helps me keep my life in perspective.”



Youth from Jack.org’s national network recently met with their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Victoria, BC, while the couple was on their second Canadian tour; an event that will surely help quell lingering public stigma about mental health.

Continuing the discussion is something that is vitally important to Alexis, Jacob and Anna. “I always knew I wanted to share [my story],” says Anna, who first divulged her personal experience in a McGill student publication before starting her blog. “Total strangers wrote to me, sharing similar stories,” she says. It’s something that happens more frequently now as a result of *Daily Insanity*. “It’s not always about giving advice,” she says of being there for strangers. “I just try and listen and be there as a support. I let them drive the conversation.”

One piece of advice Anna is quick to give, however, is not to introduce activity at a vulnerable time. She admits to initially taking up running as a coping mechanism for her depression and anxiety, eventually developing an eating disorder and an injury. She suggests recreational group activities as a first step because they come with built-in community and support. “When you recover from a downward spiral,” says Anna, “you realize all the little things you take for granted, and the outdoors has a way of really highlighting that.”



Having recently reconnected with a friend from high school who had reached out and said she’d faced similar struggles, the two are back from a hiking and camping trip through Lake Louise, Banff and Field. At home, she donates her time as a karma yogi at her local studio and gets outside often at Gatineau Park, which she calls a hidden gem. The active moments afford her the clarity she needs to see her mental health clearly. “It makes me think about what matters,” she says. “What I really want.”

*MEC was proud to provide youth mental health organization* [***Jack.org***](http://jack.org) – and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – with [***MEC Alpine Ally***](/en/product/5042-392/Alpine-Ally-Jacket) and [***Hydrofoil***](/en/product/5053-812/Hydrofoil-Stretch-Jacket)* jackets for an official Royal Tour event in Victoria Harbour, BC.

*Top photo credit: [Ivan Calderon](http://www.ivancalderonphotography.com/).*

Forget the 6-pack – being active has serious benefits for your mental health. Anna Pearson and Jack.org's Alexis Lahorra and Jacob Halloran share their personal stories.

Why being active outdoors matters more than ever | MEC Blog

Why being active outdoors matters more than ever

Whether you’re an avid kayaker, a Great Lakes surfing newbie, or a hiker who just likes a good lake dip, freshwater is no doubt an important part of your outdoor life. MEC thinks so too, which is why we’ve invested approximately $2 million in freshwater issues since 2010, and launched our Homewaters campaign in 2014 to draw more attention to Canada’s diverse bodies of water. After all, Canada has one-fifth of the world’s freshwater, and our rivers make up 25 major watersheds.

While awareness is important, we know MEC members are people who like to take action, so here’s a list of 10 ways for you to protect the spots where you love to swim, paddle, surf and play.

#### 1. Hashtag #myhomewaters
Tag your freshwater photo with [#myhomewaters](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/myhomewaters/) to share your love for local waters with the MEC community. It can be anything from SUP fun and canoe trips to creek crossings and lake swimming – or even ice climbing.

#### 2. Donate what you can
Support the [Canadian Freshwater Alliance](http://www.freshwateralliance.ca/) – an emerging initiative working to unite, train and mobilize a new community in hopes of restoring and protecting Canada’s waters – with a [donation](https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1453&AID=503&PID=2983). Your gift helps keep our waterways clean and accessible for future generations.

#### 3. Identify your water footprint
Beyond drinking, bathing and playing, there are a lot of areas our water use stretches. Consider this: just one cotton t-shirt can require up to 2700 litres of water to be produced. Get tips on [how to reduce your water footprint](http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/freshwater/waterfootprint.cfm) and buy from brands and companies who are [actively working](/en/explore/sustainability-innovation) to reduce theirs. (MEC is a great place to start.)



#### 4. Suit up for watersports
Swimmers, surfers and paddlers can gear up for a good cause. For each [MEC Homewaters](/en/search/?text=homewaters) rashguard or pair of boardshorts sold, MEC will donate $2 to the Canadian Freshwater Alliance to support freshwater organizations across Canada.

#### 5. Leave no trace
Who wouldn’t want to leave our great outdoors – including lakes, rivers and creeks – in the best shape possible? Follow the [Leave No Trace principles](http://www.leavenotrace.ca/principles) to recreate, travel and tour responsibly.

#### 6. Take a workshop
Do a little digging to find a great group around you who is all about waves, water and ways to protect it. Start with MEC Outdoor Nation collaborators [Surf the Greats](http://surfthegreats.org/collections/surfaris), who run shoreline clean ups and wave forecasting workshops out of the Toronto area.

#### 7. Join your cottage association
If you’re lucky enough to have a family cottage, go the extra step and be the voice for the placid lake your sweet little cabin is sitting on. Docks, boating and even wind-blown picnic stuff from summer barbecues can have an effect on your spot.

#### 8. Volunteer
There are those who say and those who do. If you’re a doer, we suggest joining forces with any of these amazing organizations:

- [Our Living Waters](http://www.ourlivingwaters.ca/)
- [Canadian Freshwater Alliance](http://www.freshwateralliance.ca/)
- [Conservation Council of New Brunswick](http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/)
- [Ecology Action Centre](https://www.ecologyaction.ca/)
- [Fraser River Keeper](http://www.fraserriverkeeper.ca/)
- [Lake Ontario Waterkeeper](http://www.waterkeeper.ca/)
- [Lake Winnipeg Foundation](http://www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/)
- [Ottawa Riverkeeper](http://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/)
- [Polis Water Sustainability Project](http://www.poliswaterproject.org/)
- [The WaterWealth Project](http://www.waterwealthproject.com/)
- [Tides Canada](http://tidescanada.org/)
- [WWF-Canada](http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/freshwater/)

#### 


#### 9. Join a clean up
Last year the [Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup](http://shorelinecleanup.ca/en) pulled 37,769 plastic bottles from waterways around the country – 19,260 from Ontario alone. Join Canucks from around the country zeroing in on their favourite water sites to help keep their homewaters clean.

#### 10. Tell your story
Did you grow up swimming in Windermere Lake, Rice Lake or Lake Ouareau? Love to surf Lake Ontario or paddle whitewater rivers like MEC Ambassador [Kalob Grady](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByUmSs4h_vU&list=PLiGBs8TAKXgN5A4xc9tAmOtV1FPjaqbFM&index=13)? Submit your unique water story to the [Watermark Project](https://www.watermarkproject.ca/), a collection of personal stories from across Canada.

*For more information on the state of Canada’s freshwater bodies, check out WWF Canada’s [Watershed Reports](http://watershedreports.wwf.ca/#intro).*

*Top image photo credit: Eli Landesberg*



Have a river, lake or shoreline you love to play in? Find out how to protect freshwater near your home, from quick hashtags to organized beach clean ups.

10 ways to protect your fave paddle, surf or swim spot

“You hear us talk about it all the time, but this is really about just making it count – and that’s going to mean something totally different to each of you.” Ally Pintucci, one fourth of Vancouver-based crew [Chasing Sunrise](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/chasing-sunrise-adventures-vancouver) (CS) has the undivided attention of 50 strangers who, just two hours earlier, checked in at the parking lot of MEC headquarters in Vancouver and boarded a bus into the unknown.

A few weeks earlier Ally and CS co-founders Gordon Swenson, Julian DeSchutter and Taylor Smith had the difficult task of choosing 50 participants from over 2000 applicants to come on an all-expenses paid mystery weekend care of [MEC Outdoor Nation](https://outdoornation.mec.ca/en/), [BC Parks](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/) and Chasing Sunrise (plus other fantastic sponsors). Now at an empty campsite in [E.C. Manning Park](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ecmanning/), BC – celebrating its 75th anniversary this year – the group still had no idea what was going on.

“There’s a lot more to life than being in your 9 to 5 routine,” Ally tells the crowd. “None of us play nearly as much as we should. That’s why we’re here this weekend – to live in the moment and remember how to be a kid again. Welcome to [ChaseCamp 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuJWCpP7hU)!”



While cheers and claps erupt, there are a few stunned and hesitant faces in the crowd. One camper displaying a mix of surprise and delight is Gurjeet Singh. A first generation Canadian, Gurjeet is now the general manager of his parent’s 23-year-old fabric business. While he’s an avid hiker, he’s never been camping before, but the CS crew made the weekend a first-timer’s dream. Fifteen MEC tents have been pitched and stocked with MEC sleeping bags and pads. At a neighbouring log shelter adorned with a “CHASECAMP” banner, fresh, healthy lunch from Whole Foods is already being prepared by Kyle Friesen and Laura Rosset of Paleo food delivery company Fuel Your Fire (vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian and gluten-free options, too). In the centre of the tent city, a MEC Outdoor Nation lounge is decked out with chairs, tables and lanterns. Between two perfectly gapped trees, four hammocks are slung in a bunk-like fashion. Parallel to a path that leads to the water’s edge, there’s a semi-taut slackline. Down at Lightning Lake a pile of floaty toys wait for a dip.

“I’ve never slept in a tent before in my life,” admits Gurjeet. “I didn’t know what that little inflatable thing underneath was, but the guys I was rooming with told me to blow into it and after a couple breaths it was done. I put it down, laid on it and was like ‘this is really comfortable.’”



The weekend starts to unfold with an epic rock-paper-scissors icebreaker game where each defeated camper has to cheer on the victor in their next battle. At the end, the motley crew of 21 to 43 year-olds are shouting through wide smiles. While they run the gamut from hyper-passionate outdoorsy types to those who have never camped before, like Gurjeet, they all have one thing in common: they agreed to go on a 36-hour adventure without a clue of what that adventure was – but Ally is keen to fill them in. An afternoon of Ultimate Frisbee, California kickball, dinner and s’mores around the fire will polish off their Saturday. Gurjeet is all over it. “You see it in the movies and you see it on TV and I’ve always wanted to go,” he says. “But being the son of an immigrant family, camping didn’t make sense to them. I haven’t had the chance to go due to school and work, but it’s what I hoped it would be – good times around the campfire, chilling by a body of water, some physical activities and having heart-to-hearts with people, in this case total strangers.”



Those total strangers have become fast friends within only a few short hours. They are travellers, plumbers, parents, resource ecologists, entrepreneurs, students, environmental scientists and self-described vagabonds, among others. They wanted in and they got it everything that came with it, including a 2:45am wake-up call from the CS crew.

Headlamps flicker through the trees on Sunday morning. Following a fresh juice and energy bar snack courtesy of Body Energy Club, everyone piles in for a short bus ride to start an 8km hike up to Cascade Lookout. Kyle and Laura are cooking bacon, eggs and hashbrowns at the top, plus brewing pots from Salt Spring Coffee – a sweet relief that no one seems to be able to put into words. As the sun crests over the mountains, lighting the sky up in shades of pink, orange and gold, the new friends hug, cuddle for warmth and pose for photos. This moment is not only the CS namesake, it’s their signature, and it’s that intangible thing that makes everyone in their community feel connected, even if it’s only over Instagram.

> “There’s something really special about catching a sunrise,” explains Ally. “It’s different from sunset because sunset is common for people; it’s easily accessible. Sunrise, however, is usually planned out and taken in alone, especially when you’re forcing yourself to peel your eyes open at the craziest of hours to catch it.”
>


The significance of the moment is not lost of Gurjeet. Later, as his buds are napping in the sun beside the lake, he reflects on the personal weight of the weekend. “My parents came from India in the 80s. We didn’t have any family here or grandparents to rely on so after school I’d go to the store. It’s a respect thing too,” he says. “Your parents did this for you – left a place where they were settled, came to a new country and started a business to give you a better life. When I saw the CS posting, I knew I had to apply. I feel like if I didn’t come out I’d be squandering the opportunity that they moved here to give me.”

For the class of [Chasecamp 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuJWCpP7hU), their opportunity and sunrise reflection came with rad extras that elevated the whole camp experience – using a [Lifestraw](/en/product/6018-750/personal-water-filter-straw?colour=dark+mountain+gray) bottle to drink right from the lake (something Gurjeet says his Mom has always told him specifically not to do), snacking on healthy bars from [Vega](https://myvega.com/) between kickball games, dancing around the campfire to Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers and not worrying about missing a moment because the entire weekend was being recorded for them by a bevy of talented photographers, videographers and staff from Hitcase.

“There are some things I didn’t know until now,” says Gurjeet. “I definitely burnt my first two marshmallows trying to make s’mores. There’s a technique to getting it right. I know now what to wear and not wear – long sleeves once the sun goes down and flip flops for comfort.”

As the group took down tents and packed their stuff to board the bus back, the gratitude for the experience was on the face of every camper. “I don’t know how any other camping experience is going to compare,” Gurjeet sighs.



The beauty of the Chasecamp weekend was that everyone who went was so willing to step outside their comfort zone. A lack of knowledge and community are big barriers for people wanting to trying something like camping, but groups across the country like Chasing Sunrise are making it happen – taking strangers into the wild and up mountains in the middle of the night so they can witness the beauty of nature one mystery weekend at a time.



For Gurjeet Singh, camping was just a cool thing he saw on TV. Then Chasing Sunrise and MEC Outdoor Nation took him on a 36-hour adventure into the woods.

36 hours in the unknown: one first-time camper's eye-opening experience

Chasing Sunrise: 36 hours in the unknown

Ah, the Great White North. Not just a hilarious 80s SCTV skit featuring everyone’s favourite hosers (Bob and Doug McKenzie), but also a land of endless snow. Our vast Canadian landscape is home to over 40 resorts, all dedicated to fulfilling the downhill desires of generations of ski bums. With many hills now open for the winter season, what better time to reminisce about the roots of our riding addictions? We’ve rounded up a sweet collection of vintage photos from some local resorts. Take off, eh!

##### Blue Mountain Resort, Ontario


## More ski articles
- [Why wool is great for your active wardrobe](/en/explore/wool-garments-for-the-outdoors)


23 vintage Canadian ski photos | MEC Blog

23 vintage Canadian ski photos

MEC works with a group of athletes who inspire people, strive to innovate, and set benchmarks within their field. As a member of the [Ambassador program](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors), Jim embodies these values and in 2014, completed an incredible achievement by setting the record for running the entire length of the Bruce Trail. While doing it, he raised nearly $2500 for [Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society](http://www.cpaws.org/) (CPAWS).

It took him 10 days, 13 hours and 57 minutes to run all 855 km of the trail, shattering the previous record by nearly 2 full days.

Here are some excerpts from the captain’s log he kept and posted along the way:

### Captain’s log, Bruce Trail run, 3.5 days in
I’m stopping to take a little break so I thought I’d share a few thoughts and points about the first three and a half days on the trail.

- The terrain on the first day was so challenging that I was actually cursing the earth for forging such awe inspiring geological landscapes. The earth and I have since come to peace.
- Yesterday, along a muddy section of trail, I was literally running in the fresh footprints of a bear.
- No matter how tired I feel, I’m still pretty fast with the right motivation.
- Three small vertical lines on the Bruce Trail maps basically mean: hey dumbass, that’s a sheer cliff, please don’t plummet to your death.
- When tripping over rocks and roots and such, try and find a soft part of the world to land on.
- I found an enchanted forest, and I think there may have been trolls and Pixies and things in there.
- I’ve been singing to myself a lot… I’ve realized I don’t actually know the full lyrics to many songs, so I’ve been making up my own.
- I think I can I think I can I think I can.



### Captain’s log, Bruce Trail Run day 10.5 (mission complete)
- That was *!@#%$* hard.
- I strained my Achilles tendon with 75km to go, and I averaged about 14 swear words a minute afterwards trying to run on it… you do the math.
- With a piercing war cry, and a mighty punch at the air, I was only a few short kilometres from the finish… *insert screeching tire sound here*… but then my light went out, I got lost in the woods, had to scrabble down a cliff and my crew had to pick me up.
- Reset.
- New light, back on track; with a war whisper, a half-hearted swipe at the air, I shuffled off to the finish.
- Thank you to every single one of you who supported me in any way!
- This was never about just breaking the record; this was about doing something that scared me.



Congratulations on your achievements, Jim! The amount of training and hard work you put in to complete your goal is incredibly inspiring. By making it a DIY MEC Big Wild Challenge, you have enriched MEC’s long-standing partnership with CPAWS, where both organizations constantly look for ways to conserve the wild places where we adventure.

Learn more about Jim’s successful Big Wild Challenge and new Bruce Trail record:

- Canadian Running Magazine Article: [Cancer Survivor Jim Willet Breaks Bruce Trail Record](http://runningmagazine.ca/cancer-jim-willett-survivor-breaks-bruce-trail-record/)

Follow Jim on social media:

- Instagram: [@TheOptimismRevolution](https://www.instagram.com/optimismninja/)
- Twitter: [@OptimismNinja](https://twitter.com/OptimismNinja)
- Facebook: [The Optimism Revolution](https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Optimism-Revolution/155904444501553)
- Blog: [Run Jimmi Run ](http://runjimmirun.blogspot.ca/)



Jim Willett's record run of the Bruce Trail | MEC Blog

Jim Willett's record run of the Bruce Trail

Jim is a runner, an optimism ninja, a cancer warrior, and an adventurist. Essentially, he is a man who understands the nature of a challenge.

His 2014 challenge – a Big Wild Challenge – was running the Bruce Trail end to end, all 885 kilometres of it, in a single push, setting a speed record on the way and raising $4 per kilometre to support wilderness conservation.

We asked him to help break it down so we could wrap our minds around the scale of this project.

##### As an ultra-distance racer, have you done anything comparable to this run?
I have done week-long races, but nothing quite as large as this. To run this kind of distance for this many days in a row … well, there aren’t many people around who have. That makes me feel both excited and a little freaked out.



##### Does the Bruce Trail have any particular challenges or hazards?
The trail runs along the Niagara Escarpment so there’ll be a lot of short steep climbs and descents, which are not only tough on the legs, but can be worse on the feet – in terms of blisters. And it’s fairly technical and rocky in spots, particularly towards the north end. Even just hiking some of these sections can be tough, so running them could be insane.

There’s also something to be said for the motivation you can get from being in a race. In ultras, the field of competitors is usually pretty small so you do spend a lot of time on your own. And I’m used to doing the majority of my training alone as well. So the solo aspect doesn’t faze me. But, I’ll miss having competitors on the trail.

##### Do you have a specific training plan in place for this run?
I’ve never been one to follow a structured training routine. Probably not the best approach for an ultra runner, but it’s what works for me. And there is progression in my training, but it’s more of a guideline than a plan. I’ve really just learned to listen to my body and base my training on that.



##### Can you share some optimism ninja wisdom with us?
I’ve come to the realization that this journey isn’t about becoming anything … I think it’s more about “un-becoming” the things I’m not. Stripping away the preconceived notions and labels of the person I thought I was so I can become the person I was meant to be.

What I’ve learned about being positive is that the more you do it the better you get at it. Just like most things in life. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy, but it’s necessary if you want to complete any kind of goal.



##### Why is wilderness conservation important to you?
I could go on all day about this one. I could talk about our responsibilities, both as a society and individuals. Or, about how grateful we should be to live in a place like Canada, with so much to offer us. But aside from that it’s freaking amazing. When I went through the cancer stuff; surgeries and chemotherapy, it was the doctors and nurses who helped to heal my body, but it was running and nature that helped to heal my soul. That’s the kind of power it has on us.

##### Does anything kick your ass?
I have no doubt the Bruce Trail will kick my ass … over and over again. As have most of the races I’ve done. As did the surgeries and chemo. But without the adversity and struggles we wouldn’t get the opportunity to grow. Or, be given the choice to get back up when life knocks us down. And we wouldn’t know how strong we really were or what we’re capable of achieving. Personally, I know I can take an ass kicking, pick myself up, and keep moving forward.

*A Big Wild Challenge is about pushing your own limits and doing something that matters to you. They all happen outside and they support wilderness conservation in Canada.*



MEC Blog