Hiking Challenges for Cape Breton Highlands in 2011
A tough year ahead for hiking boots
The year 2011 can be declared the year of hiking challenges in the Cape Breton Highlands. Here are just a few below :
1) The Cape Breton Highlands National Park celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2011 has issued a 75 km hiking challenge from May to October. You cannot hike on the same trail more than once.
2) The 2nd annual Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge is back in 2011 on July 16th. Teams of 4 our are are required to hike 3 mountains in one day. The 3 peaks in 2011 are Franey, Roberts Mountain and Acadien. Only 15 teams can register.
3) Hike Nova Scotia has a new hiker distance award program patterned off the Hike the Highlands festival but longer distances spread out over a year – 150, 250 and 500 km.
4) And finally the Hike the Highlands Festival Hiker Distance award program, now in its third year – 25, 50 and 100 km to be completed during the festival – Sept. 9-18, 2011.
We should be in great shape for the winter for snowshoeing, cross country skiing and other winter sports. Maybe Santa will bring us a new pair of hiking boots for Christmas and the 2012 hiking season.