Uli’s Stairs pt.2

I’ve mentioned these before.

Possibly my favourite thing in Hamilton.

I’ve been there a bunch of times since I posted those photos (6 years ago already - yikes), but hadn’t bothered taking any more.

Took some friends and their kids there on Sunday. A few changes, but still the awe-inspiring combo of an amazing feat of one (in his 70’s [!] )man’s ingenuity and hard work, and a beautiful natural area.

When I take my millions, and build the giant theme park of my dreams, it will feature stairs like this leading up to all sorts of magical sites.

Uli has added his own whimsical sign to the official legalese sign.

The lookout as you walk up.

The lookout.

Top of the stairs.

And Uli’s warning sign at the top.

The reward at the top. The Red Hill Valley.

The Niagara Escarpment.

And then I was dropped back off close to home.

Bruce Trail Hike August 5

Went and explored a local section of the Bruce Trail, that for some inexplicable reason have only ever been on once. A long time ago. From Highway 6 towards Waterdown. Friends Michelle and Amanda came down from Toronto. Not too long of a hike, but time spent in the woods is always good in my books. And it was an opportunity to try out my new pack, the Squish’mups. Stay tuned for an update on it.

One side and the other of the underpass beneath Hwy. 6. Big improvement. Before you had the choice of trying to run across the highway and dodge traffic or make a long detour.

One of the first things you come across is the ruins of a homesteaders cabin. Not sure how old it is.

Some scenes in the woods.

A quarry has been turned into a managed wetland area.

Amanda and I in the underpass. (Photo by Michelle M.)

Barefoot Hiking (Involuntarily)

Well that was one of my more adventurous hikes.

My dear friend Michelle came down from Toronto to go for a hike. Decided to wander along the north shore of Cootes Paradise.

Opted to wear my old Bates M-6 boots. I think about 8 or 9 years old by this point. I’ve been really happy with them, and they’ve seen a lot of clicks. They’ve largely been relegated to back up duty, but decided to wear them today.

(The aforementioned boots about 5 years ago.)

Lake Ontario is at its highest level in a century. Several wooden board walks sink a bit when you walk on them, getting them wet. Couple that with old foam, some steep inclines and declines, I started to notice that they weren’t doing so well. By the halfway point it was obvious they were completely disintegrating. To the point of the whole bottom on the left one coming right off. The right one was well on its way to being there.

I’m usually always really prepared on hikes. On longer trips I’ll have a pair of paddling shoes for wear around camp or for crossing streams. Usually have a repair kit. Today? “Meh. Casual hike, not too far from home. I’ll be fine.”

So...opted just to ditch the boots altogether and walked back to the car barefoot. (Not before saving the laces though, since they were fantastic.)

Kinda sucked, those little pebbles especially. But there was a margin of grass at the edge of the trails that made it doable. Just shy of 2½ kilometers.

Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.

I know what I’ll be buying with my next pay cheque.

Around The Bay Race

I took part in the Around The Bay Race for the first time today. (Which is the oldest road race in North America.)

Participated as a member the team my company, FellFab, sent to take part. We were only doing the 5 km option, rather than the 30 km option. (I had originally hoped to ruck the 30 km part, but there’s no way I could finish it before they packed it all in and left.) Running sucks when you’re my height and weight, but I opted to walk it carrying a rucksack, and decided I would at least do it twice.

Loaded up my Kifaru ZXR with just shy of 40 kg (87 lbs.) 

Not bad considering I didn’t run and carried a pack that weighed more than some of the adult participants. Off for round 2.

Second round took me just over 49 minutes. My hips are going to be sore tomorrow.

Finished 1773rd out of 2869 participants for the 5 km race. My gender place is 763 out of 1131. My pace was 8:51 a kilometre. 

So, for a guy almost a half century old, walking rather than running, and carrying between a third and half his body weight – not too shabby. I suspect I was also one of the few, maybe the only one, who did the 5 km twice, and certainly the only one who rucked it.

I did it for the fun of it, the camaraderie of doing it with my colleagues, the exercise, but also to help raise money for St. Joseph Hospital here in Hamilton, if you’d like to sponsor me, you can do so at the link below. I, and the people your generosity will help, thank you.
http://support.stjoesfoundation.ca/site/TR/Events/2017ATB?px=1108756&pg=personal&fr_id=1081#.WM_RwVUrKUk

Dundas Valley Hike

Met up with some friends for a wander in the Dundas Valley this past week. Gorgeous day, lovely scenery, terrific company, delicious treats – what more could a boy want?

The walk in to meet up with everyone.

Merrick Orchard.

Some of the scenes along the Main Loop.

I’ll let the sign do the talking.

One of my very favourite things in Hamilton. The diorama of the Dundas Valley and its watershed. Press the buttons along the bottom and the various trails light up.

Passed Sherman Falls on the walk home.

And what I schlepped that day.