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There is too much to say and too many pictures to tell the story of this cool snowshoeing and rock-and ice climbing destination. But here's a hint. I like it. It has made the snowshoeing trails in Quebec's Gatineau Park, and the National Capital Region of Canada seem so boring and tame. Montagne d'Argent (10 minutes north of Mont Tremblant off Hwy 117) is part of the Laurentians (French: Laurentides), an awesomely beautiful mountain range in southern Quebec, Canada, north of the St. Lawrence River and Ottawa River. So, it's not really fair to compare flat forest trails and hills to mountains. But your mind will do it anyway! They say Montagne d'Argent (Silver Mountain) is a jewel, discovered and developed for outdoor recreation by climbers. I'll agree. It's a jewel. If you're bored to death of those tromped down walk-in-the park snowshoe trails you find in so many urban areas, you may want to give Montagne d'Argent a try for a great moun...

A few snowshoe buddies and I came across an odd, deserted winter camp in Gatineau Park over the weekend, which was blessed with perfect winter weather - fresh snow, sunshine, and cold. And finally, no rain or freezing rain! "It looks like Armageddon! What happened here?"  A few snow-entrenched fire pits smoked . There were odd rows of six foot long trenches in the snow, 4 or 5 big snow domes with sticks and small shovels poking out of them, and camping gear strewn about. "Hey, anybody in there!?" There was no answer. All the winter campers were off playing in the woods somewhere. "What the heck are these man-made things?" Then, I remembered a group of 10 snowshoers with heavily-loaded backpacks and shovels that we crossed paths with as we headed out and up a trail for a day snowshoe around Lac Philippe. They were heading back from a winter camping trip. All were smiling. I asked, "Are you happy to be getting out of here and ba...

While most of us turn back on steep mountain snowshoe trails covered in ice and slippery rock after last week's big melt with lots of rain, freezing rain, and then sudden freeze (and rightly so to turn back), the ice climbers are out in force at Montagne d'Argent (Parc d'Escalade et de Randonnée de la Montagne d'Argent), in La Conception, Quebec, Canada, 10 minutes north of Tremblant. They like ice!  It's ice pic and crampon weather. And the climbers are well-equipped with helmets, harnesses, and ropes. There's natural ice and man-made ice to climb at this internationally known climbing mountain. I'll never understand why they do this, but it's interesting to watch.     Montagne d'Argent is also a great snowshoe spot when there's lots of snow, especially if you like a bit of a challenge and to hang onto a few ropes tied to trees as you make your way up and down some of the steeper trails. Timing is everything. Later, I'll post abo...

You and your kayak . . . or one you borrowed for kayak camping. It's bigger than your tent. I hope so, or the tent won't fit in one of the hatches. The places you take it. The places it takes you. It's pretty amazing. The memories last forever. And . . . after a trip, we forget about all the work it was to get there, to plan and pack, and other stuff like bugs or things that bug you. A great place to be . . . is a place you can take a kayak. Happy trip planning! Winter is a great time to plan or take off on a trip. The BaffinPaddler

Snowga! When we reached the La Roche lookout overlooking Lac Monroe in Mont Tremblant National Park (Parc National du Mont Tremblant) after an hour and a half trek up the La Roche Trail in snowshoes, I said, "I'm going to do a little yoga up here." A small group of snowshoers from New York State in the U.S. were up there too having a lunch break. They laughed, "Yoga in snowshoes?" It's a funny joke, right. But I wasn't kidding. It is possible to strike a few yoga poses without removing the snowshoes. But, when it's -16 to -19 Celsius, the cameraman has to snap quickly before the fingers and the camera lens and battery freezes. It's awesome! Doing yoga in the snow. It's called  Snowga . You can do some yoga poses in snowshoes and on skis, depending on the pose. Choose wisely so you don't slip and pull a muscle. The combination of snow, the great outdoors, and yoga are powerful complements for body, mind, and soul. I love my s...

Freakin' cold! Minus 12 degrees Celsius, but spared by good gear and the trees in Gatineau Park from light wind. Cold temps makes for slow classic skiing in groomed tracks - like skiing on sandpaper, even with glide wax, but the skate skiers are always happy. They move faster and don't get face slapped by low-hanging snow-laden trees and debris that falls on the sidelines into our groomed tracks. Especially around Lac Philippe. The ungroomed trails look like this . . . an interesting change.  Maybe better to snowshoe in some parts - and stay off closed trails. Then, off to Renaud day cabin to heat up a grilled cheese on the wood stove and sip on a thermos of hot chai tea with honey, and throw another log on the fire. A setting sun on the way back is pretty sweet in the Gatineau Hills, as we passed by several happy overnight campers in the park's cabins and yurts around Lac Philippe enjoying a very white holiday season. There's a lot more snow on the wa...

Just in time for Christmas. It will be white. We have our first big snowstorm in the National Capital Region of Canada bringing us 30 centimeters of snow today. It's time to snowshoe before anyone else gets out on the trails and packs them down. We can cross-country ski a bit on a few trails in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada. But for now, I love my snowshoes! These are great conditions for snowshoeing, but not for driving and traveling until the storm is over. Enjoy your own backyard for hours! Happy trails! The BaffinPaddler