January 2024
Happy new year, everyone. Let's start out on the right foot - and what better way than with the best hiking club in Toronto!
Here's what you'll find in our newsletter this month:
- Winter hiking 101: I know, it's looking awfully green out there, but the snow is going to come. Prepare yourself with these excellent tips.
- Nominate a volunteer: A club this good doesn't thrive without the effort of amazing volunteers. I'll bet you know someone worthy of being honoured.
- Humans of the Bruce Trail: This month we feature trail maintenance captain Badar Bashir, who says he's been hiking the Bruce Trail with his kids ever since he moved to Canada.
- Save the date for the AGM: You don't want to miss it, and we don't want to miss you. April 21, 2024 - make sure it's saved in your calendar.
- Fundraiser badge update: Our members are getting behind this new beautiful badge. Turns out that hikers are also enjoying the series hikes that have evolved.
- BTC Pride Badge: Here's a great way to promote inclusivity in our club - sport a pride badge on your backpack.
- Terra Cotta Bridge closure: If you're hiking here, you'll need to know about a temporary - unmarked - detour due to construction from Jan 2 to April 1.
- Family Day snowshoe weekend: The legacy of Greg Vincent lives on, with this weekend excursion in Tobermory that explores trails in the National Park.
- Mark your Calendars: Start the year right with a New Year's Hike. And then there's more, including, on Jan 28, the first in a series of 10 family hikes that let kids and parents earn badges in Dufferin Hi-Lands.
Happy January, everyone.
One more thing: You have a few more days to get a 2023 tax receipt for becoming a member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Why not do it now? Your receipt includes the full cost of membership, for you and your family.
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Winter Hiking 101 - Tips To Enjoy the Trails In Cooler Temps
With winter weather coming soon, our Hike Director Tom Swales and Veteran Hike Leader Alina Lin provided some good tips to help you enjoy cool weather hiking. Their Zoom seminar was held Dec. 7 for a group of 30 participants who signed up. We are sharing some of their wisdom from the talk here:
Group Hikes
- Going with a group is safer in the winter
- Hike Leaders know the area (e.g. terrain, history)
- The Club has over 50 certified hike leaders and in 2023 have hosted over 330 hikes including 160+ car hikes, 130+ Urban Walks, and 30+ bus hikes & coach trips
- Choose between bus hikes, car hikes, urban walks or coach trips from 120+ hikes every month posted on https://hikes.brucetrail.org/
- Social factor – hikes often stop for refreshments after
Winter Coach Program
- January-March program with luxury coach bus (11 trips, 9 resorts)
- Easy access at York Mills subway or pick-up at Hwy 400 & Major Mackenzie Avenue in Vaughan
- Go to Bruce Trail, Nordic ski resorts, or provincial parks for X-country ski, snowshoe or icer hikes
- Info on the program available on website here.
Dress in Layers
- Fleece, shell, insulated outer layer, and adjust as to your needs
- Avoid cotton, choose synthetics and wool
- Bring poles, icers (for traction) and gaiters to keep snow out
- Water resistant gloves and sunglasses/sunscreen
Backpack Items
- Get the right-sized backpack with back and hip support
- Take food, snacks and water
- Extra socks and waterproof jacket
- First aid and navigation (map, compass, BT app)
- Flashlight and emergency blanket, whistle
Our Toronto Section Winter Badge
- Club has a winter badge if you complete your E2E from Dec – March
- Must complete all of the main trail in Toronto Section (50 km)
- Can be done over several weeks, on your own, or
- Check hike registration if a hike leader has scheduled a winter E2E
- Info on the badge can be found here.
You can find more tips on winter hiking on our website. If you have a question, email us: info@torontobrucetrailclub.org
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Nominate a worthy volunteer who has contributed to our Club’s success
 As we finish up 2023, it is time to think about nominating a worthy club member for a volunteer award. Submissions are due end of February but don't wait till then. Check out the nomination process and use our easy online nomination form.
The Nina Carlisle Award is given to a longstanding volunteer (at least five years) who is actively involved in the activities of the Toronto Bruce Trail Club. Such volunteering could be in the areas of trail maintenance, hike leading, social event planning, communications, administrative tasks, fund raising and Board service. The award is not restricted to any one volunteer specialty.
The Todd Bardes Award is given annually to outstanding persons who have made significant volunteer contributions to the TBTC in the prior year or two. Such volunteering could in in the areas of trail maintenance, hike leading, social event planning, communications, administrative tasks, fundraising and Board service. The award is not restricted to any one volunteer specialty.
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Humans of the Bruce Trail - - featuring Badar Bashir
 On a regular basis, we will introduce you to members of the Club. We are, after all, humans of the Bruce Trail, joined by our love of the outdoors, and hiking. This month we introduce you to Badar Bashir, a trail maintenance captain for the Toronto club’s Great Esker Trail.
Where do you live?
Mississauga
Why did you join the Toronto Bruce Trail Club?
I have been hiking Bruce Trail, along with my kids, pretty much since I moved to Canada. Hiking the Bruce trail, I realized there is so much effort that goes into managing this beautiful trail. I wanted to be part of an organization and wonderful team of volunteers that gives back so much and takes care of nature without expecting anything in return.
Most memorable outdoor experience?
Every camping, canoeing, backpacking experience in beautiful Ontario is memorable. It is hard to pinpoint just one. All camping and backpacking trips with family and friends continue to add to my bank of memories. Frontenac backpacking and backcountry canoe trips are some of my favorites.
Favourite words to live by?
To God we belong, to him we all return.
Hobbies and interests?
Anything to do with outdoors – sign me up! Also, wood carving and leather craft.
Most admired person and why?
Prophet Muhammad is the person I admire most. He’s the last messenger of Allah that continues to be a beacon of hope and light to the entire humanity, until the end of time. His teachings continue to inspire people to be resilient, empathetic, compassionate, and kind to all beings.
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Save that Date! The Toronto Club’s AGM Sunday, April 21, 2024
 The Toronto Club will be welcoming members back to another live event at the Kortright Centre on Sunday April 21, 2024. We know you won’t want to miss it! The theme for our A.G.M. is ‘A Sense of Belonging’.
The AGM offers an opportunity to hike before the meeting, learn about Club activities, hear from our dynamic guest speaker (see below) see old friends and make new ones, ask questions, explore volunteer opportunities, and wander the grounds of the lovely Kortright Centre.
After the morning hikes, a full lunch is offered. Check-in is at 11:00 a.m. with lunch at 11:45 a.m. Then you’ll proceed to the auditorium at 1 p.m. for the Annual Meeting.
Guest Speaker Shimeem Al-Ayash - A Sense of Belonging
Shimeem Al-Ayash is the Volunteer and Outreach Assistant at the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC). As part of the Community Engagement team at the BTC, Shimeem works with all nine Bruce Trail Clubs to raise awareness about the Bruce Trail, encourage support for and participation in the BTC, and develop new initiatives to reach new audiences. Shimeem chairs the BTC’s inter-Club committee for Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). At our A.G.M, Shimeem will explore what it means to foster a sense of belonging as it relates to the Bruce Trail, drawing from her personal experiences as a newcomer to Canada and her professional roles both at the Bruce Trail Conservancy and throughout her career.
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- advertisement -
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Fundraiser Badge Proves Popular with Hikers
 This past year, Toronto Bruce Trail Club members have had several opportunities to earn the new "Limehouse Stone Bridge" Fundraiser Toronto E2E badge on group hikes. This included a series of bus hikes led by Tom Swales in which hikers could earn the badge through four moderate-paced hikes of no more than 15 km each. The series allowed hikers without a car, as well as those who preferred a shorter distance per day, to earn the badge and support the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
Watch the hike calendar in 2024 for Bus Hike series covering the Caledon and Dufferin Hi-Land sections.
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Did you know that you can request a BTC pride badge? The badge is free, but supplies are limited. You can apply for the badge by filling in the application here. |
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Terra Cotta CVC Bridge Closure Beginning Jan. 2 – Notice
A portion of the Bruce Trail within the Terra Cotta Conservation Area will be temporarily closed for the duration of the Rogers Creek bridge reconstruction that is being undertaken by Credit Valley Conservation. The anticipated duration of this closure will span from January 2, 2024 through to April 1, 2024.
Northbound visitors who wish to thru-hike can follow the 5.5 km unmarked detour as illustrated on the map below by following 10th Line eastbound (Credit Valley Footpath), Sideroad 27, southbound briefly on 6th Line West, northbound briefly on King Street (Regional Road 19), and northbound on Brick Lane, then following the Terra Cotta Side Trail westbound to meet up with the main Bruce Trail at the northern terminus of the temporary trail closure. Southbound hikers can follow the same detour as described, but in reverse. Please respect the landowner’s wishes by not trespassing during the closure period.
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Family Day Snowshoe Weekend in Tobermory: Feb 16-19, 2024
 Jeanette Vincent, David Royle, and Brenda Menezes will continue the tradition of Greg Vincent's Family Day Snowshoe Weekend in Tobermory. Celebrate with a weekend trip snowshoeing the trails of the National Park at the “Tip o’ the Bruce”, Tobermory.
Pace: Moderate Terrain: Variable.
As hikers we are versatile: whatever the weather will be at this time, we will be out on the trails! This area is picturesque in every season, especially our glorious winters!
We arrive Friday, February 16th and will spend three nights at the Tobermory Princess Hotel in Tobermory, 34 Bay Street South overlooking Little Tub Harbour. (Note: The outing is restricted to those staying and having their meals with us at the Princess Hotel in Tobermory for the weekend.)
Please email Jeanette vincentjeanette1604@gmail.com for the Princess Hotel package price for the weekend and additional information. You are responsible for your own transportation to Tobermory. If you plan to join us, use the online promo code vinfeb24 or call the Princess for a reservation 1-519-596-8282 or email info@tobermoryprincesshotel.com and mention Vincent/Royle Winter Snowshoe weekend when booking. Once you have made your reservation, be sure to register for this event on the Toronto Bruce Trail Club hike schedule. Please email Jeanette once you are registered and made your reservation.
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Mark your calendars
Selected car hikes
Jan 13: Mono Cliffs
Jan 27: Rouge National Park
Jan 28: Dufferin-Hi-lands Youth badge and/or Side Trails Badge (Hike #1 of 10)
Selected Urban Walks
Jan 1: Leslie Spit (Tommy Thompson Park)
Jan 20: Scarborough History Walk
Winter Coach Program:
Jan 6: Arrow Head Provincial Park
Jan 13: Highlands-Nordic (Duntroon)
Jan 20: Wasaga Beach
Jan 27: Scenic Caves
Also:
Feb 16-19: Family Day weekend in Tobermory
April 21: AGM at Kortright
For the latest in all our hikes (bus hikes, car hikes, urban hikes and coach hikes), check the Hiking Calendar.
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