89 days into 2025

March 29

winter recap & summer planning 101🏔️☀️

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It's that time of year where we can start to pack away our winter clothing and get excited for a summer of outdoor adventures! I'll share with you today what I have planned for this summer and how I go about planning my summer hiking and camping trips. But first some winter updates as we've had some incredible winter adventures this year.

To start, I've snowshoed the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, which takes you across Lake Louise and beyond. This is a great snowshoe trail with incredible views! If you're a beginner, I recommend just snowshoeing across the lake and back. Another highlight was snowshoeing up to Chester Lake which has a bit more elevation but is still fairly beginner friendly. If you're looking to learn more about snowshoeing in the Rockies then I recommend this awesome book by Andrew Nugara. Almost every other weekend has been spent at Nakiska snowboarding or skating at some of our favourite lakes.

Next, let's move onto summer planning. Through trial and error I've learned what works best for me when it comes to planning summer outdoor adventures. Personally, I find alternating 2 weekends per month to be a good balance. More tends to be a little overwhelming with all the packing, unpacking, laundry and prepping for the work week every single weekend. Less than that and I get camping fomo.

I try to capitalize on long weekends or booking off the occasional Monday and Friday. Then, I do some research on the parks and trails I have on my bucket list for the summer. I like to research trip reports to get other hikers accounts of the trail condition at different times throughout the hiking season. Then, I select the time that is most suitable for myself or my groups abilities. If the trip requires advance booking then I mark on my calendar the opening day for registration and try to get the exact dates and location I was planning for. If it's a competitive location then I will have back-up dates in case I don't get my first choice.

This summer we've booked trips in Waterton Lakes National Park, Yoho National Park, Banff National Park and Kootenay National Park. I am excited to share some backpacking trip reports from Alberta and British Columbia to compliment the ones I've written about trails in Ontario. If there is anything you'd find particularly helpful please let me know and I'd be happy to share in an upcoming article.

Talk soon,

Jess 🫶🏼

🫶🏼 monthly favourites

March monthly favourites consist of some things that I'm loving as we transition to warmer weather!

🚴🏼‍♀️ MEC Provincial Thermal Bib Tights with Chamois: There is finally no snow on the bike paths so I've started cycling outdoors again as I train for my upcoming triathlon. These MEC bib tights have been so great for my rides in cold weather and the best part is I got them on sale! And it looks like they are still on sale if you're looking for a good deal!

🧖🏼‍♀️ The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: I have been in love with this moisturizer all winter and I can't recommend it enough. The Ordinary has such affordable and high quality skincare. Pretty much my entire skincare line is from them and this has been my favourite lately.

🎥 My Ideal Budget Backpacking Kit: This is a great YouTube video from Miranda Goes Outside that highlights her favourite budget backpacking gear after testing budget gear all season. Great watch if you're looking to build out more of your kit on a budget.

🎧 Step By Step with Shelby Church: What can I say, I just love Shelby Church. I think all the topics she talks about are super interesting - investing, personal growth, real estate, income streams - if that interests you then I recommend listening to an episode!
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🗺️ new on the blog

Some more international travel content live on the blog this month:

💲Budget for Backpacking Southeast Asia: Daily, Weekly and Monthly Costs by Country​

🎸 The Ultimate 3-Day Nashville Itinerary: What to See, Eat and Do​

🇮🇸 Iceland Packing List Winter Edition: Essentials For Your Iceland Adventures​

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📚 book of the month

This month I've been a little obsessed with fantasy books and I'm now 3 books into the From Blood and Ash series. For my fantasy girlies who liked ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, then you'd like From Blood and Ash too. If you're looking for an educational read I recommend The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks which is the phenomenal story of the HeLa cells and how they've changed humanity. An incredible read. If you want to see more of what I've read this year then let's be friends on Fable.

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✈️ travel essentials

💵 Spend in different currencies with Wise

📞 Stay connected with an e-sim from Airalo​

🌎 Find affordable accommodation on Booking.com​

🍜 Plan tours and entertainment with Viator​

🧳 Save money booking flights on Hopper​

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