The Exercise Benefits of Rock Climbing

****

No author stated

In this article, there is a lot on information on the benefits of rock climbing and what it can do for your body. It was very informative in showing how rock climbing has effects on cardiovascular health, muscle gain/tone, and weight loss, and why it does benefit these things in your body.

 Not only did I learn what muscles rock climbing targets, and how long you should do it for, I learned why you would lose weight or gain muscles doing this. I feel much better about myself rock climbing now since I know it's not just a fun thing to do, but it is a full body workout, although it works mostly your upper body. If I start rock climbing often, I should notice drastic increase in my upper body strength without having to lift any weights or use fancy machines, simply by using my own body weight I can get the same results, while having fun!

"The Exercise Benefits of Rock Climbing." / Fitness / Exercises. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.

Snowmobile ban being reconsidered

By Items compiled from Tribune news services

***

This article is basically about the ban that was pending for snowmobiles to be banned in Yellowstone National Park. But snowmobile companies filed a lawsuit against this. They claimed it was damaging the park and harming wildlife. Although this may be true, the solution for this is simply to have designated snowmobile trails that MUST be driven on, and action of the law will be taken if someone were to drive off these trails. 

When I go snowmobiling, I know to stay on the trails. There are not many places to go around our area, so when I do go either up to Whitney, or Haliburton, I know better than to go off the trail as this would result in a fine, or even having my license taken from me. Having a system like this in Yellowstone, it would cause some second thoughts for these people who go off trails. even though this National Park has to be protected, snowmobiling is a sport that should be appreciated and given a good, and proper trail. If there is a good, clean trail, I know for a fact that will attract more people than driving through the brush. 

"Snowmobile Ban Being Reconsidered." Chicago Tribune. N.p., 01 July 2001. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.

Outdoor Activities Can Improve Your Mental Health

Rick Nauert

***

This article is based on a study done by the University of Michigan where veterans went on a trip in the outdoors to do a variety of activities such as hiking, kayaking, rafting and backpacking. This study proved that participating in this wilderness excursion reduced the participants mental health issues and general mental problems in life. Some veterans noticed these changes for a week or so after they returned, while others noticed their improvements lasted for a month! even though this study was only done on veterans, I would assume the same is for everyone else as these activities do in fact relieve stress and being away in the outdoors is calming.

I do agree with this studies outcome, when I returned from Algonquin, I noticed I looked at things differently and felt like I had been refreshed or cleansed just as these veterans report feeling. This has made me realize that if I'm ever feeling down, the best thing is to go outside and do some fun activities to take my mind off things instead of sitting at home doing nothing. 

Nauert, Rick. "Outdoor Activities Can Improve Your Mental Health | Psych Central News."Psych Central.com. John M. Grohol, 26 July 2013. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.

• Ice Climbing •

How Ice Climbing Works

by: Debra Ronca

Rating: ****

Ice climbing is an activity of ascending inclined ice formations, evolved form rock climbing and other mountaineering activities. It is done on features such as frozen waterfalls, icefalls, and cliffs and rock slabs covered with ice refrozen from flows of water. In High altitudes, rock climbers had to learn how to navigate icy and slippery areas as they worked their way up a mountain or rock wall. Eventually, climbers began to develop specialized tools and gear to get through those icy spots. Over time, climbers began to seek out strictly ice climbs.

Same as most mountaineering activities, ice climbing is done with protections such as ropes. The two most important equipment used in ice climbing are ice axes and crampons. Ice axes are held with your hands, and crampons go on the bottom of your shoes, like cleats to gain traction on the slippery ice. An excessive amount of tools and safety gear make ice climbing accessible for almost anyone. You can do less strenuous ice climbs in the sun, or take on advance multi-day steep climbs in sub-zero temperatures. With the right training, just about everybody can ice climb, as long as they're in excellent cardiovascular fitness and have a good strength-to-weight ratio. Experts recommend specific exercises to get your body ready for your first climb including squats, deadlifts, overhead press, pull-ups, step-ups and dips. Many professionals dip their hands and feet in the ice water before they climb so that their hands and feet generate heat faster than normal which prevents them to feel numb due to the cold environment.

This article got me really interested in ice climbing because I really enjoy extreme activities done in a great scenery such as this. Imagining a frozen waterfall and climbing up on it really is something to be excited about. It also emphasized on how safe this activity is compared to what it seems like, which makes it extreme in its own way with not much danger into it. The article provided the history of ice climbing and the equipment used which are really important factors to know before actually trying out the activity. I really find it much better than rock climbing since there's so much more to see around you. I really do hope to go ice climbing someday.

kayaking in bc article assignment part 3

Colin Kew January 15, 2014 Sea kayaking in B.C Place of Wonder Sea kayaking in British Colombia Queen Charlotte Island-Laurie March Rating: good I think the article pretty interesting. It’s about how you can go kayaking to some islands in B.C and sees all the nature, people, food and culture there. The article explains that it is best to visit the place in the spring due to the nice weather and amazing scenery. You can take two different routes you can notify the coast guard and go in alone but you must be good at survival in case you get in trouble. Or you can take a giant 7-day cruise ship that lets you rest there for the night. This has affected me because this actually sounds like a somewhat fun trip and I may want to try it one day. They mention a lot in the article about how fragile the area is so it starts to make me think how dangerous humans are to other species and how easy it is for us to destroy that habitat. I learned that B.C has a place with amazing environments and species such as the charlotte islands and the cool areas you can visit like the waterfalls and the underwater coves. It has inspired me to get out and see the world better. I don’t think the article will make me change my behaviour but I totally will change my actions towards the environment. Works and cites recorded http://www.outdooradventurecanada.com/kayaking-queen-charlotte.htm by Laurie March

          Stingrays suffering from wildlife tourism

Author: David Adam - Rating ** ½

            Interacting with wild animals is a growing phenomenon that many people I know, myself included, have tried over the past few years. In my chosen article it is discussed how wild creatures can be affected by Wildlife tourism. It discusses specifically the results of a study conducted on a large group of stingrays frequented by tour groups in the Cayman Islands. The study found that the stingrays that interact with humans on a daily basis are in poorer health, and with weaker immune systems, than those that do not, suggesting that the constant interaction may be tiring them out and making them far more susceptible to disease.  The stingrays in tourist-y areas are also often hurt or affected by boat motors and crowded conditions. The results of this study have led for some to call for tighter regulations on the industry and stricter rules concerning the feeding of stingrays. The impact of wildlife tourism on other animals (bears, sharks penguins etc.) is mentioned as well. Too much human curiosity, even when physical interaction isn’t part of the equation, seems to be having negative repercussions on other species, land or water.  The use of food to attract species for tourist purposes, for examples, may be causing animals to grow reliant on human help for food, be decreasing their independence, and lessening their hunting skills. This isn’t to say that all wildlife tourism is negative, it is more so trying to highlight the precautions that need to be taken to prevent it from impacting animals and, by consequent, their eco-systems. When done right, wildlife tourism can be beneficial. Of course it allows an unforgettable experience for the people that try it but it can also be a great way to raise awareness and money for various species. Money raised can be used to help keep research going and habitats cleans.  When done right, human curiosity can be satisfied and species can be kept thriving. A win-win!

     I found this article to be quite interesting. Having interacted with animals while visiting another country in the past it made me reflect on whether or not my experience would’ve had a positive effect on the animals I was with. I also gave me an awareness I will bear in mind as I continue to travel and try new things concerning wildlife in the future. More broadly it made me think of the affect I have on wildlife on a day to basis while doing things as simple as hiking or even walking to school. I was able to relate this article to our classes experience in Algonquin as we were always encourage to be mindful of our surrounding when we were there. With what this article has taught me I will try my best to interact with nature in way that isn’t harmful and not take for granted the amazing creatures around us.

 Source: The Guardian online – Environment articles  Date accessed: Jan. 11^th

URL: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/29/wildlife-tourism-stingray

Top Ten Places to Ski

In this article by national geographic it tells you about the top ten places to ski and why e.i. Price, croud etc

Overall I found this to be a very inforative and helpful to see where a good place to go was.

Rating ****/5

If you want to check it out for yourself here's the link

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/best-emerging-ski-towns/#/skiing-ripley-rock-mount-rose-nevada_64711_600x450.jpg

Back Country Snowboarding

Back Country Snowboarding

Off Piste - Back Country Snowboarding - ABC's of Snowboarding

Rating - ***

          Back country snowboarding is much different than that of going to your local ski hill for the day and having a leisurely board down the perfectly groomed runs.  The conditions are always changing on mountains and can make for some very dangerous situations so you always have to be prepared.

          In this article, they really focus on the fact that you need to be an experienced rider so that if a sticky situation arises, you can get yourself out of there as many people have been injured in the back country although it could have been avoided.  When riding off-piste, there are usually many obstacles like trees, rocks or drop-offs that can cause some serious damage if you aren't careful.  On top of being aware of your surroundings, you need to have emergency supplies if something were to happen because being stranded with nothing could end up costing you your life.  Some things you should bring with you are first aid kits, food & water, your safety equipment (you should always wear these), a GPS and a phone or emergency whistle to get ahold of someone.  It is really important to have at least some basic first aid, avalanche awareness and mountaineering training so you will be prepared in case of emergency.  Some other item's that are not as nessecary are purchasing a larger snowboard that floats well in powder and has a swallowtail as it will help you move easily through the snow.

          This article affected me because I am very into snowboarding along with many of my close friends.  Although we do not have any mountains around where we live, we still go to the local hill all the time and make the most of that.  Going snowboarding off-piste is something I have always wanted to do and something I definitely plan on doing sometime in the near future.  Theres nothing like the rush of flying down a hill at full speed or seamlessly gliding through a bunch of powder because it feels like your riding on a cloud.  If I am to go back country riding, I will definitely have to take all of the precautions to make sure I am going to be safe and prepared for the worst.  

By: Spencer Wayland

Citation:

Off Piste - Backcountry Snowboarding. (n.d.). Off Piste - Backcountry Snowboarding. Retrieved January 10, 2014, from http://www.abc-of-snowboarding.com/offpiste.asp

Dog Sledding in Algonquin Park

Dog Sledding in Algonquin Park- By: MEI-YIN TEO

Rating- ****

MEI-YIN TEO's article found in the Toronto Sun, is written about dog sledding in Algonquin park.

 He describes the experience he encountered as well as providing much information about the Call's of the Wild's muti-adventure course he took, the skills he learned about controlling the huskies, and his own personal experience. Mei-Yin summarizes some of the interesting components of dog sledding and described how thrilling the experience was. I could almost imagine and see a picture in my mind of what the experience must have been like according to Mei-Yin's explanation. In his writing he also describes Algonquins landscape and set-up which seems amazing!

This article affected me in such a way to want to try dog sledding some day! Although the experience seems thrilling and enjoyable, I think I would have trouble telling the dogs what to do, the same way he did. I am a huge dogger and I feel like I would feel very guilty making them pull me around. I wouldnt want to hurt the poor animals! Just by the time I had read the fourth paragraph of this article I already gained knowledge about the activity. I learned that "ha" means to turn left, "gee" means to turn right, "easy" means to slow down and "whoa" means stop. Who would have known you have to learn a new language in order to speak to dogs! In order to work with the dogs I think you need to maintain a calm behaviour in order to keep things in check. This made me want to change my behaviour since I can easily get stressed out and overwhelmed by things that are really just thrilling. Overall, I think dog sledding would be an amazing experience and I would love to visit Algonquin Park sometime and check it out!

Citation:
"Toronto Sun Article: Dog Sledding in Algonquin Park." Toronto Sun Article: Dog Sledding in Algonquin Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://www.call-wild.com/Sundogsled.html>.

Surfing Canadian Waves

Author: Worldweb.com Travel Guide
Rating: ***

The rush of riding breaking waves has captivated people all over the world; however, you wouldn't think there would be much of a surf culture in Canada! Despite the frigid temperatures, if you travel to Tofino, Vancouver Island, you will see many cars sporting surfboards on their roof racks. Tofino has a great atmosphere with many surf shops, beautiful scenery, plus big swells and wave breaks that can be surfed all year round! In order to withstand the elements, surfers require a heavy-duty wetsuit, complete with booties, hoods, and gloves. There are many great spots to surf such as Cox Bay for the advanced and Long beach for the beginners. Thanks to all the surf shops, there are many opportunities to get a surfing lesson; most offer a variety, from different levels, to group lessons, to women only. Although the west coast is great for surfing, all the way across Canada to the east coast we have our dedicated surfers who brave the Atlantic waters! The breaks off the east coast have been described as "rugged and challenging" and have made a large impact in the surfing world. For Canadian surfers living next to an ocean is a privilege, however those that are land-locked have made-due by adopting river surfing! Montreal led the way of this modified sport in 2000 and now the St. Lawrence River and Lachine Rivers are gaining popularity in river surfing. Although many are unaware of it, the surf community in Canada is growing and even though we don't have white sandy beaches and palm trees, our tough surfers withstand freezing waters in winter just to catch that perfect break.

This article was great because it introduces the idea of surfing in Canada, even though it is often assumed that it's not a popular sport due to the climate. Additionally, it gives hotspots to surf, rental shops, surf lessons and beaches with varying wave difficulty. This article did not elaborate on any actual surfing technique or guidelines, but it definitely encouraged me as a reader to try surfing and now consider it as a canadian outdoor activity. I would love to one day try this sport.

"Surfing Canadian Waves." Travel Article:. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2014. <http://www.canada.worldweb.com/TravelArticles/OceanActivities//8-147009.html>.

Scuba Diving

“Under Stress” by Bret Gilliam

Rating: ***

Over the break I went on my first scuba diving off the coast of Thailand. It was an incredible experience, one I’d love to have the opportunity to try again. This outdoor activity is one that is not only unique but can take you around the world exploring different dive sites. The article “Under Stress” by Bret Gilliam discusses the effect and causes of stress while diving. He says, “Some divers handle it better than others, but underwater we all deal with it for better or worse”. This is can be dangerous as it is so vital to be collected, aware and most importantly smart while underwater. Some effects of stress while diving are perceptual narrowing, cognitive or analytical narrowing, response narrowing and panic. The article touches on each of these effects and also talks about the stress too much equipment can have on divers and whether more gadgets are truly beneficial.

I found this article especially interesting as I went on my first dive so recently and could relate to the stress and nerves present with any dive. As much as it was an unforgettable experience, it can be definitely nerve wracking as you are submerged in a new environment, relying only on your equipment. I found while underwater I had short spurts of panic in times like when my head hurt because I was descending too quickly or when the ocean floor drops off into dark unknown waters. Reflecting on diving, I realize how important it is to remain level headed, control your emotions and tame your instincts, as your actions can be hazardous to yourself and others. Obviously there are risks involved when scuba diving, just like any outdoor activity, but they seem minute in comparison to the unbelievable world below the water. Overall, diving is something I’d recommend to everyone and is something I am definitely going continue, as it is such a great experience.

"Under Stress." DIVER magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2014. <http://www.divermag.com/under-stress/>.