Toronto, ON (At Home for a Week!)

This is the best I can do folks. I can't do much better than this. Last Monday (March 12th) I rolled my ankle and "broke" it. I went to the ER and waited patiently until a doctor had time to see me. Finally they gave me lots of drugs, I had some crazy dreams, they set my ankle, took some x-rays, refused to let me eat and told me that I would have to have surgery in the morning and possibly have 2 pins put into my ankle. I tried to sleep (but barely did) until morning when the Orthopedic Surgeon came in early in the morning, took some more x-rays and said that although the ankle had been set very well, the cast had not. So the cast was taken off and a new one put on. I was then told that I did not need surgery and I would be discharged but I was not allowed to put weight on it or do anything. I was given pain killers and crutches and told to come back for an appointment and more x-rays. So to date I still don't know if it's dislocated, fractured or broken... Tomorrow is the big day.

Blue Pillar, Kushog Lake, Haliburton Highlands, ON

This is me posing at the end of a day of ice climbing at Kushog Lake. The weather was great and since there were 3 climbs all with in a short walking distance from each other, we really lucked out! This is a 40m pillar that was not quite as nicely formed as the other climbs we did that day. It's called Blue Pillar (WI4).

Blue Boy, Kushog Lake, Haliburton Highlands, ON

This is the second climb we did. After topping out on Blue Boy (WI2) on my way down I stopped part way to strike another left leg pose. The morning was cold, especially walking across the frozen lake, but the sun was shining on us all afternoon and warmed us up. This climb had water dripping off of it and after a few climbs, it started sounding hollow! Yikes! It was a close to perfect day though! I think I might like ice climbing more than I thought!

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Killarney Prov Park, ON

Well a 100km snowshoe trail, a pretty cool 4 season tent, a borrowed -40 sleeping bag, new fleece pants to add as one of many layers, frozen food, water, fingers and toes, -30 degree weather and a stove that was functional at best... all lead to a scaled down version of this ambitious little trip. Still - a week off work and being in snow covered forest with nothing but our gear and the beautiful peace and quiet was all I needed to rejuvenate and "get away" for a while. I WILL do the whole trail - but I might just wait 'til spring!

The big cock! Guelph, ON

I know. Wierd. We noticed this "cock" while on a road trip to look at a sustainable house on Saturday. This "big old cock" was located just as you enter the city of Guelph from the east on Hwy 7. There was a detour that lead us around some construction - had we not gone this way, we would never have discovered him! Strange! Who thought a giant cock was a cool idea? Seriously - who?

FearFest, Canada's Wonderland

A frightful night of good fun! My friend Dwain’s birthday is next Tuesday, so last night we went to help him celebrate and get in the mood for Halloween! There were lots of mazes themed like haunted houses, spooky forests, "accident scenes" and corn fields and some of them actually were a bit scary! (Dwain asked me why I was pinching his arm – so I think although I wasn’t really into the entire thing – they must have scared me a couple times!) I was more about the rides – in the dark! It’s one thing going there in the summer in the middle of a bright afternoon…it’s another going on a cold night were you can see your breath and going on the same rides in the dark! (Notice the attire - hat and mittens) A good time was had by all!

Burnt Island Lake, Algonquin Park, ON

This was taken during a 3 day canoe trip in Algonquin - on the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend! It was the nicest weather anyone could hope for this time of year! We did approximately 38km of paddling and 13 portages in total, traveling through Canoe Lake, Joe Lake, Little Joe Lake, Baby Joe Lake, Burnt Island Lake, Jay Lake, Treefrog Lake, Sunbeam Lake, Aster Pond, Willow Lake, an unnamed pond that was far from being more than a swampy mess of mud to DRAG the canoe through, Bartlett Lake, Tom Thompson Lake, Littledoe Lake, Fawn Lake, Teepee Lake, and then back to Joe Lake and finally Canoe Lake. It was a great trip - even saw three moose and had a great time with a great canoe partner! So here is the most unique "LeftLeg" photo yet.... enjoy!

Mew Lake, Algonquin Park

This photo was taken after a bike ride when we went to wash the mud off of bikes in the lake. What started out looking like it might be a rainy day - turned into a beautiful afternoon. I even met a couple friend ON THE TRAIL who I knew from Ottawa and who now live in Toronto. How bizarre!!! A great day in September. Who could ask for more - and all the leaves are beginning to change so the trails were looking the most beautiful I've seen them!

Bouldering at Niagara Glen, ON

What a beautiful day it turned out to be! Today we went to Niagara Glen to do some bouldering. It was super duper fantastic fun! The Glen has so many cool problems and it is a beautiful walk down near the Gorge anyhow - so even you aren't climbing it's a pleasant day outdoors. I decided today that I need to work harder at refining my boulding skills in the gym (with my back being messed up for the past few weeks I haven't done much at all) and my hands have gotten way to soft again! If the skin on your hands isn't up for it - you might as well give up. You are only as good as your hands... It's frustrating, but The Glen is beautiful enough and I am sure I'll go back... Look out!

The Friendship Trail, near Fort Erie, ON

On the long weekend, my mother and I went to visit my cousin who has just bought a house in Ridgeway (near Niagara Falls). From her neighbourhood you can access The Friendship Trail which forms the southerly link of the Greater Niagara Circle Route, a 150km multi-use trail system in the east end of the Niagara Peninsula. The trail is just one part of a 17,000 km trail system that stretches from St.John, NFLD to Victoria, BC and as far north as Tuktyuktuk! This photo was taken near the end of the trail at a little beach we found were someone had obviously "forgotten" their furniture!

The Old Railway Bike Trail, Algonquin Park

This was a very easy 30km day. The trail (which was built on an old rail bed from 1895) was FLAT and very user friendly. It did however lack anything even remotely physically challenging or exciting. Not my favorite, but since the other trail had fallen trees every 2 minutes it was an okay alternative. I guess. And no, I don't suggest trying this move at home folks - I am actually riding the bike as I did this. Thanks to my mom who took the photo as on lookers wondered what the hell we were doing!

The Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail, Algonquin Park

Getting ready to tackle the Minnesing Trail... we had no idea what we were in for with the high water levels and mud holes after the storm - not to mention all the fallen trees arcoss the trail. We had no choice but to carry our bikes over them... and needless to say we decided against doing the full large loop and cut our trip down to the smaller loop instead! Would have been a great track otherwise!

Lion's Head, Bruce Peninsula - camping

Lion's Head. Not bad at all. Lots of bugs - some rain, some crazy wind, some lightening, even thunder... but some nice weather too! Enough to get in some good climbing time!

McKay's Harbour

Camping 3.5km from the parking lot - hiked in along the Bruce Trail. This was a beautiful and very peaceful place! I can't believe more people weren’t staying here. We encountered two porcupines and about twenty raccoons on our last night - not so peaceful any more!

Bruce Trail, Georgian Bay, ON

Just after sunset... camping along the Bruce Trail - Georgian Bay... beautiful!

May 2-4 - Lion's Head on top of Wall A

One last climb before heading back to Toronto? Saturday had a brief hour of sunshine, Sunday we spend the day at White Bluffs on the other side of the bay - it's a big overhang wall sheltered a bit from the rain and wind... The easiest climbs there besides one 5.8 with sketchy bolts were 5.11's - so I did my first outdoor 5.11! Had a very long day and by the time we hiked back to camp it was 10:30ish pm... Monday the wind ended up being super strong and it was really really cold so we only did one climb over at Lion's Head before starting the drive back to Toronto! This photo was while we were waiting to see if the wind was going to let up! We couldn't feel our fingers. We didn't get any more climbs in (that day)... but we'll go back!!!

Lion's Head, Bruce Peninsula, ON

At the top of "Kiss of a Spiderwoman" 5.9 - nothing like some of the ol' left leg at the top! The sun came out for about an hour - perfect timing to thaw out fingers and toes.

Tobermory, ON - Camping May 2-4 long weekend

Whenever I go on a hike or go camping -IT RAINS! Most of the weekend was cold, windy and overcast. Since we couldn't climb, we drove to Tobermory to see if we could find something to do -this is Tobermory Lighthouse in the background.

Algonquin Park, Day 2 Western Uplands Trail

Still cold - still wet - and a wet pack is even heavier than a dry one! The rain seems to follow me... A great time was still had by all!

Algonquin Park, Western Uplands Trail

Uplands? I think they could call it WET lands... this weekend I did a 37km hike and camped in the bush... it rained the entire time, it was wet and muddy and flooded in parts, there were trees across the trail every 5-10 minutes, there was still snow in some areas and you could often see your breath! Needless to say - we had a great time despite all this. This was at our camp on the first night!

Toronto, Canada

Toronto - BeachFest in the summer. Why a big Maple Lodge Chicken??? This just has "Kodak Moment" witten all over it!!! I've travelled around the world- but only here after moving back to Toronto do I get to meet the Maple Lodge Farms Chicken!

Toronto, Canada - moving back

Vancouver, BC, Canada

This was my first stop when I returned to Canada. Vancouver to visit my bestest friend in the world! She thought is was silly, but I decided to carry on the tradition here at home as well...

Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia

Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is a World Heritage Site and is one of the world's most mysterious natural wonders. It' s located 475km south of Alice Springs, Australia.

The Devils Marbles, Australia

The Devils Marbles, middle of nowhere Australia, 393km North of Alice Springs and 9km South of Wauchope - the wind was so strong in the middle of the outback it almost blew me off this rock!

Australia Again

A random pose along a random road in the random outback of random Australia.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

On top of some big rock formations in Kakadu National Park which besides the striking scenery, is of high cultural significance because of the Aboriginal paintings. Everything you see in the background used to be covered with water.

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

This photo was taken without me knowing it. We were having a contest to see who could do the funniest thing while balancing on the post in this photo. Needless to say I won - this is even after a few "beverages" and a full day of volunteering in the heat and humidity! I also did have a bathing suit on underneath - so NO I was not flashing anyone this time!

Krabi, Thailand

This was taken at King Climbers the climbing centre at Railay & Krabi, after our last day of rock climbing in Thailand. I met a wicked-ass Canadian named Nicole who was my climbing partner and we had the greatest instructor (a thai guy named Rit) who had been recommended to me by some other travellers I'd met along the way. Highly highly recommend stopping here! It's some of the most scenic climbing I have seen!

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Another amazing ruin at Angkor Wat. I was trying not to flash anyone my underwear and didn't want the locals to think I was disrespectful.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The very very amazing ruins at Angkor Wat - where even after three days there is sstill more to see! The temples are spread out over 65 kms around Siem Reap. They were built between the 18th & 13th centuries and range from single towers made of bricks to vast stone temple complexes. Some of the most beautiful ruins ever! And great photo opportunities!

Vitenam

Muang Ngoi, Laos

Pai, Northern Thailand

To get to Pai you must voyage either east from Chiang Mai or west from Mae Hong Son travelling on one of the most beautiful, gut-wrenching mountain passes known to man. Pai is (or was) a quaint little village that was a hidden treasure. But like all beautiful secret escape, over time word of mouth gets out and people flock to the area. Nothing is left untouched. The tourists come and go or fall in love with the place and stay - and the next thing you know, the place is transformed into whatever these "farang" want it to be! Anyway - not far form there there are several waterfalls. I can't remember exactly where this one was, but they were all beautiful. I am sad to think that Pai has probably only become more invaded!

Khao San Road, Bangkok, Thialand

Banglore, India

This is me at a market in Banglore. We had a great time here and I was offered a role in an Indian Coke commercial, as well as told I was an "Indian Barbie". Well well well...unfortunately most poeple are just trying to get you to buy something. I did find out later though that the commercial was real. I ended up buying a green sari as well as some fabric and bangles. So many beautiful fabrics that don't fit into a backpack!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

It was a lovely day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - at the famous Pão d'Açucar (or the Sugarloaf). This photo was taken less than 1/2 way up and shows some of Rio's beaches in the background. When we got to the top we could see NOTHING but clouds all around us. Maybe you can't tell but I was hung over in this picture - it was the day after New Year's!

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

The most amazing falls... There are over 275 individual cascades and waterfalls strung out along the rim of a crescent-shaped cliff over 4 kms long. Most plummet over 80 meters into the gorge below. There are so many butterflies here all shapes, clours and sizes - so beautiful and they are everywhere - great for close ups if you can catch them staying still.

Iguaçu Falls, the Argentinean side!

This photo was taken on the Argentinean side of the falls! There are a series of boardwalks that take you across the waterfalls -it's almost a bit scary. I was actually getting soaking wet in this photo - but it was a hot day anyhow!

Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina

The end of the world! At least that's what they call it - the most southerly point in South America, Ushuaia Argentina. This was while on a trek in the National Park there. The views out to sea where amazing especially knowing you are looking out to a emptiness - the sea all the way to the South Pole.

National Park Los Glaciares, Argentina

We waited and waited to see if the boat would come to take us to view the glacier close up... we waited and waited... the iceburgs everywhere prevented it in dockign to pick up passengers. It was a no-go... it was a great day of renting a car, hiking and a picnic regardless...

National Park Los Glaciares, Argentina

After renting a car, getting lost on a gravel road, asking cows for directions, a cancelled boat, iceburgs, hiking and a picnic... I HAD to go stand in the Glacier water... cold!

Torres del Paine, Chile - last day

The final day we saw blue skys... I am not sure if the trek itself was less technical, but it really felt easier! The sunshine might have had something to do with that though. Anyway - after a nice trek in the sun we made it to the Torres (towers). Torres del Paine = The Bread Towers (or The Towers of Bread). So these are them.

Torres del Paine, Chile 2nd Night

Almost at Base Camp for the evening. Notice the plastic bags sicking out of my shoes... not a pretty day... and nothing had a chance to dry out... We had to laugh though otherwise we would have been crying!

Torres del Paine, Chile

Hiking along side streams running down the mountains. There was so much fog we didn't even know where we were going at times. It rained for the full 4-day hike. We did it in 2 1/2 days as the weather just got worse. We got up at 4am and kept going until about 6pm stopping only to dry off (unsuccessfully) in a shelter around lunch time. Mmmm soggy bread!

Unknown Glacier, Argentina

This glacier does have a name - I just can't remember it right now. The trek was steep and rocky and it was a dead end. I hate dead ends! I hate walking back past everything you walked by already - it somehow seems so pointless to me. The view was nice enough though.

Fitz Roy, El Chalten, Argentina

The peaks behind are Fitz Roy (the massive one) and some of his friends. One of my favortie places. We had to pull ourselfs on a zip-line to get across the river from the glacier waters... it was great. If you ever get to go to Fitz Roy and the ranges around it DO! The Adela Range is there too! And I there is also a glacier named after me as well!

Los Tres Largos, El Chalten, Argentina

We needed first to go around the glacier lake to make our way to the ice surface of the glacier itself. This was the first view we had of the glacier.

Fitz Roy Glacier, El Chalten, Argentina

This is before the decend down towards Los Tres Lago the access point to go on the Fitz Roy Glacier.

Bariloche, Argentina

After climbing to the top of the highest rock surface in the entire area we were able to look out across the lake at the other mountains and down on the town below us. It felt so good!

Tupiza, Bolivia

This was near the end of a day in Tupiza. We started early and mountain biked through the hills along mostly dirt roads and then came down a huge huge mountain. I didn't always trust that the brakes on the bike I was given were going to save me from going over the next cliff on the next 90 degree corner.... down down down to my death. It was a rush though! After that we got on horses and went through the red dessert with towers of rockall around and cacti. This canyon was explored on foot while the horses rested. The a long ride back. A great day!

Isla Del Pescado, Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

This photo was taken on Fish Island (cause it is fish-shaped there really are no fish). Fish Island is in the middle of a huge huge salt lake, which isn't really a lake. It is made up of salt crystals and it actually looks like a salt desert but I guess they think it looks like a lake. The ground is quiet hard and crusty.

Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

I left this one in someone else's capable hands...

Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Peru

Quito, Ecuador

Australia the First Time

Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

London, UK

France,

Lisboa, Portugal

Spain

Avignon, France

Hiking near Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

This is along the hike back down from the famous Jungfraujochin (3571m) Switzerland – Europe’s highest point! From one direction you could see across a gleaming wasteland to the Italian Alps and in the other Germany’s Black Forest. It was snow covered and a bit cold up top, but on the way down it was beautiful and the sound of cowbells echoed through the mountains. I made friends with this one!