By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator

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Jaime Manness began hiking because of childhood memories where her and her family would go on full-day hikes.

“We would get back to camp, cook up a hearty campfire meal, and then tuck in for the night,” she said.

Over time, she noticed that heading out into the woods left a lasting positive impact on her life.

“Thoughts shift away from the hustle of life and instead the focus settles on putting one foot in front of the other, deliberate movement over uneven ground. It is tough to worry about much else when there is so much to appreciate: the new growth forests in amongst an old burn site, the tiny green mosses carpeting the forest floor, the scent of a stand of jack pines. The wilderness gives so much and asks nothing in return. It just is, and allows me to just… be.”

 

Getting Outside During COVID-19

This winter will be different as Manitobans face challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. But Jaime, author of Hike Manitoba: Winter Edition, said there is a lot to gain from getting outdoors as the cold weather and snow approaches.

“COVID is going to have a really significant impact on Manitobans through the winter – cold weather and long, dark nights can be isolating and intensify effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression, and anxiety,” she said.

“The reality is that travel will – most likely – remain restricted through the winter. This will bring new challenges to many folks who rely on a hot holiday to get through the season. I think the simple act of planning an adventure, however small, gives hope and something to look forward to. There are a lot of opportunities for adventure within the perimeter.”

Jaime said one doesn’t have to travel far to connect with nature.

“FortWhyte Alive is a great example with ski and snowshoe trails, winter programming (possibly halted due to COVID), and tobogganing. Planning an adventure gives us something to look forward to – this paired with actual time spent outdoors in fresh air can have an invaluable impact on our overall mental health and wellness.”

 

 A New Book to Guide Manitobans Outdoors this Winter

If getting outside more this season sounds great to you, Hike Manitoba: Winter Edition is perfect, whether you’re experienced in the outdoors or just getting started.

“Hike Manitoba: Winter Edition highlights my favourite season for adventure. We’re stuck with winter for nearly five months — we can choose to endure it or to embrace it. I choose the latter, most days. If you’re prepared for winter adventure, it’s the most fun to spend a day on the trails. Everything looks different under a blanket of snow. The book is more than 90 pages of trails and trail networks. Winter Edition features cross-country ski, snowshoe, hiking, and fat biking trails. There are guides for winter-specific Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles, cold-weather safety, camp recipes, and winter camping.”

 

Buy the Book & Learn More 

The book, along with a curated collection of Hike Manitoba gear, is currently sold on the Hike Manitoba website. You can also find the book in store at Wilderness Supply and on the shelves at FortWhyte Alive.

A great place to learn more about Hike Manitoba, including all about their summer edition, is on their Instagram page @hikemanitoba or the blog on their website.