It looks as if my publisher has designed a cover for the next edition of Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia. This book, which is scheduled for an October 2012 release, will be the largest yet published, including 60 route listing, 45 sidebar notes, and 30 hiking tips. It iwll even have dozens of pages of colour pictures, all taken when I hiked the trails in 2011. With introduction, preface, acknwledgements, and all the supporting material, Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia will be more than 75,000 words long.

The 9th edition will be the first time that every picture used will be one of my own photos. While hiking for this and Hiking Trails of Cape Breton last year, I snapped more than 11,000 images. Maybe I should not be surprised if they were able to find 100-200 that are actually half decent.

Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia is available for order from Indigo and Amazon if you do not want to wait and get a copy in the store. Sorry that it will be a little late for hiking this year, but it will make a great Christmas present for the hiker in your household.

Why is walking in the woods so good for you?

Scientists have advanced a wide range of theories about the specific physical and mental benefits nature can provide, ranging from clean air and lack of noise pollution to the apparent immune-boosting effects of a fine mist of “wood essential oils.” But the most powerful benefits, a new study suggests, may result from the way trees and birds and sunsets gently tug – but never grab – at our attention. Read more: Article in Globe and Mail, May 28, 2012

First Manuscript Written

Writing is a slow process - at least for me. Nevertheless, I have just completed the first draft of the Hiking Trails of Cape Breton manuscript and it has been submitted to the publisher for editing.

Anyone notice the title change? I intended to position the two books as Volume 1 and 2 of a Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia set. However, the publisher has insisted, based on conversations with Amazon and Mountain Equipment Co-op, that separate titles are preferable.

As a result, this first work to be released with be the 2nd edition of Hiking Trails of Cape Breton, and the other title will be changed to Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia. Each volume with profile separate regions in the province, as their names suggest, and between them there will be a combined total of 100 walking routes spread throughout the province.

Hiking Trails of Cape Breton is being offered for advance sale already on Amazon.com and Chapters.ca, but publication is not expected before June. The publication date for Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia depends entirely on how quickly I can write it, but will be no earlier than September 2012.

Hike Nova Scotia invites individuals and groups with an interest in hiking, walking and snowshoeing to the first annual Nova Scotia Hiking & Snowshoeing Summit. This one-day event will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Maitland Bridge.

The Summit is a celebration of Nova Scotia 's hiking culture, which includes sharing best practices, stories and networking opportunities. It will help us grow a hiking, walking and snowshoeing culture in the province. Space is limited, so register early to reserve your spot.

Check out the Summit flyer for a draft agenda, registration link, directions and more here: http://tiny.cc/pn05f.

Final Progress Report

The fall of 2011 has featured some exceptionally fine hiking weather. True, there were two days in October with more than 100mm of rainfall, and another on November 11, but the majority of days were sunny with warm days and nights that were not too cool. As a result, I actually had my busiest month of walking in September, despite the trip to Australia. All three months were active, and by the time I finished my last hike, on November 10, I had hiked more than 700 km, including many of the most challenging terrain.

September's highlights included Cape Smokey, Cape Breton, Capelin Cove, the new Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail and the the Coxheath Wilderness Trail near Sydney. On the mainland, I visited Brier Island for the first time, and other trails in the South Shore and Annapolis Valley, but also trekked through Guysborough County, including a re-visit to a favourite, the old Queensport Road. In total, I covered approximately 315 km of trail.

Despite its two impressive downpours, October was almost as good, and I hiked another 250 km then. The weather could not have been better when I visited Fishing Cove, Skyline, Polletts Cove, and Roberts Mountain. Even more surprising, but very welcome, was the sunshine and comfortable temperatures when I hiked the Cape Chignecto loop on October 26-27. True, the high winds roaring up the Bay of Fundy were daunting (see - or maybe, listen to, my video: Cape Chignecto 3), but it was a tremendous experience.

In early November I tied up loose ends. What this meant was that I still had trails far from Halifax, including Lowland Cove, Money Point, and Wilkie's Sugarloaf, all north of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Again, the weather cooperated with sunshine, although by now there was a little snow on the ground and the nights were cold in my modest tent. I completed my final routes with a trip on Nov. 8-10 in Kejimkujik National Park, where I explored the Liberty Lake Loop and the West River Trail. Sadly, despite the magnificent weather and a full moon, I apparently had the entire backcountry of Kej, more than 300 sq. km., all to myself.

So, I have completed all my hikes. There will be 100 of them featured in the newly revised Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia, 9th edition. The plan is for Volume 1, Cape Breton Island, to be completed for May/June 2012, and for Volume 2, Mainland Nova Scotia, for August/September. When they arrive, you can be confident that I have travelled every trail found in the book, and in the year before that book was published. With luck, not too much will have changed, and you will be able to use the new books with confidence for at least the next five years.

I look forward to hearing your comments!

Posting Videos on You Tube

While I am hiking I take many pictures, sometimes more than 100 on a particularly scenic trail. And on most trails I also take a short video, usually of between 30 sec. to one minute. I have been fortunate to visit some exceptionally beautiful locations, and for many of the trails I worry it might be the final time I will be able to hike them.

I have decided to post some of my videos - or who knows, maybe eventually all of them - on You Tube. Each video will be titled, "Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia", which will be followed by the trail's name. I am posting these under the name "hikerhaynes".

Not every trail is exciting or especially scenic, so neither are their videos. You might wonder why I have posted some those less dramatic films, but what you see will in every case be a fair representation of what you will encounter along the trail. And sometimes that is just a quiet walk through the forest.  But that is ok too. Hope you enjoy whatever you view, and whatever you chose to hike.