Workshops to be offered at Hike the Highlands

Sept. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- New in 2009, four workshops will be offered to hikers at the 6th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival, Sept. 11-20. They include Outdoor Nature Photography, Introduction to GPS,  Nordic Walking and Introduction to Geocaching. Workshops are very affordable at $5.00.

One of Nova Scotia's top photographer, Wally Hayes,  will be the instructor at the Outdoor Nature Photography workshop on Friday, Sept. 11 at 1:30 pm. during the first weekend of the festival. A second workshop will be offered on Friday, Sept. 18th at 1:30 pm. in the last weekend of the festival.  The workshop will cover scenics, landscapes and nature subjects, including closeup or macro photography. Bring your camera as this is a hands on workshop on hiking trails. Registration is limited to 25 participants

On Saturday September, 12,  an Introduction to GPS workshop by Derek Quann - will begin at 4:15 pm, meet at Jack Pine Parking Lot. This workshop will cover how the GPS works, accuracy, basic GPS receiver functions,  linking to computer, role of GPS and safe wilderness navigation. Please bring your GPS unit if you have one to the workshop. There will be a limited number of GPs unit available to use. Registration is limited to 25 participants.

Instructor Linda Murray will be offering a Nordic Walking workshop at 10:00 am. on Monday, Sept. 14 at NHN Trails, Cape North. Learn the technique of hiking up hills, down hills and flats with poles. Find out the difference between nordic walking and trekking poles. Please bring your poles to this workshop. If you do not have poles, there will be poles available for you to use during the workshop. Registration is limited to 25 participants. North Highlands Nordic Ski Club will be hosting a barbecue following the clinic at 11:30 am.. Cost is $10.00 includes beverage and dessert. Pedometers will be available for purchase at $10.00.   Our instructor will be join us in the afternoon to hike Sugar Loaf Mountain where there will be a good test of hiking up and down a mountain using poles. The benefits of hiking with poles are many but the keys are easier on knees, better balance and a better aerobic workout - 20-40%.

The final workshop to be offered in the Hike the Highlands Festival is Introduction to Geocaching. There are now more than 6000 geocaches in Nova Scotia and in 2009 Geocaching was introduced to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Geocaching is a worldwide phenomenon in which participants use co-ordinates and a GPS unit to hide and locate "treasures". This workshop will introduce hikers to this rapidly growing sport with a short demonstration at MacIntosh Brook, Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Registration is limited to 25 participants

The Highlands of Cape Breton are situated on the world renowned Cabot Trail and offer some of the most spectacular coastal scenery and hiking trails in the world. A portion of this significant example of Canada's natural heritage has been designated as a national park. Thirteen of the 24 guided hikes are located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park  with the other eleven in the highlands of Cape Breton.

Hike the Highlands Festival is a Nova Scotia Signature event and is based out of Ingonish, Nova Scotia. For more information on workshops, hikes, evening program and registration - Please visit the festival website - http://www.hikethehighlandsfestival.com

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Hike the Highlands Festival is a ten day hiking festival held in September around the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The festival features guided hikes, evening presentations and opening & closing ceremonies.