Hiking Without Limits

06/25/2026

Though Hiking Without Limits was completed 4 days ago, new followers to this sight continue to appear. For newcomers, please scroll down if you wish to review the day to day progress of the event between 13 and 21 June. For newcomers wanting to contribute, both the e-transfer account and the Soldier On/Sans Limites portal remain open for donations for the time being. I will wait until 6 July before sending funds to Soldier On/Sans Limites that have been collected locally in cash donations or through e-transfers at [email protected] , allowing anyone who has not been able to make donations to do so at their discretion. I will also ask Soldier On/Sans Limites to leave their portal for donations, linked below, open for the same period.

https://www.soldieron.ca/?give=LGE8PWEV&fbclid=IwdGRjcASkk_hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEed38BNHT8fBXN0H1QYrzQBZa8FWChX4cpCzDUDhzBYlVqdNAeODD-OXcWMqE_aem_ADgfDy_Qa4URFmLKY_s3tA

Soldier On is a Canadian Armed Forces program committed to supporting veterans and serving members to adapt and overcome permanent physical or mental health injuries through physical activity and sport. Soldier On is recognized for improving the quality of life of the ill and injured. The program is...

06/22/2026

The day after, and I woke up not as beat up as I had feared. Some minor stiffness and small blisters, but nothing serious . Realizing how easily worse blisters, a twisted ankle or any other small mishap could have jeopardized the hike. Looked at my tracker and here are the final numbers of the hike:
- Cabot Trail from the Cheticamp Visitor Centre to Ingonish Beach
- All 26 trails of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- 266 km in total
- 2 bear sightings, 1 coyote sighting and 1 million black flies
- One moderate suete and not enough rain to really mention
- Tonnes of great friends supporting me along the way and joining me on more trails than I could have hoped for
- At least $5000 raised for Soldier On/Sans Limites ( I will post an exact amount once we’ve tallied everything in the coming weeks)

06/22/2026

Well, Hiking Without Limits is done and dusted. Day 9 started with a solo hike of the Middle Head Trail with beautiful views of cliffs at the far end. Followed up with Nancy and Cathy on Freshwater Lake Trail and a small solo hike up Freshwater Lake Look-off. In the afternoon, joined friends to hike Franey, a 4 hour challenge leading to great Birds Eye views of many of the areas below and some remnants of moose horn shedding . Finished the 40 km day with a hike down Clyburn Valley, leading to an abandoned camp linked to a gold mine in the area. Me and a bear surprised each other on Clyburn and we both went our separate ways. Getting a picture was the last thing on my mind.

06/21/2026

Heading out on Middle Head to start the day. Apparently, some bear sightings. Got my bear defence ready, just in case, but I’m not worried.

06/21/2026

Though today is the last day of Hiking Without Limits, I have been asked by a few people who are away from home if next week will be too late to donate. I will wait 2 more weeks, so 6 July before sending funds to Soldier On/Sans Limites that have been collected locally in cash donations or through e-transfers at [email protected] , allowing anyone who has not been able to make donations to do so at their discretion. I will also ask Soldier On/Sans Limites to leave their portal for donations, linked below, open for the same period.

https://www.soldieron.ca/?give=LGE8PWEV&fbclid=IwdGRjcASkk_hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEed38BNHT8fBXN0H1QYrzQBZa8FWChX4cpCzDUDhzBYlVqdNAeODD-OXcWMqE_aem_ADgfDy_Qa4URFmLKY_s3tA

Soldier On is a Canadian Armed Forces program committed to supporting veterans and serving members to adapt and overcome permanent physical or mental health injuries through physical activity and sport. Soldier On is recognized for improving the quality of life of the ill and injured. The program is...

06/21/2026

Day 8 was capped off by a great dinner provided by the Coastal Restaurant in Ingonish . The final day looks to be off to a cool, and possibly drizzly , start, but nothing too heavy. A few short waterside trails in the morning (Middlehead and Freshwater Lake) , followed by the longer Franey and Clyburn in the afternoon and early evening.

06/20/2026

Day 8 is done. Started out with a great solo hike to Mary Ann Falls. It’s a long one, but easy hiking, leading to majestic falls. The second trail, Broadcove Mountain, was considerably shorter but quite steep, leading to nice views from on high. The final trail, around Warren Lake, was nice and flat, accompanied by Cathy, Jenn and Magy. The lake has a suspension bridge which was built by 4 Engineer Support Regiment back in 2017. I may know some of the folks from that unit back then. The day ended with some road mileage through Ingonish, leading to tomorrow’s starting point at Middlehead Trail.

06/20/2026

A bit or minor blister care before hitting the road on day 8.

06/19/2026

A minor change for the last few days of the journey. Now that I made it through the unpopulated areas of the Park and have popped out the other side in Ingonish, I will spend the last few nights under the roof of a family member, as opposed to camp grounds. The attraction of a hot shower , a home cooked meal and a warm bed were too much to resist. The hiking portion will not change. Thanks, Cathy.

06/19/2026

I think I have an idea for Dragon’s Den. It’s a new weight loss program that I’ve designed. You eat whatever you want, how ever much you want, and then force yourself to eat a bit more. Then walk 8-10 hours per day and watch the pounds melt away. Do you figure they would buy into it? 😀