Preparing to hike: goal setting

For those who've never hiked (or have little experience), knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this lesson we talk about setting a fitness goal and why hiking is such a tangible way to do that. We'll discuss what you should consider before choosing a hiking goal, what to tackle in the research and planning stage and how to overcome self-doubt along the way. 

Getting fit for hiking: basic exercises

People approach a course on hiking and strength conditioning from many different walks of life - no two cases are the same. This lesson dives into exploring the unique set of physical circumstances that you come with and explains some fitness exercises you can do to both extend and protect your body, and prepare it for hiking.

Clothing essentials + hiking on a budget

For hiking newbies, going into an outdoor store can be an overwhelming experience. It seems like there are just so many things you need. But the good news is, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to start hiking. In this lesson, I'll share my recommended clothing lists for men and women (I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the ladies gear though, so my good friend and hiking influencer @megkkee will be sharing her female clothing tips). I'll also give you tried and tested tips on how to save money on gear!

What's in my pack: one-day + multi-day

As your hiking date approaches, you're wondering if you really do have everything you need, and how to fit it all in? I'll take you through my process when packing for a one-day and multi-day hike step by step. We'll cover the basics you'll need, safety provisions and seasonal hazards. When buying a hiking pack, it's imperative that you get the fit and size right before you buy, because hiking packs are expensive and a poorly fitted pack can cause you all kinds of misery in the middle of backcountry. Plus, I'll give you all my recommendations for hiking, camping & navigational gear and printable PDF packing lists.

Hiking safety + risk preparation

The great outdoors can be a treacherous place if you're not prepared. We'll go over wilderness safety and talk about navigation, emergency communication, hydration, wild animal safety, first aid and avalanche safety.

Hiking with dogs: safety + commands

This has been one of my most frequently asked questions and so I am covering my process for hiking with dogs so you can see exactly what I do to keep them safe and healthy out on the trail and the practical steps to train your dog to hike with you, respond to emergency commands and be wilderness-savvy.

Your journey: hiking bigger summits

This is one of the most important lessons in the course. Now you've gone on your first hikes, it's time to cover how to take on bigger summits. I'll give you my tips and guidance for working out when you're ready to challenge yourself further and move from one-day to overnight hikes. We'll cover the Progressive Overload technique and I'll give you training advice for bigger summits. I'll also share moments I've had to make the hard decision to pull out, advanced training tips, and advice on how to handle + prevent injury on the trail.

Mantras, mates + mindfulness

In lesson 9 we're bringing everything together. I'll share the life-changing mantras that have transformed my mental headspace when hiking, and my secret summit ritual (everyone needs a summit ritual!). Hiking is great with friends. I'll give you tips on how to find hiking buddies in your area and join in on group hikes. We'll cover mindfulness while hiking and a rundown on trail etiquette so we can leave this planet better than we found it.

My Top 10 Canadian Rockies Hikes

If you've ever dreamed about hiking the world class trails in the Canadian Rockies, I will give you detailed recommendations for my Top 10 Hikes plus Garmin tracked maps so you can follow my exact map!