Take a hike

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PHOTO BY EOIN DEVEREUX

About a dozen people participated in the late morning walk of Neepawa’s new hiking club on Monday May 6.

 

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

The Neepawa Hiking Club has taken its initial steps in the community.

The group held its inaugural walk on Monday, May 7, with a pair of hikes across the Langford Trail. About a dozen people participated in the 8:45 a.m. walk, with a few early risers being involved with the 7:00 a.m. walk. Several other individuals expressed interest in being involved in the near future.

The idea for the hiking club was devised by Brenda Ferguson, who wanted to add a new exercise program into her weekly routine. She thought walking, or more specifically, nature hikes would be an enjoyable option and that doing it with a group of people would make the experience more fun and motivating. Ferguson added that the plan moving ahead will feature a pair of hikes every week.

“It’ll be twice a week on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings, where we’ll go to some of the local trails. Either the Langford Trail or the hiking trail right here in [Neepawa] or the Rosedale Farm Trail. And then one Saturday a month, we’re thinking of picking a trail somewhere in the Westman region and making a day of it. It won’t be a huge distance away, but someplace different, within driving distance. The first Saturday, we were thinking of doing this is June 16 and we’ll be going to the Brandon Hills. We’ll try to keep it within an hours drive of Neepawa. For those days, we’re trying to arrange a carpool and we just ask to contribute a few dollars to the drivers for gas.”

Positive response

Ferguson said a Facebook page has been set up for the Neepawa Hiking Club and has received a very positive early response, with about 40 likes and many more comments and shares of the information starting to make the rounds. She said the only rule for the hiking club is no pets, as the walks will be out in some bushy areas.

“The terrain will be a little bit rough at some points, so be prepared. Don’t wear flip-flops,” stated Ferguson. “But it’ll still be a fun oriented walk. Just getting out there and enjoying nature.”

Anyone interested in being involved is asked to contact the club via their Facebook page for information or gather at the Yellowhead Centre parking lot on Monday or Thursday morning. Additional details such as meeting times will appear on the page.