The First 25 Days of Amélie’s East Coast Trail Thru-Hike

    Two months ago, we asked the question, “Can a toddler hike the East Coast Trail… BY HERSELF?”  So that her efforts count as a supported through-hike, “The Rule of the Hike” is simple: Amélie has to take every single step of the 316 kilometres of coastline separating Cappahayden from Portugal Cove. When we’re done walking for a Read more about The First 25 Days of Amélie’s East Coast Trail Thru-Hike[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 5

OTTER COVE TO UPPER RED COVE The stepping stones that are placed by the East Coast Trail Association to make walking through bogs easier (and drier!) are placed one “standard” pace apart. Toddlers’ strides are much, much shorter than “normal” (about 30cm on flat ground). On flat ground, Amélie probably takes three steps for every step we make. On the Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 5[…]

Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 4

TOBIN MEMORIAL TO OTTER COVE Leaving the house, we explain the Rule of the Hike to Amélie again. She’s puzzled about why Séb picks her up at the trailhead, but she happily grabs on to his neck and enjoys being carried up to the Tobin memorial. This part of the trail is soggy at many points – there’s Read more about Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 4[…]

Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 3

BEARS COVE INN TO TOBIN MEMORIAL Walking from the Bears Cove Inn to the trailhead is relatively painless. Once at the trailhead, we get Amélie to hug the signpost bearing the distances to be overcome. She’s puzzled, but she complies. We get her to hug the next few markers too, trying to establish a ritual she Read more about Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 3[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 1

Can a toddler hike the whole East Coast Trail… BY HERSELF? Maybe it’s possible. Maybe it isn’t. We don’t know yet. But our two-and-a-half-year-old, Amélie, is giving it a try. The rules are simple. So simple that there’s only one, which Séb has taken to call “The Rule of the Hike”: She takes every step. We hold her hands & help her keep Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 1[…]