TRAIL CHRONICLES: WINTER WEATHER AND SOLO TRIPS | PHASE FOUR
TRAIL CHRONICLES: WINTER WEATHER AND SOLO TRIPS | PHASE FOUR
At the outset of Fall 2023, Baffin’s Senior Vice President of Commercial, Mark Hubner embarked on a Real-World Testing expedition – an end-to-end hike of Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, the Bruce Trail. Mark has worn Baffin footwear and apparel every step of the way, as he works to cover over 900 km, from Tobermory, Ontario, through the Niagara Region by the end of the Winter season. Each week he hikes a portion of the trail, camping on backcountry sites where possible along the way.
According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy, only 4,440 people have recorded a completion of the intense end-to-end hike, which would take over 30 consecutive days of hiking 30 km or more to complete. Many spread this journey over several years. Providing an even greater challenge, Mark is completing this expedition in the Winter, which offers a unique and more arduous experience due to inclement weather and conditions along the pedestrian-only trails.
The end-to-end hike of the Bruce Trail is Baffin’s first large-scale product testing expedition since the Winter circumnavigation of Lake Ontario in 2018 and is testing various Baffin products, from current in-line boots to upcoming Fall/Winter 2024 launches as well as new products that are still in the development stage.
PHASE FOUR: NEW YEAR, SAME TRAIL
“Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.” –Katrina Mayer
THE CONTINUATION
On December 28th, Mark Hubner completed Phase Three of his vast journey on the Bruce Trail. During this phase, with the accompaniment of many friends of Baffin, Mark was able to embrace the milder transition into the winter months. As Mark trek into Phase Four, Mark was eager to start the New Year with the continuation of his journey. Throughout this phase, Mark conducted Real-World Testing Baffin products.
THE JOURNEY
Leg 12: Honeywood – Bruce Trail Mulmar
Dates completed: January 3rd – January 4th
Kilometers completed: 17.49 km
Baffin products worn by Mark Hubner: BOREALIS, BASE LAYER TOP, BASE LAYER BOTTOM, PROTOTYPE SOCK 1, GLOVE LINER
Baffin products worn by Brett: BOREALIS
Mark began his New Year hike on January 3rd after staying overnight at the Shady Pines Cottage, courtesy of a family friend's generosity. Graciously joined by his friend Brett, they made their way through the Blue Mountains Club section of the Bruce Trail. With colder temperatures in a flurry of snow, they ventured through the snow-covered ground of the Bruce Trail. Their day consisted of endless rows of trees, following along the side of a river, leading to a beautiful opening. The day's completion occurred in Kilgorie, with a total ground coverage of 11.2 km.
(Left to right) Mark Hubner, Senior Vice President of Commercial, Baffin; Brett, friend of Baffin
On January 4th, Mark and Brett continued their journey through the Bruce Trail, ending day 24 at Bruce Trail Mulmar. Unlike the day before, they experienced a light snowfall throughout their hike. During the 6.29 km hike, the temperature gradually dropped, and the snowfall slowly increased. Mark and Brett were able to stay warm and layer up with their versatile Baffin attire, ready to take on any weather coming their way.
With the winter months upon us and the common hibernation amongst animals, Mark and Brett had the opportunity to admire and cherish the still scenery of the snow-covered forest. They marched alongside the Pine River for a portion of the way, taking in the peaceful ambiance. Inevitably, Mark and Brett also shared the path with moving vehicles where forest sections of the Bruce Trail connected to roads. January 4th marked the completion of Leg 12, officially completing over 500 km of the Bruce Trail.
Leg 13: Pretty River – Noisy River
Dates completed: January 9th – January 10th
Kilometers completed: 37.49 km
Baffin products worn by Mark Hubner: BOOT PROTOTYPE 2, BASE LAYER TOP, BASE LAYER BOTTOM, PROTOTYPE SOCK 1, GLOVE LINER
On January 9th, Mark started Leg 13 of the expedition at Pretty River Provincial Park. The continuation of winter weather led to another day of cold temperatures and snowfall. This was no match for Mark and his Baffin gear as he proceeded his way through the trails. Having the trails all to himself, with grace and gratitude, Mark braced through the piling snow, completing 17.81 km. He ended the day at Devil’s Glen, closing out day 25 of his journey.
On January 10th, day 26 of the expedition, Mark started at McKinney’s Hill and travelled all the way to Noisy River. The howling winds set an intense scene with the tops of the soaring bare trees swaying back and forth. Puddles from the previous night’s rainfall were covered in a light dusting of snow disguising the surface, making it difficult for Mark to avoid them. Thankfully, with his BOREALIS boots, the technology allowed his feet to stay warm and dry for the remainder of his hike. With the crunch of snow under his feet, Mark completed 19.68 km, surrounded by beautiful snow-blanket scenery.
Mark Hubner, Senior Vice President of Commercial, Baffin
As the expedition continued through, Mark was able to Real-World Test multiple Baffin prototypes. He faced some challenges with fluctuating temperatures and navigating the appropriate number of layers. Being exposed on the roads with no landscape to shield from the high winds made it easy to add layers but being in the forest, shielded from these gusts of winds, made it a difficult decision for Mark to keep or remove layers.
Leg 14: Rock Hill Park – Mono Centre
Dates completed: January 18th – January 19th
Kilometers completed: 28.63 km
Baffin products worn by Mark Hubner: BOREALIS, BASE LAYER TOP, BASE LAYER BOTTOM, PROTOTYPE SOCK 1, GLOVE LINER
January 18th marked the beginning of Leg 14. Starting in Rock Hill Park, Mark made his way through the Bruce Trail ending in Primrose. After a difficult day battling through a cold, Mark still managed to complete 16 kilometers of trail. Mark sank into almost knee-deep snow during sections of his hike, but his BOREALIS boots kept his feet warm and dry throughout. During the hike, the temperatures gradually dropped, and the wind increased, especially through the roadside portions. This forced Mark to bundle up and keep warm. Mark spotted lots of deer tracks pressed into the piled snow during this section of trail.
On January 19th, Mark continued his journey, hiking through portions of ankle-deep snow on the trails. Starting in Primrose, Mark trekked for 12.63 kilometers, ending the day in Mono Centre. As Mark navigated his way through Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, the sky was grey and cloudy with the sun peeking through. Bracing himself through the harsh winds and numerous stretches of roadside marching in the exposed area, Mark endured the weather to finish the leg.
This Leg was particularly difficult for Mark as he was battling a cold but “some kilometers are better than no kilometers” he said – and that he did not fall short of. These had been “the two hardest days yet” as Mark experienced coldest temperatures of his journey with a bone-chilling temperature of about -20°C. Completion of this leg concluded the Dufferin Hi-Land Section of the Bruce Trail.
While hiking, Mark came across an abandoned truck, covered in snow and fallen branches.
Leg 15: Mono Centre – Hockleycrest
Dates completed: January 20th – January 21st
Kilometers completed: 26.97 km
Baffin products worn by Mark Hubner: BOREALIS, SOFT SHELL PROTOTYPE, BASE LAYER TOP, BASE LAYER BOTTOM, GAITER PROTOTYPE, PROTOTYPE SOCK 1, GLOVE LINER
Over two days, January 20th and January 21st, Mark completed Leg 15 spanning 26.97 kilometers. Starting at Mono Centre, he ventured through the snow-covered Hockleycrest. Day one of this leg was not a linear path. Mark endured an uphill climb on snow-covered stairs, crossed bridges over partially frozen streams, and withstood the harsh, chilling winds. On day two, Mark was excited to see cross-country skiers also enjoying the nature of the Bruce Trail.
Leg 15 marked the beginning of the Caledon Hills section of the Bruce Trail. Finding his way through Mark’s Baffin gear and technology allowed him to proficiently trudge through shin-deep snow. Baffin products undergo a Real-World Testing process to provide the most accurate information between the products and application, and Mark had a chance to put some potential products through this ultimate test. The winter weather and snow-blanket trails presented Mark with the perfect opportunity to Real-World Test a pair of BOREALIS boots with prototype gaiter clips aimed to prevent snow from entering into the boot.
Mark Hubner, Senior Vice President of Commercial, Baffin
Leg 16: Hockleycrest - Star
Dates completed: January 25th – 26th
Kilometers completed: 19.4 km
Baffin products worn by Mark Hubner: BOREALIS, PROTOTYPE INSOLE 1, BASE LAYER TOP, BASE LAYER BOTTOM, PROTYPE SOCK 1, GLOVE LINER, GAITER CLIP PROTOTYPE
Through Hockleycrest to Star, Ontario, Mark hiked a total of 19.4 km for Leg 16. During this leg, he navigated through Glen Haffy Conservation Area and shared the road sections with moving vehicles.
During the first day, Mark found the state of the trails to be very challenging. With an increase in temperatures and mild rainfall, the snow-covered solid grounds became a soft, sandy like texture, making it difficult for Mark to plant a solid foot. The second day mainly consisted of roadside walking. The grey sky and foggy scenery made for an eerie walk. Through the forest sections, Mark followed the calming sound of a running stream through the already imprinted ankle-deep snow. On this day, Mark swapped his existing BOREALIS insole with a prototype insole currently in development. This allowed him to obtain a better understanding of the best insole and outsole pairing. The completion of Leg 16 left under 300 kilometers of the Bruce Trail to be trekked.
Leg 17: Star – Cheltenham Badlands
Dates completed: January 30th – January 31st
Kilometers completed: 24.62 km
Baffin products worn by Mark Hubner: BOREALIS, BASE LAYER TOP, BASE LAYER BOTTOM, PROTOTYPE SOCK 1, GLOVE LINER
The final leg of phase four consisted of a two-day hike kicking off in Star, Ontario. Mark travelled his way through the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, to the Cheltenham Badlands. On these days, with milder temperatures, Mark tramped through the crunch of melting packing snow underneath him. As the Trail approached the home base of Baffin, Mark was able to put some time in the office during the mornings and then cover some ground within an hour radius in the afternoons. This leg's completion marked the end of the Caledon Hills section of the Bruce Trail.
Despite the milder conditions and rain, the trails remained snow-covered, allowing for a good snowpack throughout the trails. Mark trekked up stone stairs covered by snow to an opening that looked out at a river stream. The milder temperatures allowed Mark to remove some layers, down to his BASE LAYER TOP during segments of the hike. Wearing his BOREALIS boots, Mark completed 24.62 kilometers of main trail, closing this phase of the Bruce Trail Expedition.
PHASE FOUR COMPLETE
Mark Hubner, Senior Vice President of Commercial, Baffin
Throughout Phase Four of Baffin’s Trail Expedition, Mark had the privilege to enjoy most of the trail by himself and be one with the nature. The winter conditions gave Mark the opportunity to Real-World Test multiple Baffin prototypes. As these products are geared towards colder climates, it is important that they are tested in the appropriate circumstances. A total of 152.72 kilometers of the Bruce Trail was hiked by Mark during the duration of this phase.
The completion of Four Phases and 645.14 kilometers of main trail brings Mark to the final phase of this expedition. As this ambitious expedition nears the end, Mark looks forward to continuing as we continue to share updates of Mark’s expedition along the Bruce Trail.
