Long Range Traverse - Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland Canada
photos and text by Doug Fitzgerald
A major goal of our trip to Newfoundland was for John and I to backpack across the Long Range Traverse. Just 15 hours before we were to begin our hike, our truck broke down for a second time. We thought that there was no way we could still leave the next morning, but Jan came to our rescue and worked extremely hard to find a way to get us into the backcountry on time. We will always be grateful to her for making this happen for us.
Quoting from Parks Canada, “The Long Range Traverse is an unmarked and rugged backcountry route… The route is 35 kilometers long and usually takes 3-4 nights to complete. “
There is no trail, there is a beaten path in places, but intersecting game trails cause many mistakes and where hard rock ridges or snowfields are encountered it is easy to get off track, all of which required us to be navigating constantly. The plateau is a beautiful and magical place of open country, impenetrable brush, rocky ridges, steep climbs, ponds, lakes and rivers. The ground is rough and wet making hiking very difficult, especially carrying a backpack with four days of gear and supplies. Kilometers come hard and short distances take a long time to traverse.
We met others along the way and teamed up with another group on day three to share expertise and fellowship.
It was a tough four days, but it was a wonderful experience that will be firmly etched in our minds forever.
Quoting from Parks Canada, “The Long Range Traverse is an unmarked and rugged backcountry route… The route is 35 kilometers long and usually takes 3-4 nights to complete. “
There is no trail, there is a beaten path in places, but intersecting game trails cause many mistakes and where hard rock ridges or snowfields are encountered it is easy to get off track, all of which required us to be navigating constantly. The plateau is a beautiful and magical place of open country, impenetrable brush, rocky ridges, steep climbs, ponds, lakes and rivers. The ground is rough and wet making hiking very difficult, especially carrying a backpack with four days of gear and supplies. Kilometers come hard and short distances take a long time to traverse.
We met others along the way and teamed up with another group on day three to share expertise and fellowship.
It was a tough four days, but it was a wonderful experience that will be firmly etched in our minds forever.
