As the end of April nears and the snow falls, Mavis Edey and the Red Deer Area Hikers (RDAH) are preparing for their first hike of the season.
“It’s a really great way to start a Thursday morning and get out into nature. Bring some water, shoes, and layers so you can adjust to whatever the weather is doing,” says Edey.
Weather is always a factor in their hikes, but it rarely stops the RDAH from exploring the backcountry and trails of Red Deer and Alberta.
The RDAH is a social group, open to hikers, of all ages and all abilities, who want to get out and explore through planned hiking trips.
Edey says there are other groups around Red Deer such as the Red Deer Ramblers and Central Alberta Mountain Club, but they are a bit more extreme.
Edey first got involved with the hiking group 10 years ago after battling rheumatoid arthritis that had left her dependent on a wheelchair. She decided to go the natural route and become more active during the summer. Today she completes the longer 15-km hikes with no problem.
There have been a few exciting moments over the past few years with wildlife encounters and interesting destinations with lots of learning a long the way.
“We have a couple naturalists in the club, they’re quite knowledgeable about the flora, fauna and birds we see on hikes. It’s so beautiful, there are some hikes in the back country like Mount Butte, and the people are fabulous.”
The group’s first official hike is April 20, at Kin Canyon with other trips planned to Ellis Bird Farm, Half Moon Bay, Rocky Mountain House and Lloyd Creek. All hikes gather and depart from the Golden Circle Parking lot every Thursday until October.
Memberships are available for the first time this year for $10, or there is a per hike cost.
For more information on the group and upcoming hikes visit Red Deer Area Hikers on Facebook.
christi.albers-manicke@www.reddeeradvocate.com
