Frontenac Challenge Wrap-Up 2015

Well it was another successful journey through the beautiful 11 loops of Frontenac Provincial Park to complete the 24th annual Frontenac Challenge. This was my third year completing all 160km (and first year attempting the optional loop the Moulton Gorge) and as always, it was nice to attend the wrap-up BBQ to chat with all of the other people who took part. What was interesting this year was that there were more people utilizing social media than ever to share moments along their journeys.

The lessons I learned by completing the #FrontenacChallenge @frontenacpark @OntarioParks https://t.co/oXD9T4E5p4 pic.twitter.com/9NOqcVSg3o

— Jennifer Baker (@JenniferBakerCo) November 9, 2015

@frontenacpark Mink Lake Lookout #slidelakeloop #frontenacchallenge #ontarioparks #getoutside pic.twitter.com/G4r9HFkpQ2

— BMD Photos (@bmdphotos) November 1, 2015

#frontenacchallenge final BBQ! Got my badge! Can't wait until next year!

A photo posted by Steph Young (@thehippiemoose) on Nov 7, 2015 at 11:07am PST

My new best friends. #frontenacchallenge

A photo posted by Patty (@patty_gurnsey) on Oct 4, 2015 at 4:35pm PDT

Have you ever hiked the 28km Slide Lake Loop trail at #FrontenacProvincialPark? Our Kingston Club did it this Saturday and had a blast! Many participants are participating in the #FrontenacChallenge as well! It took them 8 hours but many hikers make it into a weekend trip. Visit our website for more exciting outings in Eastern Ontario. Protip: You can access this challenging loop quickly from a Rideau Trail access point at 6767 Perth Road. #hiking #hikelife #rideautrail #microadventure #discoverontario #explorecanada #unescobiospherereserve #ontarioparks #slidelakeloop

A photo posted by Rideau Trail Association (@rideautrail) on Sep 27, 2015 at 11:05pm PDT

This year's stats:

• 332 registered
• 192 completed the full challenge
• 25 completed the Frontenac Trek (Hikers only have to complete 6 of the 11 loops)
• 8 completed the Junior Hiking Challenge (Youth up to the age of 12)

The park held a fundraiser to auction off some of the clue signs (hand painted by Erhard Frenzl who has sadly passed away) and I'm now the proud owner of Little Clear Loop's clue from a prior year which will be displayed proudly in my gear room.

I can't recommend the Frontenac Challenge enough. If you're thinking of giving it a try next year check out the primer I wrote on Ontario Parks' blog and I hope to see you out there!

On a side-note, be sure to check my blog post over at the Canadian Canoe Museum about Treasures in the Muck... something interesting that made me do a double-take at the Frontenac Provincial Park visitors centre.