Between Friday, April 24 and Saturday, May 2, 2009, ORTA's Executive Director, Harold Sellers walked the Oak Ridges Trail, end to end, to raise funds for the trail and also to raise awareness amongst those who know little or nothing about our favourite trail. Members, supporters and friends are invited to make a pledge. See below for details on how to make your pledge.

The following is a day-by-day account of Haroldr's journey across the Oak Ridges Moraine on our trail. See the photo gallery as well.

Day 1, Friday, was 24 km from Palgrave to the 8 th concession of King. We had a great send off at the millpond in Palgrave and seventeen hikers began the trek. MPP Sylvia Jones joined us and wished us well. The weather was great, although windy, and as a result I got a sunburn! We saw early spring flowers. With comings and goings, nine of us finished the day. Cathy Simpson announced that she was going to hike with me every day. Great, I wouldn't be alone and start talking to myself!

Day 2 was the first of the longest days at 27 km from the 8 th concession to Aurora 's Town Park . It was also the hottest day, reaching 28 degrees, but I had my sunblock on this time. It was also the hilliest section of the trail. Cathy and I began the hike, nine finished, but over the course of the day a couple of dozen hikers joined me. It was also the day of the naked jogger! Many of you will know that there is a nudist camp beside the trail, south of Pottageville. This fellow is a frequent trail user, according to reports I've heard over the years. Less notable, but perhaps more pleasing, we saw deer, turtles, a salamander, a red-bellied snake and many birds. The day finished before a storm arrived.

Day 3 (22 km) started in Aurora and as soon as the clock struck the 9:00 am start, it rained! The rain continued for an hour, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the eleven who started. Again a few people came and went over the route and again we finished with nine. This hike took us to the Eldred King Forest in Whitchurch-Stouffville. MPP Helena Jaczek and her two adult children joined us for a few kilometers in the Vandorf area. With the much cooler temperatures (a 20 degree drop from the day before) we finished with more energy - plus I think I'm getting the hang of this! We celebrated with a pub stop in Mount Albert .

Day 4 saw us pass the 100 km mark as we reached Brock Road in Uxbridge Township . It was also another warm day and also a very long day. A re-route around a flooded section - caused by the wet spring - added two kilometers to the route, bringing the day to at least 28 km. But we made it and lived to hike another day. The regular Monday Trekkers linked up with us in the Secord Pond area, so we had plenty of fresh conversation for the final hour. This was the first night when I would not stay at home. Tom and Barb Rance kindly took me in to their Uxbridge home.

Day 5 was a very special day. It began in Coppin's Corners with a large group of hikers being led by two bagpipers down Brock Road for almost a kilometer until we turned into the forest. Drivers and the locals must have wondered what was going on! It rained for the morning, but the cool air was a relief from the heat the day before. We were joined by many hikers throughout the day, such as the University Women's group.

In Scugog, after lunch, the rain stopped but it got cold and very windy. We were almost blown off the road. We made good time and finished at Purple Woods at 3:30. Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce greeted us at Ocala Farm Winery. Another 24 km done. Good night; it's bedtime again. This time Elizabeth Stewart gives me food and shelter in Whitby.

Day 6 was very nice, weatherwise. With lots of sunshine, blue skies and mid-teems temperatures we enjoyed today immensely. Twelve hikers joined me, most completing the entire 19.5 km with me. I'm now hearing regular Wednesday hikers callling such distances easy!

Oshawa Mayor John Gray joined us at the start and hiked through Purple Woods Conservation Area with us. Here we saw the best display of spring flowers yet. There were even many white trilliums in bloom.

The hike was uneventful, but very enjoyable. Again we set a very good pace, finishing an hour or more ahead of schedule. With the sunshine and time on our hands we went to the general store in Enniskillen for some delicious Kawartha Dairy icecream. Later, dinner was at Linda Tyndall's home on Lake Scugog and my bed was again at Elizabeth 's Whitby home.

Day 7 was the shortest, only (chuckle!) 17.5 km from Long Sault Conservation Area to the junction of highways 35 and 115. The weather was great; the rain didn't arrive until very late in the afternoon. Five of us hiked the entire distance with one other dropping in for a short stay. Soon after we began in Long Sault we had a very special sighting on the trail. I was able to have my pictures checked by an expert later in the day and it was identified as a uncommon Blanding's Turtle. Very cool!

Hiking past the Wilmot Creek near the village of Leskard we spotted several large Rainbow Trout trying to swim upstream to spawn. We arrived at the finish point about an hour ahead of schedule.

Later in the afternoon - after a shower at John & Laurel Vogels - I went to an Oak Ridges Moraine symposium near Bethany . It had been planned that I would hike in to the resort to be greeted by the attendees. Everything went perfectly. I hiked down the hill looking strong and refreshed, joining everyone for pre-dinner drinks. Following dinner I was able to tell the attendees some stories from the trail. It was a lot of fun.

Thanks to John and Laurel Vogels for accommodation that night. I slept well while it rained outside all night.

Day 8: Here we are on the second to last day. On the trail by 8 am, thanks to John Vogels, Cathy and I began our hike at highways 35 and 115, soon entering the Ganaraska Forest . All day, it was just Cathy and I hiking for 27 km. There was no rain and the temperatures were good. We had periods of blue sky in the afternoon. By the time we reached our finish at Garden Hill, we were well over an hour ahead of schedule. John Windatt picked me up and Patricia prepared a wonderful dinner. Life is good!

Day 9, another 27 km day, started out with Cathy Simpson and I joined by two other ORTA members. Our walk went well and quickly. We had time in Bewdley for a coffee break and a leisurely lunch, while we waited to get back on schedule.

In the afternoon more and more people joined us as we approached Gore's Landing. Some clouds were rolling in and the temperature dropped as a few raindrops fell. But that all passed the day ended under clear skies. By the time we finished there were about 30 folks on hand. Pictures were taken at the waterfront and then about 20 of us went for dinner at Pitcher's Place restaurant.

The walk was over. After nine days of walking, it takes a while to comprehend that the next day you don't have to put your hiking boots on.

By far the best part of the experience was the time spent with so many friends; those who hiked all day, Cathy who hiked every kilometer that I did, some who hiked a few hours, others who I hadn't seen for some time, mayors and members of provincial parliament, colleagues from other organizations, and the much-appreciated hosts who billeted me.

This was an experience I'll never forget. Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible. Now that I've done it, who wants to do it next year!?

Happy trails
Harold Sellers
ORTA Executive Director

Photo Credits: Malcolm Hann, Cori Arthur, Petra Hartwig, Diana Smyth, Elizabeth Stewart, Jim Stratt and Harold Sellers (sometimes others using his camera!)

• Send your cheque, payable to “ORTA”, to Oak Ridges Trail Association, P.O. Box 28544 , Aurora , ON L4G 6S6
• PayPal payments may be sent to hikerharold@rogers.com
• Credit card payments may be made using the secure website CanadaHelps