02 Sep Gros Morne Outdoor Co in Vogue

In Vogue – A Guide to Newfoundland: A Rugged, Remote Foodie Haven

Who would have ever thought Gros Morne Outdoor Company would be in Vogue?  Well this past summer, through a partnership with Tour Gros Morne and Great Canadian Trails (World Expeditions) GMOC had the chance to guide travel writer Claire Volkman through the Long Range Traverse. And if you have a read through the article you’ll see how she got to enjoy a little more than the amazing back-country camping….. there’s lots to do in Gros Morne National Park!!

http://www.vogue.com/article/newfoundland-canada-travel-guide

To highlight a few of Claire’s experience’s from her piece above;

” “It’s a rugged remoteness. The glacial-swept highlands conjure up fairy tales, the mighty fjords breed a difficulty of exploration that boasts an incredible sense of accomplishment,” said Andy Nichols, expert outdoor guide and owner of Gros Morne Outdoor Company. “To sum up the community here, it’s simple: It’s a place where no one locks their doors.”

Offering UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sprawling national parks, picturesque seaside villages, a world-class food scene, and quite possibly the country’s friendliest locals, you’d think Newfoundland would be swarming with tourists. However, this Canadian island that sits off the eastern coast of the country, flanking Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, sees a mere fraction of the visitors of British Columbia and Alberta. Newfoundland’s most inspiring national park, Gros Morne, sees a quarter of the visitors of Alberta’s famed Banff National Park and Lake Louise—two parks that are anticipating more than 5 million visitors this year alone. If you’re craving hikes that both challenge and inspire; food that’s as local as you can possibly get (think fish caught off the harbor where you’re eating); and secluded campsites, skip the crowds of Alberta and head to Newfoundland instead.

Here, six reasons to skip Alberta and make the trek to Newfoundland instead:

The Long Range Traverse
What brings so many people to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Alberta are the trails, which weave and meander all along the famous Canadian Rockies. The same amount of trails can be found in Newfoundland—just with an added degree of difficulty. The Long Range Traverse with Great Canadian Trails, which can take 4–7 days, is one of the country’s most challenging and weaves through Gros Morne National Park’s craggily cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and through miles of squashy bogs. “It’s one of the few true traverses that have no defined trail markings. Only 12 people are allowed to access per day and it features this incredibly inspiring mix of wild pristine wilderness,” Ian said.

Not only is the park strict on the number of hikers and campers allowed, the conditions to complete it are short—think 8–10 weeks a year, making the competition to complete it, high. Beyond that, though, the Long Range offers trekkers a chance to experience Newfoundland in a way typically just reserved for the locals. “It requires a degree of understanding of true backcountry hiking—not something many visitors understand. The views are spectacular as you pass by fjords and glacially carved mountains. And finally, the lack of people provides a unique and intimate experience. It’s a harsh but beautiful landscape,” Steven Wheeler, co-owner of Gros Morne Outdoor Company, said.

Often labeled an 8/10 in difficulty, it’s not for the faint of heart or the completely unfit, as days are filled scrambling up narrow mountain passages, bum-sliding through thick brushes of pine trees, and river crossing through icy river waters. The views, which often span 360 degrees of the bountiful landscape, make every tiring step worth it. “