Elk Island Challenge

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Interactive map of Freya's progress
(click the map to try it out!)

Monday, June 27, 2005

Elk Island 2005 progress - trail 5 of 11

June 27, 2005 - Six year old Freya Hammond-Thrasher completes a 12.1 km Elk Island trail leaving 6 to go. Her total distance covered to date is roughly 20 km.

Freya at Hayburger trailhead
Freya at the Hayburger trailhead

Today, Freya and her trusty bearer (a.k.a. "Dad") walked the Hayburger Trail. They had to overcome numerous hazards on their quest.

A problem on the trail
Hazard #1

Within five minutes of starting out, the trail was washed out. We had to cross that sorry excuse for a bridge that you can see here. And the great part was, we got to cross it again on the way out!

Freya's bug net
Hazard #2

Then the insect problem became apparent. Fortunately, Freya brought her mosquito netting.

A bison off the Hayburger trail
Hazard #3

After about four kilometers, we encountered a lone bull just off the trail. He retreated when he saw us coming.

Freya by the quicksand
Hazard #4

Then we came across real quicksand! I thought quicksand was only to be seen in Saturday moring cartoons, but here is the real thing! (We did not try it out.)

Freya pausing on the Hayburger trail
Hazard #5

Then it became painfully apparent that 12 km is a rather long walk. After a few rests and many snacks, we made it back to the trailhead.

Dad and Freya prevail!
Success!

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Seeking pledges!



Hi! My name is Freya. I am 6 years old. I live in Edmonton with my mom and dad and twin sister, Stephie, and my cat, Chicken. I like to sing, dance, hike, swim, and help people. I have decided to hike all of the eleven trails listed at Elk Island National Park. I am doing this as a fundraiser to make money for the Friends of Elk Island Society. If I hike all of the trails, I will have walked 93.2 kilometres this summer. I may not be able to hike all of trail number 9 (Tawayik Lake Trail) because in the summer it gets flooded. That's not my fault, that's the lake's fault. I am going to hike as far as I can on number 9 and then hike back when we get to the flooded part, or we could puddle jump if it is not too big. I would like people to pledge money for every kilometre I hike. So, if you pledge one cent for every kilometre, you would pay the Friends of Elk Island Society ninety-three cents. If you pledge one dollar for every kilometre I hike, you would pay the society ninety-three dollars. That would help a lot of bison!

Please pledge your support in a comment below - make sure you leave some way of contacting you - or email your pledge to freyaht@gmail.com .

Thank you very much for helping me with my challenge!

IMPORTANT NOTE: F.E.I.S. is a registered charity - you will receive a charitable receipt following payment of your pledge to F.E.I.S.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Elk Island 2005 progress - trail 4 of 11

June 11, 2005 - Freya Hammond-Thrasher completes another short Elk Island trail leaving 7 to go. Total distance covered to date is roughly 8 km. This time we had some company!


Freya with her mother and sister at the Lake View trail head. The rain let up, but the mosquitoes were thick!


Our hardy voyageur poses at an interpretive sign.


Freya and Stephie pause in the lush greenery.