Challenge Accepted: Backpacking the Northern & Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne National Park

This week, we’re moving our adventures from the ocean to the mountains: it’s time for a backpacking trip in Gros Morne National Park! With Akiva in tow, our plan is to backpack the combined Northern and Long Range Traverse. This challenging route is largely off trail, and covers about 46 miles of ground with 10,000’ of elevation gain along the way.

We packed for six days, though we expect the trip to take closer to four or five. Day 1, we planned to cover good ground and make our way from the trailhead to the Long Pond Campsite. It’s about a 12-mile day with significant elevation gain, as we’ll be climbing up to the tablelands from sea level.

The trail started off casual, but led to a stream crossing pretty much right away. We switched into our “super technical” water Crocs and made our way through the frigid, knee-deep water to the other side of the river. Akiva was not a fan.

After the stream crossing, it was time to go up. And up. And up, up, up, up, up. Robin was a big fan.

We dodged plenty of mud. We stepped in plenty more. We teetered on downed trees. We bushwhacked through tuckamore. We hung out with a few ptarmigan. And some caribou. And a caribou skull.

About halfway through our first day, the rain came. And, as the rain came, the trail became harder and harder to follow. After a bit of a trail-finding detour, we made it to our first campsite where we dried off, warmed up, and filled our bellies with some high-calorie backpacking meals.

We woke up to the beautiful sun peeking through the trees, drying our wet, wet gear. We splayed our gear out and had a slow morning, giving the sun as much time as possible to dry out our soggy stuff. We only had about 6 miles of ground to cover, so there was no huge rush to get to hiking.

Blue skies and friendly temps made our second day one we’ll never forget. Around every corner we were privy to a breathtaking landscape unlike anything we’d ever seen before. Even with some rugged tuckamore to navigate, nothing could bring our spirits down.

Navigating was a challenge, of course. We were grateful for modern technology (but don’t worry, we also have a map and a compass…and we know how to use them ;-). Discerning between the “real trail” and random caribou trails was not always straightforward!

Our second campsite was second to none—and the stars!! Wow!

Day 3 was another beautiful day. We got an early start, scrambled around Gilly Pond, and headed down trail towards the fjord—which was right around the corner. Just…wow.

At the fjord, we connected with the Long Range Traverse, which sees more traffic and is much easier to follow. The terrain was also significantly less technical (but significantly more muddy). Mud was the theme of the day. Our shoes were muddy, Akiva was muddy, our souls were muddy…

We put in a monster day. 15 miles to get from Gilly Pond to Green Island Pond…but the push was well worth it. We pulled a double because we knew some really nasty, wet weather was on its way…and staying out of it was our goal.

Day 4…we stayed in our tent all day, all cuddly, warm, dry, and well-caffeinated. The weather raged. We were very, very happy to be holed up in our tent. For about 36 hours.

On day 5, we woke up to dry skies…but wet everything else. The forecast also changed, calling for a bit more wet weather instead of the cold-but-sunny weather we were expecting. We poured the rainwater out from our shoes, headed out for the day, and pretty much immediately got hailed on.

From hail to high winds to sunshine, day 5 was a rollercoaster of emotion. We decided to skip the summit of Gros Morne due to the wind and weather, but we have plenty of time to come back to bag that peak. At that point, we were ready for a hot shower, a hot cup of coffee, and a few rest days.

————————–
Episode #365

Sign up for our email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hn3Qyv
————————–

If you are interested in supporting, here are a few ways:
https://www.acorntoarabella.com/how-to-help
Acorn to Arabella’s wishlist:
https://www.acorntoarabella.com/wishlistpriority

TotalBoat supports A2A! Please consider using our Total Boat referral code. Click here, then shop: https://www.totalboat.com/acorntoarabella They’ll kick 10% our way!

To offer recurring support via Patreon, CLICK BELOW. Just $5 a month gets you an invite to our monthly patron-only livestream Q&A sessions!
https://www.patreon.com/acorntoarabella

Original Soundtrack available at benfundis.bandcamp.com

FOLLOW US:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/acorntoarabella
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acorntoarabella/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acorntoarabella
Website: http://www.acorntoarabella.com

This week, we’re moving our adventures from the ocean to the mountains: it’s time for a backpacking trip in Gros Morne National Park! With Akiva in tow, our plan is to backpack the combined Northern and Long Range Traverse. This challenging route is largely off trail, and covers about 46 miles of ground with 10,000’ of elevation gain along the way.

We packed for six days, though we expect the trip to take closer to four or five. Day 1, we planned to cover good ground and make our way from the trailhead to the Long Pond Campsite. It’s about a 12-mile day with significant elevation gain, as we’ll be climbing up to the tablelands from sea level.

The trail started off casual, but led to a stream crossing pretty much right away. We switched into our “super technical” water Crocs and made our way through the frigid, knee-deep water to the other side of the river. Akiva was not a fan.

After the stream crossing, it was time to go up. And up. And up, up, up, up, up. Robin was a big fan.

We dodged plenty of mud. We stepped in plenty more. We teetered on downed trees. We bushwhacked through tuckamore. We hung out with a few ptarmigan. And some caribou. And a caribou skull.

About halfway through our first day, the rain came. And, as the rain came, the trail became harder and harder to follow. After a bit of a trail-finding detour, we made it to our first campsite where we dried off, warmed up, and filled our bellies with some high-calorie backpacking meals.

We woke up to the beautiful sun peeking through the trees, drying our wet, wet gear. We splayed our gear out and had a slow morning, giving the sun as much time as possible to dry out our soggy stuff. We only had about 6 miles of ground to cover, so there was no huge rush to get to hiking.

Blue skies and friendly temps made our second day one we’ll never forget. Around every corner we were privy to a breathtaking landscape unlike anything we’d ever seen before. Even with some rugged tuckamore to navigate, nothing could bring our spirits down.

Navigating was a challenge, of course. We were grateful for modern technology (but don’t worry, we also have a map and a compass…and we know how to use them ;-). Discerning between the “real trail” and random caribou trails was not always straightforward!

Our second campsite was second to none—and the stars!! Wow!

Day 3 was another beautiful day. We got an early start, scrambled around Gilly Pond, and headed down trail towards the fjord—which was right around the corner. Just…wow.

At the fjord, we connected with the Long Range Traverse, which sees more traffic and is much easier to follow. The terrain was also significantly less technical (but significantly more muddy). Mud was the theme of the day. Our shoes were muddy, Akiva was muddy, our souls were muddy…

We put in a monster day. 15 miles to get from Gilly Pond to Green Island Pond…but the push was well worth it. We pulled a double because we knew some really nasty, wet weather was on its way…and staying out of it was our goal.

Day 4…we stayed in our tent all day, all cuddly, warm, dry, and well-caffeinated. The weather raged. We were very, very happy to be holed up in our tent. For about 36 hours.

On day 5, we woke up to dry skies…but wet everything else. The forecast also changed, calling for a bit more wet weather instead of the cold-but-sunny weather we were expecting. We poured the rainwater out from our shoes, headed out for the day, and pretty much immediately got hailed on.

From hail to high winds to sunshine, day 5 was a rollercoaster of emotion. We decided to skip the summit of Gros Morne due to the wind and weather, but we have plenty of time to come back to bag that peak. At that point, we were ready for a hot shower, a hot cup of coffee, and a few rest days.

--------------------------
Episode #365

Sign up for our email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hn3Qyv
--------------------------

If you are interested in supporting, here are a few ways:
https://www.acorntoarabella.com/how-to-help
Acorn to Arabella's wishlist:
https://www.acorntoarabella.com/wishlistpriority

TotalBoat supports A2A! Please consider using our Total Boat referral code. Click here, then shop: https://www.totalboat.com/acorntoarabella They'll kick 10% our way!

To offer recurring support via Patreon, CLICK BELOW. Just $5 a month gets you an invite to our monthly patron-only livestream Q&A sessions!
https://www.patreon.com/acorntoarabella

Original Soundtrack available at benfundis.bandcamp.com

FOLLOW US:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/acorntoarabella
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acorntoarabella/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acorntoarabella
Website: http://www.acorntoarabella.com

Note of Recognition for Acorn To Arabella

At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that Acorn To Arabella and other creators invests in crafting each and every video. Their passion for delivering exceptional content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.

We invite you to watch their captivating videos and actively engage with their content, including their social media links above. Liking, commenting, and sharing their work goes a long way in fueling their creative fire.

We're also inviting you to explore any sponsorships and partnerships highlighted in the video description of "Challenge Accepted: Backpacking the Northern & Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne National Park", or directly on YouTube. By considering their offerings or purchasing services and items, you not only support Acorn To Arabella but also the brands and collaborators they're associated with.

If you have any feedback, corrections, or additional information about Acorn To Arabella or their videos, please use the comment form below to share your thoughts with us.

Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting the creators we cherish. Your time and support truly matter!

Acorn To Arabella Lastest Videos

Showing 1-24 of 420 results
Challenge Accepted: Backpacking the Northern & Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne National Park
Acorn To Arabella
Challenge Accepted: Backpacking the Northern & Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne National Park
This week, we’re moving our adventures from the ocean to the mountains: it’s time for a backpacking trip in Gros Morne National Park! With Akiva in tow, our plan is to backpack the combined Northern and Long Range Traverse. This challenging route is la...
Over Land and Sea: The Final Passage of the Year from Codroy to the Bay of Islands
Acorn To Arabella
Over Land and Sea: The Final Passage of the Year from Codroy to the Bay of Islands
Welcome back to Newfoundland aboard Arabella! This week, we’re traveling by land and by sea, making our final passage before winter settles in for the season. While Robin took the ferry back to Nova Scotia to shuttle the truck, I single-handed Arabella ...
Sailing to Newfoundland and Finding the Greatest Rescue Story Ever
Acorn To Arabella
Sailing to Newfoundland and Finding the Greatest Rescue Story Ever
After sailing thousands of miles, Steve and Robin embark on the final leg of their journey—navigating their sailboat, Arabella, toward her winter home in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. In this episode, they prepare for a crossing over the notorious Cabot S...
From Bras d’Or Lake to the North Atlantic: Learning (and Splicing) the Ropes
Acorn To Arabella
From Bras d’Or Lake to the North Atlantic: Learning (and Splicing) the Ropes
Try Huel with 15% OFF today using my code ACORN15 at http://huel.com/ACORN15. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! Minimum order value of $75. This week, we pick up where we left off in Baddeck, NS. Robin continues learning the ropes, opting to “...
Anchored Bow and Stern at the Greatest Anchorage in the Bras d’Ors
Acorn To Arabella
Anchored Bow and Stern at the Greatest Anchorage in the Bras d’Ors
This week, we continue cruising the Bras d’Or Lakes, bringing Arabella from Macnabs Cove to Baddeck…with a lovely stop at Pellier Harbour on the way. Robin was able to get some more experience with hoisting and lowering all four of Arabella’s sails,...
Cruising the Bras d’Or Lakes: A Good Start in St. Peter’s
Acorn To Arabella
Cruising the Bras d’Or Lakes: A Good Start in St. Peter’s
This week, with the woods ban still in place, we decide to hightail it to Newfoundland via the Bras d’Or Lakes. We’re itching to get climbing, hiking and biking again! Before we start sailing north, I took the time to do something that’s been on my ...
Exploring Halifax by Foot and Terence Bay by Paddleboard…But Still No Woods
Acorn To Arabella
Exploring Halifax by Foot and Terence Bay by Paddleboard…But Still No Woods
This week, we’re still anchored in Terence Bay, Nova Scotia…and the ban on the outdoors is still in effect. Never in a million years did we ever expect to be wishing for rain in order to go rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. Despite our disap...
Rock Climbing on Shannon Island: Training for a 2,000’ Big Wall in Newfoundland
Acorn To Arabella
Rock Climbing on Shannon Island: Training for a 2,000’ Big Wall in Newfoundland
If you can remember, back when I started this project, I was working full-time as a route setter at a local rock climbing gym. I largely set climbing aside while I built Arabella, but my goal has always been to sail Arabella to remote places where the clim...
Anchored in Terence Bay: It’s Time for Some Rock Climbing
Acorn To Arabella
Anchored in Terence Bay: It’s Time for Some Rock Climbing
This week, I move the boat and drop anchor in Terence Bay—which is surrounded by some of Nova Scotia’s best climbing areas. But Robin is still making her way back to Canada with the truck and all of our climbing gear. My rock climbing stoke will have t...
Single-Handing the 38’ Wooden Sailboat He Built Himself
Acorn To Arabella
Single-Handing the 38’ Wooden Sailboat He Built Himself
You can still contribute to the fight against cancer at https://profile.pmc.org/bf0201 This week, we map out our passage from Shelburne to Lunenburg, NS, making sure to follow a route safely offshore enough to avoid the many shoals and exposed rocks on th...
From P-Town to Nova Scotia: Our First International Sailing Adventure
Acorn To Arabella
From P-Town to Nova Scotia: Our First International Sailing Adventure
This week, we’re taking Arabella international—we’re sailing from Provincetown, MA to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. But, before we go too far, we need to calibrate our NEW Pelagic autopilot. After our autopilot broke a few hours into our last multi-day off...
We’re Over-Wintering Where? Getting Ready for Our First International Passage
Acorn To Arabella
We’re Over-Wintering Where? Getting Ready for Our First International Passage
This week, we're getting our homebuilt wooden boat ready for her first international passage. Sure, it’s just to Canada, but to us, it’s a big deal! First up is finishing work on the bowsprit. I needed to get the bow out of our bronze bow roller befor...
Moving the Diesel Engine Panel & A New Cockpit Nav Station
Acorn To Arabella
Moving the Diesel Engine Panel & A New Cockpit Nav Station
It’s Arabella Demolition Day, folks! This week, I’m dismantling our on-deck nav station and engine control panel, and rebuilding one big station to house all of our gadgets and gizmos: the chart plotter, wind reader, VHF radio, engine controls, and our...
Repairing Rot in the Bowsprit & Snugging Up a Loose Rig
Acorn To Arabella
Repairing Rot in the Bowsprit & Snugging Up a Loose Rig
A calm morning in Marion Harbor makes for the perfect day to deal with the rot I found in Arabella’s bowsprit while we were back in Miami. What I thought was just a small spot of rot turned out to be a bit bigger than I had imagined—an indication that ...
Gale Force Winds & Broken Autopilot! Offshore from VA to MA
Acorn To Arabella
Gale Force Winds & Broken Autopilot! Offshore from VA to MA
This week, we’re setting out for a 4-day offshore run from Norfolk, VA back to Mattapoisett, MA—where we launched Arabella almost two years ago to the date! Our good friend George joined us for the passage. We learned an expensive lesson about securi...
Sticker Shock! Decorating the Dodger Before Cruising to Norfolk
Acorn To Arabella
Sticker Shock! Decorating the Dodger Before Cruising to Norfolk
Work on the dodger may be done, but before we can leave Okracoke, we need to install our new Garmin GMI20. The last one died halfway through our passage from Miami to Beaufort, and we had a replacement unit sent to the Okracoke post office. Despite our bes...
Dodging Shoals and Working on the Dodger: Sailing to Ocracoke Island & Cape Hatteras
Acorn To Arabella
Dodging Shoals and Working on the Dodger: Sailing to Ocracoke Island & Cape Hatteras
This week, Arabella makes her way to Ocracoke Island, at the south end of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Robin and I have been looking forward to visiting the Outer Banks, and maybe exploring long-abandoned Portsmouth Island. With winds expected to pipe ...
Fixing a Leaky Boat Deck & More Boat Maintenance Fun
Acorn To Arabella
Fixing a Leaky Boat Deck & More Boat Maintenance Fun
After our offshore run, I promised Robin that I would wait for her in Beaufort so she could see the wild horses on Carrot Island, explore the shops in downtown Beaufort, and visit the Outer Banks before our run back North. While waiting, I tackle some boat...
5 Days And 4 Nights Offshore: Catching Mahi & Learning Lessons
Acorn To Arabella
5 Days And 4 Nights Offshore: Catching Mahi & Learning Lessons
This week, the journey resumes on day three of our offshore sailing passage from Miami, FL to Beaufort, NC. Along for the journey was my old college buddy, Dave, and my new friend, Jesse, who we met in Key Biscayne. On day 2 of our passage, we brought a M...
Setting Sail for a 600-Mile Offshore Passage (But Only After a Little Boat Work)
Acorn To Arabella
Setting Sail for a 600-Mile Offshore Passage (But Only After a Little Boat Work)
This week, we’re getting ready for a 600-mile offshore passage from Miami, FL to Beaufort, NC. Before we set sail, I took the chance to get some boat work done: scrubbing and oiling the decks, smoothing out the battens so they don’t get stuck in the la...
Trading the ePropulsion Electric Motor for a Loud, Smelly Gas Engine (But At Least It Works)
Acorn To Arabella
Trading the ePropulsion Electric Motor for a Loud, Smelly Gas Engine (But At Least It Works)
This week, we start with a visit from the one and only Sam Holmes—a real, actual sailor! Sam regales us with tales of suffering and single handing his sailboat, and gives us some advice for the passages in our future. If you’re not already following hi...
Boat Maintenance Woes: Technical Difficulties with the Watermaker & Auto Helm
Acorn To Arabella
Boat Maintenance Woes: Technical Difficulties with the Watermaker & Auto Helm
You know what they say: “BOAT” stands for “Break Out Another Thousand.” While we were anchored in the Dry Tortugas, I got our Spectra watermaker back online. This week, back in Key West, we’re troubleshooting an issue with the feed pump pressure...
Autopilot or Bust: A Metalwork Collaboration Between Acorn to Arabella and SV Seeker
Acorn To Arabella
Autopilot or Bust: A Metalwork Collaboration Between Acorn to Arabella and SV Seeker
This week’s video resumes in the Dry Tortugas, where we’re stuck on finding a solution for installing our auto helm. But that can wait…first, fishing! Our bait attracted a few good-sized Nurse Sharks and Goliath Groupers, putting on quite the show fo...
After Over 3,000 Miles, Arabella Drops Anchor at the Dry Tortugas
Acorn To Arabella
After Over 3,000 Miles, Arabella Drops Anchor at the Dry Tortugas
In this episode, we sail Arabella over to the clear, blue waters of the Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West. Starting from the Ten Thousand Islands, we hit Key West for provisions, hot showers, and to pick up the parts we need to get our ...

Something AWESOME is coming!
Be the FIRST to know⛵

Sign up for exclusive updates and be the first to hear when we go live!
Get sneak peeks, exciting announcement, and special content straight to your inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.


WeBoating
Logo
Shopping cart