N.S. woman shares backpacking adventures online in hopes of inspiring others

A N.S. women is embracing the great outdoors and encouraging others to do the same.

A Nova Scotia woman is taking her love of the great outdoors to the next level and sharing her backpacking knowledge online in the hopes of inspiring others to hit the trails.

Deborah Peddle-Hann, a fitness specialist from Fall River, has owned her Journey to Wellness business for more than 15 years and has recently launched her newest venture: HealthyHiking.ca.

She shares workouts, workshops and tips for people looking to explore local trails or go on remote backcountry adventures.

“In the last few years we’ve definitely seen an increase in the number of hikers and backpackers and I was one of them,” says Peddle-Hann.

“I would day hike and I knew that if I wanted to see more of the beautiful backcountry in Nova Scotia, I knew I needed to take it beyond the day hike.”

Peddle-Hann hopes her workshops and courses take backpackers from unsure to trail ready.

“That could mean everything from mindset to what trails can you do, how do you prepare for a trail, what gear do you need, safety for food, water, wildlife,” she says.

“My goal is to take everyone from the point of not sure what to do to the point where they feel confident that they’re able to get out on the trail.”

Peddle-Hann says backpacking is an opportunity to “get away from it all.”

“I’m getting away from the office, from the laptop, from people, from the busyness and just get to connect with nature, it is so good for us both physically and mentally to be able to escape like that,” she says.

“Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, Canadian backcountry is unbelievably stunning and when you have a snack by a waterfall or you go to sleep listening to a river or you wake up in the morning and open your tent and there’s an ocean in front of you, it is so addictive. I am so glad I did this, and I want to share it with as many people as possible and get everyone else addicted as well.”

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