Fogo Island Hiking Trail

[camperbc]

It was a beautiful day yesterday, so despite my spinal issues, I decided to try going for a hike on the Lion's Den trail high above the town of Fogo. It was the first time I have ever been in this area, and the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, with not another soul in sight for miles in all directions. It is a part of the island that used to be home to many small coastal communities (100+ years ago) but they have long since been relocated to more accessible areas. I wrongly assumed it would be a fairly easy trail, but in fact at times I felt like I was climbing Everest! Unfortunately, there were no icebergs in sight, but there was so much more to see, such as when I had to wait for a large herd of caribou to cross the trail ahead of me.

I had with me a suitcase-size camera case with all of my gear, which I felt was more necessary than the juice bottle, which I had decided to leave in the car! About a mile into the trail, I was sure wishing I had chosen to leave the gear behind and bring the juice. I was absolutely parched, tired and sore, yet figured I was too far along the trail to turn back again. As much as I enjoyed the scenery, I am sure I would have enjoyed it much more so, had I not been worried by this point about my own well-being. I could just imagine the embarrassment of having the search and rescue helicopter coming in to pick me up!

Anyway, to make a long story short, I finally made it to the other end of the trail, which mercifully, came out exactly where I had started from. I was so happy to see my car parked up ahead, knowing I was almost back to my drink bottle!

Today, my spine feels pretty good, but the muscles in my legs are so sore I can't walk at all! But you can just bet I will be on the trail again very soon! Next time I will bring plenty of fluids along with me!

If you look carefully in the distance, you can see the steps of the trail climbing way up the rocky slopes. I used my Sony Alpha with the 18-55mm kit lens for this shot.
Glen
http://www.FocusOnNewfoundland.com

[sury]

Very beautiful. What mesmerizing blues!hiccup! I love those blues caught in the ripples of the water.

Sury

[Dr. Harout]

Glen, did you use a polarizer?
Though I believe the beautiful blue of the sky and sea are normally like that, no PP.
What can I say, it's an awesome shot, very beautiful.
BTW, I'm beginning to like that lens, and really am interested in a comparison with the 16-105

[Birma]

Beautiful Glenn - I hope you're soon recovered from the hike. Great colours and textures, I especially like that wispy bit of cloud.

[Greg Beetham]

Very nice scene, well worth the effort.
Greg

ps. Any shots of the Caribou?

[camperbc]

Thanks everyone, for the kind comments.
I am starting to come alive again. I had pulled my calf muscles to the point of being totally unable to walk yesterday! But I have wanted to hike that trail for so long, and knew that if I didn't do it this year, I may not ever be able to, due to my deteriorating spine. Now I'm trying to psyche myself up for another go at it. Next time I will take plenty of fluids with me!

Dr. Harout, no, I did not use a polarizing filter. The blues of the sky and sea here on Fogo Island have to be seen in person to be believed. I have never seen anything like it anywhere else in Canada, though am at a loss as to why it is different. I own various filters, but have yet to ever screw one on.

Greg, I did snap a few of the caribou herd, but nothing too spectacular. I know it sounds strange, but I don't get excited about seeing caribou anymore, I guess because they are such an everyday occurrence here. Hardly a day goes by that they aren't crossing the road, in our yard, gobbling up our flowers, etc.
Thanks again,
Glen

[David Kilpatrick]

Hope your spinal problems can be alleviated. Many years ago we had a Minolta Club member, a nearly-retired motor dealer, who had a fused spine. He absolutely insisted on hiking over rocky crags with us on one day trip despite warnings that we had no first aid officer, and lost his footing on a steep muddy path. I ended up breaking his fall No harm done, but later on at dinner he said it was the first time he had tried walking for years, and he'd enjoyed it so much he was determined to get mobile.

I heard from him a couple of years later, and although his condition was not reversible, he had done exactly that - plus more exercise - and said that the strength he gained in the rest of his body improved his balance, his gait, agility, posture and everything. At the time he booked for our landscape workshop, he thought he was heading for a wheelchair, but by walking every day and doing cross-country walks with his camera at weekends he continued to be active for many years.

David

[aster]

Hi Camperbc,

You shoot very nice frames of the Fogo Island, despite all that you had to encounter. I wish to say that, how you decide to do photography and the lenght and distances you're willing to go is admirable and a great way of overcoming difficulties.

I definitely would enjoy any photos you wish to share with us in the future and I hope the pain becomes less intrusive in time.

It's good and inspirational to have you among us.

Yildiz