Comments on: Hiking the Long Range Traverse in Newfoundland

By: Wayne Ng

Wayne Ng — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 13:05:12 +0000

Superb report, thanks for sharing. We might do this, pandemic travel being what it is.

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 05:48:52 +0000

In reply to Katie @k8tlevy. Glad you enjoyed reading it Katie. I just read your report and it brings back a lot of memories.

By: Katie @k8tlevy

Katie @k8tlevy — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 00:26:44 +0000

Hi, and thanks so much for sharing all of this! My husband and I did the LRT earlier this month in 3 days/2 nights and I just finished my trip report. I stumbled on yours today, and it all sounds so wonderfully familiar. We didn’t see nearly as much wildlife, but had some of the same challenges, trials, and tribulations. But what a wonderful adventure! It was fun reading about your experiences 🙂

By: Peter Andrews

Peter Andrews — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 20:19:34 +0000

Hi Taryn.
Our group of 4 just completed the Long Range Traverse in 4 days/3 nights finishing up on Sunday August 5th. The group included my daughter in her early 30’s and another couple in their mid 30’s. All experienced backpackers and in excellent shape. I was the old guy in my mid 60’s but in decent shape and with lots of wilderness experience. By way of background all of us did the WCT last summer. As part of our preparation i read your blog, thank you, along with everything else I could find about the trek. As you know there’s not a lot of detailed info about the Long Range or Northern Traverse compared to info available on the WCT.
I feel that a couple of cautionary comments are essential to those considering either the Northern Traverse or the Long Range Traverse:
1. It’s very tough – lots of steep climbs and descents on relentless terrain of rock, mud, bog and lose rock (screed) and as you noted often through Tuckamore which is virtually impossible to penetrate.
2. Regardless of weather conditions, time of year and quality of boots your feet will be wet for the entire hike due to bog and water crossings.
3. There will be bugs and while less in mid to late August they’re still there. We had bug shirts/hats and used them.
4. Unless you’re a genius compass and map master navigator a GPS with the right (Parks Canada) map and way points loaded in is essential. The route is not at all marked and as you noted the trails are as likely to be animal trails as those made by humans. Follow the Parks Canada recommended route an not the older one loaded into some maps.
5. We were rushed at 4 days and even though the distances seem short the technical nature of the terrain and time to navigate carefully (we got off track once which cost us 4 hours and a lot of energy) makes the pace slow. Your average of 2k per hour is consistent with our overall experience. As a result of rushing we didn’t really have time to enjoy the experience.
6. Weather in Gros Morne changes very quickly. Hikers must be prepared for 10 c to 15 c temperature swings and fog which without GPS can stop you dead. Add to this rain and wind and the risk of hypothermia is very real. We started our first day at 27c with sun and ended by setting up camp in a torrential cold rain with wind which had us all trembling from both cold and exhaustion by the time we got inside our damp tents.
7. The risk of getting lost or injury is very high. Probably 5 times that of the WCT. This is why they issue Personal Locator Beacons. Two groups the week before us were airlifted out, one lost and one injured and a group just ahead of us was airlifted out due to injury. In fact the rescue helicopter stopped to ask us if we’d seen the other group and/or if we were OK.
8. Like all longer wilderness hikes go as light as you possibly can. Don’t be fooled by the fact that its “short” and take a little extra as we did. That extra weight nearly stopped me near the top of our first day’s accent up the steep part of the gorge.
9. The terrain can only be described as spectacular in its scale, beauty and remoteness but othereise not well suited for human consumption.
Overall our group decided that while we were pleased to have accomplished the hike and did enjoy the wonder of Gros Morne, unlike most other hikes we’ve done, this was a “never again” experience. i hate to discourage others from such a spectacular spot but do want them to go in with eyes wide open and hopefully well prepared.
I enjoyed your blog and hope to write our story along with some pics to bring the experience to life shortly.
In the meantime, happy hiking and wishing you lots of new adventures.

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 01:27:47 +0000

In reply to Mike.

Hi Mike. It’s 35km in a straight line… but it’s an off trail route so most people hike a lot further. We hiked about 50km. We also tacked on a summit of Gros Morne Mountain at the end so we could have finished in 4 days without that. As well, there’s a lot of micro-terrain (little cliff bands, tiny ponds, scrubby vegetation) and at times we were travelling less than 2km an hour. If you’re fit and experienced with off trail navigation you could probably do the Long Range is 3 days (not including the summit of Gros Morne)… but most people still take 5.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 20:39:19 +0000

Hi Taryn. I’ve enjoyed a lot of your write ups and adventures in BC. Thanks very much for sharing!
My GF and I have talked about the Long Range Traverse and my first reaction was “36km Is not ‘Long Range’ and shouldn’t require 5 days.” Can you fill me in on how it is that most people need 5 days? Is it just a matter of taking a leisurely pace or is the terrain that technical? Because I’d otherwise want to tack on the Northern Traverse to extend the trip another 27km.

Thanks! -Mike

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 05:02:40 +0000

Thanks for this great writeup. I’m looking at doing this exact trail, maybe next summer. I was a little concerned about transportation between the start and end points, but seems the taxi option is quite convenient!

By: Lana

Lana — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 05:18:17 +0000

In reply to Lauren. trails are nearly always muddy in newfoundland. I've never done the traverse, but I live in NL and hike somewhere every week. mud and water is a constant hassle.

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:16:48 +0000

In reply to Lauren.

Hi Lauren. I’m glad you found the post helpful. To answer your questions: We went in mid-August and there was a lot of mud. It rains a lot there – I’d bring gaiters 🙂 The navigation wasn’t that difficult for us from what I remember. We used both a map and compass and a gps – we had the gps coordinates for the campsites. I don’t remember the bugs being bad – it was mid August so they weren’t as bad as they can be earlier in the year. Have a great trip!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 16:10:48 +0000

Hi Taryn,

Thanks for posting your experience! Some friends and I are in the midst of preparations to do the traverse in a few weeks time… what month was it when you went? I was debating gaitors vs no gaitors since we’ll be there in the summer, but after reading about all the mud you encountered it sounds like a good idea!

I’m a little nervous about the navigation since it will be our first off-trail hike… sounds like you guys managed without too much trouble, aside from the third foggy day, so that’s encouraging! If you have any tips surrounding that, let me know!

Surprised to see there is no mention of bugs in your report! Maybe the windy conditions kept them at bay?

Thanks again for sharing your experience, I find blogs like this super helpful as we prepare our own adventure!