1. Can you tell us about the Wasteland Plan Foundation—how it started and what its core mission is?
Back in 2018, Niki started cleaning badly polluted beaches in the Cayman Islands. One cleanup led to another, and soon residents and visitors were helping remove thousands of pounds of plastic from the Cayman shores. This impact was noticeable. Nesting turtles were returning to lay their eggs along these stretches of beach. Years later Covid would unfold and bring Niki and I both home to Toronto. Eager to continue helping the Earth, we created our first Community Clean Up Event. Collecting waste via canoe along the Toronto Island shoreline. We managed to remove 300lbs of garbage from the shoreline that day. The movement continued. We would go on to remove over 25,000lbs of garbage across 133 cleanups. Hosting over 16 Zero Waste Earth Events. We have aimed at fostering community connection through conservation and eco-adventure programs. Our programs cultivate education, restoration and nature-based reconnection that create positive, long-lasting and equitable socio-environmental shifts. The challenge is global, the solutions are local.
2. What does “presence in nature” mean to you?
Walking barefoot, now that takes some presence. Presence in nature to me means coming as you are. Some days I feel I can hear the wind whispering in my ear, and other days I might just be focused on the birds. What I think is important to realize, though, is that we are always connected to nature. No matter how far it may seem at times. All of our worldly systems revolve around it after all. Presence has become a great challenge in this day and age. Everything is vying for our attention, for our presence. Time in nature allows for the roadmap of presence to unfold. Nature is where our ability to quiet the mind, observe & exist becomes easily possible. Because in nature, the present moment is all that exists. Our senses are dazzled, continuously stimulated. As the Western World shifted its design to existing more indoors, we lost that continuous relationship with nature. I believe humans are wired for excellence. Designed to pick up the minutest of details. Our need for beauty and detail never went away as we sterilized our environments. Our phones now satisfy us in some ways, but often leave us feeling emptier than before. Walking barefoot has always been a great doorway to presence. Each step really counts, and if you’re not paying attention, you may end up with a thistle in your soul.
3. How did the idea for a 101-kilometre barefoot hike come about?
Niki and I have been walking barefoot forever, and we love a good challenge. Walking barefoot always feels like the most natural way to move through nature. Back in 2022, Niki and I decided to challenge ourselves to see if we could walk 100km along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. At the time, this was a way to bring more attention to the plastic ban that was coming down the pipeline. The route was set, our bags were packed, and we began walking from Etobicoke to Bronte Creek and back. Exhausted and in pain, we stopped our challenge in Port Credit at the 65km mark. Unable to continue, we called on our Wasteland Community to help us pick up where we left off. 7 friends completed the 35km relay style. Each walking 5km barefoot, stacking onto our total. After a 3-year break from the original challenge, Niki and I still wanted to complete the full 100km. This time in our new “backyard”, the Bruce Trail.
4. What kind of training was involved?
I have a pair of these sandals called Earth Runners. The whole shoe sits just 1cm off the ground. Very flat and very minimal. Due to its design, it forces you to walk with a toe-to-heel gait rather than the more common heel-to-toe. If I could walk everywhere barefoot in the spring and summer, I would. Unfortunately, the Australian culture hasn’t caught up to Meaford just yet. Till then, I wear my Earth Runners around town, and the body’s natural gait leads the way. My shoe choice and naturally hardened feet over the years were all the training I had leading up to the 100km Barefoot walk.
5. Why choose the stretch from Singhampton to Kimberly?
To tell you the truth, it all started with food. We love a good meal, especially after a physical challenge. So naturally, we mapped Heart’s Tavern in Kimberly as our endpoint. We then began working our way back from there. We started East of Kimberly so that we could connect the sections of the Burce we had done before and explore more of the Trail south of Collingwood. When officially mapping our route, this made the most sense as our Trail support (Niki’s Mom & Dad) would be in closer proximity, as they would be coming from Wasaga.
7. What did the supported and unsupported nights look like?
There is a stark difference between the supported and unsupported nights. I’ll set the tone for the unsupported. The sun had completely set, and anything that had dried off earlier that day was now soaked again. Fatigued and exhausted, we made the call to stop just short of our desired camp spot. The lack of light, unlimited mud and undetectable tree roots made continuing dangerous. So in the pouring rain, we set up our tent. One dog was crying, begging to get out of the rain. The older one sitting close by, unfazed, was watching the regular routine unfold. The tent now built, the four of us crawl inside. Trying to maintain some organization, we set up our sleep system. We tend to our inflamed feet, cook dinner, then attempt a good night’s sleep. Key word attempt. It was a long, restless night. Our sensitive feet needed more space than was possible. The lack of movement now brought more aches and pains. It was a very long night. In contrast, doing the hike supported was what made it truly possible. When Niki had to stop due to a prior ankle injury, she moved into the full-support role. On the second and third days, Niki would meet me along the route and bring Thirsty Buddha Coconut Water, snacks and warm coffee! At the end of the day, she would pick me up (often in the dark) and drive me and one of the dogs home. From there, I would eat, ice & massage my feet. Then, best of all, soak in a hot Epsom salt bath. We love a good challenge, but never want to destroy our bodies because of it. Doing this supported, not only made it possible, but it also made it sustainable for the body.
8. What were the most physically challenging moments of the trek?
The mornings were always the hardest moments of the hike. Your body is stiff, the feet are tender and sensitive. The first few hours of the day were always the slowest and hardest I found. It was especially challenging if there were long sections of gravel road in the morning. The combination of the two often made for a very slow, tiresome walk. I found myself searching for any inch of grass lining the road. Sometimes, a small 200m stretch of gravel road could take an hour just to walk.
9. How did you feel about the total time the trek took?
I am very proud of how long it took. The hike took 3 days and a bit to complete, but when just the walking hours were totalled, it took about 29 hours! Not too bad I’d say.
10. Why was it important to track the hike on Strava?
We wanted to know how much we were walking and we also wanted to account for the elevation. Strava made it easy to keep track of our daily distances. Without having to rely on a map.
11. Looking back, what stands out the most from the trek?
Running through the woods as the sun set. The second day was the most memorable. There were so many lows and so many highs all in one day. Waking up exhausted, saying goodbye and continuing the challenge without Niki, almost giving up midday. Then, to end, when I was running through the woods. I felt like I was flying. Adrenaline pumping through my veins as I begin to lose visibility due to the setting Sun. I am in the middle of the trail, 5km one way, 5km another. The only way to the car is forward. Quite the mind and move forward through the dark woods. One stride after another I can see Niki’s flashlight as I descend down the final hill of the day.
12. What do you hope people take away from hearing about this hike?
Maybe it will get people curious about just going for a walk in the woods without their shoes. Perhaps it will inspire people to take action on a challenge they have had on their mind for a while. Or better yet, just getting out and exploring the wonder of the Bruce Trail.
13. Any future hikes planned along the Bruce Trail?
One day, I’d like to do the full thing Barefoot. That will certainly take some training. We love heading up to Tobermory and hiking the shoreline there. Nothing official as of now, but who knows what the rest of the year will bring.
