Newsletter Archives - SKALA Adventures

Broken Pelvis Journey

Spring Newsletter

May 1, 2020/in Newsletter/by Katka

Happy Spring!

How are you doing?

It’s hard to believe that over a month has passed since the whole world has been able to relate to one another in a very unique way…Our businesses and guiding community here in the Rocky Mountains have temporarily closed their doors in response to the global pandemic.

As guidelines continue to develop to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including limiting gatherings to 15 or fewer and avoiding non-essential travel, Skala Adventures has suspended all adventure and retreat activities through May 30th.
The health and safety of our adventure community remains our number one priority.

We continue to monitor the Department of Health recommendations and access the situation closely.

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones in good health and managing as well as possible.

We are praying for the well-being of all of you, our national and local leaders, as they seek to help us through this pandemic.

I bet many of us are saying “I can’t wait to be on the other side of this”, to go back to my normal. But I am also thankful for this time of RESET, this breather our environment is getting, this time to re-evaluate all kinds of things in our lives…
SO I can’t wait to see what is in store for us – in this “new normal”.

In embracing the God who made us, as the One who Loves us, we in turn receive that Love, which gives us peace and hope. Peace and Hope is all I ask for you and yours during these interesting “reset” times. To receive this peace, we are invited to renew our minds with God’s word – we clothe ourselves with promises…One of my favourites:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God…Phil 4:6

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. — Corrie Ten Boom

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged..I will strengthen you and will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand…Iz.41:10

I am looking forward to exploring and enjoying our beautiful creation together!

In the mean time, I hope you can get outside, enjoy the fresh air, sounds and sweet aromas of spring!

Let your Faith be bigger than your Fear…

It’s going to be OK!

Stay well friends,

Katarina

Hello from the other side…

well, today marks ONE year since my broken pelvis accident, and I am beyond grateful for quite a rapid and successful restoration of my body. With a few aches and energy fine tuning, I have been able to enjoy what I love…and while I was at it – I made a lil’ spontaneous video too.

…running along the river in spring has it’s advantages…when chunks of ice broke off during Easter time, I was strongly re-assured, that this pandemic, will too, break off…

Ponderings and learnings during the pandemic:

Even if we can’t travel as freely these days, we can always travel inwards, right?

I have been learning that instead of easily hiding and becoming invisible during this time of isolation, this time is about connecting, taking care of one another in the best way we can.

“This is the time not to just GO through the season, but to GROW through the season”

(Thank you Lisa Vanderkwaak)

I have been enjoying re-connecting with friends that I haven’t heard from in a while, and have kept my focus on some house fun = indoor sprouting, gear repair, experimenting with new baking recipes, etc…and of course some outdoor fun too = running or walking. Yep! Spring has arrived in the mountains!

I also picked up some tools along the way, such as getting into video making (see slide show below!) and perhaps got more brave to just speak my heart on the spot. Being vulnerable definitely stretches me, but I know that it helps me grow and allows for personal transformation.

So how do YOU stay healthy? What’s in your psychological first aid kit?

Is it by getting outside, reflecting, connecting with others? I hope that you have been able to cultivate some peace and hope during these interesting times!

Here are my DAILY Pandemic Thoughts inspired by Dr. Leaf:

1. What am I GRATEFUL for today?

2. Who am I CHECKING IN ON or CONNECTING WITH today?

3. What expectations of “normal” am I LETTING GO of today?

4. How am I GETTING OUTSIDE today?

5. How am I MOVING MY BODY today?

6. What BEAUTY am I either creating, cultivating or inviting in today?

and if you ARE feeling sad or anxious, try to do the following:

1. Write your thoughts down – ask yourself – is it Really true?

2. Write the opposite of the thought – sit on it and reflect on wheather you want to be in that place of Fear vs. Solution!

Ask yourself – What Do I Want? Are my thoughts and my behaviour getting me what I want?

I hope you choose Freedom of fearful, negative or toxic thoughts!

Learning to Switch, Replace or Exchange the negative thought for a positive one – allows for a Shift in your mind and the environment around you. Think of it as detoxing your brain, which is ultimately so healthy for your mental and emotional health! I’ve tried it for 21 consecutive days – it’s amazing how free you feel after your “brain surgery”! 😉

I would love to connect with you!

I have created a FB group called Skala Body-Mind Connection – since I can’t guide you in the mountains, my hope is to see you face to face and have some heart to heart chats! I am hoping to host this group to encourage and support one another! Hope you can join us!

If you don’t have Facebook, let’s try this new platform everyone is connecting on – ZOOM! You don’t need an account, but you do need an App – I am so new to this group virtual world, but hopefully we can connect! I have created an invitation below to meet up. The first time topic can be just Check-In and meeting each other – and hopefully encouraging one another during these times…So make yourself a cup of tea / coffee and hope to see you on Saturday morning! Should be cool!

Katarina Ducaiova is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Skala Tribe Zoom Meeting

Time: May 16, 2020 10:00 AM Edmonton

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8782313308

Meeting ID: 878 231 3308a

Somethin’ to keep you excited about future Skala trips – from my living room to yours….

I made this teaser just for you – even if you can’t make it to our neck of the woods yet, one day, when the time’s ripe, I hope we can pack our packs, dust off our boots and explore!

I know for me, it will expand my heart, renew my mind, refresh the soul…

In the mean time, keep on dreaming here 😉

We are hopeful for restrictions to lift off and a good summer ahead! Feel free to check out the tentative dates of our 2020 season. Not seeing the dates you like? Happy to customize dates around your free time!

In the mean time, click here for our day or multi-day programs.

TODAY’S SPRING TIP:
As a guide and outdoor educator, I am used to movement on a regular basis. Hiking, packing, loading up canoes or instructing an outdoor skill. Now that these regular activities have been taken away from me for over a month, I need to be pretty mindful to STRETCH!!!

Think of stretching as your best friend you want to stay connected with! You want to check in with them on regular basis, spend quality time with them, be good to them! You wanna be good to your body too, right?

Chewy Fudge No-Bake Cookies

One more easy, tasty, fudgy teaser into our backcountry kitchen! Here is a bake-free dessert recipe from the NOLS Cookery. A sweet way to fuel your adventure prep for future adventures!

1 cup brown sugar
5 tbs. butter
1/4-cup cocoa mix
3 tbs. powdered milk (regular, soy, coconut)
3 tbs. water
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup nuts

Mix brown sugar, butter, cocoa mix, and milk mixture in a pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls onto a flat surface such as a pan lid. Let sit for about 10 minutes to set.

Pro-tip: Instant oatmeal works well in this recipe because it is milled into a finer grade and has a smoother texture than regular rolled oat, which provides a chewier texture and more bulk.

Winter Newsletter

March 9, 2020/in Newsletter/by Katka

Winter is Beautiful!

A friend once asked me: “what is the point of snowshoeing?” …instead of selling her on my convictions and excitement, I took her “hiking in winter”. We dressed for the weather, packed a hot tea and lunch, animal tracking guide just for fun. After we strapped a pair of snowshoes on our winter boots, lost track of time for a few hours and had a great time exploring areas where she couldn’t go otherwise, she wondered no longer.

Snowshoeing is a great way to get around in winter. As we snowshoe, we also find space to reflect, share, let go, perhaps gain a new perspective.
I believe that so much self-growth and discovery happens outside, in the wilderness – snowshoeing allows us to hike in winter, sit by the frozen lakes, breathe fresh air.

No matter what your level of experience is, there are plenty of choices to explore on snowshoes.

Skala Adventures is happy to partner with a charming front country Engadine Lodge for a unique high tea experience – providing a great relaxing atmosphere, as well as access to plenty of winter wonderland!

Check out our free Snowshoe Fun Series on Facebook! Donations are appreciated with all proceeds going to women in recovery summer wilderness programs.

There is still plenty of snow in our Canadian Rockies winter wonderland!

Engadine Lodge Area

Meet your Guide

I am happy to introduce myself as the face behind this newsletter and this small and bold adventure guiding company.

My heart and desire is to see women and men become free – physically, emotionally and spiritually…

I have been working in the field of experiential education as a guide and youth worker for over 15 years, instructing at adventure programs and wilderness expeditions across Canada, Alaska and Europe.

“I value having an opportunity to just be still, in the wilderness – breathing fresh air, enjoying the warming sun on my face or feeling the wind in my hair. In an open space or by the fire, I express myself differently; I share my emotions naturally, without judgment.

I am excited to grow and walk together, as we recognize who we are and what our purpose is on this earth. Exploring God’s pursuit of our hearts has been a passion of mine to share with others, and I am grateful to embark on this journey with you.

The following article is definitely the highlight of 2019, now a transformational part of my life story.

I learned, besides many other things, that:

– when we Pray, Shift Happens 😉

– when we get hurt – we gain new perspectives

– we are stronger than we thing we are

– having a community of friends n’ family, and total strangers praying for us – what a Grace

– this is my story about facing disappointment, embracing change and facing a new hope of healing

https://www.skala.ca/2019/06/05/when-we-pray-shift-happens/

My hope for the new year, no matter what the season, is that we can seize the day, lighten our load and take care of one another. As a community of growth and purpose.

That we desire to be – real, honest – hungry to experience the grace around us, within us. That this grace, makes us love more, forgive more.

At Skala, we offer a variety of adventure journeys tailored to a variety of interests.

Personal development activities/reflection time is what sets Skala Adventure apart.

Wheather you are looking for learning a brand new skill of backpacking, or just feel like going for a simple day hike with a deeper understanding of Who You Are, I am happy to walk along with you.

TODAY’S WINTER TIP:

Whilst enjoying winter, it’s crucial to remember to HYDRATE.

Take a warm drink in your insulated bottle, to avoid freezing and still enjoy being hydrated.

IF you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated!

So remember to drink little and often.

Any thoughts, questions? I am happy to connect!

In the mean time, get outside, and enjoy the fresh air, sounds and colours of winter!

Katarina

When We Pray, Shift Happens

June 5, 2019/in Newsletter/by Katka

Sometimes we get hurt – life gets real – disappointing – plans changed to postponed….

It’s easy to say “gotta stay positive – persevere – brush off and pick up where we left off…”
This is a journey of a life temporarily altered and beyond…and how thankful I am – that an incident had changed it all – my perspective, my journey, my story.

I didn’t plan to start the month of May this way, but the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital is known for and I agree – being the best place to get you mobilized, independent and stronger after a traumatic injury. A long story short – winter 2019 didn’t end up in the most pleasant style. On April 30th I had a great day downhill skiing at Lake Louise, the light wasn’t the best, but on our end of the day run we came across some obstacles, causing a double impact, airborne, rag doll crash – resulting in a broken pelvis.

I am super thankful and blessed that it didn’t turn out to be anything more serious. Four fractures and a shifted pubic symphysis are sure teaching me to appreciate this part of my body, and how much core strength comes from the Pelvis!

It’s been an interesting journey of gratitude, peace and patience. It’s so good to be surrounded by the community – showing up with books, chocolate or smiles!

I’ve surprised many – as I am not angry or upset about my current situation – I find myself even encouraging others – that it’s going to be ok!

Perhaps hearing the Voice on the first day of the hospital was all I needed to go on: “here are the 4 P’s:

Pray, be Patient, stay Positive, Persevere. There is Power in all of these.

I am ready to pick up books or visit or get otherwise neglected things done. I am ready to hear what I need to hear.

A humble but a good 6 day hospital visit taught me how our bodies are amazingly made, strong and able to heal.

Those days are always remembered with gratitude.

Wilderness therapy of 30 elk and deer outside of my window surely did their magic!

5 minutes of a quick snow storm beats any hospital recycled air, even in a wheelchair.

My soul is restored with the fresh air of spring.

The Banff nurses are always going to be my A-team – Angels with smiles, willingness, support.

. . . I am thankful, I am excited to see this body restored.

Never loose hope, keep your chin up – someone I love once said to me…

So all this being said….Skala Adventures goes on! I had to cancel the rest of the summer trips, in hope of rehabilitation in the fall and keeping this body in check, what it can or cannot do.

I do believe it is time for rest and restoration. And this time is not to be wasted neither.

This will be an amazing campfire story one day. My body has been healing very well, I am now two months in, and I praise God for peace and strength in my body and soul.

And there is an exciting miracle report 3 weeks in!

After 3 weeks post-injury, one day I prayed – learning lots about miracles (Joan Hunter, Healing the Whole Man)- I commanded my pelvis to be healed and restored in Jesus name! – and from one minute to another I could stand up on my non-bearing leg. The left leg was not bearing weight for 3 weeks, and after the prayer – it did! So I walked around my place without the crutches, laughing, crying and could not, of course I could! believe what just happened to me…I since have been walking with hiking sticks (on and off) and been working on the rest of the muscular healing and restoration with more physio!

This is to encourage you to stay strong if you are going through a difficult season.

God is faithful. He’s got it. He wastes Nothing.

Our stories are one day to encourage, empower, strengthen each other.