Hike Ontario is pleased to announce that in partnership with the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. (GHTA), a one-day chainsaw course for Hike Ontario member clubs and their members is being offered on May 2 and May 3, 2026, at a Midland GHTA club member's property near Midland, Ontario. The course is being delivered by Bernie Stockermans of Logging & Sawmill Safety, who last year provided this same course when the County of Simcoe Forestry hosted the course in Midhurst (near Barrie).
The course will consist of an indoor session in the morning to discuss safety, chainsaw maintenance, etc. and the afternoon session will be a field practice and observation session.
Course participants will have to bring a chainsaw, as well as proper safety equipment such as chaps, helmet, ear protection, safety glasses. Chaps that tie around the leg are recommended.
The course fee will be $150 + HST. Details about how to register will follow in the next few days.
While several Hike Ontario member groups were affected by the Ice Storm, and were able to open up the trail, there may still be a lot of leaning or hanging branches that may have come down this past winter and will need to be cleaned up.
For more information, contact president@ghta.ca or call Frieda Baldwin at 705-245-1005.