Red Maple

Now that winter is upon us, I find myself reminiscing on the short autumn months and the longing of getting back to nature.

‪Hiking through the forests on the foothills of Mont Tremblant, Quebec this past October was a reminder of just how beautiful our earth truly is.

Hiking through forest foothills of Mont Tremblant (c)Krystal Seecharan

Mont Tremblant is located in the striking Laurentian Mountain chain line in Quebec, Canada. It is famous for animating your picture perfect winter ski and snowboard get-aways and summer escapes. However, little attention is given to the beauty that bestows upon the area in the autumn months.

Majestic mountain range painted in fall colours (c)Krystal Seecharan

The variety of colours surrounding your every step is one that cannot be replicated in the material world. I am so accustomed to the sights of monumental skyscrapers, roads, cars, crowds and pollution, that visions like this are rare.

‪I grew up in the suburbs, in close proximity to the city with no nearby forests. Walking through these leaves, I couldn’t help inhaling its scent like drugs, and staring up in awe at the variety of colours sprawled before my eyes.

Nature is so rare for me to come across, so I enjoy every bit of it was much as I can.

‪Every unknown critter or wild deer than crossed my path was a reminder of my “nature deficit disorder.” I just am not spending enough time with nature. Especially here in Canada where our long winters can reach temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius with the wind chill, driving many of us into hibernation for months. This is why I have taken a keen interest in exploring nature as much as possible, trying to look after our biological ecosystems.

Small stream accented with gold (c)Krystal Seecharan

Maple trees are the heart of this nation and sometimes it is easy to lose sight of that.

‪These images represent the kind of culture that I want my children to grow up in. I want them to experience what I did not growing up. I want them to learn how to sleep on the ground, and to use the stars as not only a nightlight, but as a map like our ancestors did. I want them to learn how to collect maple syrup from the tress and to use a hatchet to collect firewood. But most of all; I want them to witness the unique beauty that Mother Nature brings forth to us.

Since my adventure here I’ve been on many nature hikes around Ontario, but that mountain hike to the top of Mont Tremblant remains my favourite.

View from the top of Mont Tremblant (c)Krystal Seecharan

Mont Tremblant’s geology is majestic, as is its wildlife. I never tire of it, despite the eight-hour drive to get there. How often do you come face-to-face with a deer, close enough to pet it?

It is our beautiful and diverse natural environment that has inspired me, and hopefully others, to care about our planet.

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