Although I wasn't quite sure of what to expect when I made the decision to relocate to Toronto, I was well aware of the fact that some serious adjustments needed to be made if I was going to survive this change of scenery.

When I first arrived in Toronto I was in shock and awe of the city's every-day commotion and rich architecture. It seemed as though I could walk the same street day in and out and have an entirely different experience each and every time I did so. I needed a break from the routine and repetitiveness I had become accustomed to in Ottawa, and Toronto seemed to offer this opportunity. Every day was an adventure in and of itself.

09/08/08 marked the day everything changed.

The constant screams of road ragers, street prophets and police sirens went silent. I walked along the concrete paths in the park across the street completely unnoticed and lost myself in the crowded sidewalks of the downtown core. With my eyes focused on my feet and my head-phones glued to my ears I managed to totally disconnect myself from my surroundings. I had let myself become hardened and cold, just like the city around me.

Once again, I was in desperate need of a change of scenery.

After taking off for a couple days I met up with my close friend and manager Wolfe Skorzik. We briefly discussed my situation and he recommended that I join him for an outdoor excursion in Milton the following weekend.

We planned on climbing a number of rock faces in the Kelso Conservation Area but were informed that all trails were closed for the day due to an adventure race relay. Something neither of us were willing to accept.

We drove around the conservation grounds and parked our vehicles on one of the side streets when we found a compromised section in the fencing. We weren't sure if it would be possible to get to where we wanted to be from this entrance but decided it was worth investigating further.

After squeezing through the small gap in barbed wire fences, trekking for hours through unmarked terrain and attempting to avoid park rangers and race participants, we finally reached our destination. No matter what obstacle was put in our path we managed to find a way around it. Giving up was never an option.

One thing this adventure has taught me is that many of the emotions I embrace in nature are the same feelings that make me uncomfortable in the city. The notion of being so deeply connected to your surroundings yet so isolated and insignificant is totally different when you are surrounded by giant cliffs and thousands of trees than sky scrapers and thousands of strangers.


To check out Ian Dawe online go to www.iandawe.com