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vHi*ker Mike likes to walk his troubles away By IRENEGENTLE The Champion Might as weII just sur- render quietly, Milton, because it looks as though the jig is Up. If residents thought they were going to get away witb keeping the magnificent trail system that bedecks the Niagara Escarpment a secret from the marauding hordes out there, tbey've got miother tbink coming. They've been busted by the good inten- tions of Hiker Mike. See, when Hiker Mike gets to talking about bis great passion for outdoor walk- ing, one can ail but see the pom-poms waving mid bear the band marching in tbe background. But if he's ail rab-rab ais-boom-bah about the thing, it's becauae tbere's no question Hiker Mike, AKA Mike Kirby, loves bis job. And the former Milton resident who now makes bis living delivering trail reports on CFRB radio and Home and Garden Television also bas a soft spot for this part of the world, where tenific trails lace the escarpment like gently gleaming, hidden jewels. At least they were bidden, before he ratted tbemn out. Milton isn't spotli ghted in bis book, Hiker Mike's Best Hikes: The Megacity and Beyond. But it isn't exactly over- looked eitber. And no wonder, since Milton bosts one of the greatest natural areas in the world. 1I like going in the back way of Hilton Falls," said Mr. Kirby. "You cmi walk the ridge of the escarpment. It's 12 miles of the greateat damn hike you can get, because it's ai downhill." Getting back is a different story, lliougb, mid Mr. Kirby avoida it by having bis wife meet him in Campbellville for lunch. Familiar stomping grounds, as it hap- pens. "I lived out on tbe escarpment there,"1 he said. "I love it. I love Milton." Today, tbe energetic, practically effer- vescent Mr. Kirby loves ail kinds of thinga, with biking being up near tbe top. But that wasn't always the case. At one time, Mr. Kirby loved booze more than moas thinga. But somte 15 years ago, be dried out for good and earned a whole new lease on life. ,I sobered up at 40," be said. 1I didn't A know life could be so full. Now married witb a bouse full of kida, a Photo byQRAHAM PAINE tbriving career and more energy thmi tie A group of hîkers enjoy a weekerid treit along the meer of Kelso Conservation Are, ane of the former Ontario Hydro, Mr. Kisby is fllled locations featured In author Mîke lrby's new book Hlker Mîkeas Best Hîkes: The Megacly and to busting with the zeal of a preacher. Beyond. 'I'm a bit of a cheerleader for it," be said Former Milton resident Mlke Klrby, AKA CFRB's Hîker Mike, hem touted Milton as a great place to hlke ln hie book. shamelessly. 1I can walk 25 miles a day and Iwon't be sore indemotiing. And if I walk two hours a day, I can eat any damn thing I wantY" He adds this because the ever-expanding Canadian waistline is a concemn he feels hiking cai address. in other words, do it often and long enough, and no one will need to push themselves away front the buffet table befote they're good and ready. As for Hiker Mike, he walka at lest 90 minutes a day and is a fighting fit 55 years old. For bis 60tb birthday, he's planning to take himself and two lucky CFRB winners so hike Mount Everest. Wben he does, it will be bis third time making the trek. He touts the emotional benefits of hiking s well. "'I can take my troubles for a walk or a hike," said Mr. Kirby. "I take my problema out there and come back with a solution." No wonder, then, this hiking thing is really taking off. "It's booming," he said. "People are beginning to realize walking; is not mocket science. It's putting one foot in front of the other." And it's accessible, thanka in part to Mr. Kirby's book. It details the start and end points of a myriad of trails ail across the GTA, witb hmidy icons to show their level of difficulty. Some trails are simple enough to take cbildren along. Others are memit for hardier souls, those he has nick- named guemîila hikers. 'Tbey might get a topographical map of an area," he said. "Tbey'll find s creek and follow it to its source." Copies of Mr. Kirby's book can be found at Indigo, Chapters mid Book City, or order directly by calling 1-800-565- 3111. onuc uemelve ae, n. -Poe brochure. Visit our websute at wwwest.gov.on.ca or Email: fvest.govon.caOnai