Google Trekker camera in Newfoundland capturing trails for Street View

Luc Thomas, with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, has an undeniably cool job: This summer he's hiked through Canada with a 50-pound camera on his back, making Google Street View maps of places most people would otherwise never see.

On Tuesday morning he was in Newfoundland, ready to capture part of the East Coast Trail.

As he got ready for our interview, Thomas glanced nervously at the cloudy sky. The backpack camera, called the Google Trekker, is not something you want to get wet.

The Trekker is a technological beast: in the blue orb on top there are 15 camera lenses capturing several images every two-and-a-half seconds.

Those images will come together to make up a 360-degree panoramic Google map that you'll eventually be able to explore online.

Mapping two sites in N.L.

Google lent the Nature Conservancy of Canada one of its Trekkers last year so it could map out some of its properties across the country — two nature reserves from each province.

On Tuesday morning the Trekker was in Newfoundland, capturing the East Coast Trail from Maddox Cove to Cape Spear.

Later in the week it will in Doyles, mapping a trail in the Grand Codroy Valley.

When the maps go online, armchair adventurers will be able to explore the sites from anywhere in the world on Google Street View — no hiking boots necessary.

"Just knowing that my kids' grandkids will be able to enjoy this property the same way I am today, that's pretty fulfilling. That's pretty cool work," said Thomas.

Three hikers sharing the load

Two local NCC staff helped Thomas carry the Trekker on Tuesday's 10-km hike. He said the help is appreciated, especially on some of the more rugged sections of the path.

"After a while you'll feel it, especially if you have to climb a few hills," said Thomas. "But it's a good workout."

Lanna Campbell is the provincial program director for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

When she found out the Trekker was coming to Newfoundland, she jumped at the chance to highlight both the NCC's nature reserves and some of the East Coast Trail.

"Part of our mandate here at NCC is to connect Canadians to nature," she said.

"Whether you're considering doing this hike by yourself, or you'll never be able to get here but you're curious as to what it looks like, you'll be able to enjoy from the comfort of your own home."

NCC staff estimated that the virtual tours will be available on Google Street View in roughly a year.

Google has lent Google Trekkers to multiple groups who have captured landscapes from the Grand Canyon to Mount Everest.