Algonquin Solo Canoe Trip – Part 1 of 2
While freezing my tail off in January I was pining for a canoe trip. I dug up some videos of a route I did on, and around, Booth Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park with my dog Maddy, aka The Goose (don’t ask). It was a rainy few days but none the less a beautiful trip with lots of portaging, doing a few crafts, great paddling and oh, did I mention rain? If you’ve also found yourself daydreaming about a canoe trip lately then maybe this will help you as it did me.
Cheers,
Troy
Duration : 0:9:15
Ha, yes Maddy can …
Ha, yes Maddy can be quite a trooper but even she can only take some much of the wet stuff. I think she would have given up the rest of her treats for the trip to get 10 minutes on a warm, comfy, couch.
I love Maddy’s look …
I love Maddy’s look at the second campsite. It was like “Rain again!?” lol 5/5!
great job
great job
nice vid!!!
nice vid!!!
haha this is my old …
haha this is my old account
It really is a …
It really is a great tarp, it’s an Integral Designs Siltarp 2 2.4mx3m. You can see ever item of my gear listed on my maddy the goose site (w w w dot maddythegoose dot c o m) under the gear section.
Where did you get …
Where did you get that tarp?? I have been looking for one and I love the one you have. By the way, I look at your videos often. You really have a great way of explaining everything and I can really tell you enjoy it. PLEASE keep them coming!! I think you and Maddy are perfect for this kind of thing. P.S. Give Maddy a super belly rub for me!
These help cure my …
These help cure my Spring Fever! Keep them coming!
Reminds me of good …
Reminds me of good times, makes me want to plan something this summer…. Loved the rain storm.
I love Maddy!!!
I love Maddy!!!
really great series …
really great series of videos… really helps being stuck in the dorms waiting for summer. good luck and keep em comming
Your videos are so …
Your videos are so professionally done with the utmost passion that it’s really a great pleasure to watch them. Please keep making more of them if your time and schedule allows. Making videos are time consuming and very hard work so we really appreciate you making them and sharing it with us. Thanks so much. Cheers!!!
I was a little …
I was a little concerned with the long portages initially but once I found my rhythm and comfort level it was fine. I just look at long portages as a challenge and get into “mission” mode. The sense of accomplishment once you’re done is really rewarding and the paddle afterward feels all the sweeter.
Hi Sam,
Glad …
Hi Sam,
Glad you’ve enjoyed your trips. I haven’t been to Happy Isle yet but maybe that’s somewhere I can plan for a future trip. Btw, keep up with the guitar!
i go to camp in …
i go to camp in algonquin called tamakwa. i love canoe tripping. i have gone on 2. of a total of 8 days. i have been to smoke ragged south tea and lots more i can’t remeber the names. have u been to happy isle. i heard it is very nice.
(…continues) …
(…continues) There’s nothing worse than being cold and wet. In colder conditions I tend to try and stay busy and fill my day with activities, I don’t plan for much down-time. In the summer on the other hand, I may plan shorter days and it wouldn’t be a surprise to find me lazing on a rock with my dog and watching the view for hours. In short, there’s nothing stopping you from having a wonderful trip any time of the year as long as you have reasonable expectations of what the trip will be.
Concerning canoe …
Concerning canoe tripping in October or November, it’s really a matter of your comfort zone. I do a little winter camping but look at it as a different animal than summer tripping. To me, it’s more of a challenge and less forgiving. If you’re going in cooler temps, you just have to be more mindful of hypothermia and perhaps take a few less risks and bring more clothes (in layers). (more…)
(…continued) You …
(…continued) You could do a loop taking Cedar Lake, Nipissing River, Catfish Lake, then through the Petawawa and back into Cedar. There’s a nasty 2.8km portage there though so it’s up to you on how comfortable you are with that distance.
Good luck and have fun!
Hi Safibn,
I’m …
Hi Safibn,
I’m glad you’re enjoying canoe tripping. It’s always nice to see people getting into it and looking to do more.
A nice, short lake travel trip is at access point 17, move into Booth Lake then take Shirley Lake on your way back (take the portages from Kitty Lake into Shirley). That makes a decent loop. I would also recommend the Nipissing River at access point 27. There’s a lot of wildlife there to be seen and if you like river travel it’s as good as you’re going to get. (more…)
Hey, before I begin …
Hey, before I begin with questions, I would like to say that I am a 15 year old boy with a total of about 20 days on trip.
I enjoy tripping a lot with my dad, but only yesterday we came back from our first 3 day trip, it was with fsamily though and friends, which slowed us down a bit.
I would basically like to ask if you know any good routes for a weekend or a three day and what do you suggest aobut canoeing in october or even november?
~Safibn
I use an Otter Tail …
I use an Otter Tail made by the Grey Owl company. I find the Otter Tail gives a really smooth stroke, feels very sleek and gentle but also very effective. When the water gets shallow to the point that I may touch bottom I switch to my backup paddle, a regular voyageur style (not sure if that’s the name but it’s the typical paddle style you usually see around). You can get quicker action with it since it has a broader face but I find that it just doesn’t feel as nice for J-Strokes and the like.
Hey, thanks for the …
Hey, thanks for the help man. I’m going to buy the Prospector as soon as I get my last paycheck. Do you mind if I ask you one last question: what kind of canoe paddle do you use. Straight/bent shaft? Ottertail/beavertail? Thanks again
First off, I’d say …
First off, I’d say that the Prospector sounds like a good match for you. It’s well suited for those who are new to canoes as well as die hards due to its stability and load bearing ability. Concerning the size and portaging, it’s simply a matter of taking breaks along the way. Just listen to your body, I know of young teens and 70+ year olds who portage just fine. It’s a matter of technique and a little practice. You’ll find your rhythm and get comfortable with it in no time.
Looks like an …
Looks like an awsome time. makes me wanna get the canoe out and go. p.s. I love your dog. very well trained.
Excellent to hear …
Excellent to hear man. I had visited my local MEC store the other day and upon seeing a Prospector on the floor, I grew very intimidated by its size. For a guy whose 5′8-135lbs., the thought of portaging a few kilometers almost seems impossible. Did you feel the same way when you first bought yours and also, do you feel safe in it now? I’m really trying to find the right canoe suitable for a first timer; one that I won’t feel worried to be sitting in far from shore.
Thanks in advance!