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| Catch-all Discussions » Killarney backcountry reservation change » 11/17/2021 2:38 pm |
I just got an email from Ontario Parks announcing the same change for Algonquin Hiking camp sites now too.
I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand my wife will love knowing we can book a favourite site ahead of time and not have to race to get to a specific site. On the other hand I feel the concern about having a trip micro managed. I like having the variability in a trip especially if I'm staying on a large lake with lots of sites.
I won't be surprised when they notify us about this change to APP canoe sites.
| Equipment » Moleskins and blister prevention » 10/13/2021 7:09 pm |
I do a lot of long distance hiking and swear by Leukotape on any sore spots before it turns into a blister. Even afterward you can pop the blister and apply Leukotape over the blister and there should be enough padding there to protect the sore skin. It is very adhesive so will work on damp skin.
I second what keg is saying, goretex is bad if you are getting wet anyway and it'll take forever to dry out.
| Catch-all Discussions » MNR/ OP Canoe on Bonnechere » 10/08/2021 2:17 pm |
I stayed on Bonnechere in late August of this year and there were a couple of park wardens staying at a campsite on the lake. Looked like they were replacing thunder boxes at different sites on Big Porcupine as I saw them there before heading to Bonnechere. I'm guessing there is a lot of work going on at the park to justify the increase in park fees next year.
| Equipment » Favorite Online Camping retailer? » 7/06/2021 7:37 pm |
I’ll second Altitude Sports. The membership is worth it for the free returns and they always have fast delivery. I’ve been a member for about 4-5 years now and they have decent sales every once in a while.
I like Scout Tech too, they are in Mississauga. Their website needs an upgrade though.
Another shop out of Mississauga is Canadian Outdoor Equipment. They carry a lot of niche products and specialize in traditional camping gear.
| Trip Reports » July 5-7 - short trip on 3rd loop of WUT » 7/06/2021 7:15 pm |
Great in depth trip report Hiker72. I enjoyed reading it as I’m doing the same loop around out of Rain next week. Looking forward to it and hoping for nice weather like you had.
| Catch-all Discussions » Park Fees...future » 3/07/2021 2:16 pm |
Glad I didn't end up purchasing a solo canoe knowing these crazy fees are coming next year. I just looked at bookings at The Mass and it seems like the fees aren't deterring anyone from booking as it looks pretty solidly booked. Who knows how much of that is bumped up by the pandemic and people trying to find a holiday within Ontario though.
I go crown land kayak camping every year so I guess I'll just be doing more of that instead of going to AP.
| Catch-all Discussions » Flat rate per site coming soon? » 3/05/2020 2:17 pm |
This is a pretty upsetting revelation. As someone who is relatively young and cash strapped I don't have a lot of money for vacations. I rely on the parks system as a cheap vacation away from my job in the City.
I plan on contacting my MPP (Simcoe-grey) about this issue. It would be good to somehow make a concerted effort to show our anger about this issue.
| Equipment » Foot wear for spring portaging » 5/17/2019 8:22 am |
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
scoutergriz: Good points about safety with wearing welly style boots. I try not to think about swamping the boat. But having something you can kick off quickly would be very important.
EddyTurn: I've never heard of these NEOS. Super cool design! I think these might be what I eventually will settle on as a long term solution.
Shark: I think I'm going to go with this idea for this year and see if I still have circulation in my feet by the time I reach Burnt Island!
| Equipment » Foot wear for spring portaging » 5/16/2019 8:18 am |
Hi everyone,
I'm heading out to Burnt Island lake with the wife and dog for a 4 day trip this long weekend. I don't have much experience with trips this early in the season so I'm wondering what people are wearing for foot wear with the lakes being so icy cold and the potential for lots of mud. During the warmer months I just wear Keen Newports and they are a good balance of support and ability to trudge through rocky or muddy lake bottoms.
I'm considering just getting some cheap wellies from Crappy Tire. The amount of portaging from Canoe Lake to Burnt Island isn't vast so I figure these will do for short distances. Or should I just brave the cold water and wear the Newports? I see some people wear neoprene boots but I'm not a fan of the lack of sole support.
Opinions greatly appreciated!
| Trip Planning » Big Porcupine L to Big Porcupine L - 395m » 5/15/2019 5:22 pm |
Did that portage a couple years ago going South because the winds were brutal that day. I remember it being fairly buggy. This was over the August long weekend. Pretty level terrain from what I remember. Well maintained.
| Equipment » The North Face Gift Card....what to do? » 11/27/2018 9:08 pm |
I have the Chilkat 400 boots and they have been good to me so far. Good warmth and I’m a big fan of primaloft in my winter boots. They get good reviews to comparable winter boots. Other than that I’m not too familiar with other North Face offerings.
| Equipment » Sleeping pad leaks » 7/18/2018 10:55 am |
I have the older model of the MEC Reactor 3.8 and it's lasted 6 years so far and I find it very comfortable and not as noisy as some of the other sleeping pads with thinner materials. It seems pretty tough to me. I've used it directly on granite to cowboy camp when there's no bugs or as a float on the lake when I want to lounge.
| Trip Planning » Algonquin Park delayed opening until May 11 » 4/30/2018 1:27 pm |
I haven't gotten an official email from Ontario Parks yet but it looks like my trip starting this Friday is not happening. I guess that's not a surprise from all of the satellite imagery I've been seeing of the park.
| Trip Planning » Eric at old JeffsMaps » 4/29/2018 12:55 pm |
I’d rather just wait until MEC gets them in stock. No use taking the risk for me.
| Trip Planning » Eric at old JeffsMaps » 4/21/2018 6:59 pm |
Has there been any updates? I was looking for the western algonquin map today at MEC but no luck. If I order a map from jeffs maps will they deliver?
| Trip Planning » Backcountry spring opening delayed... » 4/21/2018 6:47 pm |
I’m planning to do a fishing trip from May 4 to May 7 down the Tim river and back through Misty. Hoping these temps hold up or I might have to reschedule.
| Equipment » Camp Chairs » 8/15/2017 1:59 pm |
Hi Abe,
My wife and I have the Helinox Chair one camp chairs - they are really awesome and it's one of those pieces of gear that I hate to leave at home unless I am really going lightweight. They are definitely worth the price. They are super comfortable and a real luxury in the wild. A friend of mine had the Alite Mantis chair and the leg broke on it only after a couple of uses and he's not a heavy guy (~200 lbs.)
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