We bought the EOS Rebel T3 before our 23 day trip. We love it and are definately beginner photographers.

Barry, what great progress! I am in my 30s and find that I just have trouble finding time. I tend to get consumed by what I am doing and in the winter it is mostly working - work I love and value - but balance is what I struggle with - I am currently ill and I know it is from overdoing it in Nov and Dec! For me, balance is key. I've never done well with always/nevers (ie - never white sugar) but I make progress when I try to eat better, eat in moderation and exercise in moderation. It sounds like you are well on your way.

Hi Everyone,

I have some ideas but looking for other suggestions. My OH and I plan to spend most of the summer in a canoe but then he never gets his 'projects' done so I am thinking of doing a 7 day solo. These are my parameters:

- I am in my 30s and in middling shape - I am not in horrible shape - I love portaging - but I do have some injuries (hip, knees) so I try not to overdo it
- I prefer longish days and prefer to move most/everyday
- I usually double portage - last year I tripled on my 7 day but brought too much - working on that - but I will not be single portaging
- 1 dog will be coming - prefer not overly busy routes (which I know is a challenge in the summer)

Other solos I've done lately

- 7 day - Canoe - Teepee - Little Doe - TT - McIntosh - White Trout - Big Trout - Otterslide - Little Otterslide - Burnt Island - Little Doe - Teepee - Canoe - had a rest day on this trip - was a bit too slow
- 4 day - Smoke - Ragged - Big Porcupine - Little Coon - McGarvey - Lemon - North Grace - Louisa - Laurence - Kirkwood - Phillips - Bonnechere - Big Porquipine - Ragged - Smoke - 1 day on this trip was a bit too long

No but I think I'm done - bought a snow trekker tent with plans to spend time over Christmas at OH's hunt camp and some time in the park but I am sick. Work is crazy so it will probably be May before I can get out again. C'est la vie.

I have a hole in my pfd where a chipmunk went for a granola wrapper that I forgot in the pocket. I think when people leave food out, it makes them more likely to try for tents. Perhaps there was a smell on the tent/ in the tent? I do not think there is any way to completely avoid this type of thing. Keep food smells to a minimum and keep a patch mit?

37 nights this year - had been aiming for 40 but did not quite make it.

Claire EN ratings can be helpful - my 3 season bag has 3 ratings - lowest is the 'extreme', middle is men's rating, high rating is women's rating. MEC does not use them but most others do. Basically keep in mind that sleeping bag ratings are generally based on an average man. From what I understand even women's bags are rated based on an average man - the insulation is shifted in the bag BUT the amount if insulation for a given temp rating is the same for unisex and women's bags (which makes no sense if you think about the principles underlying EN ratings).

Rapid has also repeatedly suggested that if it can handle a wrap is an unnecessary question - which is a silly statement to anyone who paddles whitewater - might have to do with the fact that NC gave Rapid a boat and spends money on ads in their magazines. I say this as someone who has only bought 1  new canoe in my life - and bought it from NC in Royalex - I like the company and enjoy reading Canoeroots and Rapid - I just don't put much merit in the reviews of magazines due to the nature of the magazine industry.