| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/13/2017 10:01 am |
Ice-out conditions updated today:
Lakes in Algonquin Park remain ice covered with ice softening around shore as a result of increased water levels from recent rainfall and melting snow. Water flow is eroding ice at inflow and outflow locations, which will allow ice to move within the lake in the days ahead or during the next high wind event.Snow depth in Algonquin Park varies greatly depending upon location. On south facing slopes that receive the strongest spring sunshine, snow has all but disappeared with bare or nearly bare ground conditions. Shaded north facing slopes have snow depths that currently exceed knee-deep (more than 30 centimetres or 12”) in some locations.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/13/2017 9:37 am |
If I read only ATVenture's posts in this thread then I'm convinced ice-out is coming soon. If I read everybody else's posts, ice-out will happen in June.
What I'm saying is from now on I'm only reading ATVenture's posts.
| Trip Planning » Beaver dams..... » 4/13/2017 8:44 am |
dontgroandaddy wrote:
How does tenacious tape hold up when teardrops get underneath it, because if I had to do that to my hull there'd be a stream of them.
Haha. I had nobody to blame but myself for my hull puncture. It was an 80 meter portage (signed) that was more like 20 meters. I had a crazy long day ahead of me (Catfish Lake to the Kiosk access point) and just didn't want to unpack my kayak for the sake of such a tiny portage. So I dragged it fully loaded - so dumb.
I didn't know I'd damaged anything until I pulled up at the next portage, opened up the rear dry hatch and found everything floating in about 6 inches of water. Good thing I pack everything in dry bags ;)
| Trip Planning » Beaver dams..... » 4/12/2017 7:33 pm |
And Duct tape does not hold up well on a leaking canoe......I ended up with a pinhole, and made it back just in time to the landing as it was letting go after a few hours in the water.
Tenacious Tape. Trust me - add it to your pack. I slapped a piece over a bottom-of-the-hull hole and then paddled another 8 hours that day. That was the last day of my trip but I have no doubt it would have held up another week if I'd needed it to.
| Trip Planning » Beaver dams..... » 4/12/2017 4:44 pm |
With that level of care you'll be fine - beaver dams are well constructed and don't have random sticks poking up everywhere. But, you're definitely picking the wrong craft for that route. Running beaver dams is often doable and great fun besides.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/12/2017 12:18 pm |
Just got back from the Park. Things are still very winter like there ....
Sorry if I bummed you out even more Uppa.
Seeing even a tiny little bit of open water gives me hope, although there's clearly a long way to go. A lot can happen in three weeks, but the long range forecast doesn't show anything all that promising.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/12/2017 9:49 am |
That's about how much our cottage lake had 2 weeks ago an hour south of the park. That lake is still ice covered today (confirmed via webcam) and I'm really not expecting it to be open by the time we get up there on Friday. It might be open by the time we leave on Monday.
You're bumming me out Rob.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/12/2017 7:40 am |
| Trip Planning » Trip Advice Needed » 4/12/2017 7:36 am |
I haven't been through that access point, but Jeff's Map shows an outfitter at 15a - Pine Grove Point - which is quite close. That's also where you pick up your permit by the looks of things. A quick google found their website:
End of June is a bit hit and miss. The black flies should be on the decline but still present. Mosquitoes will be out in good numbers. But just how bad (or not bad) the bugs will be is dependent on the weather we get between now and then. Even if they're out in droves, if you're lucky enough to get windy days then good campsite choices will save you.
| Where In Algonquin? » Where in Algonquin #128 » 4/11/2017 12:00 pm |
Red Pine Bay
| Trip Planning » Ice is leaving lakes in Algonquin Park RIGHT NOW » 4/11/2017 10:55 am |
Because of this and other ``things`` (can`t think of the right word to put for things)
Factors?
| Equipment » Camp Shoes » 4/10/2017 2:39 pm |
I wear water shoes while travelling - in a kayak, portage put-ins and take-outs often mean I have no choice but to step into the water deeper than hiking boots would handle. My campsite shoes are my most recent pair of 'retired' running shoes which are generally pretty lightweight. They live in a dry bag attached to the outside of my pack since they could be dirty or wet - I don't want them mixing with the rest of my gear. I'm not a fan of open-toed shoes in the back country - it's an injury (or a case of poison ivy) waiting to happen.
| Where In Algonquin? » Where in Algonquin #127 » 4/10/2017 10:53 am |
Clydegale.
| Trip Planning » Lakes not on canoe routes » 4/10/2017 10:52 am |
I don't think there are any rules against bushwhacking anywhere you want to go as long as you're not camping there. Anglers, especially, have their 'secret' lakes but then people like Peek will be poking around anywhere ruins might exist.
| Where In Algonquin? » Where in Algonquin #127 » 4/10/2017 7:56 am |
Booth.
| Trip Planning » Canoeing in very cold water » 4/07/2017 12:30 pm |
I struggle with this issue every year, as I almost always do a trip shortly after ice out. Spring conditions can be incredibly deceiving as you're often out paddling on warm, beautiful days. It's very easy to forget the water is deadly cold when it's t-shirt weather.
On my 2015 ice-out trip I dove into Burnt Island Lake (on purpose). I was in the water less than 20 seconds, and by the time I pulled myself out my body hurt. My hands weren't working terribly well anymore. It gave me a very real appreciation for just how little time I'd have in an emergency before it would be a life or death situation.
Rule #1 should be obvious, but I see people not doing this all the bloody time: ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD WHEN ON THE WATER.My PFD always has in it:
Waterproof matches
A package of Wetfire
My SPOT device
In the shoulder seasons, a foil emergency blanket
Pocket knife
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Lip balm
Compass
Whistle
Some of that is just for convenience of course - I use the sunscreen and lip balm regularly. But everything in my PFD would also come in very handy if I found myself on shore without my kayak.
Rule #2, Stay Near Shore. I have a harder time following this rule I have to confess. I start out every shoulder season trip hugging the shoreline. But then, especially on beautiful days or when sticking near shore would greatly increase my travel distance, I tend to get sloppy on this one. I'm a very experienced paddler and have dumped my kayak exactly once when I didn't mean to (the first day I ever paddled it, in high waves on Lake Huron) but that's still no excuse. I have a daughter now, and I like to think that will keep my head on straight with this one. I heard somewhere about the "50/50 rule". 50 yards from shore in 50 degree water, 50% chance of survival. If I'm far from shore and I dump my kayak, my survival chances are dependent on being able to get back in the kayak, not trying to swim for it.
Which leads me to my Rule #3: Know how to get back in
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/07/2017 8:26 am |
Finally gave it up and made my first reservation. May 19-21. Guess I'm holding out hope this year won't be much worse than 1972!
Yeah... I wouldn't get too worried about those dates. Except as ATVenture says, you'll probably have the bugs out by then. I'm booked for May 4th and have no concerns.
