Algonquin Adventures / Caching food/equipment

**Posted by keg** 6/16/2025 9:04 pm

Random question I was discussing with a buddy and wanted opinions.

Imagine an out and back trip with a few easy days then some serious portaging. What do you think of hanging a food or equipment bag out of the way near a portage entrance and picking it up on the way back to use for the last few days. Would save some weight when carrying.

I did it backpacking on a little used route with bear lockers and think it a reasonable option as long as it's out of the way and food is safe from animals. My friend feels it's wrong and may be against rules.

Any thoughts?

**Posted by Shayne74** 6/17/2025 7:57 am

I'm pretty sure caching boats within the park is not allowed . All I've really read anything about. Unless you're Frank Kuiack.LOL! Food/gear I feel is fine. Out of sight of main trail and hung/cached appropriately. I see nothing wrong with it. I've seen pre set outfitter camps occupying some of the best sites on the lake . That is a whole other issue all together though.

Last edited by Shayne74 (6/17/2025 8:01 am)

**Posted by keg** 6/17/2025 9:16 pm

swedish pimple wrote:
"My friend feels it's wrong and may be against rules" . ...

As I said, he "feels" it.

Thanks for the feedback. .

**Posted by PaPaddler** 6/18/2025 7:08 am

Technically, you are littering by leaving something unattended on public land. Nobody in their right mind would issue a citation for the behavior as it is a somewhat common practice and they would have to wait for you to come back to the 'scene of the crime' to apprehend you. Officers have much bigger fish to fry than a smart stasher.

Walk 50 or 100 meters into the woods and stash the cache and you will be fine. Typically the risk is human intervention messing with your stuff and not animal intervention.

**Posted by Evan Briden** 6/18/2025 2:34 pm

I have done several caches previously, and will do another one this summer. We will be completing a large figure 8 loop. We will be passing through the same lake 3-4 days later, why carry the end of trip food and booze the entire time?

Typically we do not hang at sites or portages though. We will find an easy to recognize spot on a shore, hang the food properly. I am more worried about humans than animals at this point.

**Posted by TripperMike** 6/19/2025 9:06 am

Nothing wrong with a Cache of food, beverages etc. if done correctly. Just beware, KC had his whiskey stolen by some high and mighty purists while him and Andy were travelling their Link route.