9 Days Canoeing Wabakimi and the Kopka River | Northern Ontario Wilderness | Boreal Bound
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- Wabakimi. A vast expanse of unspoiled boreal wilderness dotted by 10,000 lakes and pierced by numerous untamed rivers. Forming the second largest park in Ontario and one of the largest boreal preserves in the world, Her remote waterways see fewer than 700 paddlers per year.
While our route would take us through Wabakimi Provincial Park, our main goal was to paddle the Kopka River. The logistics of paddling the Kopka can get tricky; often involving a lengthy shuttle via vehicle, train or float plane.
Eyeing the topo, I roughed out a loop route that could see us depart and arrive at the same point with our personal vehicle. Simple! The only catch? Elevation.
From our river access point, the Kopka would descend over 165m. Being a loop trip, this meant we would have to travel upstream and over several sub-watershed divides to reach the river proper. The plan called for an ascent of the Collins, Boiling Sands and Lookout rivers as well as Aldridge Creek. Paddle, portage, line and wade. Simple, right....
Join Brad and Leah as they canoe over 200km through this vast boreal wilderness.
Trailer: • Wabakimi-Kopka: Boreal...
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I live in northern Indiana and I have a true story I would like to share with you. We have a cabin about 300 miles NNW of Thunder Bay Ontario. We drive till the road stops then take a float plane in to our cabin. My Dad built our cabin in 68 and we go up 3 times a year. The end of May, mid July and early Sept. One fall trip maybe 15 or 20 years ago now, we wanted to portage to a different lake. In the spring and fall if the weather was cool we would go after some Lake Trout. If I had to take a guess, I have been on that lake 30 to 40 times now. We are the only cabin on our lake and there is no cabins on the Lake Trout lake. We have 3 small boats we just leave on that lake because we go there so often. We had 6 men in 3 Boats that day. We all kinda went our own way and started fishing. It was maybe 4 hours later (around 2 or 3 pm) all 3 boats meet back up in the middle of the lake and we all killed our engines and started to eat our lunch. It was a beautiful sunny day with no clouds and the lake went completely flat, no wind at all. Ok now this is the part where you are going to think I'm nuts, so here I go. The first sound came from our north (the way back to our lake) The best way I can describe it was someone holding a note on a freaking pipe organ. The notes were perfect, not flat or anything like that. The notes would last maybe 5 to 8 seconds, that's a long time to hold a perfect note. When the one would die out, another would start from a different shore at a higher or lower note but all just perfect and sounded like a pipe organ. All the sounds were just single notes, we never heard 2 different notes at the same time. This lasted for maybe 15 or 20 min. We all 6 were hearing 20 + pipe organs play single notes around a lake with no cabins in the Canadian wilderness. The notes were extremely loud (like feel it in your chest loud) and with no wind and land no more the 400 yards away in any direction the notes would echo around a bit. My brother did not want to make the portage so he stayed in our lake with one of my uncles. Later back in our cabin we all were telling my uncle and brother what we heard. They both said they could also hear the notes from our direction. We never saw a thing and I don't know what we heard. We didn't see anything on the ground nothing in the trees, or water and boy we all were looking. About the only thing I do know there is no pipe organs around that lake. Over the years we have been back to that many times and nothing. Over the years we have asked State biologist, they look at me like I'm nuts. I even have asked a First Nation friend from that area. At least he gave me a kinda answer. Are you ready, I sure was. He said some things in nature are best left unknown. lol What that is your answer, I was so ready to find out and that's what I got. I'm the last one of the 8 people still alive who heard the pipe organ notes around a lake in the Canadian wilderness. I don't have a clue but something was making the sound and I'm just trying to find out what. Thank you. Greg
24
Modern Explorer
Wow! Incredible story.. that's a mystery I would love to be solved..ty for sharing!🙏💜
Thank you.@@kristennoelle9447
It’s so fun watching you two on an adventure together! You guys are great!
This is probably one of the longer videos I’ve watched end to end. Not only is it great to imagine being there but it’s wonderful to see you discover it yourself and really feel the enjoyment. It comes through in the video well.
What I really enjoy about your videos is that many of your routes are loops. It seems that northern Ontario's geography allows for this more than other places in the world, which takes a load off your logistics.
The other thing I like about your videos is your maps! When watching any kind of tripping video, I try to follow along on google maps, so I love it that you provide nice detail of where you're going at the beginning of your videos. Very cool! Thanks for sharing these.
I’m exhausted just watching this! lol. Great job guys! Nothing like this in Texas...especially in summer. Just dry creek beds and snakes! Beautiful country!
Stunningly beautiful. Wow. So pretty. Love it. Picturess. THANK YOU. And as one of you other viewers said a really good 💑 couple too. You two are really good together.
I logged up near Manitouwadge for years and did many trips by canoe or just drive the logging roads or fly in.I have just bought a home in Manitouwadge and will retire there next year my health is still quite good at 59 so here's hoping I can make many more trips. Your trip was awesome and very well filmed and documented...GRATZ..If you want to do a trip that I did with 3 others in 1988, I think you would enjoy the Churchill River...We flew into Sandfly Lake close to the Alberta border and did 10 days with an extra 4 days north on Mountaney Lake for awesome Pickerel and Lake trout fishing. It was 14 days of heaven only one day of rain. We came all the way back from sandfly to Lac La Ronge. Bear Island Lake can be challenging so many islands.All Boreal forest with well marked Portages and beautiful campsites. The Churchill river is like one big lake after the next joined by rapids. You can even paddle this river going upstream in July and August,its that calm. In our trip we had about 16 portages and only shot 6 sets of rapids (only did class 2 ) so we portaged 10 to 12 times which is decent in 200 plus miles.We hit Blueberry season too. Our outfitter flew us from Lac La Ronge into sandfly and we saw every part of the river by air that we were going to do...it was incredible!CHEERS TO YOU AND GOOD TRIPPING!
Fantastic video, trip, and couple. Much enjoyed guys!!! Keep zesting Leah. You've got us inspired to make cocktails
Your vids are awesome and your wife is a trooper thanks for the trip
Brad and Leah you guys always nail your videos 🇨🇦👍
That was your best video yet. You guys get better every time you put out a new video. Thumbs Up
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!! 😁
I'm kayakist from France , so unfortunately I will never be able to get there, but I was enjoying this video trip a lot ! Thank you for sharing 😀
Glad you enjoyed it! There is so much to explore in tis region.... we've only just scratched the surface. If you can ever swing an overseas visit, you won't be disappointed in the paddling!
BREATHTAKING BEAUTY COLORS SCENERY VIEWS VIDEO ! GODS PAINT BRUSH IS MIND BLOWING BEAUTY ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TAG ALONG WITH YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY ! ENJOYED !
I've lived in Alaska all my adult life but i still miss Ontario. Thanks for taking us along.
A very nice part of your videos is when, in a rapid, the communication from the back to the front of the canoe. It is polite, respectful and complimentary. When paddling rapids I used to follow the 'no fault rule' with my partner which if something went wrong, we missed a move or swam, I would not blame them and asked they not blame me but get on with what needed to be done.
I’m glad to see you guys doing more fishing. And just enjoy the trip without rushing all the time. Taking time to smell the flowers. 🇨🇦👍
Nice to see that spray deck and a rescue knife equipped to your PFD! ;-) Cheers folks! Great vid!
what an awesome trip you guys!! You're such a sweet couple!! Very engaging edit, great music addition to keep it upbeat throughout!
You are with somebody very special God bless you both
I've been to the Boundry Waters several times. I have to say I can't remember seeing it in more splendor. You two times it perfectly. PERFECTLY!!!
Lovely couple!!!!! And, they keep everything so clean. The young lady is an excellent canoe-ist!!! OK, him too! Enjoyable way to spned a covid afternoon.
Awesome scenery thank you for posting
Every video is better than the last. Especially great to sit back and watch this while we are stuck at home. That was some serious portaging!
Thanks Randy! Couldn't agree more.
We've been watching a bunch of UA-cam, bidding our time.
Tent, tarp and bags performed admirably on this trip, as always.
Cheers!
Very nice landscape, the video is great straight to the end.
Thanks! Really is such a breathtaking environment.
What a trip Brad & Leah! You guys killed it out there! So many different landscapes, the sheer rock cliffs and the Seven Sisters...wow! The filming of this is the best of seen, thanks so much for all the extra effort you guys put into filming to make us feel like we were right there! 🇨🇦 Doug
Thanks as always Doug! Glad you enjoyed it! Little different scenery than the NE eh? Love how diverse the landscape in our province is. Always blows me away that we're still in Ontario. Hope all is well. Take care!
What a great trip and what great videography. So many times, only one person's personality shines through on these, but I felt I got a sense of both of you as partners. Well done!
Moose: "Cool. Two humans paddling across a lake. It's not every day you see that."
Great adventure! Thank you for sharing.
I've been to the Boundry Waters several times. I have to say I can't remember seeing it in more splendor. You two timed it perfectly. PERFECTLY!!! You guys are a heck of a team. You really compliment each others knowledge well.
You are very lucky to have a lady like that you guys have a great time
It will end up being a trip of a lifetime never to be forgotten
Brad, I hope you know how lucky you are to have a woman that loves to do what you guys do! Love the videos, keep them coming!
Ha, thanks. Sure do. Leah's 1 in a million! Thanks for watching!
Although a belated comment, I must say Sean you have one fantastic, very strong, beautiful lady with you. A real trouper and such a lovely spirit. Makes all the difference in the world. Awesome video and really well done. I was hooked right in it. I miss canoeing and miss a partner to do such great outdoor excursions with. I left behind all my great gear as I was moving to BC. Some portages reminds me of up in Algonquin. Ugh...grueling. I liked the canyon. Killarney will always be my favorite. Done short bits of the Vermilion River - flat water. Also the Montreal River in Timiskaming up to the first train trestles. Launched from the power damn. Gawd that river is black and spooky...shiver me timbers.
Gawd, that poor canoe's bottom...lol. Is it the Prospector? Fiberglass or TuffStuff? I love to get either the Haida 17 or especially the Cronje 17′. Had a Kawartha speed canoe similar to the cronje but was only a 14 foot. What a beast it was. Although low profile hull, we put a Sponson kit to deflect potential high waves. Man it was a fast canoe and could handle a lot of weight. Was straight as an arrow in high winds. I don't think the company exists any longer though but they had made one heck of a fantastic canoe. They had the 16' version as well. Brand new it cost 700 dollars CAD in those days. Now the same thing are anywhere from 2 to 3K or more...Ouch. Sometimes I dream of just going deep inland, spot a beautiful spot and never leave. Great video Sean and Leah. What a great trip and beautiful scenery.
Love watching your team work going through the rapids! You guys are definitely in sync! And the scenery was spectacular
Well done Brad, well done Leah, a FIVE STAR FILM ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇨🇦
Going up the Collins! Stunning and cool from the air too. Portages were cleared by a Wabakimi Project crew in 2017. Great to see our campsite on Rushbay. This section may be included in the Wabakimi Canoe Routes guidebook that's in the works. Did you encounter a difficult portage on the lower part? The portage I'm referring to is 136m on river right...our reports says, "The portage has two very steep sections and the last 50-60 m crosses an area of large boulders and rubble from the steep canyon walls. This is the worst footing and most treacherous portage I've seen in ten years, don't try this portage in wet weather!" Now I'll watch the rest of your video.
Ontario has some truly amazing places to visit. Endless gorgeous spots.
Brad and Leah, incredible trip. I was looking up the Kopka river as I might travel Up river to get into Wabakimi at the end of May this year. Your footage and the incredible scenery convinced me to take this route up and into the park unless the current will be too strong to paddle up on my own by then. Thanks for this video guys! 👌
Impressed with how mint the canoe looks after all that beating!
A most excellent adventure, bravo.
Thanks 😁🤙
Incredibly enjoyable video, and breathtaking scenery. Thank you both for bringing it into our homes.
Thanks Derek! 😁
Great Videos..something that I might add here that some may think is obvious...and I would never tell experienced people like yourselves what to do! How to properly set up a campfire and dig a pit and how to PROPERLY douse a campfire and what to look for and remedy when putting one out. Where and when not to make a campfire...on some days that happens. You would not believe how many think they have put the fire out and it is not completely extinguished. I know it might only seem like common sense but accidents can happen and a fire can even burn under the moss in a boreal forest for a long time even thru winter...TRUE!
So I hooked in to your guys channel about 6 weeks ago. I’ve really enjoyed all your travels, this is the best I’ve seen. Canada you are beautiful, I’m from New Zealand so I should know, what we have, you simply have much more . Brad, Leah you guys are awesome, eat well, drink well, work well. Onto it, experienced, prepared, tough as old boots and yet you are still the people from next door, love it. Great to see a little more of the portage lowdown, not something we do much here, thankfully. We’re more sea/whitewater kayaking here, the canoe doesn’t really suit our rivers. This has been my lockdown sanity, and I’m passing this on to all my Kiwi kayaking buddies. Good health and good luck. Thank you!
Awesome! So glad you have enjoyed them!!! Heck, we realllly want to visit NZ one day. I've been combing the map looking for places to paddle. Never been to the southern hemisphere, but New Zealand is one of my top bucket destinations. Thanks for watching! More on the way. Hope your Kiwi pals dig it. Cheers! - Brad
Explore The Backcountry thank you for your reply. If you come here I will supply you with all the info, places to go, contacts, accom, etc that I can. There are 3820 lakes over one hectare in New Zealand. In the north island most are volcanic and in the South Island most are glacial. I can’t possibly explain here, ydna.nz@gmail if you would like to pm me
You two are amazing and I’m thrilled you’re going to be in for the long run, you make a special team! Great video that sure brings back my memories of Wawa and White River trips 40 or more years ago and way before GoPros! Thanks for the memories
Thanks!! The Wawa area has some amazing canoe routes. We love exploring that general region. So glad I could spark the memories! Happy paddling!
Excellent trip and video guys as usual. Thanks for sharing
Oh those pina coladas looks awesome
Haha, yeah and after 9 days of tripping they were extra tasty too!
You guys really know your stuff. It’s nice to see you enjoy your trips. I sure enjoy watching your videos. Thanks.🇨🇦👍
Well that was epic. Very creative route choice with big payoffs on those amazing waterfalls and cliffs. Definitely on my bucket list.
Thanks for watching! You can't go wrong with any of those rivers and creeks draining into Nipigon on the western side! Hope you get out and enjoy it for yourself one day. Happy adventuring! 😀
Fantastic scenery
Stunning........well made video........thank you!
New friend to your channel - found this video from a suggested video and thank god for UA-cams mysterious algorithm. This video was epic, loved the narration, the 7 sisters was breathtaking, especially, 59:25 . Left you a big thumbs up and can't wait to see the rest of your videos... now time to binge watch.
You guys are making so many great memories for each other
Fantastic journey, fantastic film. Thanks for taking the trip and making the movie for the rest of us to come along with you. One more trip to add to my list.
Excellent video, thank you!
I had no idea we had so many beautiful falls on just one river in Ontario! Another great trip guys! 🙌
What a wonderful video! I’m so glad I found it. Such a beautiful place.
The Collins and the rock formations are breathtaking.
SpecTACular! We may have the beautiful images but you two have the lifelong memories, what a blessing! Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks! 😀 Now we relive the trip though this video. So many great memories from that trip.
great video nice views canada has lots great places
Far, far, far too many nice places. My buxlet list - for the province alone - keeps on growing!
The moose were thinking the same thing! You two really struggled on some of those portages, but it was pretty easy for me! I can so relate to the end of a trip on the final day. Heaven is a trip like this, that never ends. Thanks so much for bringing us along!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
The extra time you had in the editing room is shining through.
Yeahhhh!!!! A lonnggg edit process on this one too!
@@ExploreTheBackcountry Agreed, very well done.
@@ExploreTheBackcountry For me it's like you are pro's :) Adventurers + TV-station in one package. I think you could relax more on the editing, and get away with it easy. For me it is how, or who you are, the trip, canoe, and wilderness. I would watch it completely unedited :) I am sure you have a certain standard so I can understand that. And it is for sure good! I like you two people! Keep on pretty please! :)
TOOZE CRUISE w
Not even done watching this yet, but it already makes me want to go on my first canoeing trip!
It's so breathtaking. Your amazing commentary and impeccable camera work are so immersive I don't even care I'm not there; you truly open a door to your incredible voyages... Thank you so much
Thanks so much! The scenery there is just breathtaking. I'm glad you could tag along virtually to enjoy! Cheers!
Very well done video Brad! The editing on this was fantastic, especially your transitions to different scenes while you speak to the camera. Keeps it interesting and moving. Its obvious you spent just a TON of time on the edit, and it turned out amazing! This trip looks like a bucket list one for me to add, thanks so much for sharing it with us!
Lovely couple in beautiful places. Thanks for your video 👍👍
Very nice trip. Thanks
Leah's response when she gets hit with the lure... OMG that is everything. Awesome trip guys! Makes me want to head north when all this quarantine mess is over and find myself some wilderness!
Haha, silly moments. Too priceless not to include 🤪 what are the odds of that happening?! Thanks for watching. Hopefully you find the slice of wilderness paradise 😁
What an incredible trip! So stunning! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Thank you for reminding me that peace and normalcy do exist.
Oh no problem, any time!
Spectacular spot, wow! Wonderful scenery, great food and even cocktails, doesn't get much better than that. Thanks for sharing! :) :)
Very fun watch
You guys are Wilderness Rock Stars. Great chemistry and video footage. Pc.
Haha, thanks Mark!
Great video. Music and editing top notch. Loved the clouds and lightning in the evening sky
Exceptional as always. I have no idea why you don’t have more subs. Right up there with the best of canoeist on UA-cam. 🙌 A huge inspiration to me to get back into a canoe and out of a kayak for the first time in 6 years.
Wow, thank you so much! Hopefully you'll get back out on the water soon! It's never too late to get back into it. Give me a shout if you ever have route questions.
Yes Brad and Leah!
We need this now more then ever!!
Oh man, couldn't agree more! Camping vids have been our source of sanity! thanks for watching :)
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This has got to be my new dream trip! Thank you both once again for taking us along!
You'd love it. The scenery is even better in person too! Hope you get to experience it for yourself one day! Thanks for watching.
Brad and Leah, great to see you guys doing another trip and sharing it, love it so thanks heaps👍👍
Thanks Paul!! 😁
Great film making and you’re a natural at narration. Enjoyed it.
Thanks so much!!
Whoa, epic video, epic landscapes and looks like great food too!! You guys never disappoint, but I must say this was my favourite. Loved seeing more of Leahs point of view and character. I have been itching for my May canoe trip which may not be able to happen now considering the current situation, but I have been inspired to spend this time dreaming of canoe trips in Ontario 😍
Thanks 😀 The "Leah Cam" was a big breakthrough, I'd been bugging her for years 😉
We're in the same boat, so to speak. We've been watching plenty of outdoor videos on UA-cam and living vicariously through it. I still have a handful of shorter trips to go from 2019. Back to the edit bay it is 😁
Excellent video, couldn't stop watching. The scenery was just amazing. Definitely on my list.
You won't be disappointed! Wabakimi and the Kopka should be on every paddlers bucket list! Thanks for watching!
Wow, thank you! Stunning!
This is like a Canadian Tough Mudder....you guys earned those beautiful views
Haha, the original Tough Mudder ;) We find a trip is more rewarding if there's some hard work involved.
Good Morning, I am quickly becoming a fan of your Canoe trips and videos , i hope to be able to get to this place 1 day . Thanks for sharing your experiences !
Completely Brilliant! An amazing trip! Thank you for sharing, your filming skills are getting so good.
Excellent video, with rich narration and beautiful editing. We have traveled the Kopka twice, so recognized many of the views and campsites. Thank you!
Thanks so much 😁😁 Glad it brought back some memories. The kooks is such an amazing river to paddle. We definitely want to return.
Magnificent adventure. I had to just stay on the edge of my seat. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much!
We need this right now. Thanks guys. 👍
Fantastic and inspiring.
Thanks for all the effiort making this film.
Thanks so much! 😁
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you get out there to experience it for yourself one day!
This past summer I went up those series of falls. It's a truly breathtaking place! Can't wait for the video so I can relive the experience!
Really is! We wanted to return as soon as we left! Could probably spend a week there and just move camp every few days. Every site around those falls are incredible!
@@ExploreTheBackcountry Take a look at Cliff Lake - to the north of Nipigon. It's a schlep to get into, but well worth it. Truly magical.
@@davidtowlun2118 We had looked at getting there before settling on this loop. If we went to Cliff we would continue to Nipigon (yet another big lake I want to paddle - there's too many!) We visited a few interesting formations on this trip, call them the siblings of Cliff Lake. I'll think you'll find a few surprises in this video ;)
Amazing trip! I am amazed to hear you guys saying that this doesn't seem like Canada when it's exactly what most of us think of when we think of canoe tripping in Canada... Thanks for taking us along! P.S. That's an amazing woman that you have there Brad!
It was Leah that said that. Made no sense to me. What did she think it looked like, Bermuda? I found Leah an extremely annoying and unnecessary presence on the video. Her utterances were nearly always banal in the extreme.
Well done you two! Amazingly documented trip! Beautiful sights and awesome food. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing and thank you both for such a great trip. Cheers. Keep up the great work. Really enjoyed it.
Just love watching your videos guys, and love those opening drone shots.
Interesting video. Thank you for sharing. I have subscribed your channel. I am looking forward to your new videos.
Nice to watch you guys paddle in time.
7+ years of paddling together will do that 😁
Beautiful trip. You did a great job of documenting it. Leah is a trooper.
Thanks a bunch! Haha, got that right, she's something else!!
Awesome scenery, great filming! Thanks for taking us along!
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!
Big thanks for all the effort you guys put in sharing this amazing trip!
Thanks!! So glad you enjoyed it! 😁
best video yet! What an amazing trip.
Thanks Dennis! 😁
i liked the video, can't believe i watched the whole thing, i enjoyed it!
Truly amazing , you both are had a adventure of a lifetime ... And cheers ....
Thanks Jim! One for the memory bank that's for sure! Loved NW Ontario. We'll be back again for sure!!