Rest days are great. They provide a break from worrying about getting from A to B and give you a chance to smell the roses. Nice segment. As always, thanks for bringing us along.
Great campsite! And another great video. Always happy to see you've posted another video. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge of the trees and ecology with us.
That was a great campsite, I can see why you wanted to stay there! I can crawl around areas like that with my camera for hours and never get bored. Beautiful spot, thanks for sharing.
The wind & snow done some damage there for sure..great firewood though!! Like the fire pit & what a fantastic view!! O yeah awesome meal there too!! Be safe!!
rodney newbury Thanks again Rod! I love the bare rock landscape - we have not enough here. Your open taiga forests and rocky open expanses, with caribou running through it, is my favourite type of landscape. Too many trees here!
Excellent campsite no wonder you wanted to stay. I really like your reviews of the history of why the bush is the way it is. We all underestimate nature. The power involved in snapping off the tops of 10's of thousands of trees speaks volumes. Another great video.
A J Taylor Thanks again AJT! It would have been life threatening to be camping there when that event happened. It happened very fast within a few hours. It was October when it happened, so I would not have been paddling there at that time. We get blowdown wind storms in the summer too, so there is always something to keep me on edge (including bears!), but its all part of the adventure.
***** Thanks Lonnie! That walleye was good. Its not as good as brook trout or arctic char, but I will take it! I wear a short beard year round, but before a canoe trip, its a tradition with me to start the trip clean shaven, and let it come in. :o)
Great video series, really enjoying watching them. Nice to see someone using smart caution with axe skills,.. all to many times people don;t realize the dangers of a swinging axe.
Thanks FV! I literally think of every follow through for every swing or tap, i.e. where is that axe blade going if it cuts through, or misses, or bounces and deflects? I train others on this method to be very self aware. Every axe movement and body position is predicated on a possible miss or bounce, or cut-through that was easier than expected (less resistance and that axe is still traveling), which is of course inevitable. So when the miss or bounce inevitably happens, my body position was already in a safe position.
I find this adventure very inspiring to do it solo. I adore people who can do this trip alone and yet very resourceful. Wish one day I could be like you. I just recently found your channel and watched almost all your video clips and I can say you're brave man. More power sir!
Thanks Whitejeans747! Solo can sometimes be very hard work, but I find it rewarding. If you want to get into solo tripping in the bush, just plug away at the skills and knowledge, and start with short trips, travel at your own pace, and work up from there. Keep safety always in your mind, (e.g. I find slippery rocks to be one of the most dangerous thing out there), and you will be fine. :-)
Thank you Sir for the advice. I really appreciate it. I hope one day I can do the trip. For now, I'm still enjoying watching solo camping trip videos just to learn and have an idea what it's like surviving in the forest alone :)
Edogawa1117 Thanks Edogawa1117! I am lucky that I have my good health, a job that lets me get away once and a while, and that I live near some great canoe country.
ThePatriot4freedom Thanks TP4F! I have done some camp set up segments in previous videos, but just in passing. Maybe I should do a dedicated set up video with title, as a reference vid. Good idea, I will work on that for next trip. In my next vid part 10 as I edit here, I have a Hillberg tent set up piece, showing the tension needed because its not a free standing tent. Stay tuned for that.
I enjoy your videos Sir. We should be heading up to the English river this weekend. A couple years ago we flew into Woodland Caribou park at lake Cocos. It's a beautiful area. Keep the videos coming!
Brian Jones Thanks Brian! It was snowing there this past weekend! :o) But the weather should be good from here on in. Bring warm clothing just in case! The walleye should be almost jumping into the boat!
Stayed at that site in August of 2013. Really nice spot. Don't remember the second firepit down below or all that rock on the high spot. Had the tent right on the rock next to your fire. Great series! Back into the park this summer. Really looking forward to it.
Mike Morton Thanks Mike! Yep! I use it on all my paddling and winter sled trips. I can do what I need to do with that axe no problem. For backpacking and day trips, I downsize to the GB small forest axe.
The SmFA is a great size as well, although I have a vintage Hults-Bruks head (1.25 lb) I put on a GB SmFA head, the shorter handle can be handy in certain situations as well
What a prime camping spot! I'd stay there for a couple days too, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy :D Think I've seen the Lingonberry but wasn't sure what it was. The Scandinavians love to cook it with fish and meats. Never seen the Lycopodium club moss but you can be sure I'll be on the look out for it now! Saw the effects of that same storm in the Nopiming September '13, freshly cleaned up. Absolutely amazing how devastating that storm was, same scenes in eastern Manitoba, especially closer to the Ontario border. Great vid, we got almost 16 minutes out of ya this time!
Canesser Thanks C! The damage is patchy, and its still a big fire hazard, so we'll see what the summer brings. Needles were falling off last summer, so the fine fuels may be off, but we'll see. The lingonberry I have always called "mountain cranberry", so it has many names. Its important to ID it separate from the bearberry (Arctostaphylos), which grows in the same places and th eleaves look the same, although its edible too I think, but tastes horrible (to me). The Vacinniums berries look very different, but the leaves on the plants look similar. The lingonberries taste like tart lemony apples, and have that crunchy white flesh like an apple. Very pleasant to munch on in late summer.
Wintertrekker That's how I distinguished it between the bearberry lol. The skin looks more like a miniature apple and you're saying it tastes like it too. The only really useful part of the bearberry that I understand are the leaves, harvested in the fall, dried and used as an infusion for urinary problems (diuretic) or smoked in kinnikinik by the early Native Americans.
Fantastic series. I absolutely love the fishing, please show more in future trips. Additionally if I could request some more information - I really do love the information you relay regarding native plants/shrubs.. their function in the boreal as well as some edibility on occasion. Great work/pleasure.
Bikepaddle Thanks BP! I am not a very good fisherman and not very patient (which is a valuable trait to have for fishing!). Also I have trouble with my minimal camera gear on actually filming fishing in action. Might use up much of a battery and card just waiting for a fish. But I should do more on this front, like maybe filleting fish, etc. I am weak on my edible plants - there are very few in the Boreal, other than the usually blueberries and lignonberries. Some of the green leafy edibles have significant amounts of oxalic acid, which is not good, so just a nibble for some vitamins is what you do with those species. There is cattail, but other than the spring shoots that are like cucumber, and frying up the green seed heads when very young (short window), I do not find it palatable. Our ancestors in the Boreal were basically hunting, fishing and trapping for food full time! :o)
Wintertrekker Displaying filleting fish more often would be awesome. I'm not an expert on boreal edibles either - however I have been educated on a few genera of wild northern mushrooms that my wife and I love. I really enjoy the 'ramblings' as you call them on Fireweed and duck potatoes..etc... please keep it up! Is there anywhere online to see on a map exactly what your route was for a given trip including location of campsites? Name's Eryk by the way.
Thanks Eryk! The Park's website is here: www.ontarioparks.com/park/woodlandcaribou A map of the main routes is in the links at the bottom of that page, or link here; www.ontarioparks.com/pdf/maps/woodlandcaribou/park_map.pdf There is also a link to campsites, but it is not accurate - some are there, some are not. I take 1;50K topos and use those for navigation. I take the park's campsite "map" (just a small sheet of paper), and use it for what its worth, but you have to be prepared to find your own campsites. For an outfitter who can fix you up for a trip, I would recommend Red Lake Outfitters, link here; redlakeoutfitters.com/
Thanks HF! Yes, we are lucky here that on public land we can use the firewood that is dead standing or lying down, and also in many parks, although some front country hi intensity use parks in motorized camp grounds do not allow use of collected firewood, where it has to be purchased in little bags. Some provinces impose fire bans during very dry periods of forest fire risk, so we have to carry stoves too if a fire ban comes on.
one of these times you should try some walleye with your tex mix. lol Another great update of your trip, looks like you are taking the time to appreciate your trip. Good stuff.
I have to say I love your videos. I am from Wyoming down in the states and it is good to learn about a different kind of long excursion. down here we do white water river trips anywhere from a few to twenty something day trips (grand Canyon, Colorado, green river, etc) Have you ever considered coming down to experience some red rock scenery trips like the grand canyon? you would fit right in. anyway thanks for these videos and your awesome respect for the wilderness. you have inspired me to do some big lake trips. you are the new Les Stroud. hit me up if you are ever in the states. we have lots of great river journeys, texmex and olive oil.
+Haphagurd Thanks Haphagurd! I have read about the great western desert canyon rivers, seen many photos and films, but never been there. I do whitewater rivers in the subarctic and arctic with a solo tripping boat and a spray deck. I run those conservative though, and often portage, because losing my boat and gear there means possible death! :o) Thanks for the offer to travel south! I think though I have many more rivers to do north of me, and less and less time to do them as my body gets older and hurts more often! :o)
Thanks for all the time spent explaining what you see. Your knowledge is impressive. I'm starting more into the backcountry and traded my kayak for a solo canoe. I really like seeing your gear and how you setup up camp a certain way and why. I see the bear spray always by your side. I've also heard you talk about bear bangers. Do you carry any other weapons? Do you worry about animals lots? Wolves etc.. Any issues at night in your tent? Any of your vids show all your gear and how to pack it? Lots of questions, so any response is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Darryl James Thanks Darryl! Yes bear spray is always on me, and in the tent at night. I carry a pack of pen launch bear bangers in my trouser cargo pocket. I should do a demo on a video, firing off expired ones so folks can see then in action. I have never had a problem with wolves, and I don't worry at all about them. They are fun to hear when they howl. I bump into bears occasionally and they run away...except a few times when I had to shoo them away with bear bangers, which did the trick. I carry a shotgun with slugs in the arctic for grizzly bears, but usually not down in back bear country, and in this park firearms are not allowed. I have head several people ask for me to do a video on my gear packing. Its an idea I will work on. Check out part 10 that I just uploaded today, as it shows a Hillberg tent set up on rock. I have some videos with snippets here and there that show my favourite tarp set up.
Great views. Nice leave of fire wood at the campsite. I thought maybe stacking wood in a teepee configuration would be a good way to keep it dry as well. Many thanks as always W.T.
dadgad68 Thanks D-68! Yes a teepee config might work. The wood stacked around the fire rocks is on the same slope as a teepee. With the short billets I cut for all the other wood left over, there is not much purchase for a teepee, but it was on bedrock, which heats up in the sun and rains after rain, so this will stay relatively dry for a year or two. If it was on deep soil, it would rot fast. Best not to cut more cooking billets than necessary, but I "over-achieved"! :o) By far the best way to store firewood is in leaning poles as vertical as possible - they last for years. I once returned to a winter site I and buddies had carved out of the bush 8 years ago, and all our near-vertical leaning spruce poles were solid and great in the winter camp woodstove!
That little fish dised up to a beautiful plate! ...you did have a nice fire pit with that chimney rock. Many an hour I've spent dismantling huge unnecessary fire pits. Aargh...
+steinwaygoat Thanks SG! The walleye was good!. With the big chimney rock as the base, a person can configure a fire set that suits one's grill or pot suspension system, and cooking style. I am glad to see when people take the time to find and set up that all important chimney rock.
+Wintertrekker (Can't help but say more....:) I come from a long line of big sit-around-a-big-fire family...and so the day I came upon a neat, tidy, tiny fire pit, complete with tiny chimney rock, I was stunned. Changed my fire habits by the sheer beauty of it. Sure enjoy your vids.
I notice you only have a stool with you. Doesn't your back get sore only bringing a stool? What sort of sleeping pad do you use? Just wondering. Really enjoyed watching this one
The Whatsit Hi Mike! That canoe is an old (maybe 25-30 years old) Trailhead Prospector, small 16 (about 15' 8"). Trailhead out of Ottawa. Its a good solo tripper with a narrow 34 inch beam, which is narrower than most tandem boats/ Layup is a kevlar-S glass composite. Weighs about 54-56 pounds.
Stephen Bouchard Thanks Stephen! That grill is made by Purcell Trench Grill, and the model is the "Traveller". These are really great, strong and very light weight grills. Tig welded tubular stainless steel. They are expensive because of the labor and love and quality that goes into them, made in USA, and its worth it IMO. Don the owner sends them out via Postal service for very low rate, and he does not charge extra for mailing to Canada, which is hugely refreshing. Usually us Canucks get gouged with exorbitant shipping fees, but Don does not do that - he's a really good guy. I have no connection to the company, but I always put in the good word for these grills because I think they are the best out there for hiking and canoe tripping. Many models to chose from, Web link: www.purcelltrench.com/ Several Canadian online retailers sell them now too, such as Red Lake Outfitters, and Canadian Outdoor Equipment.
what map set/sets did you use planning your trip into Woodland Caribou Hoop? I've seen a series of maps including the official Park map sold by Red Lake outfitters. Still really enjoy watching your 2014 trip!
Hi Dave! I used the new official park map made by Chrismar, which is the one sold by RLO. Its scale 1:110,000 all one one side, and its waterproof paper. The latest has some new routes recently developed. It has routes and portages marked. Campsites are not marked, but RLO can help you with those. The Park has a map of "potential" campsites, some are there, some are not there. RLO keeps data on what's what these days. I transcribe all the info onto paper 1:50,000 Canada topo maps, because that scale has far more detail, and with pencil I add my own notes. So when I go back I will keep adding to my data on those maps. I keep them in a waterproof Sealine map case.
Nice spot! I can't wait to get out on a trip this summer! Going for a kayak paddle tomorrow...1st one of the year! Did you pass any other canoes or see anyone on your trip?
Rob Farrow Thanks Rob! I have not been out yet, so you beat me to it! I saw only 2 canoe parties over the entire trip. I saw one outpost camp fishing party on Thicketwood Lake, and one or two boats on the Gammon river system, but that was it - very quiet the way I like it.
Are those Fjallraven barents trousers you are wearing? I just ordered a pair and hope they will be the right tripping pants for my needs. Do you bring rain pants on your trips?
Shan Do Yes those are the Fjallraven Barents trousers (the regular, not the "pro"). I really like them for canoe tripping. They are more comfortable that nylon quick dry, (cooler on the hot days), they dry fast, and they are mosquito proof. Yes I bring rain pants on my trips - I find I use them alot, as it rains quite often.
So inspired. I've soloed Quetico a few times. Never WCPP. Quite a few bear visits in Quetico. Do you hang your barrel in WC or use another method. Looks like few options for hanging. Thoughts?
Deb Martin Thanks Deb! I have not had any bear issues in WCPP (yet!). I leave my barrel on the ground. I keep the outside of the barrel pristine, and never touch the outside with my hands when preparing food or packing up food and cook kit. I wash my hands before packing the lid on, so that lid never has any food smells on the outside. So far no problems, and I have had at least one bear that I know of walk through my camp, and it ignored the barrel.
Wintertrekker Thanks. Will keep your food-packing method in mind. I've had so many bear run-ins in Quetico. Might be because Quetico is busier and bear are acclimated to people. Once had to paddle out for two days with no food, fuel or filter. Why do they always go for the fuel canister!? Mr. Bear was very polite but took it all. WCPP is definitely on my list.
I believe I've seen you use a hammock before Hoop and wondered whether you've considered tripping in a park like WC with one or there is a good reason not to take one.
+Larry Hyett Hi Larry, yes I have used a hammock (Warbonnet Black Bird). I am considering a hammock canoe trip. But often my bets tent spots are out on open rock or clearings far from trees, or within trees where there may be less than 12 feet of span (which the WBBB needs). Being out in the sunny open with a tent is better than being back in the trees and shrubs with the higher humidity and the terrible mosquitoes that come with that micro habitat. So there are some campsites where a hammock set up may be difficult. I look around for hammock sites when I am out using a tent, and I often remark that I would have to trim live shrubs and small trees to make a space to hang. The Boreal Forest here tends to be much thicker that a more southern Tolerant Hardwood forest ecosystem where there may be more space between big hardwoods.
+Wintertrekker thanks for the reply. As usual, you've given a great explanation ! I have the WBBB as well and I'm loving hammock camping. I like not having to crawl out of the tent in the middle of the night or early morning but rather just swing my legs over the side and stand up. As I get older, the more I appreciate this. Cheers, Larry
Hi Steve. That is a Primus LiTech pan. It has a great folding handle for packing, and it locks open. They have two models of this pan: one with the folding/locking handle like mine, and one with a swing out loose handle. I like the fold out locking handle. I think its 8 inch diameter. Non-stick coating is good so far (plastic or wood utensils only). Sides are steep, so its not as nice as a classic saucepan for flipping food, but its the lightest I have found in that size, which suits my needs well for solo canoe trips.
I can't understand why anyone would give this a thumbs down. Sorry about them. I was wondering about your stool you brought with you. I was thinking of taking only a stool on my next trip, but then worried my back might get sore. Have you ever had that problem? Also what sort of sleep pad do you use? Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike! The thumbs down people never let me know what I could be doing better. This video was maybe too long. Under 10 is better. The stool is a cheapo Coghlans stool, but its the lightest I have found. No back problems since the legs are out in front and bent at the knee naturally, and it encourages a straight posture. However I am only 5'4" tall (short), so maybe a tall person might have a different experience. The nylon seat starts to fray and tear around the stress points, but I hand sew in another layer of scrap nylon to reinforce it, and its good to go. The plastic feet wear out, but cheap 3/4 inch replacements are available at hardware stores. My sleep pad is an old Thermarest LE, with about 2 inches loft. Its close to 15 years old now, never leaked, but I keep real good care of it.
+Wintertrekker thanks for the reply :o). I'm 5'4" too! When I was growing up I felt bad of my height and my mum used to tell me "you never hardly see a tall old man, only short old men" so that kept me going :o) Thanks again Mike
Rick Zolla Never had to use the spray. In my cargo pocket I have a pack of 6 pen-launch bear banger shells. I have used several bangers in my career to scare off black bears in the Boreal, and Griz up on the arctic Barrenlands. I carry extra banger shells in my food barrel.
Wintertrekker Argh !! Not cool man...I was sooo looking forward to that meal... :-P Great video series bud...I enjoy every one of them. What an ideal spot you have on the island.
ManitobaWolf Thanks MW! Next time I will zoom the camera into the pan so that folks can smell the sizzling walleye! :o) That was an island I would like to get back to.
NAHAAFB Thanks NAHAAFB! I am used to it now, with a long solo trip being normal for me just about every summer, and I do many shorter durations trips too. At the end of any remote trip, I do look forward to getting picked up by the float plane, getting to the hotel and taking that first hot shower, and cracking open a cold beer! But going back to work at the office is really tough to do! :o)
Thanks Joapps! Canoe tripping in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is relatively easy with the maps that are available today. Most people with medium canoe tripping and portaging skills can plan a trip here. As for Bigfoot, well its way too cold in winter here. Primates do not hibernate, and Bigfoot would starve and freeze in the winter :o) Snow damage and blowdown create the bent and snapped trees, and eventually fire buns it all and it renews. On average the boreal forest burns here on a frequency of about 50-75 years in this area. The dead foliage from snow-down and blowdown builds fuels, and when its dry and lightening strikes, up in flames it goes. There was a huge fire in the south end of this Park this past summer burning through some of these downed dead dry fuels.
Wintertrekker Great. So it appears you haven't had any "weird" experiences out there so far! Take care and looking forward to more of your videos! ...include some more cooking if you can please :)
Best canoeing videos I've ever seen.
Thanks BB for the kind words!
Rest days are great. They provide a break from worrying about getting from A to B and give you a chance to smell the roses. Nice segment. As always, thanks for bringing us along.
nibimocs Thanks Nibimocs! Yes, I need to take more rest days, focus less on distance, and spend more time fishing!
Camping on rocky islands are always amazing. Nice and inspiring trip. Thanks
Louis C. Thanks Louis! I will take rock over sand every time! I found a good deep water drop-off for swimming too, no bottom to worry about.
Fun vid. Beautiful area too. Fish looked great.
***** Thanks Cr0cket20! Its very beautiful there, I need to go back one day.
Great campsite! And another great video. Always happy to see you've posted another video. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge of the trees and ecology with us.
ishmael747 Thanks Ishmael747!
That was a great campsite, I can see why you wanted to stay there! I can crawl around areas like that with my camera for hours and never get bored. Beautiful spot, thanks for sharing.
melody kiss Thanks Melody! I could have stayed there for many days without getting bored. Lots to do there!
The wind & snow done some damage there for sure..great firewood though!! Like the fire pit & what a fantastic view!! O yeah awesome meal there too!! Be safe!!
rodney newbury Thanks again Rod! I love the bare rock landscape - we have not enough here. Your open taiga forests and rocky open expanses, with caribou running through it, is my favourite type of landscape. Too many trees here!
Excellent campsite no wonder you wanted to stay. I really like your reviews of the history of why the bush is the way it is. We all underestimate nature. The power involved in snapping off the tops of 10's of thousands of trees speaks volumes. Another great video.
A J Taylor Thanks again AJT! It would have been life threatening to be camping there when that event happened. It happened very fast within a few hours. It was October when it happened, so I would not have been paddling there at that time. We get blowdown wind storms in the summer too, so there is always something to keep me on edge (including bears!), but its all part of the adventure.
That fish looked delicious. Wish I was there. I see you are starting to show some beard at this stage of the trip. Good going.
***** Thanks Lonnie! That walleye was good. Its not as good as brook trout or arctic char, but I will take it! I wear a short beard year round, but before a canoe trip, its a tradition with me to start the trip clean shaven, and let it come in. :o)
You sure do have a lot of knowledge, thank you for sharing it with us.
Alex Haney Thanks Alex! Glad to share!
Great video series, really enjoying watching them. Nice to see someone using smart caution with axe skills,.. all to many times people don;t realize the dangers of a swinging axe.
Thanks FV! I literally think of every follow through for every swing or tap, i.e. where is that axe blade going if it cuts through, or misses, or bounces and deflects? I train others on this method to be very self aware. Every axe movement and body position is predicated on a possible miss or bounce, or cut-through that was easier than expected (less resistance and that axe is still traveling), which is of course inevitable. So when the miss or bounce inevitably happens, my body position was already in a safe position.
I find this adventure very inspiring to do it solo. I adore people who can do this trip alone and yet very resourceful. Wish one day I could be like you. I just recently found your channel and watched almost all your video clips and I can say you're brave man. More power sir!
Thanks Whitejeans747! Solo can sometimes be very hard work, but I find it rewarding. If you want to get into solo tripping in the bush, just plug away at the skills and knowledge, and start with short trips, travel at your own pace, and work up from there. Keep safety always in your mind, (e.g. I find slippery rocks to be one of the most dangerous thing out there), and you will be fine. :-)
Thank you Sir for the advice. I really appreciate it. I hope one day I can do the trip. For now, I'm still enjoying watching solo camping trip videos just to learn and have an idea what it's like surviving in the forest alone :)
really nice trip so far, looking forward to the rest of it. thanks for sharing
Bush Brother Thanks BB! More to come in this series!
Nice Hoop. I enjoy watching your trip videos.
J. Kelly Nolan Thanks Bioguide! Glad to have you along. How's that wood caching going with the big saw?
J. Kelly Nolan Yep I watched it already. I want to see that big saw in action!
Nice video.
Very enjoyable,beautiful location...you are a lucky man!
Edogawa1117 Thanks Edogawa1117! I am lucky that I have my good health, a job that lets me get away once and a while, and that I live near some great canoe country.
cool video. I love to see the axe work and cooking. camp set up would be awesome too.
ThePatriot4freedom Thanks TP4F! I have done some camp set up segments in previous videos, but just in passing. Maybe I should do a dedicated set up video with title, as a reference vid. Good idea, I will work on that for next trip. In my next vid part 10 as I edit here, I have a Hillberg tent set up piece, showing the tension needed because its not a free standing tent. Stay tuned for that.
after the hot tent you give a nice canoe camping taste
Bushcraft Quebec Thanks Alex!
I enjoy your videos Sir. We should be heading up to the English river this weekend. A couple years ago we flew into Woodland Caribou park at lake Cocos. It's a beautiful area. Keep the videos coming!
Brian Jones Thanks Brian! It was snowing there this past weekend! :o) But the weather should be good from here on in. Bring warm clothing just in case! The walleye should be almost jumping into the boat!
What a great vid! That walleye and tex-mex...now I'm starving! Thx WT.
MMR Tactical Thanks MMR-T! I use Club House Tex-Mex on everything meat, pasta, rice, eggs, on salads, etc. I am an addict!
Ditto!
Stayed at that site in August of 2013. Really nice spot. Don't remember the second firepit down below or all that rock on the high spot. Had the tent right on the rock next to your fire. Great series! Back into the park this summer. Really looking forward to it.
cabinseeker65 Thanks Cabinseeker65! I might see you out there one summer, who knows!
Great Video as always, I have the same axe. Such a great compromise in all aspects, not too heavy or light, not to long or short.
Mike Morton Thanks Mike! Yep! I use it on all my paddling and winter sled trips. I can do what I need to do with that axe no problem. For backpacking and day trips, I downsize to the GB small forest axe.
The SmFA is a great size as well, although I have a vintage Hults-Bruks head (1.25 lb) I put on a GB SmFA head, the shorter handle can be handy in certain situations as well
Good campsite, with all the blowdown, looks like NS after hurricane Juan
+Jim Cyr Thanks Jim! It sounds like we all get the forest blowing down throughout Canada. It makes alot of good firewood!
Great job buddy, I am enjoying this series!!!
joesneon Thanks again Joe!
i am rewatching some of your videos, they are so informative. Hope everything is ok with you.
What a prime camping spot! I'd stay there for a couple days too, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy :D Think I've seen the Lingonberry but wasn't sure what it was. The Scandinavians love to cook it with fish and meats. Never seen the Lycopodium club moss but you can be sure I'll be on the look out for it now! Saw the effects of that same storm in the Nopiming September '13, freshly cleaned up. Absolutely amazing how devastating that storm was, same scenes in eastern Manitoba, especially closer to the Ontario border. Great vid, we got almost 16 minutes out of ya this time!
Canesser Thanks C! The damage is patchy, and its still a big fire hazard, so we'll see what the summer brings. Needles were falling off last summer, so the fine fuels may be off, but we'll see. The lingonberry I have always called "mountain cranberry", so it has many names. Its important to ID it separate from the bearberry (Arctostaphylos), which grows in the same places and th eleaves look the same, although its edible too I think, but tastes horrible (to me). The Vacinniums berries look very different, but the leaves on the plants look similar. The lingonberries taste like tart lemony apples, and have that crunchy white flesh like an apple. Very pleasant to munch on in late summer.
Wintertrekker That's how I distinguished it between the bearberry lol. The skin looks more like a miniature apple and you're saying it tastes like it too. The only really useful part of the bearberry that I understand are the leaves, harvested in the fall, dried and used as an infusion for urinary problems (diuretic) or smoked in kinnikinik by the early Native Americans.
Enjoyed as always.
Bryan Hampton Thanks Bryan!
Nice campsite. Looking forward to the next installment.
Stokie Joe Bushcraft Thanks SJB! Next one is in the works!
Good lookin' walleye. Pts4 thru 9 are all great videos....i'll check some more out tomorrow...take care...martin
+Wyomin' Po Boy Thanks Martin! Glad you are enjoying the series. Kind words like yours give me incentive to film another one soon.
+Wintertrekker I sure hope you do film another one soon...Do you have big canoeing plans for the summer?
Wyomin' Po Boy
No plans yet. Man the spring is here, (always catches me snoozing), lakes opening up soon, I better get planning!
+Wintertrekker i know you will do something. i have Wabakimi in my sights....
Fantastic series. I absolutely love the fishing, please show more in future trips. Additionally if I could request some more information - I really do love the information you relay regarding native plants/shrubs.. their function in the boreal as well as some edibility on occasion. Great work/pleasure.
Bikepaddle Thanks BP! I am not a very good fisherman and not very patient (which is a valuable trait to have for fishing!). Also I have trouble with my minimal camera gear on actually filming fishing in action. Might use up much of a battery and card just waiting for a fish. But I should do more on this front, like maybe filleting fish, etc. I am weak on my edible plants - there are very few in the Boreal, other than the usually blueberries and lignonberries. Some of the green leafy edibles have significant amounts of oxalic acid, which is not good, so just a nibble for some vitamins is what you do with those species. There is cattail, but other than the spring shoots that are like cucumber, and frying up the green seed heads when very young (short window), I do not find it palatable. Our ancestors in the Boreal were basically hunting, fishing and trapping for food full time! :o)
Wintertrekker Displaying filleting fish more often would be awesome. I'm not an expert on boreal edibles either - however I have been educated on a few genera of wild northern mushrooms that my wife and I love. I really enjoy the 'ramblings' as you call them on Fireweed and duck potatoes..etc... please keep it up! Is there anywhere online to see on a map exactly what your route was for a given trip including location of campsites? Name's Eryk by the way.
Thanks Eryk! The Park's website is here: www.ontarioparks.com/park/woodlandcaribou A map of the main routes is in the links at the bottom of that page, or link here; www.ontarioparks.com/pdf/maps/woodlandcaribou/park_map.pdf
There is also a link to campsites, but it is not accurate - some are there, some are not. I take 1;50K topos and use those for navigation. I take the park's campsite "map" (just a small sheet of paper), and use it for what its worth, but you have to be prepared to find your own campsites. For an outfitter who can fix you up for a trip, I would recommend Red Lake Outfitters, link here; redlakeoutfitters.com/
Great Trip, Thanks for sharing !!
Justin McKinney Thanks Justin!
What I like about the Canadian bush is that everything has a use
Thanks HF! Yes, we are lucky here that on public land we can use the firewood that is dead standing or lying down, and also in many parks, although some front country hi intensity use parks in motorized camp grounds do not allow use of collected firewood, where it has to be purchased in little bags. Some provinces impose fire bans during very dry periods of forest fire risk, so we have to carry stoves too if a fire ban comes on.
one of these times you should try some walleye with your tex mix. lol
Another great update of your trip, looks like you are taking the time to appreciate your trip. Good stuff.
NLGhostWolf Thanks again NLGW! Can't have too much Tex-Mex! :o)
right on
I have to say I love your videos. I am from Wyoming down in the states and it is good to learn about a different kind of long excursion. down here we do white water river trips anywhere from a few to twenty something day trips (grand Canyon, Colorado, green river, etc) Have you ever considered coming down to experience some red rock scenery trips like the grand canyon? you would fit right in. anyway thanks for these videos and your awesome respect for the wilderness. you have inspired me to do some big lake trips. you are the new Les Stroud. hit me up if you are ever in the states. we have lots of great river journeys, texmex and olive oil.
+Haphagurd Thanks Haphagurd! I have read about the great western desert canyon rivers, seen many photos and films, but never been there. I do whitewater rivers in the subarctic and arctic with a solo tripping boat and a spray deck. I run those conservative though, and often portage, because losing my boat and gear there means possible death! :o) Thanks for the offer to travel south! I think though I have many more rivers to do north of me, and less and less time to do them as my body gets older and hurts more often! :o)
Thanks for all the time spent explaining what you see. Your knowledge is impressive. I'm starting more into the backcountry and traded my kayak for a solo canoe. I really like seeing your gear and how you setup up camp a certain way and why. I see the bear spray always by your side. I've also heard you talk about bear bangers. Do you carry any other weapons? Do you worry about animals lots? Wolves etc.. Any issues at night in your tent? Any of your vids show all your gear and how to pack it? Lots of questions, so any response is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Darryl James Thanks Darryl! Yes bear spray is always on me, and in the tent at night. I carry a pack of pen launch bear bangers in my trouser cargo pocket. I should do a demo on a video, firing off expired ones so folks can see then in action. I have never had a problem with wolves, and I don't worry at all about them. They are fun to hear when they howl. I bump into bears occasionally and they run away...except a few times when I had to shoo them away with bear bangers, which did the trick. I carry a shotgun with slugs in the arctic for grizzly bears, but usually not down in back bear country, and in this park firearms are not allowed. I have head several people ask for me to do a video on my gear packing. Its an idea I will work on. Check out part 10 that I just uploaded today, as it shows a Hillberg tent set up on rock. I have some videos with snippets here and there that show my favourite tarp set up.
I need to do a trip like this some time. Very cool. Although I would bring along 3 of my friends!
Jeff Rogers Thanks Jeff! If you bring friends, then it becomes a different trip. More hands make light work, and it might even be a better trip.
Great views. Nice leave of fire wood at the campsite. I thought maybe stacking wood in a teepee configuration would be a good way to keep it dry as well. Many thanks as always W.T.
dadgad68 Thanks D-68! Yes a teepee config might work. The wood stacked around the fire rocks is on the same slope as a teepee. With the short billets I cut for all the other wood left over, there is not much purchase for a teepee, but it was on bedrock, which heats up in the sun and rains after rain, so this will stay relatively dry for a year or two. If it was on deep soil, it would rot fast. Best not to cut more cooking billets than necessary, but I "over-achieved"! :o) By far the best way to store firewood is in leaning poles as vertical as possible - they last for years. I once returned to a winter site I and buddies had carved out of the bush 8 years ago, and all our near-vertical leaning spruce poles were solid and great in the winter camp woodstove!
another good one, thank you
fingerlakeshiker Thanks again FLH!
That little fish dised up to a beautiful plate! ...you did have a nice fire pit with that chimney rock. Many an hour I've spent dismantling huge unnecessary fire pits. Aargh...
+steinwaygoat Thanks SG! The walleye was good!. With the big chimney rock as the base, a person can configure a fire set that suits one's grill or pot suspension system, and cooking style. I am glad to see when people take the time to find and set up that all important chimney rock.
+Wintertrekker (Can't help but say more....:) I come from a long line of big sit-around-a-big-fire family...and so the day I came upon a neat, tidy, tiny fire pit, complete with tiny chimney rock, I was stunned. Changed my fire habits by the sheer beauty of it. Sure enjoy your vids.
I notice you only have a stool with you. Doesn't your back get sore only bringing a stool? What sort of sleeping pad do you use? Just wondering. Really enjoyed watching this one
Man that walleye looks good
Walleye always tastes the best while on a canoe trip!
Wintertrekker what kind of canoe do you have? I have two Sportspals from north bay. I really like this. Oh by the way this is still mike the bagpiper
The Whatsit
Hi Mike! That canoe is an old (maybe 25-30 years old) Trailhead Prospector, small 16 (about 15' 8"). Trailhead out of Ottawa. Its a good solo tripper with a narrow 34 inch beam, which is narrower than most tandem boats/ Layup is a kevlar-S glass composite. Weighs about 54-56 pounds.
Now we're talking ;-)
Thank you, Andreas
***** Thanks RG! I went over the dreaded 10 minute boundary! :o)
I'm sure you've been asked before but what grill is that in your video.
Thanks again Hoop
Stephen Bouchard Thanks Stephen! That grill is made by Purcell Trench Grill, and the model is the "Traveller". These are really great, strong and very light weight grills. Tig welded tubular stainless steel. They are expensive because of the labor and love and quality that goes into them, made in USA, and its worth it IMO. Don the owner sends them out via Postal service for very low rate, and he does not charge extra for mailing to Canada, which is hugely refreshing. Usually us Canucks get gouged with exorbitant shipping fees, but Don does not do that - he's a really good guy. I have no connection to the company, but I always put in the good word for these grills because I think they are the best out there for hiking and canoe tripping. Many models to chose from, Web link: www.purcelltrench.com/ Several Canadian online retailers sell them now too, such as Red Lake Outfitters, and Canadian Outdoor Equipment.
what map set/sets did you use planning your trip into Woodland Caribou Hoop? I've seen a series of maps including the official Park map sold by Red Lake outfitters. Still really enjoy watching your 2014 trip!
Hi Dave! I used the new official park map made by Chrismar, which is the one sold by RLO. Its scale 1:110,000 all one one side, and its waterproof paper. The latest has some new routes recently developed. It has routes and portages marked. Campsites are not marked, but RLO can help you with those. The Park has a map of "potential" campsites, some are there, some are not there. RLO keeps data on what's what these days. I transcribe all the info onto paper 1:50,000 Canada topo maps, because that scale has far more detail, and with pencil I add my own notes. So when I go back I will keep adding to my data on those maps. I keep them in a waterproof Sealine map case.
Thanks Hoop I'll contact RLO. I'm also doing a little target shooting at range though with a S&W MP9
Nice spot! I can't wait to get out on a trip this summer! Going for a kayak paddle tomorrow...1st one of the year! Did you pass any other canoes or see anyone on your trip?
Rob Farrow Thanks Rob! I have not been out yet, so you beat me to it! I saw only 2 canoe parties over the entire trip. I saw one outpost camp fishing party on Thicketwood Lake, and one or two boats on the Gammon river system, but that was it - very quiet the way I like it.
Wintertrekker Nice...the way I like it also! :-)
Are those Fjallraven barents trousers you are wearing? I just ordered a pair and hope they will be the right tripping pants for my needs. Do you bring rain pants on your trips?
Shan Do Yes those are the Fjallraven Barents trousers (the regular, not the "pro"). I really like them for canoe tripping. They are more comfortable that nylon quick dry, (cooler on the hot days), they dry fast, and they are mosquito proof. Yes I bring rain pants on my trips - I find I use them alot, as it rains quite often.
So inspired. I've soloed Quetico a few times. Never WCPP. Quite a few bear visits in Quetico. Do you hang your barrel in WC or use another method. Looks like few options for hanging. Thoughts?
Deb Martin Thanks Deb! I have not had any bear issues in WCPP (yet!). I leave my barrel on the ground. I keep the outside of the barrel pristine, and never touch the outside with my hands when preparing food or packing up food and cook kit. I wash my hands before packing the lid on, so that lid never has any food smells on the outside. So far no problems, and I have had at least one bear that I know of walk through my camp, and it ignored the barrel.
Wintertrekker Thanks. Will keep your food-packing method in mind. I've had so many bear run-ins in Quetico. Might be because Quetico is busier and bear are acclimated to people. Once had to paddle out for two days with no food, fuel or filter. Why do they always go for the fuel canister!? Mr. Bear was very polite but took it all. WCPP is definitely on my list.
yer an inspiration to us. thx for this.
lazyboy9311 Thanks Lazyboy9311!
I believe I've seen you use a hammock before Hoop and wondered whether you've considered tripping in a park like WC with one or there is a good reason not to take one.
+Larry Hyett Hi Larry, yes I have used a hammock (Warbonnet Black Bird). I am considering a hammock canoe trip. But often my bets tent spots are out on open rock or clearings far from trees, or within trees where there may be less than 12 feet of span (which the WBBB needs). Being out in the sunny open with a tent is better than being back in the trees and shrubs with the higher humidity and the terrible mosquitoes that come with that micro habitat. So there are some campsites where a hammock set up may be difficult. I look around for hammock sites when I am out using a tent, and I often remark that I would have to trim live shrubs and small trees to make a space to hang. The Boreal Forest here tends to be much thicker that a more southern Tolerant Hardwood forest ecosystem where there may be more space between big hardwoods.
+Wintertrekker thanks for the reply. As usual, you've given a great explanation ! I have the WBBB as well and I'm loving hammock camping. I like not having to crawl out of the tent in the middle of the night or early morning but rather just swing my legs over the side and stand up. As I get older, the more I appreciate this.
Cheers,
Larry
what make and model is your frying pan ?
Hi Steve. That is a Primus LiTech pan. It has a great folding handle for packing, and it locks open. They have two models of this pan: one with the folding/locking handle like mine, and one with a swing out loose handle. I like the fold out locking handle. I think its 8 inch diameter. Non-stick coating is good so far (plastic or wood utensils only). Sides are steep, so its not as nice as a classic saucepan for flipping food, but its the lightest I have found in that size, which suits my needs well for solo canoe trips.
AAAAAAAA, life is good. I agree in planning for more rest days.
Michael Harris Thanks Michael! On future trips, I am thinking yes, more rest days....not that I am getting older or anything like that ;-)
I can't understand why anyone would give this a thumbs down. Sorry about them. I was wondering about your stool you brought with you. I was thinking of taking only a stool on my next trip, but then worried my back might get sore. Have you ever had that problem? Also what sort of sleep pad do you use? Thanks
Mike
Thanks Mike! The thumbs down people never let me know what I could be doing better. This video was maybe too long. Under 10 is better. The stool is a cheapo Coghlans stool, but its the lightest I have found. No back problems since the legs are out in front and bent at the knee naturally, and it encourages a straight posture. However I am only 5'4" tall (short), so maybe a tall person might have a different experience. The nylon seat starts to fray and tear around the stress points, but I hand sew in another layer of scrap nylon to reinforce it, and its good to go. The plastic feet wear out, but cheap 3/4 inch replacements are available at hardware stores. My sleep pad is an old Thermarest LE, with about 2 inches loft. Its close to 15 years old now, never leaked, but I keep real good care of it.
+Wintertrekker thanks for the reply :o). I'm 5'4" too! When I was growing up I felt bad of my height and my mum used to tell me "you never hardly see a tall old man, only short old men" so that kept me going :o)
Thanks again
Mike
Thanks Mike. My height (or lack of it), never held me back from anything. Get fit and stay fit, and you can do anything.
Great way to end the vid! Funny how we need more rest days on trips when we get in our 40's huh?
Barbarossa4U Thanks B4U! 40's? That was way long ago! Now I am in my 50's! .....and oh ya, I really need my rest days more than ever! :o)
I hope so!
I see you are always wearing your bear spray. Have you ever had to use it??
Rick Zolla Never had to use the spray. In my cargo pocket I have a pack of 6 pen-launch bear banger shells. I have used several bangers in my career to scare off black bears in the Boreal, and Griz up on the arctic Barrenlands. I carry extra banger shells in my food barrel.
Ah man .... you cut us off right before you eat that fish. That is just cruel man!!!
EconoChallenge Thanks Jeep! I know, so cruel....oh that walleye, olive oil and Tex Mex melting on the taste buds....drool, drool.....
Wintertrekker Argh !! Not cool man...I was sooo looking forward to that meal... :-P
Great video series bud...I enjoy every one of them. What an ideal spot you have on the island.
ManitobaWolf Thanks MW! Next time I will zoom the camera into the pan so that folks can smell the sizzling walleye! :o) That was an island I would like to get back to.
Must be hard to come back to civilization after spending that much time in the bush.
NAHAAFB Thanks NAHAAFB! I am used to it now, with a long solo trip being normal for me just about every summer, and I do many shorter durations trips too. At the end of any remote trip, I do look forward to getting picked up by the float plane, getting to the hotel and taking that first hot shower, and cracking open a cold beer! But going back to work at the office is really tough to do! :o)
a vedio of mermaid have been taking there have u seen any !!
No mermaids there that I have seen! :-)
bigfoot tree breakings at 8:00? i wish i could do a trip like the one you did here but bigfoot has neither been proven to be true nor not true.
Thanks Joapps! Canoe tripping in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is relatively easy with the maps that are available today. Most people with medium canoe tripping and portaging skills can plan a trip here. As for Bigfoot, well its way too cold in winter here. Primates do not hibernate, and Bigfoot would starve and freeze in the winter :o) Snow damage and blowdown create the bent and snapped trees, and eventually fire buns it all and it renews. On average the boreal forest burns here on a frequency of about 50-75 years in this area. The dead foliage from snow-down and blowdown builds fuels, and when its dry and lightening strikes, up in flames it goes. There was a huge fire in the south end of this Park this past summer burning through some of these downed dead dry fuels.
Wintertrekker Great. So it appears you haven't had any "weird" experiences out there so far! Take care and looking forward to more of your videos! ...include some more cooking if you can please :)
joapps
Thanks again Joapps! I have many requests for more bush cooking videos, so I will plan to do some! :o)