Algonquin Web

One Moose, Two Moose

Counting Isle Royale moose can be a tedious task that requires great dedication. But each moose has its own life story.

2012-02-03 23:06:39

Quebec Kayak Manufacturer, Boréal Design Files for Bankruptcy

Big news from the outdoor industry. I just heard the sad news from Joe O'Blenis and Bryan Hansel that Quebec kayak manufacturer, Boréal Design has closed its doors and will be filing for bankruptcy on Monday.

From La Presse.ca: ... [more]

2012-02-03 19:28:42

Winter Fun Day is coming up on Feb. 11: don't miss it!

Yes, there is snow in the north! Utah the wonder dog is very pleased: Happy dog on a snowbank this week. If you still don't believe me, check out this picture of my ski tracks from two days ago. I can't reveal the location of this backcountry powder paradise but trust me, it is in Muskoka: Learn to telemark and you too can make turns like this in the middle of nowhere. And because we love

2012-02-03 11:47:44

Gray Matter: Is GPS All in Our Head?

IT’S a question that probably every driver with a Garmin navigation device on her dashboard has asked herself at least once: What did we ever do before GPS? How did people find their way around, especially in places they’d never been before?

2012-02-02 15:19:59

Paddlers, photographers team up to help kids in need

MUSKOKA — Some of the region’s top paddle writers and photographers have come together to help fund a children’s treatment centre. After six years in the planning and production stages, Northern Shores, a coffee-table book of canoeing images and stories, was released just before Christmas.

2012-02-02 14:48:59

Shipments of Asian Carp Seized at Ambassador Bridge in Windsor

2012-02-02 10:43:06

A Gear Checklist for Winter Day Hikes

2012-02-02 05:15:15

Looking Back at Bill Mason’s Old Film Equipment Makes Me Appreciate Modern Technology [Paddling Film History]

Back before everybody and their brother had small, waterproof GoPro cameras strapped to their head, film makers had to get creative and build their own camera rigging if they wanted to get that unique shot while on the water.

Here is a photo of filmmaker and instruction video pioneer, Bill Mason using a home-made rigging to get overhead footage for his 1977 film and companion book, Path of the Paddle.

... [more]

2012-02-01 14:31:20

Sun on the Run: 4 Portable Solar Chargers Tested

Thanks to the ubiquity of USB connections on mobile devices, getting power from a portable solar charger is just as easy as plugging into the wall.

2012-02-01 06:58:30

A Wolf-Moose Standoff at Isle Royale

2012-01-31 07:34:17

Kayaking in a Toronto Gale Storm [Photography]

Here is a small collection of photos from Saturday’s gale windstorm kayak paddle in the Western Gap of the Toronto Harbour.

It ended up being a great day to be on the water as the temperature was a balmy +2c (35f) and the SSW winds (which were blowing at 25 gusting to 45 knots) made for some really rough conditions.

The Western Gap is a favourite location for us when the wind is out of the West as wave energy gets trapped in there jacking them up considerably higher then the surrounding shoreline. It’s bad for sailors but great for us.

... [more]

2012-01-30 15:45:09

DIY Tyvek Bivy

2012-01-30 05:42:32

Facebook Images: A Reminder Of The K-W Canoe Symposium….A ‘Standing Pry’?!?!?….The Profit Of Paddling….And Being A ‘True’ Canadian….Or At Least True To Yourself

So I’m surfing online….checking out my emails and Facebook….I came across the following Facebook photos which I thought I would share here: The first is a poster of the upcoming Kitchener Waterloo Canoe Symposium: Poster by Dave Bain, from Facebook. Hope to see you at the K-W Canoe Symposium on April 14th…. Then there is ... [more]

2012-01-29 10:02:43

News From Temagami: Wolf Lake – ‘Howling At The Door’ Summed Up By Another Blogger….Plus New Update On Missing Person

I was made aware through the Friends of Temagami Facebook page that another blogger, Chris Lawson, had written on the Wolf Lake issue….beautifully summing up the situation in Wolf Lake Wednesday, http://cmkl.ca/2012/01/18/wolf-lake-wednesday/, posted  last Wednesday (Jan. 18th) on his personal blog/website. Well worth reading. Also on the FOT FB page is a link, http://ottertooth.com/Temagami/newsbriefs.htm, to Ottertooth’s Temagami News ... [more]

2012-01-26 10:36:20

‘The Romance Of The Far Fur Country’….Found And Returned

Late last night (or more likely early this morning), I found myself listening to CBC Radio. I heard a story about an interesting film made in 1919, to honour the 250th anniversary of the Hudson’s Bay Company. I was fascinated. So I thought I would find out more.    From Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Romance_of_the_Far_Fur_Country: The Romance of ... [more]

2012-01-26 09:16:52

Trangia Alcohol Stove Review

2012-01-23 14:48:22

The Ultimate, Expandable Expedition Camera Backpack: f-stop Satori [REVIEW]

My history of cameras and backpacks goes back a couple of decades to my first year out of high school. It was then that I fell in love with hiking and camping outdoors and the obvious choice to bring along a camera to capture some of that beauty on film. In the following years I always struggled with the desire to bring along camera gear (sometimes with many lenses, tripod, flash, etc…) and camping gear. It always seemed to be one or the other as no bag could carry them both well. I had camera bag I’d sometimes strap onto the outside of my overnight pack and sometimes carry inside. It was never an ideal situation.

2012-01-23 14:11:38

Algonquin Park’s new Family Day festival

Winter in the Wild, a new one-day Family Day festival at Algonquin Provincial Park is the perfect way to experience Ontario’s oldest provincial park in a new way. The February 18th all-day event celebrates the park’s winter wilderness by encouraging families to try winter park activities, even some that have never been offered before. Festival ... [more]

2012-01-23 13:39:32

More On Voyageurs

Spending time online today I came across several songs inspired by the voyageurs….and in the last post I did mention a musical journey by voyageur canoe….but I also came across a couple of short videos on YouTube on the voyageurs (both from the National Film Board)….it certainly wasn’t all music and songs….far from it: Canada ... [more]

2012-01-23 11:27:10

More On Canoe Songs….Enjoying The Song Of The Paddle

I have written about canoe songs frequently here….suggesting music that you could paddle your canoe to….mentioning often the ‘song of the paddle’….even recently posting the YouTube video of Connie Kaldor’s Canoe Song….so I decided to check out some tunes on YouTube video related to canoes….some original tunes….some old standbys….some unusual ones….I hope you enjoy this ... [more]

2012-01-23 11:10:22

Update On Pimachiowin Aki — “The Land That Gives Life”….Manitoba-Ontario UNESCO Bid Heads To Paris

Found this posted on Canadian Canoe Routes online forum (myccr), thanks to Barbara….and thought it important enough to post here: Manitoba-Ontario UNESCO bid heads to Paris The bid to have a vast wilderness area deemed a UNESCO world heritage site is heading to Paris. The Pimachiowin Aki Corporation — a partnership between five First Nations ... [more]

2012-01-23 07:31:47

One More Video Treat For Canoeist On A Wintery Day….’Canoe Song’ By Connie Kaldor

Years ago the Canadian Canoe Museum released a two CD series entitled Canoesongs….one such song was Canoe Song by Connie Kaldor….complete with lyrics….here is the YouTube video of this fine song….one more video treat for a canoeist on a wintery day:   Paddles up until later then….

2012-01-21 11:30:09

Saturday Saunters….Taking A Video Trip Through The Seasons In Canoe Country

Saturday morning….more snow last night….not much….and the ground is shrouded in a clean white coat….as our the trees….the sun is shining….brightly reflected by the whiteness all around…. All is peaceful….but my thoughts on on another peaceful tranquil time: Time spent out on the water in a canoe….meandering around small creeks or rivers in the backcountry….the ... [more]

2012-01-21 11:19:33

Improvised Pack Frames

2012-01-18 14:45:59

A Peak inside Jeff Lowe's Pack

Climber Jeff Lowe with some of his thawed gear, at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2011.

New, shiny, whizbang gear tends to get the most attention at the biannual Outdoor Retailer trade show. We admit it, the latest, lightest, most technological products can be eye-catching (it weighs how much?! does what?! costs how much?!).

But often it's the rusty, frayed, and oxidized gear and apparel that deserves a second look. After all, gear is made to be used and get you out there. And it can play a part in our outdoor stories.

At last summer's OR show, climber Jeff Lowe had on view the contents of his pack that spent 20 years frozen in the North Face of the Eiger.

First the backstory: ... [more]

2012-01-17 22:03:00

Ecology Ottawa launches MP letter-writing campaign over Ottawa River cleanup

Environmental advocacy group Ecology Ottawa has launched a letter-writing campaign to get local MPs onside with the Ottawa River Action Plan.

2012-01-17 16:02:21

Top outdoor photographer: Haruki Noguchi

2012-01-17 15:54:09

Op-Ed Contributors: A Development Test in Adirondack Park

An ambitious plan for a development in Adirondack Park has been submitted to its preservation agency, challenging the value of a pristine landscape.

2012-01-17 06:48:02

Preparing to Live With Wolves

A wildlife ecologist travels to Isle Royale National Park to observe wolves and moose in the longest continuous study of any predator-prey system in the world.

2012-01-16 17:38:11

Class-action suit claims province excluded at least 10 Algonquin groups

At least 10 different Algonquin groups are now contesting ownership of the 36,000 square kilometres of Eastern Ontario that’s the subject of a historic aboriginal land claim, further complicating already complex negotiations with the government.

2012-01-16 05:42:38

When optimism knows no bounds...

This photo taken today, at about 9:45 AM. The thermometer does not lie: it is -25℃, Swix Polar is the recommended ski wax, the weatherstick is pointing straight out (whatever that means) and snow conditions indicate that winter has arrived. Note canoe and kayak on the truck. These folks were looking for open water.  Seriously. We advised them that it might be difficult to find in these parts

2012-01-15 10:20:32

Parks Canada hires firm to boost brand awareness

Toronto marketing firm Veritas paid $395,000 to help the agency better promote itself

2012-01-15 09:55:14

The best 6 multi-use skis

2012-01-12 14:59:19

Helping Ontarians Protect Species at Risk - 2012

Ontarians can once again get support from the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund for voluntary projects that protect and recover species at risk including their habitat.

2012-01-12 09:12:00

Whitewater Canoeing - Petawawa River, Algonquin Park - July 2011

2012-01-12 05:18:51

Winter Camping... The Paragwam!

After following several British bushcraft forums and blogs for years, and seeing how often they used parachutes for shelters at group meets I had really wanted to try one out myself. Then, much to my adulation, I stumbled across a 24’ reserve parachute dating from the late 1960’s in an card board box in an obscure corner of the basement at my work. Needless to say I was giddy. ...

2012-01-12 05:17:41

Skurka Shares How to Make a Living as an Adventurer

Andrew Skurka in the Grand Canyon. (Andrew Skurka)

Alicia's recent article "Andrew Skurka's "Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide," not only described a new guidebook by professional adventurer Skurka, it got community members thinking about how one makes a living as a professional adventurer.

"How does Skurka do it?" members wanted to know.

The Trailspace community's comments and conversation stuck a chord with Skurka, who promptly drafted a direct response, "How I Make a Living as an Adventurer." ... [more]

2012-01-11 18:25:00

Partnership to Promote Ontario Wood

A partnership announced today will boost Ontario's forest industry and help strengthen the provincial economy.

2012-01-11 10:08:00

Ontario needs to address threats to Canadian icons of nature, environmental commissioner says

Ontario’s government is not doing enough to protect its iconic maple trees, which face a growing threat from Asian longhorn beetles, says Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller.

2012-01-10 20:36:03

Do liability waivers stand up in court?

2012-01-10 16:42:55

Additional reasons to go winter camping

2012-01-10 15:31:38

Cookware: Titanium, Aluminum, or...Paper?

Would you buy a foldable, disposable cooking pot made out of... paper?

Alex Lee hopes so. He designed the 100-percent paper, origami-inspired Hexa Pot for boiling water indoors or out. The idea came after watching his wife carry paper plates to the family campsite while he hauled pots and pans.

The Hexa Pot is made of multi-ply paper with non-toxic waterproofing (FDA compliant), similar to paper plates and cups. It's intended solely for cooking liquid foods like water, coffee, milk, hot chocolate, and tea, or for cooking foods that contain liquid, like pasta, soup, chili, shabu shabu, ramen noodles, and udon.

Presumably you'll want to watch closely for flare-ups, lest you lose paper pot and meal. Hexa Pot warns that the stove's flame must stay under the pot's center, under any water, and never reach the pot's outer edge. ... [more]

2012-01-10 06:00:00

London exhibit of Canadian art closes on a high note

An exhibition of 123 paintings and oil sketches by Canada’s Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven has proved a sensational success at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, drawing more than 41,000 visitors over a 12-week run that concluded late Sunday afternoon.

2012-01-09 16:56:58

Skate through the woods at Ontario Parks

The new Ice Skating Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park is catching on with young families. Rent skates for the whole family. The 300 metre skate path is the newest addition to Arrowhead Provincial Park, which is located just north of Huntsville, off of Highway 11. The park’s new skate path winds its way through the ... [more]

2012-01-06 14:18:51