Canoeing, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands

Canoe from Head Lake to Wolf and/or Victoria Lake.

The consensus last year was this adventure is worth repeating so here you have it, drum roll, guitars ... The Wildlands!

(please click for video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVubYkpfHxA&feature=related), route (http://files.meetup.com/1606190/QEWIIWMap2.pdf) and soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UWRypqz5-o))

Itinerary:

Friday, May 24, 5:30 pm, carpool from Tim Hortons, Northfiled and Weber, Waterloo, to Balsam Lake Provincial Park and camp for the night.

Saturday, proceed to Head Lake and canoe up the Head River as far as we get. The entire route one way is 30 km. Setup camp.

Sunday, May 26, return, arriving in KW around 9:00 pm.

Cost:

$15 (campsite Friday night) + $25 (shared gas) + $35 (shared canoe rental) = $75 (estimates before tax)

Saturday night we camp on 'crown land'. There is no cost for doing so. Pick your favorite flat rock.

Difficulty:

There is a reason this area is labled 'wildlands'. Anticipate numerous, minimally maintained portages. Imagine yourself potentially carrying a backpack and heavy canoe across terrain such as below.

Gear:

Please reference this generic packing list (http://files.meetup.com/1606190/Backpackers%20Bootcamp%20Packing%20list.pdf) (thanks Tim).

The following web site provides an enlightening video walkthrough (http://www.maddythegoose.com/Home/gear) of canoe camping gear.

There are endless camp food logistics videos. Case in point (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghtpo3Wfhe8&feature=relmfu). Want a great meal for short trips? Try omelet in a bag (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fytQdXByY7g&feature=related) or steak on a rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA167zf6GFY). Got a crowd? Supersize your bailer bucket, try turkey in a trash can (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxNFlqwTYw&feature=relmfu).

Canoes:

Two participants per canoe. Please indicate in the comments below whether you have a canoe to share. Alternatively, please volunteer to rent one if so inclined. Rental canoes generally include paddles and safety gear. Closer to the event, the event host will finalize details, matching remaining paddlers to available canoes, figuring out how to transport canoes etc.

Rentals:

Adventure Guide (http://advguide.com/contact/), Waterloo, 519-886-3121, Great pickup and return policy. Rent for two days, Sat. and Sun., yet pickup Friday and return Monday. $40 per day for canoe and all gear, $80 for the weekend. These are heavier Rolayex boats, 16 and 17 footers weighing in at 70 lbs.

Sojourn (http://sojournoutdoors.com/index.php?p=Rentals) in Barrie (705) 739-9694, return times Sunday could be an issue.

Narrows Canoe-Kayak Co, Orillia, 705-326-5301 (open April 14).

Balsam Lake Provincial Park (http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/bals-facilities.html) where we spend Friday night rents canoes.

Swift Canoes (http://www.swiftoutside.com/stores/rentals.php), 705-687-3710, or Paddle Shack (http://paddleshack.ca/muskoka/rentals/), 888-448-4423, in Gravenhust. A bit out of the way but later return times Sunday.

The trick is finding a rental arrangement that allows for returns later in the day Sunday.

Links:

Shared Document (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtI1mHVqaf-jdDhRN3BUT0NONXNHaDRkS1l2b2hET0E#gid=0) for canoe and car sharing

YouTube video of route (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVubYkpfHxA&feature=related)

Map of route with portage information (http://files.meetup.com/1606190/QEWIIWMap2.pdf)

Soundtrack to the Wildlands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UWRypqz5-o)