Kayaking, French River Voyageur Channel to Georgian Bay 2.0

Through process of elimination we'll find the Voyageur Channel yet.

Last attempt took the wrong channel in the maze and ended up on the Old Voyageur Channel. After much delight, no surprise, it came to a dead end. Its been grown over with time.

Whatever, another notch in the belt, been there done that.

After backtracking the quickest way out to the bay was Bad River rapids and all yeehaw! The Kevlar boat loved it.

So, this time I think I know which lift-over in the maze of rocks leads to the holly grail, The Voyageur Channel free of further obstacles leading into Georgian Bay.

There is only one way to find out. With any luck we'll fail a second time requiring a third serendipitous attempt.

Itinerary:

Friday, Aug. 21, head north after work. Sleep somewhere. Make 'Icecream on the rocks', Britt, Ontario, Canada, the default.

Grundy Lake Provincial also works as does leaving KW extremely early Saturday, like at 4:00 am.

Saturday. Pay dues at Hartley Bay Marina, no small sum. Start paddling 9:00 am, you read this right.

With favorable wind direction we could even squeeze in a flyby of the Bustard Islands. All this is negotiable of course.

Sleep on some anonymous rock, official campsite or not. Half the campsite signs are missing anyway.

Sunday. Return to marina (possibly via Bass Creek and the Main Channel) by 5:00 pm, read carefully. Head for home, 5 hours later.

Monday: Pretend you are awake on the job.

Cost:

fixed cost:

per person assuming 2 per car and tent Friday

shared gas $40 + Friday camping $10 + marina parking $10 + marina launch fee $10 + provincial park camping Saturday $10 = $80

variable cost: add kayak rental (2 x $40 per day)

Inspiration:

Photos from last weekend's attempt http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/23813442/#397731792

Difficulty:

Nothing technically challenging but two days of athletically challenging paddling.

Actually, if you value your pristine fiberglass boat, getting through unscathed takes skillful negotiating. Let the person in a plastic boat take the lead and yell out 'rock'.

Prepare for possible portages and lift-overs so pack light. Team work makes these incidental.

Kayak Rental:

Hartley Bay Marina. $40 per day. Yes they rent kayaks even if their web site doesn't mention it. Call in advance. I assume renting includes the $10 launch fee.