Much like many of you I suspect, I enjoy my phone time, staying up to date with what everyone is doing and being a part of what’s going on, but getting into remote wilderness and losing connection to regular every day things (like cell reception) is such an important part of what I call the “Wilderness Reset”. This is for sure one of the reasons I love canoe tripping so much!
When your canoe only weighs 32lbs you can run away from the city faster! Thanks @h2opaddlesport !
#canoe #canoetrip #canoetripping #wilderness #wildernessculture #thegreatoutdoors #pleinaire #explorepage #naturelovers #amoureuxdelanature #parcnational #backcountry #hiking #camping
Took the Esquif Echo 2.0 out for a test paddle at Jordan Harbour in the Niagara Region.
Not exactly ideal conditions — steady wind and the constant hum of the highway — but it was the only spot with a bit of shelter. Still, a good chance to see how it handles when things aren’t perfect.
Specs:
• Length: 14’6”
• Width: ~32”
• Weight: ~45 lbs (T-Formex)
• Rocker: Moderate (river tripping focused)
• Solo canoe
First impressions:
Handled the wind better than expected — didn’t get pushed around nearly as much as I’m used to.
Maneuverability is solid. It doesn’t turn as quickly as my Pocket Canyon, but it makes up for it with better tracking and noticeably more speed.
It solos exactly how you’d want it to — predictable, responsive, and easy to control.
Plenty of room for gear — easily fits a barrel and a full pack with space to spare. Felt very stable, with strong secondary stability when edged.
Where it fits:
This feels like a great option for solo canoe tripping, especially on Class I and easy Class II water. Also a really nice platform for practicing Canadian style paddling.
The size and weight make it easy to transport and get on the water quickly — perfect for short, midweek paddles.
Not a bad way to deal with a windy day.
👉 What are your thoughts on the new Echo 2.0?
#esquifcanoe #solocanoe #canoetripping #paddleontario #canoelife
ALGONQUIN PARK ICE OUT🧊
Site Update
The recent warmer weather and rain has helped accelerate the melt at Lake Opeongo but unfortunately there is still ice on the lake.
We are super excited to get our boats in the water and will be providing updates every 2-3 days as we inch closer to open water.
Our Opeongo and Portage Store at Canoe Lake are ready to open as soon as the park officially announces the ice out which we anticipate will happen in approx. 10-14 days - weather dependant!
CALL or go ONLINE TO BOOK your canoe rentals, guided trips, outfitting or get information.
1 (800) 469-4948
We’re so excited to see you soon and officially KICK OFF the 2025 canoe tripping and backcountry season in Algonquin Park! Stay need for more updates.. 🛶🧊
#algonquinoutfitters #algonquinpark #iceout #ontarioparks #paddle #canoetrip #season #spring #lakeopeongo #canoelake #portagestore #portagegrill
As Jake so beautifully said, ‘Canoe tripping is poetry for the soul.’ ✨
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@jldombek
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Comme Jake l’a si bien dit : « Le canot-camping, c’est de la poésie pour l’âme. » ✨
LIMITED SPOTS 🛶
This 7-day, 6-night adventure is for paddlers looking to take their backcountry canoe tripping to Temagami’s favourite canoe route
Nestled in Temagami’s wild heart, the Lady Evelyn River is famous for its stunning waterfalls, rugged portages, and untouched wilderness—making it one of Ontario’s most rewarding canoe routes.
🗓️ DATES: August 28th - September 3rd
Please note due to steep, rocky portages and fast-moving water. This trip best suits intermediate-level paddlers looking for a true backcountry challenge. Backcountry paddling and camping will be required.
Who’s joining us!?
If there’s one thing we want you to take away from a trip with us, it’s that canoe tripping doesn’t need to be some over-the-top slog of an adventure, where you’re simply ‘surviving in the wilderness’.
No, we want you to thrive.
Sure, you’ll need a few basic skills (that’s where a guide comes in handy) - but beyond that, the trip can be as laid back as you want it to be.
Extra grateful for this past weekend’s beginner trip for just that. ‘Wow, I didn’t realize it could be this easy’ - was literal music to our ears.
Our day 2 looked a little like this:
- Lazy morning with bacon, eggs and coffee
- A paddle to a portage where we hung out with a waterfall for an hour
- A paddle to our site, landing by 2:30pm
- Naps, swims, charcuterie, wine, hammocks, skill practice, more naps, dinner, laughter, night paddle and more laughter
- Snooze under the stars
Suffice to say, it was a good trip. So, consider this your permission slip to make your trip whatever you want it to be, slow down, and relax a little.
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#canoetrip #backcountrycamping #easyliving #algonquinpark #exploreontario
Last chance to win this canoe! Tickets for the Ultimate Canoe Tripping Raffle close tomorrow July 4th at 9am EST. All ticket sales are going to @waterwayscanada an amazing nonprofit bringing culturally relevant outdoor rec and paddling programs to Indigenous youth across the province of Manitoba. Let’s run it up and raise some $$$ for the awesome team at Waterways 🎟️🎟️🎟️ Raffle entry limited to Canadian residents
Something about crossing this bridge and the 5km portage it was apart of stands out as a profound moment in my canoe tripping history.
This was not a planned portage on the route we did. This was something my friend and talked about the night before, and decided the smartest move to avoid trying to paddle up a rather long section of river that was moving far more water much faster then we anticipated. We were realistically looking at 2 options spending hours wading and lining in icy cold water which given all the factors would be very risky or we walk around..
In this instance we were very lucky to have a way of avoiding the situation we had gotten ourselves into. Sometimes you need to know when to make the smart move especially when dealing with mother nature even if that means a 5km double carry portage. Be safe out there folks!!
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Quality gear designed and built in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
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#camping #adventuregear #canoe #canadianmade #canoetripping #backcountry #wilderness #getoutside #enjoythewild #enjoynature #nature #travel #paddleontario #discoverON #wanderlust
Hexatrek 🇫🇷 Day 26
➡️Distance covered 28.7km
📈Ascent 864m
📉Descent 882m
🗺️Total distance 574.27km (includes side quests and getting lost) of 3038km
Woke up at 7am to bright outside just wish I could sleep that little bit longer. We were packed up and left by 8. That was until we got 1km to the local store where I could resist getting some cherries and of course a cafe au lait.
Moving on we walked to the bivouac spot where Anne suggested we go swimming the water was freezing but on a hot thirty one degree day it was more than I could’ve asked.
We continued to walk and split as a group. Walking beside the river was other worldly and the rapids were making me miss my summer position at a canoe tripping leader. Something I gave up this summer to walk the Hexatrek.
Lunch was at an abri and I ate noodles, cheese, crepe, biscuit and loads more. The hiker hunger is setting in hard. After I had a nap of course after talking to the caretaker of the abri and other bike packers coming in.
As the day went on I ascended into the gorge and I could’ve stayed there for hours exploring and walking to the shore to take photos but of course time was of the essence. Soo after noon turned to evening and I was still making my way towards the shelter.
At 7pm I was ready to give up all and roll may on the bare rocks but Anne came flying pass for the next 3 km she kept my pace. Abeit she is too fat of a pace maker for me. The last two Kilometers were rough. Loose rocks strewn on the path set to break ankles.
Made it to the hut to see Garry and Charles Popped in not long after. Dinners were made between terrible jokes and delerious laughter. It had been a long but beautiful day.
#bivoak #hexatrek #thruhike #hexatrek2025
Spring is finally upon us! Well sort of anyway, but it means the waters will be opening and canoe tripping season will begin!!!…✌🏼
#canoetrip #backcountry #crownland #spring #hammockcamping
We made memories at Canoe Camp for Teens!
After 5 beautiful days of learning about all things canoeing related, we would like to congratulate Mattagami First Nation youth on receiving your ORCKA Basic Canoe Level 2 & Canoe Tripping Level 1 certification. Gimaamiikwendimgoo!
Chi Miigwetch to all of the wonderful folks in Mattagami First Nation for supporting this great initiative.
It is important that Anishinaabe children and youth get outside, experience the wonders of Nibi 💦, learn about water safety, travel ancestral waterways, nurture their relationship with Shkakimi-Kwe (Mother Earth) and learn the fundamentals of canoeing.
🎵 Bad River Singers
I LET Y'ALL HEAR ME FIGHT FOR AIR...
The things I do for the greater good I tell ya. 😂
Our first backcountry trip is a backpacking trip, and I'm definitely not ready for that!
If you tuned into my stories, you know I've been doing a lot of work for tripping season in general... but I haven't put my backpack on in almost 2 years since I've gotten into canoe tripping... 🙏🏾🥲😬.
Putting some miles on these stems will definitely be number one... but hiking with a weighted pack (think rucking!) is probably one of the most versatile ways to train.
Not only are you carrying that weight, you move through a whole adjustment period with your body.
It's a win-win!!!
Moving at a steady pace, while working up to heavier weights and eventually increasing the distance - that has been my go to.
So thank you for following along as I share this part of my journey through tripping season.
If I can show you that it is possible, or simply spark up a new idea! Sharing has been worth it!
Until the next installment, let me go foam roll. 😂😂😂
-Ann-Marie
Fleece: @woodscanada
Leg Tarps: Costco Special 💁🏾♀️
Socks: @smartwool_canada
Boots: @keencanada
Head Gear: @buffofficial
Pack: @deuter