>Canada>Ont>EGL Fall 2015 Canoeing

**ggreaves** · 08-28-2015, 15:07

Originally Posted by Chard

Has anyone done a roast pig on a spit before? That would be awesome!!!!! Lots of work, but man oh man it would be good!!!!!!

Portaging that pig will be interesting.

**Chard** · 08-28-2015, 15:15

Originally Posted by ggreaves

Portaging that pig will be interesting.

A pig on a pig!

**1csleptonkayak** · 08-31-2015, 08:43

Would y'all permit a yankee to join you? Ray Mears' paddle videos have had me jonesin' for a paddle trip in Canada for some time. I'm prepared to bring appropriate tribute.

**Chard** · 08-31-2015, 09:31

Hi 1csleptonkayak,

Everyone's welcome so come on up! Always good to see someone from the Buckeye state. Actually I just mentioned on different post that I spent a couple of summers in Yellow Springs as a lad. Great place!

Ray Mears definitely seems like a cool dude. Anyone who loves canoeing as much as he seems to is ok in my books. By your name I'm assuming you've paddled before. In my opinion, you'll be hard pressed finding as beautiful a paddling place anywhere in the world as Algonquin in the fall when the trees are in full colour.

Question to the group:
Ragged Lake/Parkside Bay or Pen Lake? I'm leaning towards Pen myself.

**1csleptonkayak** · 08-31-2015, 10:20

Originally Posted by Chard

Everyone's welcome so come on up! Always good to see someone from the Buckeye state.

COOL! Thanks Chard. I have a 14 foot inflatable catamaran/kayak that I've been using for paddle camping for a few years. I actually even used to sleep on it (thus, the forum name) before I got my hammock. I'm going to start making my plans today. I'll probably have a hand full of questions while making preparations. Thanks again!

**entropy** · 08-31-2015, 10:47

Originally Posted by Chard

Has anyone done a roast pig on a spit before? That would be awesome!!!!! Lots of work, but man oh man it would be good!!!!!!

Heh. Every bear in the park would heading our way. Also produces lots of waste that would be hard to get rid of...

**Chard** · 08-31-2015, 12:03

Originally Posted by 1csleptonkayak

COOL! Thanks Chard. I have a 14 foot inflatable catamaran/kayak that I've been using for paddle camping for a few years. I actually even used to sleep on it (thus, the forum name) before I got my hammock. I'm going to start making my plans today. I'll probably have a hand full of questions while making preparations. Thanks again!

Great. Prep for rain and assume that it could get down near freezing at night and you'll be set. I'm guessing that your catamaran/kayak can keep up with canoes for a couple of hours. Rentals are easily available in the park and there might an opportunity to double up with someone.

Originally Posted by entropy

Heh. Every bear in the park would heading our way. Also produces lots of waste that would be hard to get rid of...

Okay, okay... Maybe save that one for a Valens car-camping hang.

**1csleptonkayak** · 08-31-2015, 19:49

Originally Posted by Chard

I'm guessing that your catamaran/kayak can keep up with canoes for a couple of hours. Rentals are easily available in the park and there might an opportunity to double up with someone.

Good to know. I plan to bring it, but if there are high winds forecast I may opt for one of the other options. I should be fine otherwise.

So, plan for rain and lows around freezing, how about "normal" highs for that time of year?

Any special preparations I should consider for bears and bugs?

Will a normal passenger sedan be sufficient to get me to the launch point, or should I consider a more backcountry-capable vehicle for the trip?

**Chard** · 08-31-2015, 20:25

Originally Posted by 1csleptonkayak

So, plan for rain and lows around freezing, how about "normal" highs for that time of year?

Any special preparations I should consider for bears and bugs?

Will a normal passenger sedan be sufficient to get me to the launch point, or should I consider a more backcountry-capable vehicle for the trip?

High's could be t-shirt weather. We'll need to see the forecast before we leave..
Bugs shouldn't be an issue that late in the year, but I generally leave a small pump spray bottle of repellent in my pack.
Bears are always a remote possibility. Frankly, I've never seen a bear in Algonquin. Just keep a clean campsite and make sure you have a long rope and waterproof bag to hang your food, toiletries and any food/fish scent covered clothes. Obviously, don't eat greasy/smelly food and wipe your hands any clothes you keep by your hammock.
Access will be along Highway 60 and then, if we head down to Pen Lake, an improved dirt road. No special vehicles are necssary.

**Jayson** · 08-31-2015, 21:33

I stayed on a site on Pen this summer with my daughter that was possibly the best group hammock site I have seen! Just got home from a trip with my Dad. Will dig out my map tomorrow and let you know which site. Shelteref fire pit, GREAT swimming rock and a huge sleeping area away from the fire area!

Bugs were a non issue this past weekend.