its so beautiful out there i went for the first time last year with my dad his buddy and his son and i had a blast we fished also and ate fish everytday the fish up there are so plentiful and the park is beautiful i hope it stays motor free forever its a northern paradise...alot fo americans go tehre and litter everywhere its kind of crap of them to do that but its absolutley beautiful up there im going again this year for a 10 day fishing trip with my dad again looking forward to it in June soon as Trout season opens up we went to Chatterton Falls last year launching at Stanton bay will be doing roughly same route this year but going to Olyphant Lake just south of Pickeral river
I've watched your entire 4 part series and it looks like an amazing trip. I'm planning an 8 day with my teenage daughter this summer of 2019 from the west (Lac La Croix) to the east (Basswood) traveling through the interior (Argo, Brent, McIntyre, Sarah) and this really inspired me. As you guys are obviously seasoned paddlers, what essential equipment would you recommend (shoes, clothing, camp equipment, camera rigs, etc.)? I've got a lot of camping gear, but this is obviously unique. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment and I wish you the best of luck on your trip to Quetico. Talking about gear is an entire conversation and one that builds on personal tastes, skill levels, comfort zone and an understanding that your gear is a constantly evolving list of items. Its actually part of the fun optimizing your gear based on your trips and seeing where you can shave weight, add versatility or comfort (at limited weight costs). Becky and I aren't oz counters by any stretch but we have found that over the years we are been better able to judge our clothing choices (minimal but also comprehensive) and food to suit our trip needs. Gear is replaced on a regular basis as pieces of kit wear out or we see a deal on an alternative option that is lighter, accomplishes the same thing and looks to have a similar degree of toughness to use in harsh conditions. I suggest you check out several paddling gear to bring videos. I think my good pal Joe Robinet has several of them on his channel. Also see some basic lists like this one: www.backpacker.com/skills/canoeing-and-paddling-gear-checklist. One other thing to add is bringing a notebook with you on your trip. With your partner by the fire discuss what could work better, what gear isn't performing as expected or dream up your ultimate piece of kit and write it down. Then in the off season see, go through those notes and see if you can optimize better from your own experience. Again, paddle safe and have a fantastic time with your daughter. You are giving her something incredibly special by providing your time and companionship with her over this trip. Ken
@@kgdblade Thanks so much for your insight. I'll check out some of the resources that you provided. I've done quite a bit of camping and hiking as well as river paddling, but it's been almost 30 yrs since I paddled in Quetico. I know how unique it is and requires quite a variety of outdoor skills. I can't wait to share the time with my daughter. I hope to provide as thorough a trip report as yours sometime this summer. Cheers!
Thank you for your comment Larry. Quetico is a great park owing to its layout. A lot of diversity between streams, ponds and lakes. The portage trails and campsites are unmarked but easy to find and those trails are all well groomed and free of blow down. It is a great place to camp. Its only downfall is that it has a lot of other canoe enthusiasts, both Canadian and American coming from the Boundary Waters Park adjacent to the Canadian jurisdiction. However, a well visited park is a park which sees many patrons and that helps reinforce a political view of how valuable these places are. Thus, one part of me wishes to have wild places to myself, but I also know that this is a selfish view and unsustainable for the places we love most. Decent fishing, not as good as Wabakimi or Woodland Caribou, but a fine place to spend a few weeks of your time!
Justin Svoboda Good luck on your trip! I put up a detailed text based trip report in Canadian Canoe Routes under the Ontario Trip Discussion forums. Stay safe and paddle true?
www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/39493-Quetico-A-Place-to-Learn-Goal-Setting Why wear those life jacket backwards? If you get chucked in cold water, you will struggle to stay upright as you try to retrieve gear, to get the boat to shore, and if one has to help the other who is in trouble. Generally good sound level control, video focus and levels. Less on portages, more panoramic sweeps of lake surroundings!
You live and paddle in Mason land! Rub the magic Mason jar, and two paddling geniuses will improve your paddle technique. Bill Mason's Waterwalker is on youtube, and Becky Mason offers splendid advice on basic and advanced paddle technique.
Hi Gary, yes. We took lessons from Becky the year before this video was made. It did help. Although I'm not sure if your trying to say we need more lessons :) We enjoy our time out there and don't try to make much more of it than that. I gifted to have a wife and canoe partner who as enthusiastic about these trips as I am. Not many canoeists have that luxury!
its so beautiful out there i went for the first time last year with my dad his buddy and his son and i had a blast we fished also and ate fish everytday the fish up there are so plentiful and the park is beautiful i hope it stays motor free forever its a northern paradise...alot fo americans go tehre and litter everywhere its kind of crap of them to do that but its absolutley beautiful up there im going again this year for a 10 day fishing trip with my dad again looking forward to it in June soon as Trout season opens up we went to Chatterton Falls last year launching at Stanton bay will be doing roughly same route this year but going to Olyphant Lake just south of Pickeral river
I've watched your entire 4 part series and it looks like an amazing trip. I'm planning an 8 day with my teenage daughter this summer of 2019 from the west (Lac La Croix) to the east (Basswood) traveling through the interior (Argo, Brent, McIntyre, Sarah) and this really inspired me. As you guys are obviously seasoned paddlers, what essential equipment would you recommend (shoes, clothing, camp equipment, camera rigs, etc.)? I've got a lot of camping gear, but this is obviously unique. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment and I wish you the best of luck on your trip to Quetico. Talking about gear is an entire conversation and one that builds on personal tastes, skill levels, comfort zone and an understanding that your gear is a constantly evolving list of items. Its actually part of the fun optimizing your gear based on your trips and seeing where you can shave weight, add versatility or comfort (at limited weight costs). Becky and I aren't oz counters by any stretch but we have found that over the years we are been better able to judge our clothing choices (minimal but also comprehensive) and food to suit our trip needs. Gear is replaced on a regular basis as pieces of kit wear out or we see a deal on an alternative option that is lighter, accomplishes the same thing and looks to have a similar degree of toughness to use in harsh conditions. I suggest you check out several paddling gear to bring videos. I think my good pal Joe Robinet has several of them on his channel. Also see some basic lists like this one: www.backpacker.com/skills/canoeing-and-paddling-gear-checklist. One other thing to add is bringing a notebook with you on your trip. With your partner by the fire discuss what could work better, what gear isn't performing as expected or dream up your ultimate piece of kit and write it down. Then in the off season see, go through those notes and see if you can optimize better from your own experience. Again, paddle safe and have a fantastic time with your daughter. You are giving her something incredibly special by providing your time and companionship with her over this trip. Ken
@@kgdblade Thanks so much for your insight. I'll check out some of the resources that you provided.
I've done quite a bit of camping and hiking as well as river paddling, but it's been almost 30 yrs since I paddled in Quetico. I know how unique it is and requires quite a variety of outdoor skills. I can't wait to share the time with my daughter. I hope to provide as thorough a trip report as yours sometime this summer. Cheers!
Great idea using orange duct tape. Looking forward to part 2. I'd be interested to hear how you'd compare Quetico with Wabakimi.
Thank you for your comment Larry. Quetico is a great park owing to its layout. A lot of diversity between streams, ponds and lakes. The portage trails and campsites are unmarked but easy to find and those trails are all well groomed and free of blow down. It is a great place to camp. Its only downfall is that it has a lot of other canoe enthusiasts, both Canadian and American coming from the Boundary Waters Park adjacent to the Canadian jurisdiction. However, a well visited park is a park which sees many patrons and that helps reinforce a political view of how valuable these places are. Thus, one part of me wishes to have wild places to myself, but I also know that this is a selfish view and unsustainable for the places we love most. Decent fishing, not as good as Wabakimi or Woodland Caribou, but a fine place to spend a few weeks of your time!
Good series of videos. Taking some of the same parts coming up this weekend. Thanks for the good videos to tide me over till Saturday!
Justin Svoboda Good luck on your trip! I put up a detailed text based trip report in Canadian Canoe Routes under the Ontario Trip Discussion forums. Stay safe and paddle true?
www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/39493-Quetico-A-Place-to-Learn-Goal-Setting
Why wear those life jacket backwards? If you get chucked in cold water, you will struggle to stay upright as you try to retrieve gear, to get the boat to shore, and if one has to help the other who is in trouble. Generally good sound level control, video focus and levels. Less on portages, more panoramic sweeps of lake surroundings!
You live and paddle in Mason land! Rub the magic Mason jar, and two paddling geniuses will improve your paddle technique. Bill Mason's Waterwalker is on youtube, and Becky Mason offers splendid advice on basic and advanced paddle technique.
Hi Gary, yes. We took lessons from Becky the year before this video was made. It did help. Although I'm not sure if your trying to say we need more lessons :) We enjoy our time out there and don't try to make much more of it than that. I gifted to have a wife and canoe partner who as enthusiastic about these trips as I am. Not many canoeists have that luxury!
By the way, Waterwalker is one of my favorite video's of his along with Song of the Paddle :)
This looks like a strenuous but interesting trip. Brian 77
Thanks for the memories