This has been a three adventure summer! First a 3.5 week bike trip in Europe, then 3 weeks hiking the Appalachians in Newfoundland. And most recently 2.5 weeks with my Puffin Pakboat in Temagami. Always, the great thing about this boat is the removable (velcro) deck making portaging just like I had a canoe, only lighter.
For pictures:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0ocglxu9a1mf ... nQOna?dl=0This was my second trip to the region. It is massive, and most is crown lands, which means you are free to travel and camp almost anywhere. I have a map on my GPS (Jeff's Maps) that shows many routes, established campsites as well as roads, access points etc.
This was my longest trip without resupply - rather heavy start with all the dehydrated food, but I knew fish would be endless, so that helped some. This is really beautiful country - Canadian Shield - lots of rock, forest and loons to serenade you. Saw one moose up close, and lots of smaller animals. And loons! Never see a bear, but do see signs they have been by.
Had one big scare. My 8-10 year old boat starting coming apart. I was incredibly lucky it happened near shore, or the damage would have been irreparable and I would have been left to try and hike out, a very long way. The upper half of my boat is composed of two materials. A clear thin outer film, and a sturdier plastic under it. The two separated where they attach to the under half, and the clear film tore in two places, about 6" each tear. I had to sew the upper and lower sections using fishing line for about seven feet across the one side, and patch the holes with tape. It held, but gave me a slow leak the rest of the trip. All part of the adventure!
I saw people maybe once a day, on average, with many days being completely to myself. I did a combo of rivers and lakes. Every afternoon, around 4:00, when I was past the last portage, I would catch dinner, though I sometimes didn't because the location or weather were not conducive.
This is about my ninth kayak trip in Ontario, mostly by myself. They range from pure wilderness, like this one, to kayaking the canals which means little portaging and much more access to towns and supplies. If anyone out there is interested in joining me on a similar adventure, anything from 5 days to a few weeks, let me know.