Summer Canoe Adventure: Navigating Algonquin Provincial Park in Record Heat
Tl:dr; After a disastrous backpacking experience with heavy rain and mosquitoes, we switched to canoeing for our 2018 summer adventure. Six months of planning led us to Algonquin Provincial Park, where we faced unprecedented heat, completed challenging portages, and raced for ice cream scoops on Canoe Lake.
Learning from Past Adventures
Our Venturer group has tackled some ambitious outdoor challenges over the years. From backpacking at Rattlesnake Point in Milton to conquering the Eastern Backpacking Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park, we've explored Ontario's wilderness through hiking boots and heavy packs. We've also experienced the tranquility of paddling through Killarney Provincial Park and various routes in Algonquin.
Each summer camp represents our most challenging adventure of the year, demanding at least six months of preparation and teamwork. But sometimes, Mother Nature teaches you to adapt your plans.
Why We Chose Paddles Over Packs
The previous summer's backpacking trip on the Eastern Backpacking Trail became a lesson in perseverance—and mosquito endurance. Heavy rain and oppressive humidity turned our July adventure into a soggy ordeal, while the forest's biting mosquito population made every moment outdoors a battle. The experience was memorable, but not in the way we'd hoped.
For 2018, we made a strategic decision: trade hiking boots for paddles. A canoe trip in late July would let us escape the worst of the mosquito season while enjoying the cooling effects of being on the water. Our destination? Algonquin Provincial Park and the stunning Georgian Bay coast.
The Art of Adventure Planning
Planning began in earnest in February with booking six canoes from Hartley Bay Marina. This early commitment set everything else in motion. By late February, we had created our collaborative nerve center—a shared Google Document titled "Summer Canoe Trip 2018."
This document became our digital command center, containing everything from food menus and grocery lists to canoe arrangements and carpool coordination. We mapped out the essential questions: who, what, where, when, why, how, and crucially, what our budget would be. Our Venturer Advisor emphasized the importance of working as a cohesive team, delegating responsibilities, and staying within budget to avoid overspending.
Weekly Venturer meetings became trip planning sessions, where we refined details and coordinated logistics. The collaborative approach ensured everyone had input and ownership in the adventure.
Training for the Challenge
Weeks before departure, we scheduled two crucial training sessions with our experienced Scouters. The first took place at Lincoln Park, focusing on knot tying and emergency shelter construction—essential skills for any wilderness adventure.
The second training session at Earl Rowe Provincial Park covered paddling techniques and camp stove operation. These hands-on sessions provided valuable feedback and built confidence in our abilities. The investment in training would prove invaluable when we faced real conditions on the water.
The Heat Wave Challenge
Our timing coincided with an unprecedented heat wave that summer. The very conditions we'd hoped to escape—extreme temperatures and humidity—followed us to the water. The heat added an extra dimension of challenge to our carefully planned adventure.
Camp Setup and the Great Bear Bag Challenge
After reaching our campsite, we unloaded our personal bags and group equipment, then set up our tents as the golden hour light filtered through the forest canopy. With shelter secured, we turned our attention to cooking dinner and tackling one of wilderness camping's most crucial tasks: hanging the bear bag. Finding suitable trees proved more challenging than expected. We needed alive, large trees with thick branches strong enough to support our food bag, but most of the impressive trees in our area were covered in smaller branches that would interfere with our setup. The search continued as we inspected tree after tree, knowing that this task was non-negotiable for our safety.
The importance of properly hanging the bear bag couldn't be overstated. Without it, animals could be attracted to our campsite, potentially putting us in danger. We were committed to spending whatever time it took to get it right. Once we finally identified a suitable branch, the real challenge began. Throwing the rope high enough to reach the target branch became an exercise in patience and persistence. Time after time, our rope would catch on smaller branches or miss the mark entirely. For the next hour, we took turns attempting to get the rope positioned correctly, pausing only to eat our well-deserved dinner.
Eventually, through teamwork and determination, we achieved success—a properly hung bear bag that would keep our food secure and our campsite safe throughout the night.
The Ice Cream Race
After completing our first major portage in about an hour and a half, we quickly unloaded our gear and transported everything to the other side. The physical challenge of carrying canoes and packs over land reminded us why we appreciate being on the water.
With the portage behind us, it was time for our most anticipated tradition: the ice cream race. The rules were simple but motivating—the first three canoes to reach the Canoe Lake access point would earn frozen rewards. First place meant three scoops, second place earned two scoops, and third place received one scoop.
We lined up our canoes, chose our racing line, and in three seconds, we were off. The combination of friendly competition and the promise of cold ice cream in the heat made for an exhilarating paddle to the finish.
Lessons from the Water
This canoe trip reinforced important lessons about outdoor adventure: the value of thorough planning, the importance of adapting to conditions, and the power of teamwork. While we couldn't control the unprecedented heat, our months of preparation helped us navigate the challenges safely and successfully.
The experience also highlighted how previous adventures inform future decisions. Our mosquito-plagued backpacking trip led us to the water, where we discovered new challenges and rewards.
Conclusion
Summer camp adventures teach us resilience, planning, and the joy of shared challenges. Whether facing unexpected weather, completing difficult portages, or racing for ice cream, these experiences create lasting memories and valuable skills. The Algonquin trip reminded us that sometimes the best adventures come from learning what doesn't work and having the courage to try something different.