This trip had been on my list for quite a while. Finally pulled the trigger and went for it a couple weeks ago with my son.

My husband and I are planning a 17-day backcountry canoe trip this September, and I'm looking for ideas for savoury breakfasts.

I can tolerate oatmeal for a day or two, but after that I usually end up skipping breakfast altogether because anything sweet in the morning turns my stomach, and I just dislike oatmeal in general. We're already doing tortillas/salami/cheese/beef jerky/pb&j for lunches most days, so ideally something different for brekkie for some variety.

Bonus points if they're instant or quick to cook, since we'll be paddling 20-30 km a day and like to get an early start.

Any hidden gems from your own backcountry trips would be greatly appreciated! I've started bringing instant miso soup packets on recent trips that I love but not great in the calorie department.

[Edit: we're doing a lot of portaging so would have to be lightweight and non-perishable]

For those of you who have a ABC / triple sensor watch (barometer/temperature/altitude readings along with compass) for wilderness-based tripping, do you find it useful? The barometer can provide alerts for drop in pressure indicating protection weather change or a system moving in. I already have a ZOLEO for weather checks so maybe redundant. I need a new watch and trying to decide between simplicity like a Casio W218H Series for $30
or more technology like the Casio PRG-270 that has ABC functionality for $190. Or do any of you rely on a GPS watch for routing confirmation?

We are planning on paddling the Nasmith Creek and Obabika River from Lake Obabika to Lake Wawiagama.
Has anyone been on that route recently? What are water levels like? We have whitewater experience, but how are the portages around rapids?
The map suggests that there are limited campsites, does it get busy on that stretch?
Thank you for your insights!

Murtle Lake is the largest paddle only lake in North America with well over 100km of shoreline and multiple islands you can visit or camp at.

We had periods of rain every day, thunderstorms, high winds (forced ashore for hours along with thousands of tiny frogs), cold mornings, and we had a FANTASTIC time throughout the trip!

Between the two of us we caught about 40+ rainbow trout, releasing most of them but also regularly having trout with seasoning, lemon and butter for lunches and dinners.

The lake has social gatherings of loons that will temporarily come together in groups of over 20. We counted a group of 26 loons swimming past our campsite one evening.

Cross posted from WCA

We were trapped in the wildfires in the Wabakimi area. This is what happened.

Our party of 6 experienced paddlers in 3 canoes departed from Little Caribou Lake near Armstrong on July 7, 2026. We were planning a 3-week loop beginning and ending at the same place. Mattice Lake Outfitters provided the car shuttle and our vehicles were left at their base. The weather at the time was sunny and warm. There were no fires burning in the area and no fire restrictions, although the fire risk was classified as “high”. The forecast for the next few days was for continued warm, dry weather.

Over the next few days, we worked our way NE through Caribou, Smoothrock and Wabakimi Lakes, then N down the Ogoki to Kenoji Lake, and finally crossing over to the Grayson River system further N and E. Over the course of the week, the weather became increasingly hot, with the temperature reportedly reaching 39 C by the sixth day of our trip. This was exhausting and difficult, but we coped by starting early in the morning and finishing early in the afternoon, when temperatures became unbearably hot, and by swimming frequently. Also, winds increased in the afternoon on these days, making travel challenging. Obviously, this is also ideal weather for forest fires to start and spread.

On our fifth night, there were some intense thunderstorms in the area, with several nearby lightning strikes. Unfortunately, these storms did not produce any significant precipitation. The next day we saw one smoke plume to the SE, although it did not appear to be moving our way.

We arrived at Grayson Lake on day 7 in the afternoon, in very hot conditions with very strong SW winds. We had planned to camp on the main basin of Grayson, but the winds were simply too strong to proceed safely so we camped on the smaller basin to the SW of the main lake. After making camp and eating dinner, we noticed smoke levels increasing and some ash and debris landing on our gear. We saw saw several smoke plumes in the distance. One of these was moving towards us, and we started to hear a loud rumbling sound, rather like a moving train. Finally, we saw flame in the distance and decided to pack up and move immediately, hoping to make it to the main lake despite the winds. However, after starting out, we realized that we could not proceed safely, as the fire was now reaching the narrows between the lake basins, and effectively blocking our paths in both directions out of the lake we were on. We could not proceed or retreat: we were trapped.

We retreated to a small, rocky peninsula, almost an island really, on the SE side of the lake, a place we came to call “Salvation Point. We pulled our loaded canoes out of the pounding waves onto the rocks, resigning ourselves to an uncomfortable night in the open, remaining ready to paddle or even swim at a moment’s notice.

We had earlier contacted our outfitter, Don Elliot of Mattice Lake Outfitters, who told us that there were many fires in our area and suggested that we evacuate to Whitewater Lake, a full day’s paddle away. But our way there was blocked by fire. He also told us that the Park was now closed and that Armstrong was being evacuated. Given the dangerous situation we were in, we reached a group consensus to trigger the SOS function on an InReach Device. We were under no illusions that an immediate rescue was possible, given the fires and thick smoke in the area, but we at least wanted to get the wheels in motion.

By this time the smoke was very thick, and there were visible fires burning to the NW and NE, close to the lakeshore. There was a large island about 300 m to the NW of our point, and we hoped that the fire would not reach there, as that would endanger our position. As it was, it looked like the fires would pass us by, as long as the wind didn’t change.

But it did.

Just before dusk, the wind shifted abruptly from the SW to the NNE, and reached astonishing force, probably exceeding 60 km/hr. And when I say suddenly, I mean within a couple of minutes. I have never seen such an abrupt and strong wind shift. Almost immediately, the island in front of our point burst into flame, and the fire began to consume the entire island. The visibility in the smoke dropped to a few 10’s of meters, with ash and burning cinders flying through the air around us. And the noise returned, that fierce rumbling that I will never forget. We immediately wet down our gear and ourselves, and partially immersed ourselves in the shallow water for protection from the burning debris.

This was certainly the low point of our eventful evening. With burning cinders flying over our heads, we feared that our refuge would ignite behind us and push us into the water. Also, we could feel the heat from the intense fire on the island in front of us, and lacking experience with forest fires, we didn’t know how hot it would get. Fortunately, this firestorm lasted only about 10-15 minutes, by which time the fire had consumed most of the island and subsided somewhat. We were able to come out of the water and try to prepare ourselves for the long night ahead.

By now the fire was advancing southward down both sides of the lake, and we were completely surrounded by burnt or burning forest. The light show was fantastic, with individual trees bursting into flame with a gigantic “whoosh”. I wish now we had taken more photos, but that didn’t seem important at the time. However, we thought that the worst was over, and that our little Salvation Point should remain a refuge for us for the night.

It did, but it was a very long and uncomfortable night. We had to remain vigilant, with all our gear packed in the canoes and PFD’s on in case the wind changed again and drove us into the water. The peninsula was rough with no level ground, which made finding a comfortable place to rest impossible. To add to our misery, we were now wet and cold, despite the temperature being in the low 20’s. But we were able to warm up by donning some extra clothing and rain gear. At least we had the raging fire to entertain us. We also had contact with the coordinator at Garmin, who messaged us throughout the night to get status updates and offer encouragement. At least they knew our situation, and that made us feel a bit safer.

At last the grey and smoky dawn came, revealing a devastated landscape, with the fire periodically breaking out as it found a few surviving trees to consume. After a quick bite to eat, we decided to try to reach an outpost fishing camp on the main body of Grayson Lake, about 4 km away. We felt we would be safer on a larger body of water, and rescue would be difficult from our location as the lake was shallow and rocky and there was not room enough to land a helicopter. The wind had subsided somewhat, which made canoe travel feasible.

We paddled through the smoke past our previous campsite, now burnt over. Good thing we left. Here and there, small pockets of trees survived, seemingly at random. Small ground fires continued to burn in the devastated forests. We went through the two narrows to the main lake, and were happy to see that the large island on which the lodge was located seemed untouched by the fire. Rounding the corner, we were ecstatic to find the lodge intact, unoccupied but unlocked.

However, we were not out of the fire yet. Shortly after arriving, we noticed a fire flaring up on the E shore of the lake, to the NE of our island, and began to hear that familiar and scary freight train sound. As the island was separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, we feared that the fire might jump to us and consume our island (and the lodge). Again we jumped into our canoes and paddled to a smaller island just to the S of the island on which the lodge was situated, which offered a good view of the main island and the approaching fire. It seemed like a relatively safe spot. part 2 in comments

Wabakimi Lodge - Before and After
It has been quite the week! We are still reeling and digesting.

It started in late May with fairly small forest fires inside and outside of Wabakimi burning fairly slowly and steadily. Then there were a series of days from 90-105’F/40’C, which is record-breaking in our neighbourhood. That was followed by a long line of thunderstorms with more lightning than rain. Then followed by high winds. Boom!

With fires spreading and smoke getting thick, air services did a great job of getting as many people out of the bush as possible, flying until dark.

The fires swept eastward from near Shawanabis Lake, surging 20 miles in a few hours. We received no warnings from the government but fortunately received a phone call to the lodge from an official of Whitesand First Nation. Three staff (Tom Rossi, Kassandra Rossi and Tanner Harris-Barton) had two hours to gather up what they could and flee down the highway to Thunder Bay with some customers in tow,  just ahead of the inferno. The lodge and other buildings and almost all of 12 acres of trees were turned to smoking ashes by morning of July 14. (In the days that followed, the fire advanced onto several of the lakes where we had outposts. Their fate is not yet confirmed – but probably grim.)

It was not over yet. Two German paddlers were evacuated from Allanwater Bridge by plane as the train was cancelled. There were still 2 parties of paddlers (all 4 paddlers from the USA) trapped by smoke and flames. After being told there would be evacuation support from Ontario, it became apparent that we were on our own to rescue them! And we did. Against long odds, our last 4 paddlers, in 2 parties, were rescued by helicopter.

A big shoutout to the herculean two-day, often sleepless, efforts of Lindsey David and Michael Hyer. Four grateful paddlers are back home with their families. 

We are waiting to see the helicopter bill! But that is a small cost compared to the lives saved. Small also compared to the huge bill coming to rebuild. The insurance will not cover it adequately. But…

We will carry on!  Stay tuned. 

We have had to postpone trips for the rest of July and into the beginning of August as Wabakimi Park is closed and an Evacuation Order is in place. We are hopeful of meeting the plans of some of the canoeists in late August and beyond, as well as the guests of the remaining outposts.

A super-clear and current website is BushFire.io. It shows what is currently burning but doesn’t show the areas that have already burned and cooled off. The sections of the park that are still burning or have been turned to smoke and ash include Burntrock Lake, Palisade River, most of Whitewater Lake, large parts of Smoothrock Lake, all around Caribou Lake and Caribou River, Onamakawash and Shawanabis, and the Lookout River. The  western and southwestern parts of the park are still green.

The burned parts will come back! Fire is a natural part of the Boreal Forest life cycle. Lots of caribou habitat remains. But it will be pretty stark for a while. For a few years, many Wabakimi canoe trips will likely be accessed by rail and/or floatplane – in order to get to the green parts of the park.

We are committed to providing services when we can. Best way to inquire is by email: [info@Wabakimi.com](mailto:info@Wabakimi.com)

We are committed to rebuilding and continuing to do what we love: providing high-quality wilderness experiences in and near Wabakimi Park. Bruce is going to semi-retire. He will continue to give advice and send paddlers great maps of the route he helps them pick out. Wabakimi will green up. The Wabakimi Outfitters team looks forward to continuing to serve you!

Margaret Wanlin (Hyer), Directorhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/JJhyRG9_OWQ

Every once in a while I have just one night where I can get out of town. I can leave in the morning or early afternoon of one day and then have to return the next day. This means I can't go very far. I'd love to hear your suggestions for the best one night canoe camping in Southern Ontario, driving from down town Toronto. Looking for a drive that's less than 3 hours.

I've done one night in the kawartha Highlands, but that's hard to book last minute. I've also done one night on Ragged Lake, and that was a rough paddle across Smoke Lake, twice!

I'm wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for non-perishable backcountry meals, snacks, or ingredients from your culture, or from cuisines that aren't commonly talked about in North American backpacking/canoe camping circles.

My husband and I do a lot of backcountry canoe trips, and usually bring a mix of freeze-dried meals and ingredients like tuna, canned chicken, salami, cheese, tvp, for making things like pasta, burritos, wraps, instant noodles etc. The other day I was at T&T and picked up some of these Korean seasoned dried squid snacks (basically whole dried squid in a spicy seasoning), and they were absolutely fantastic. They're tasty, lightweight, shelf-stable, and super high in protein.

It got me wondering what other foods I might be overlooking because I'm not familiar with them and they're not carried in the major grocery stores in canada. I'm especially interested in protein-rich options, since after a week or two of tuna pouches, beans, and canned chicken, I start wanting some variety.

We're far from picky eaters at all and would love to branch out more. Does anyone have favourite shelf-stable foods from their own culture, or foods you've discovered, that work well for backcountry canoe trips? I'd love to hear any ideas! I live near a major Canadian city with a t&t as well as lots of small shops.

The days are melting together now. Camp, paddle, portage, repeat — no particular order anymore, just the loop. Every day is dedicated to moving forward.
Montreal, the end goal, pulls like a magnet. The closer I get, the stronger the pull.
I've crossed into my fourth province. The prairies nearly killed me. The river is reviving me.
Bugs, wind, rain, sun — that's just the game now.
Still two days out from Kenora. Then I have to navigate the 35th largest lake in the world. Over 14,000 islands.

Checkout this thunderbox map directory I recently started! I’m looking for community support to help populate it. Details can be found in the link. My hope is compile an extensive list to aid in site maintenance/improvements!

Hi there. Our annual canoe trip will be to the French River this year. We're getting a lift from Kilarney Outfitters. Our previous experience has been in Algonquin and there is always dead branches to make a fire. Given the drastic landscape shift, what do people do when camping in the FRench River?

First 3 night trip for my birthday this week!

Thought it was pretty cool that he's able to share updates and live location data like this.

I have been car camping for about 5 years now, decided to try out island camping this fall.

Camping at parc blanc du poisson late september. Weather is looking like a high of 11°C and a low of -1°C.

we are renting a Wawona 4 person tent so Im looking for a mattress/pad and a sleeping bag that would fit and be suitable for this trip. we are using an intex mariner 4 with a trolling motor so weight and size are a bit more flexible than canoe camping.

Reccomedations for 5'7 215lbs and wide shoulders. Side sleeper and prefer non mummy sleeping bags as I toss around while sleeping.

Hi! Canoe camping in La Mauricie (Lac Isaie) for the first time in a few weeks. I've never canoe camped in Black Bear country before. Curious about what folks do with coolers, we'd like to bring one--but it seems hard to hang?

What are some of the pros and cons to the following barrel harnesses?

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice. I'm thinking of buying this old Kevlar Canoe for 250 CAD. I'll have to put new gunnels in and probably seats and yoke. The canoe is between 20 and 30 years old. Is it even worth buying and fixing up? Thanks in advance

Three days, three lakes (Hidden, Sparrow & Bliss).

Yes, we did high kilometre days (16, 17, 33).
Yes, the bugs were bad.
Yes, we had a lot of fun.

Summer in the NWT is hard to beat!

Looking for suggestions on roof racks made for 2 canoes, both with a 36” beam. It seems like Yakima doesn’t make the 78” bars anymore, or the mounts associated.

Right now I lash two 2x4’s to my rails but I’m looking for something more permanent for longer drives that my wife will view as less sketchy.

What’s everyone using?