Guest tracker Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 (edited) Okay this is my teenage son's first expedition trip without dad. Him and his buddies have set an ambitious goal of canoeing and portaging 8 big lakes in 8 days. For those of you that's hauled aluminum canoes up and down slippery hills with lots of tree roots wearing back packs know it's no easy task. Day 1 Hook up with group and head out on the road @ 6 am up highway 62 First stop, Bancroft and Tim's Its a small town that we used as a launching point to attack the north & east side of the park. Now over to # 60 and up Openogo road to the south end of the Openogo lake and launch point hopefully by noon. That the outfitter store where everyone gears up with K rations etc. Now into the boats and canoe to the northern arm of this huge lake in time to set up camp before dark. Hope the waters not too rough or cold? I am sure he'll see lots of wildlife, moose, deer, bears and hear some loons and wolves too. But I've been teaching him how to track and what Bf signs to keep an eye out for. which is his secret mission, if the others knew they would be too scared to go. There's been some sightings in this area by both staff and park visitors. Also last fall in the northern section of the park where he's heading this picture was taken. hoax ? Who knows but there been plenty of Bf activity in the park so just maybe? The first portage will be a big hump and then down into Big Crow lake but that's tomorrow's post. Edited July 21, 2011 by tracker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dudlow Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 That is absolutely wonderful news, 'tracker'. I've done that particular Algonquin route and others many times since the late 1960s. As for Squatchy in the Park, you're damned right he's there! I can assure you they are quite used to dealing with and having their fun with humans. How many distinct clans there may be is, at this point, conjecture; but I feel there are at least four clans in the Park that I and my buddies have encountered, ranging far and wide across the expanse of the Park. A few of the Ranger staff are well aware of BF being there but they didn't like to talk about it much. I think they are quite protective of them and like to keep BF related things on a low profile -- don't want to scare those precious tourist dollars away. I could tell you some hair-raising and also amusing stories about BF related events in the Park and so could a good buddy of mine, but I won't bore you with that at present. As you may already know, the BFRO unofficially went into the Park via Canoe Lake (to the East of Opeongo) three years ago this September and reported a number of Class B experiences. I don't know if they have been back or not. Personally, I hope they haven't returned. Hopefully your son will have an enjoyable and safe sojourn. These are the memories that will last a lifetime! - Dudlow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bipedalist Posted July 21, 2011 BFF Patron Share Posted July 21, 2011 Hope he has a great time and avoids those roots. It's been over 20 years since I've done the lake to lake portages in AP and indeed it was the adventure of a life-time Well before my BF days though so I was just looking for moose, wolves and loons. Great sunrises/sunsets and satellites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 good luck brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dudlow Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 (edited) ... the BFRO unofficially went into the Park via Canoe Lake (to the East of Opeongo) three years ago this September and reported a number of Class B experiences. Just correcting my own posting here. Canoe Lake lies to the West of Opeongo, not to the East. My bad. Why'd I do that, anyway? - Dudlow Edited July 21, 2011 by Dudlow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 That is absolutely wonderful news, 'tracker'. I've done that particular Algonquin route and others many times since the late 1960s. As for Squatchy in the Park, you're damned right he's there! I can assure you they are quite used to dealing with and having their fun with humans. How many distinct clans there may be is, at this point, conjecture; but I feel there are at least four clans in the Park that I and my buddies have encountered, ranging far and wide across the expanse of the Park. A few of the Ranger staff are well aware of BF being there but they didn't like to talk about it much. I think they are quite protective of them and like to keep BF related things on a low profile -- don't want to scare those precious tourist dollars away. I could tell you some hair-raising and also amusing stories about BF related events in the Park and so could a good buddy of mine, but I won't bore you with that at present. As you may already know, the BFRO unofficially went into the Park via Canoe Lake (to the East of Opeongo) three years ago this September and reported a number of Class B experiences. I don't know if they have been back or not. Personally, I hope they haven't returned. Hopefully your son will have an enjoyable and safe sojourn. These are the memories that will last a lifetime! - Dudlow Yea i know there's a few groups in there mostly spread out in the north country. Pm me with your stories or post them in my on the hunt thread? I am a little concerned with the nasty storms that follow heat waves and the forest fire danger. Further west the got over 120 forest fires to contend with. That's one of the things i don't miss about being in the Army. Being plucked to go fight the extreme conditions of those fires. I rather do SAR detail in the extreme cold than do that. And no worries about BFRO and other orgs crashing one of my search / hab areas. But that's another thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Hope he has a great time and avoids those roots. It's been over 20 years since I've done the lake to lake portages in AP and indeed it was the adventure of a life-time Well before my BF days though so I was just looking for moose, wolves and loons. Great sunrises/sunsets and satellites. Wow Bp you must be really old The Bf's have become more numerous because of the perfect conditions in that park. Even south of 60 there been reports, I was just there this spring (on the hunt thread) but I may go back this fall? Winter is a good time too if you can handle the cold and deep snow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 after yesterday long hard day nature has it's own rewards. Okay here's big Crow lake stage 2 and day 2 of their journey. Being awakened by pesky Raven alarm clocks in time to see morning fog on the lake. A nice site for a larger group I am sure they are seeing lot's of wildlife on Big Crow watch out for these cheeky thieves! using the linking access creeks and rivers to save on ******* heavy canoes and gear over steep terrain heading east to get to the next lake. lake Lavielle and day three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 (edited) Day three and now up the creeks and rivers with paddles and over to Lake Lavielle wakey wakie eggs and backey, darn squawking ravens @ 4 am morning comes early heading east Lake Lavielle another long day Edited July 22, 2011 by tracker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-n-bit Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 What an awesome experience for your son!!! I'm envious! Wishing him and his friends a safe and fantastic journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 (edited) What an awesome experience for your son!!! I'm envious! Wishing him and his friends a safe and fantastic journey! Hey thanks, it finally cooled off a bit up here. So I am sure they are doing better now. Lots of swimming. He may go to school to learn to be a Ranger? I've done the northern leg of this trip a long ways back. Don't ask. yesterday they definitively had to do some portaging around rapids on the river heading east next stop lake Dickson Edited July 23, 2011 by tracker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Lake Dickson day 4 Next Stop Round Island Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgerm Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 So Tracker, do you have a satelite connection so you can post pictures? Thanks for keeping us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 So Tracker, do you have a satelite connection so you can post pictures? Thanks for keeping us posted. I wish I know the route and Algonquins canoe routes have been well documented. He's a kid so he'll probably have a hundred pictures of him and his buddies goofing off and only one shot of each camp spot or lake? cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracker Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Round island the heat wave is usually followed by storms rain rain go away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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