Algonquin Solo Canoe Trip - Part 2 of 2

While freezing my tail off in January I was pining for a canoe trip. I dug up some videos of a route I did on, and around, Booth Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park with my dog Maddy, aka The Goose (don't ask). It was a rainy few days but none the less a beautiful trip with lots of portaging, doing a few crafts, great paddling and oh, did I mention rain? If you've also found yourself daydreaming about a canoe trip lately then maybe this will help you as it did me.

Cheers,
Troy

Category:

Education

Tags:

• howto
• algonquin
• provincial
• park
• interior
• solo
• canoe
• trip
• paddle
• paddling
• rain
• camp
• camping
• outdoors
• portage
• lake
• canada
• bushcraft
• survival
• backcountry

[RavenBlaze]

so are most of the lates around there made by glaciers digging them out? And does little miss Maddy help warn you of any wild aniumals?

[MaddyTheGoose]

To be honest, I'd have to do more research to find out how the lakes were created in Algonquin. Off the top, I'm not quite sure, I just paddle them :)

As for Maddy warning me of animals... she does bark and growl on occasion to try and warn me (usually when she's in the tent hearing noises but can't see what's going on) but 95% of the time they're false alarms. She gets an "A" for effort though.

[callancanoe]

Great video. I tripped with a Springer named Bailey for years, Thanks for bringing back the memories.

Kevin Callan

[MaddyTheGoose]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have another solo trip video that I'm editing now (started at Wendigo), lots of Maddy in that one.

Small world actually, if it wasn't for your dog Bailey then I might not have Maddy right now. When we were looking for a dog we wanted one that wasn't too large and good with tripping. I saw Bailey in one of your books and that influenced our final choice in going with the Springer Spaniel breed. Wonderful dogs.

[jakematheny]

Great vid, I have the same spaniel, Always kinda worried about My spaniel getting wet, she has long hair as well, Maddy gets cold easily doesnt she? youve defenitely convinced to start taking her along with me paddling.

[MaddyTheGoose]

Maddy can get quite cold, especially at night so I have a little sleeping bag for her that I made by just cutting an older thin bag I had down to half size. It also helps to protect the floor of the tent from her nails. I have to try and ensure she doesn't go in the water too close to bed time, wet dog in tent isn't a great situation. She's usually pretty chill at night though so I don't really have to worry about her going swimming off.

I couldn't imagine a solo trip without her.

[mrmints84]

great vids. I'm planning a trip up there for first or second week of november with my kayak.  hoping to stay hidden and do minimal portaging, my kayak sucks to haul on shore. hopefully I can get some good video too. cheers

[Urbanwild1]

I found your channel yesterday and am just loving your videos! What a treat! Thanks for sharing your adventures. Keep 'em coming!

[fraulein40]

Wonderful to watch! We were in Kilarney last summer and had a great short trip. Algonquin is so beautiful! I cannot imagine travelling alone and am much impressed!

[dempseystudios]

It was cool to see the site you describe on the island on Shirley. I stayed on that same site on my first solo in May 2011. That giant stone slab is still there, but on the other corner of the benches.

[PEEKProductionsTOR]

@callancanoe Kevin I love your books man - (assuming youre the author Kevin Callan) my fav pic is of you and the wife after completing the 5405 portage from dickson to opeongo.. good stuff, a true inspiration

[PEEKProductionsTOR]

Awesome job Troy.. Glad to see someone else who knows whats up with algonq's

[NKGMAN]

I am interested in solo canoeing for camping. Can you recomend a canoe for me??

Thank you

[funkinstein]

must have been tough canoeing with a pooch..

[maricc]

@lucklee1 He mentions it in the first video

[AP0LL0edc]

I love your camp setup for Shirley Lake. Looks like home! What kind of things do you do to keep yourself busy while at camp?