babtouductile
04 Sep 2023
We really enjoyed the 3 days canoe trip with Robin and Amanda. We were 5 guests including a family of 3, with whom we really got along.
The trip consisted in canoeing, portage and preparing the camp (food, campfire ...). As this was our first camping trip, Robin took the time to explain us everything very patiently about camp life, Algonquin wildlife and canoeing skills. We really enjoyed the canoeing part even if the windy weather made it a bit hard sometimes. We could observe wildlife (loones, bald eagles, chipmunks, frogs, and even a glimpse of a wolf !). The food cooked by Robin was delicious (fajitas, pasta, bagels, fruits, porridge...) and he carefully adapted to everyone's food restrictions.
Algonquin Park is splendid, overall it was a wonderful experience, we definitely recommend it.
The tour itself was great, a few days to just be. Our group was small, just 3 guests and Robin, the owner who was our guide. Everyone was nice and helpful, and on more of the quiet side, so we had some friendly conversation, but mostly just soaked in sounds of the water and nature. The whole experience wasn't strenuous, we had time and energy to swim a little, read and just be and enjoy.
The amount of canoeing was light, maybe 2-3 hours the first day as we were searching for a campsite. Robin was bit disgruntled, that he couldn't take us to the best campsite, as that was already taken, but ours was completely fine in an island pine grove with a prepared campfire place, flat places to set our tents - between two other campsites (people there were nice and quiet, didn't bother us at all outside of a friendly visit from a small pup????). So if this was the "worst" I am happy to say it was still better than a lot of wild camping sites I have experienced.
We set up camp, and for nearly each meal had a nice fire going. Each meal was freshly prepared, tasty and Call of the wild made sure that my complex dietary restrictions were met without excluding me to a special diet - I want to stress here, that this is exceptional, and thoughtful, and thank you Robin & team!
Second day we did a bit more light canoeing, maybe 4-5 hours worth (we voted for a longer paddle, could have choosen a shorter trip), with a 1 km portage to a nother lake (same 1 km back), a packed lunch, a nice swim.
The last day we had a morning fire for breakfast, packed up camp and paddled maybe 1,5 hours back to our starting point.
We didn't see moose or bears, but met a couple of loons, red squirrels, a lot of chipmunks and some huge frogs. If we had any questions about the park or animals, vegetation, Robin was very knowledgeable.
marsexplOrer2014
29 Jul 2022
A superb trip to Crouch and Shirley lakes in late July, with a mixed experience group of paddlers across two families. The scenery was beyond our expectations and we encountered few people in our bit of wilderness - but sadly also no moose :-( which would have been the cherry on the cake. Rick was an excellent guide, raconteur and magician in the camp kitchen.
The portage at 1000 meters was longer than perhaps typical for "newbie" trips but was flat and wide and worked well and I appreciated the fact I'd searched out a provider with lightweight Kevlar boats ! I appreciated the "proper" experience and the whole party covered the portage in two trips with just the right amount of challenge...
At the time of year we still encountered a fair few mozzies and despite taking what we thought were adequate precautions left with some reminders beyond the photos and memories Definitely an experience to repeat though.