Algonquin Park Canoe Trip - A rescue and bad weather

matthew krissak

matthew krissak

Joined
Nov 11, 2005
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Last weekend my girl friend and I met up with another couple in Algonquin Park, Ontario. It was our first canoe trip of the year. Cool weather not nice out, water temp was around 40-42 degrees that weekend. Ice out was the previous week.

Canoe trip started out nice enough, a little bit of rough water but we handled it well. Sadly the other canoeing group behind us flipped their canoe into the water. They we able to grab the canoe of there friends so they could pull them to a near by island(400 yards away). Were we raced to the island to build a fire for the guys that fell in. Got to the island and got a fire going quickly, lately I've been carrying a Bic lighter in a waterproof container. Glad I did, didn't want to be messing around with a fire steel and looking for tinder. We got the guys into dry clothes and by a nice fire. They weren't in good shape, hypothermia for sure. I've been there sadly so I know the signs well. Luckily this was close to the docks still, maybe a half mile so they still had cell reception and they called for help. Did I mention they had no life jackets on?....Foolish! If there was no one around i'm sure it would have been a body rescue and not just some hypothermia treatment needed.

So we carried on. Just finished the first portage and it began to rain....AND RAIN!!!! 32.8mm in one day. Even with all the Goretex in the world you were bound to get some what wet. And we did. But after another terrible up hill portage we made it to the final lake and canoed to camp where are friends had a tarp set up for us and our gear and fire to get warm and dry out a bit.

Next day was beautiful! Fishing was slow but I did manage to score one nice trout. Canoed around the lake, even saw some otters playing on shore.

Now its Sunday, time to back up and head up. WRONG! ....SNOW! and winds. Not save to be on the water. And we were trapped for another day. Monday rolled around the weather was much nicer minus the insane winds. You'd paddle 6 feet and the wind blows you back 5 feet. But we did make it out. Took an additional 2 hours more then it should of, but we did it!

Now some pictures

Trout
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Fire Pit
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My tent with some snow
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Snow starting
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My Nova Craft Prospector Canoe
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My dog
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Our Camp
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Snow picking up
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And Finally....Some sharp stuff!!
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Nice report and an interesting read.

The people in that other canoe which flipped over are in your debt for your actions. It's good to know that you're out there.

That foul weather made for some serious adversity on your trip, but you now have some great stories to tell and any bad weather you experience on future canoe trips will likely seem like nothing as you look back on this one. I hope you had extra food for that unplanned extra day. Being windbound is something every canoe tripper should plan for. It happens to us all eventually.

By the way, +1 on the Eureka ParaWing tarp. Great coverage with that one.

Thanks for the good pics and the interesting read.

- Martin
 
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Wow, sounds like you had quite the time out. That stinks with the rain and the snow. Glad to hear the ones that fell in the water
survived. 40 or so degrees in that cold of water is freaking cold lol.

Bryan
 
Great job. It's funny/sad how often being prepared with gear and skills ends up benefiting those around us who aren't.
I am jealous too, I haven't been to Algonquin in like 15 years, but I love it up there. I totally get what you mean about the Bic. A couple years ago we took the kids camping, and it rained heavy for 14 hours straight through the night and into the afternoon. Our firepit was sand, and even it was a huge puddle. When we woke up, part of me wanted the challenge of getting a one-stick fire going with the firesteel out in the miserable rain. The sensible part of me knew my wife and kids were wet and spirits were low, and if I didn't get a fire going and bacon cooking asap they would want to leave. So I used a Bic, and duct tape for tinder haha. Options are great, but use what circumstance, not pride, demands.
Also, nice fish. I bet that tasted amazing.
 
Well accomplished! Yes, hail sleet, snow over the weekend here as well, SW of Algonquin. For the park ... only diehard & winter campers need apply this time of year. While OP was firing up for warmth in the bush - power out southwest of the park for me so I took the opportunity to use wifi at Tim Horton's to download BF videos and pic heavy posts ... in the end, we all wound up here! :)
 
matthew krissak said:
Love the tarp! Been handy of the years and i have the clip in bug net. One of the Better investments I've made for camping!
Click to expand...

Yep, that tarp's one of the best gear investments my wife and I have ever made. We've been using that tarp and bug mesh for over a decade now. Great bit of gear that really extends one's camping season and eliminates bug stress. It's great for those who have friends and family members who are very averse to bugs. I actually have a video review of that tarp and shelter on my channel.

[video=youtube_share;poLB_a1Qci8]http://youtu.be/poLB_a1Qci8[/video]

Hope this helps,
- Martin
 
PineMartyn said:
Yep, that tarp's one of the best gear investments my wife and I have ever made. We've been using that tarp and bug mesh for over a decade now. Great bit of gear that really extends one's camping season and eliminates bug stress. It's great for those who have friends and family members who are very averse to bugs. I actually have a video review of that tarp and shelter on my channel.

[video=youtube_share;poLB_a1Qci8]http://youtu.be/poLB_a1Qci8[/video]

Hope this helps,
- Martin
Click to expand...


Its because of this video on YouTube that I bought the tarp originally!
 
Good on you for helping those fellows out, you very well likely saved their lives. Those who can help, should. Also, looks like an awesome trip!
 
Thanks for the trip report! Adverse weather just makes for better memories I think. As long as you are prepared for it anyway. I went to my local river this past Saturday for a day trip. It was in the low eighties and yes, I did wear my PFD and so did Jake. The water is still quite cold here in the rainy South. The Eureka tarp does look interesting. I'll have to check it out.
 
Great work getting the other couple warm; there is no doubt you saved their lives mate. Hypothermia body recoveries are some of the saddest thing I have been part of. You saved them and their families a lot of grief.
 
Loving that axe ! I used to catch trout in the park with the old man back in the 70's.
 
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