Last year I provisioned a BWCA trip through a good old Walmart pickup order in Blaine MN, and was hoping to do the same at one of the the three Thunder Bay Walmarts this time too.

I even put the order together a few weeks ago, just to scope out availability of needful things -- chief among them white gas for my MRS stove -- but figured I'd wait till closer to 6/23 to actually order.

But wow -- the pickup date for the Arthur Street store was into July! For the main Memorial Ave location it's still 6/28, a day when I plan to be camping on Jean Lake.

Do you think I'll have problems finding white gas or coleman fuel between Thunder Bay airport and Atikokan, where I'm driving in a rental? In a pinch in Alaska I once bought two cans of lighter fuel and made them work; it required using extra wicking with a twisted piece of paper for starting the stove, but it worked.

I could probably provision food out of a 7-11, and basically have in the past (one gets tired of slim jims and corn nuts!), but the fuel is a concern.

There is nothing between Thunder Bay and Atikokan! You need to buy your white gas in either of those two locations. Its just a long drive through the woods between those places.
Tom

In a way that is very comforting to know :)

But I guess in Thunder Bay somewhere, white gas should be available? Out here I'd look at Walmart, or hardware stores, or an outdoor sports store like REI.

Probably getting anxious over nothing, but I've had issues in the past searching all around Mexican towns for "bencina blanca" and, last year, arriving in a remote village in Alaska to find the AC market sold out. I had asked the float plane pilot months prior to get me that one thing, white gas, but that's another story.

Canada Tire should have it.
1221 Arthur Street West
Thunder Bay,ON P7K 1A7

enjoy Jean Lake, was through there last year.
(Little Jean, moonrise)

You bet, and thanks very much for the tip!

Here's another option. They are in Atikokan.

Quetico Outfitter in Atikokan

I hear white gas called napha in Canada so be sure to ask about that if you get a blank stare.