Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Wabakimi :: First Trip to Wabakimi
|
Author | Message Text | ||
jcavenagh |
Now that's what I like to hear. I would be happy if we could have 3-4 days without seeing anyone! As I stated above, we have contacted Brenda at WildWaters. I have been all over the web looking at various canoeing sites and it seems WW gets high marks for their service and knowledge. As for whether they are more expensive or less, well, ... I can always make more money. Since we are not flying in it looks like the outfitting will cost a few hundred dollars. Also, there does not seem to be a lot of outfitters up there catering to folks who want to canoe into the park. If we were to fly in I would more likely be talking to the folks at Mattice Lake. |
||
jcavenagh |
|
||
jcavenagh |
We are currently awaiting word from our #4 man. Once he speaks to his boss we'll know if he can go. If not, we'll posting on this site for a 4th. |
||
BWPaddler |
Heard Rob Kesselring speak about Wabakimi last weekend here at a MWM event. He didn't really give details on routes/maps, etc. but had some video clips of the plane and train that were cool. He also said that Wabakimi portages were typically right at the brink of where you would not want to paddle... His assumption was that Native Americans and Voyageurs of days past were very confident in paddling skills and wanted to minimize the portaging as much as possible. I'll be curious if that is your experience too. Hoping your 4th comes through for you. |
||
arctic |
quote BWPaddler: That is the norm throughout the North, and is not unique to Wabakimi. The original portages around rapids and falls in what is now the BWCAW and Quetico were almost certainly that way too, but were modified as the areas became tourist meccas. |
||
dadof6 |
I'd opt for using the outfitter to plan transportation and get your permits. It was a great time! Another thing, with the soil so thin, there are very few trees for hanging packs. Plan on using food barrels. And beware of outfitters telling you about campsites on their maps....1 out of 10 was a real site, the rest were never/seldom used. Even the heavily used sites had grass growing in the fire ring. Enjoy! |
||
jcavenagh |
I have recently connected with Phil Cotton, founder of the Wabakimi Project. He has been very helpful with his intimate knowledge of the entire area. His group is slowly mapping the whole park [and some surrounding areas], but hasn't published a map for the area we will be in. The trip reports I have read from folks who used his first volume or two indicate that the maps are quite accurate and comprehensive for canoeists. I have recently switched to a hammock from a tent. I think this will be advantageous in Wabakimi as I see several folks noting that campsites are very primitive and most often have only one viable tent pad. Naturally we want to shy away from camping anywhere but established sites. The route we are most probably going to take is one of the more popular routes. So we expect that we will be able to find sites along the way, even if not necessarily where a map indicates. But if not, well...that's why we call a wilderness ADVENTURE, right? |
||
dadof6 |
The couple that runs the resort are very nice, friendly and helpful. Too bad they weren't there the night we stayed as they were on vacation. Part of the package is they supply maps with portages and campsites, and then will talk over the maps with you when you get there. Since they were out, Bruce Hyer's wife (nice lady) was covering for them and she was no help in talking over the maps. In a way that was good so we had no idea what to expect and there were serveral challenges we then had to face and figure out on our own due to the record high water they had there that year. (Think portages under water, etc). The maps were nice to have with that level of detail. But don't expect BWCA portages....nicely manicured and room to pass! These are at most scratched out of the boreal forest and there was only 1 portage we had where there wasn't a tree down. There was one that was 160 rods and it took us about 2.5 hours to complete due to all the deadfall. It was like walking through a war zone! Also, we were on a route described as "main street" in Wabakimi...and still we saw no one for 8 days. Let me know if you have any more questions. |
||
dadof6 |
quote BWPaddler: "He also said that Wabakimi portages were typically right at the brink of where you would not want to paddle... His assumption was that Native Americans and Voyageurs of days past were very confident in paddling skills and wanted to minimize the portaging as much as possible. I'll be curious if that is your experience too." That was our experience. We had one portage that if we missed it, we were down the rapids. It turned out the portage was flooded half way across and we had to return to the start and paddle back upstream, which was a nail biter in itself. Then there was another that with the water being so high, we could not get to the portage and had to bushwhack a couple dozen rods to be able to bypass another set of deadly rapids. There were several more that were 'on the brink'. I'd agree with his assessment. |
||
jcavenagh |
|
||
jcavenagh |
Also, since this is our first time into Wabakimi, we don't want to get in too far beyond our capabilities. My research indicates this park is not a place to learn about canoe camping. I note you have a young brood so you should talk to the outfitters. I bet they have trips that are less taxing, but would also provide that all alone experience we seek. As I get detailed maps, I would be happy to share. We would be interested in seeing any detailed maps of the southern area of the park you may find. Let me know. P.S. Do you know what this Wing Night thing is that I have read about?? |
||
jwartman59 |
|
||
BWPaddler |
I've never made it, but the past descriptions and pics look like a good family friendly time is had by all. ============================= As to Wabakimi, I went to two Expo lextures on it last April - the "Uncle Phil" leading the mapping of the lesser used areas of the park and access routes into the park from the Crown Land surrounding it. Also Bruce ??? an outfitter owner in Armstrong that is also a legislator in Canada. Bruce's talk said there are definitely family-friendly routes, but I didn't have time to buy his map or stop by his booth to discuss. I don't hesitate to buy maps and would like to support the Wabakimi project to map out additional routes. I do worry about asking outfitter for help if I don't have anything to buy from them... I'd drive up with 2 boats and all gear. Then again, I guess I'd need a shuttle, parking, bunkhouse maybe... I had kind of dreamed of fly-in, train out trip... but think that will be too much $$ in the end. Still, my kids are begging for something like that, so maybe if it's our big vacation of the year we could do it. Wabakimi.org has something they call a "trip planning" map - but I don't know if it covers the southern area in enough detail or not. Doubtful. Will be fun to hear about your trip and what you think of it! I'm still picking a year, but was fun to hear my kids get excited about it. I am sure there will be more speakers at next year's Expo if you're near the twin cities... |
||
jcavenagh |
Is the child a boy or girl and how old? Then reason I ask is that we have an open fourth spot on our trip (our 4th guy just pulled out) and I could bring my 13 yr old son to make this a 6 person trip. Does this sound like something you be intrested in? If yes, I can send you a more detailed itinerary and a little info on the other men who are scheduled in for the trip. Basics - AUG 2011, we leave Chicago on a Thurs and arrive back on a Sat. (the actual week is still flexible) Little Caribou to Shawnabis == 60 mi., 15 portages We anticipate we would spend the last night at outfitters cabin on Shawnabis and train out early FRI morning to Armstrong. Let me know. |
||
jcavenagh |
|
||
jcavenagh |
|
||
BWPaddler |
|
||
jcavenagh |
Thanks. JC |
||
jwartman59 |
sorry long story. my internet search on fort hope was interesting. the town is currently in a state of emergency due to skyrocketing violence. three murders in the last year. wiki on fort hope cbc news this photo is a typical site that you may find on any canadian river route, i believe that this photo is actually in manitoba as long as i have a mini novel going here i may add that "my precious" a restored peterborough cedar canvas canoe that i purchased in thunder bay, ontario was used in the 1940's in this area by a trapper. to me that makes it's 75 lbs weight worth carrying. my 1941 boat from the canadian bush |
||
dadof6 |
That picture of your canoe is fantastic! I bet you have this one framed in your home. |
||
jcavenagh |
I am not as advanced a canoeist as many of you. I just like canoe camping better than hiking or biking. Well, after several trips to BW and Q over the last 20 some odd years, I finally decided that we need to go further north. I am putting together a trip of 4 guys, including at least one who is not very experienced in canoeing. Trip will happen in August, dates not yet firm. Since this will be our first trip to Wabakimi, I don't want to go gonzo into the far reaches of the park. We're likely going to shuttle in and train out. Anyone have any idea on the numbers of other canoe groups we might run into traveling from Little Caribou down to Shawnabis? The point, as I have seen others here express, is that the southern parks have become just too crowded. I like to go a few days without seeing others. Can we expect an experience more similar to BW circa 1970's, as far as population goes?? Any tips, comments, or even bad jokes would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
||
BWPaddler |
|
||
SunCatcher |
nothing finer then coming around a corner to a rapid or drop off waterfall, with seconds to get out, and current tugging at you as you have litterally a minute or so to figure out your strategy and approach, to the portage you have just spotted... Wow I love this kind of trippin. SunCatcher |
||
jdrocks |
i've been in there since 1980. great canoe country, but it's not like paddling the border. be careful in there. it's drop and pool country, and river travel can present challenges even in normal water levels. i spoke with phil cotton over the holidays on the occasion of his 80th birthday, and he had in front of him the annotated custom map set Chuck and I furnished the Wabakimi Project from our 2009 trip . |
||
BWPaddler |
As to August 2011, I sent you an email. |
||
BWPaddler |
Uncle Phil is 80? Wow. Saw him last April at MWM... Could have fooled me. Happy birthday to him! |
||
arctic |
The last time I was there we paddled for 22 days and saw only one other group of paddlers. We did see fly-in fishermen though on some of the larger lakes, as well as a few outpost cabins. Excellent canoe country. |