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As seems to be a recurring theme on recent trips, this one's not going according to plan.
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On Saturday we were turned around by OPP at Elk Lake 'coz the hwy was closed due to a forest fire to the west.
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</p>
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<p>
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My friend Alan was en route from Thunder Bay so we arranged to meet on hwy 11 and discuss alternatives.
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We put in at McLean L on the infamous Red Squirrel Road and paddled up into Anima Nipissing L
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where we set up camp on a large rock outcrop overlooking the lake.
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Along the shore the low cliff below our tents is adorned with ancient pictographs.
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</p>
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<p>
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Alan stayed until Wednesday when Dan & I accompanied him back to the road.
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During that time we enjoyed each other's company, reminiscing, laughing, even crying, and failing yet again to solve the worlds problems.
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We spent hours watching suckers work their way up the creek beside camp, watching the clouds come and go, huddling under the rain tarp, and eating!
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</p>
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<p>
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Alan brought food for all, was the chief cook and never failed to amaze us at his culinary creations.
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Pancakes with Rum stands out as an example destined to become a weekly staple!
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All in all it was a stellar reminder that Al is one of the nicest people in the world to spend a relaxing time with.
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He regaled us with stories of his explorations of the Wabikimi area near his home as well as other parts of the world,
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growing up in Newfoundland and spoke at length about his growing family.
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I was so sorry to see him depart.
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</p>
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<p>
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I also discovered I can't physically fit a month of food and my gear in my little canoe.
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Three weeks seems to be the absolute max. Live & learn....
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</p>
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<p>
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Right now I'm camped at home for a couple of days. Gonna repack, regroup and head out for Smoothwater Monday.
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With the weather moving in, long weekend campsite competition and more importantly the threat of ranger danger
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(we're travelling without permits.... Shhhhh!) we decided to wait until Monday when things should quieten down in there.
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Dan and I are planning a shortened version of our Smith Lake trip and then I'll have just
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over two weeks to move through the high country and down to Alex's for mid-June.
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</p>
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<p>
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Weather this week was mixed. Mostly cool, but not unpleasant.
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A few rain showers, but nothing that created any issues.
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We were mostly well sheltered from the wind and bugs only made their feeble presence known a few times.
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That's all for this week.
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</p>
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<p>
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Cheers,
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<br />
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Paul
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</p>
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`
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},
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{
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timestamp: "2022-05-27",
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text: `
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<h2>Week 2</h2>
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<p>Nice easy paddle against a diminishing light headwind. Camped on Smoothwater.</p>
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<p>
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Day 11 saw us heading to Smith L (10am) but 1st portage gave us grief.
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Landing was marked in wrong place but short search located the actual trail(85m).
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Upper end was choked with a raft of floating (& sunken) logs.
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It took some time to brush out the trail & clear a path for canoes through the logs.
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</p>
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<p>
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Reached the second portage (we think) around 1 & ate lunch before scouting the trail.
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After over 2 hrs of thrashing we had failed to locate any song of a trail.
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Getting late in the day, & unprepared for a 2km uphill bushwhack, we reluctantly
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turned back & set up camp on Smoothwater again. Day 12 we set out again for Smith L,
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this time via Smith Creek, based on info I rec'd via satellite.
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At the limit of navigability, where the creek ends a long tumble over steep, rocky drops I found a tree blaze on river left!
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</>
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`
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},
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{
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timestamp: "2022-06-05",
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text: `
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<h2>Week 3<h2>
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<p>A brutally hard week of traveling! </p>
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<p>
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Day 15 saw Dan & I climb cliff on Marina L for view over it and Smoothwater.
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Park rangers portaged right through our camp without checking for the permits we didn’t have! YEEHAW!!
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</p>
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<p> Day 16 I left Dan and moved south. 10km of walking, 6km hauling 55, 65 & 75 lb loads! Buggiest camp ever! </p>
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<p> Day 17 was steep uphill on trapper trail. 4 loads!!! Exhausting! <p
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<p> Day 18 took 8 hrs to move 3km! 4 very steep carries on 2 portages. Made it to Broken Pelvis Lake and took a couple days off. </p>
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<p> Day 19 in camp with rain & repairs. </p>
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<p> Day 20 hiked trail along Pilgrim Cr past Scarecrow Cut. Had conversation with a beaver. Beaverspeak sounds like mournful whalesong! </p>
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<p> Day 21 headed for Chivers L but only got to Horseshoe L. 9 hrs to go 3km! Afternoon t-storm delayed progress. Another big one in evening. </p>
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<p> Day 22 made it to Chivers Island! Showers & sun all day. Saw a full rainbow over the Mtn across the lake with both ends touching down IN the lake! Stunning! </p>
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<p> Day 23 relaxing in camp. Probably go for a hike this aft. </p>
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