tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125724732012-02-16T22:05:29.089-05:00The Algonquin Outfitters web logGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.comBlogger2381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-48748355450536170102012-02-03T12:47:00.000-05:002012-02-09T15:47:52.152-05:00Winter Fun Day is coming up on Feb. 11: don't miss it! UPDATED, Feb 9, 2012
Important Winter Fun Day Update!
Our original mushers had to cancel due to circumstances beyond their
control. The good news is that our old friends from Winterdance are
coming up with THREE teams of happy huskies. Dog sled rides will
available from 10 am till 12:45 pm only. Get here early if you want to
mush! Cost is $35 per sled.
Modified original post:
Yes, there is snow in Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com01035 Algonquin Outfitters Rd, Dwight, ON P0A 1H0, Canada45.38036670362528 -78.9256095886230545.37479020362528 -78.93548008862305 45.385943203625274 -78.91573908862304tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-39599533361060970922012-01-15T11:20:00.000-05:002012-01-15T11:20:32.722-05:00When optimism knows no bounds...This photo taken today, at about 9:45 AM. The thermometer does not lie: it is -25℃, Swix Polar is the recommended ski wax, the weatherstick is pointing straight out (whatever that means) and snow conditions indicate that winter has arrived. Note canoe and kayak on the truck. These folks were looking for open water. Seriously.
We advised them that it might be difficult to find in these parts Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-11026615235662884492011-12-16T13:12:00.000-05:002012-02-02T14:23:41.420-05:00Film picks for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Huntsville, Jan. 24 & 25Every year, I comment on how difficult it was to pick the films for the two nights we present the BMFF World Tour at the Algonquin Theatre in beautiful downtown Huntsville. Always one to be consistent, I will say it again: it was really hard to pick this year's films! This year we cover big mountain skiing (in several forms), rock climbing in remote deserts, a walk up the West Coast, kids Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-9636271971872864372011-10-24T10:10:00.000-04:002011-10-24T10:10:37.894-04:00A Meanest Link Trip Report: The Sidell's Journey
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font-size:12.0pt;Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-26807440568525218092011-07-09T09:31:00.000-04:002011-07-09T09:31:57.084-04:00The first Meanest Link trip of 2011 starts tomorrow!This just in from Mark Rubino, one of the six paddlers starting the two longest sections of the Meanest Link canoe trip on Sunday, July 10:
Wooohooo!
Track our group of 6 guys live, as we paddle and portage our way up to and through Algonquin Park on one of the toughest canoe routes imagined, "The Meanest Link".
At times though-out the 15 day trip, the tracking signal may disappear from Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-46063728229512388732011-05-29T14:18:00.001-04:002011-05-29T14:54:53.129-04:00The REEL Paddling film festival is coming to town this week!
In our ongoing quest to keep you entertained, Algonquin Outfitters is hosting this fun event on Wednesday, June 1, at Huntsville's Algonquin Theatre.
For a full list of the films being shown, descriptions of the films being shown in Huntsville and some of the cool prizes you can win, check out Randy's Retail and Events blog here:http://ao-sales.blogspot.com/2011/05/Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-17490923633436309212011-05-01T11:36:00.000-04:002011-05-01T11:36:00.691-04:00We're calling it openIn our definition, ice-out on Lake Opeongo occurs when a water taxi can make a return trip to and from the North Arm, unimpeded by ice. This occurred on April 29, even though there still was ice floating around on lake. Today there is no ice left at all.
Conditions are still highly variable depending on what access point you are heading for. Keep checking the park's page for updates:
http://Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-33639353728486467792011-04-28T16:40:00.000-04:002011-05-01T11:30:25.545-04:00Very detailed update on Algonquin Park web site: Due to recent high winds and rain, conditions are changing rapidly. Park staff just announced that Highway 60 and some other access points will be open tomorrow, with most lakes accessible off the highway either open or partially ice covered. Interior lakes conditions are unknown. Park staff were planning a flight today but cancelled it due to high winds and low visbility.
Travel conditions areGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-72455162518933562952011-04-28T09:50:00.000-04:002011-05-01T11:30:25.545-04:00A quick update from people "on the ground"Heavy rain, wind and mild temperatures have been having their way the stubborn lake ice.
As of 9 am this morning:
Oxtongue Lake: Open. The ice seen in the "ice canoeists" photo in the previous post is gone. Water levels extremely high. I would not recommend travel on the Oxtongue River at the moment. Or any Algonquin Park river route, for that matter! It is full-on raging spring flood Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-5061443986625944502011-04-26T14:46:00.000-04:002011-05-01T11:30:40.887-04:00Ice canoeists on Oxtongue LakeA couple of hardy young men from Port Sydney did an overnight trip down the Oxtongue River, ending at our dock like many people do. Unfortunately for them, the last 100 metres or so was the hardest part of the trip, since they chose to take the direct route across the remaining ice. It took them about 30 minutes to get from the bridge to the shore, pushing and shoving their aluminum canoe acrossGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-91217127688681074592011-04-24T16:25:00.000-04:002011-04-24T16:25:45.757-04:00Easter Sunday Algonquin update: ice, moose and fish.Now that the Opeongo Store is open (even if the lake isn't) our roving reporter Jerry Schmanda can send us reports on conditions as they evolve:
Yesterday's report... A quick update as to fishing results on opening day, April 23, 2011. Very few fisherman's cars were parked along Hwy 60 and the day hiking trails were empty. It was a windy raw day that made you think that underwater would be a Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-12618966555175005692011-04-20T19:26:00.000-04:002011-04-21T07:09:59.665-04:00If you are visiting Algonquin Park this weekend, bring your hiking boots. And maybe your snowshoes...It's a little snowy up here in the woods!
The Algonquin Park website has been updated with a special announcement:
Due to unsafe ice conditions and winter weather persisting within Algonquin Park, no backcountry water access camping permits will be issued until circumstances are reassessed on April 26, 2011. In the interest of public safety, all day use activities on Algonquin Park waterways Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-11505406451635403212011-04-19T16:14:00.002-04:002011-04-19T19:29:27.925-04:00AO visits the Algonquin Park Visitor CentreThe big cheeses of AO went in to the park yesterday for a meeting and a special cheque presentation, so I took a few shots along the way. Sorry for the bad quality of the lake ice photos but we were running a little behind schedule and didn't have time to stop!
On behalf of the Friends of Algonquin Park, superintendent John Winters accepts a cheque for $750 from AO's Rich Swift. The donation Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-891305646524820802011-04-16T13:34:00.000-04:002011-04-16T13:45:41.175-04:00A little doggerel to pass the timeTrusting that you will forgive my self-indulgence, I thought I would share a bit of free verse on the topic of canoe tripping in less than ideal conditions. It seemed appropriate, given the theme of recent blog posts.
Three degrees and raining
That is the weather today -
add in wind: gusty and blustery,
patches of snow in the woods,
lakes and ponds covered with ice.
Put another log on the fireGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-62509990488829625532011-04-15T18:59:00.000-04:002011-04-16T13:19:55.494-04:00My hunch was right, the ice out flight will happen this week...In case you are not a Facebooker, I am cross-posting this announcement from the Friends of Algonquin Park Facebook page:
Ontario Parks staff will be conducting an ice out flight sometime during April 18 to 21, 2011 to assess current ice conditions throughout Algonquin Park. The exact date can not be confirmed as the flight is dependent upon suitable weather conditions. Results of the ice out Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-47662700472527173552011-04-12T12:32:00.000-04:002011-04-12T12:32:51.240-04:00A little Algonquin Park brook trout stoke...While you are sitting around waiting patiently for the ice to go out, take 10 minutes and watch this informative and beautifully filmed video on the native brook trout of Algonquin Park. There are some great underwater shots of fish and a powerful conservation message. You will also notice a few canoes courtesy of Algonquin Outfitters, by the way!
Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-76234867502798521742011-04-11T12:04:00.000-04:002011-04-11T16:45:09.434-04:00Algonquin Park ice report: yes, there is still ice.
Satellite image from April 9, 2011
I drove through through the park on Hwy 60 last evening, on my way home from spring skiing in Vermont (which was great, by the way). A lot of snow melted in the three days I was away, and with the torrential rain last night and mild weather today, even more will be gone by now. The ice is locked right up to the shore on all lakes you can see from the highway. Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-37428080045897368722011-04-03T13:46:00.000-04:002011-04-03T15:29:49.040-04:00It's a little different from last year. Ice out April 3? I don't think so.As type this in the office at Oxtongue Lake, I can hear the buzzing of snowmobiles drag racing up and down the lake. Last April 3, you might have heard the putt-putting of a cottager out cruising in their tin boat, or maybe the swish of a paddle. I'm not complaining about the sledders, if I was a snowmobiler I'd probably be doing the same thing. I am a skier, and what did I do yesterday? I went Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-3266589079595124792011-03-26T17:36:00.000-04:002011-03-27T11:02:37.566-04:00Of Easter, ice-out and openings...
March 25: Lakes Scugog and Simcoe are still frozen!
A number of ingredients are combining to spice up the recipe for "ice out frenzy" this season. Start with an unusually early opening of trout season in Algonquin Park: April 23. Add in an equally unusual late Easter Weekend: April 22 - 25. Mix it up with last year's record early ice-out date of April 4 (on Lake Opeongo), then spice with all Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-1555214716059185682011-03-20T10:32:00.002-04:002011-03-21T10:09:32.638-04:00Canoeing icon Kirk Wipper paddles on.
Kirk Wipper
I found a sad e-mail in the in-box this morning and thought it was important to share the news. While significant accomplishments in themselves, Kirk Wipper was much more than past owner of Camp Kandalore and founder of the "Kanawa International Collection of Canoes, Kayaks and Rowing Craft," which became the core of the Canadian Canoe Museum. He was a passionate advocate for Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-49342453582229444192011-03-16T15:23:00.001-04:002011-03-17T11:24:07.562-04:00Cache Lake ice thickness report: 03/16/11We had a visit from a couple of Cache Lakers today. While staying at the cottage for a few days, one of them drilled the customary water hole and then took measurements:
Top layer: 8 inches of firm snow
Middle layer: 14.5 inches of "white" ice
Bottom layer: 5 inches of "black" ice
Required reading for ice-out buffs
They reported that skiing conditions on the lake were excellent, though ourGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-54704942513361013822011-03-09T12:11:00.002-05:002011-03-13T21:47:02.724-04:00Wake up groundhogs! The ice out reports for Algonquin Park begin!
The shadows are getting longer every day.
Ice out bloggers must be telepathic. Or at least, "on the same page." As I drove along Hwy 60 yesterday afternoon, admiring the snow covered lakes in Algonquin Park, it occurred to me that I better start gearing up for another fun season of ice-out blogging.
I stopped at Smoke Lake, took a few pictures and thought about posting them today to help Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-26828664493856227312011-02-14T15:42:00.001-05:002011-02-14T16:03:18.817-05:00Winter Fun Day in picturesAlgonquin Outfitters' Winter Fun Day at Oxtongue Lake was a great success by all accounts. Not only did lots of people show up and have fun but the weather was good, the ice on the lake cooperated, and the fresh snow really helped. Our staff, assorted volunteers and other helpers all contributed 110% to make it a fine weekend in the snow. Thanks everybody!
The Oxtongue Lake store was ready forGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-83184457823137263072011-02-03T16:33:00.000-05:002012-02-03T10:59:24.368-05:00Winter Fun Day is coming up Feb. 12
Winter fun in the great outdoors is the theme of the annual Winter Fun Day, hosted by Algonquin Outfitters, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. We've got lots of snow up here and are looking forward to another great event. This free, family-oriented, event takes place at the Oxtongue Lake location, just west of Algonquin Park, on Hwy. 60, about 30 km east of Huntsville. Winter Fun Day is designed to Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com01035 Algonquin Outfitters Rd, Dwight, ON P0A 1H0, Canada45.381608605204285 -78.9264678955078145.37603210520429 -78.93633839550782 45.38718510520428 -78.91659739550781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-50087239862259233282011-01-23T19:41:00.001-05:002011-01-23T19:42:51.976-05:00How to fill a theatreHow do you make a theatre go from this:
Huntsville's beautiful Algonquin Theatre is ready for the BMFF
To this? (sorry for the bad picture)
BMFF Road Warrior Paul Price gives the thumbs up to Huntsville enthusiasm
All you need to do is host the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour! The shows last Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Huntsville's Algonquin Theatre were sold out performances, Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-56775208700685676092011-01-16T11:09:00.001-05:002011-01-16T11:13:09.142-05:00New Ontario Parks reservation system is up and running today!
Are you looking forward to this? Then read on! Photo by Steve Baker.
The long-awaited "new and improved" Ontario Parks permit reservation system just went live this morning. The parks folks claim it is a faster and more efficient system and early reports from my spies inside the park confirm that this is the case. For full details, click here. The FAQ page is worth reading as well.
Don't Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-60158792018452913422010-12-05T10:55:00.000-05:002010-12-05T10:55:00.967-05:00The trailer for this year's Banff Mountain Film FestivalIf the list below isn't quite enough, get a little preview of this year's films, as always with the great voice and inspiring music:
Hey, Christmas is coming and theatre tickets fit really easily into the stocking of your favorite adventure-lover! Get yours today and be taken away to the most enchanting places on earth. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for students. Folks buying tickets forGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-6005788456967793642010-12-04T16:40:00.000-05:002010-12-04T16:40:23.033-05:00The long-awaited film list for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in HuntsvilleLet me tell you, it was hard picking this year. There were many good films that got left off our list and it would have been no problem planning three evenings of movies. Do you think the people of Huntsville and beyond would support three shows? Let me know by making a comment below.
In any case, you will find a wide range of subject matter when the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour stopsGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-36404087519667820582010-12-04T12:59:00.000-05:002010-12-04T14:57:54.579-05:00More from the winter wonderland - see what you are missing?
Early morning light on a local pond
Sunrise in the woods - it's a little Group of Sevenish, if I do say so myself
Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-29313406596221568752010-12-03T16:58:00.001-05:002010-12-04T14:57:54.580-05:00Algonquin Park is in winter wonderland mode!
Don't be standing under this tree when the snow drops!
It is not often that you hear "snow squall warning" and "flood warning" in the weather forecast, but that is what we had earlier this week. After the big snowfall (40 cm in some places) last Friday/Saturday, there was the torrential rain on Tuesday, which washed a lot of the snow away. Then on Wednesday it snowed again, and it is amazing Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-50531838329594398772010-11-12T14:43:00.004-05:002010-11-13T09:46:44.558-05:00A tale of two polesAnyone who has attended our annual Winter Fun Day will be familiar with the friendly, hardworking dogs and mushers from Winterdance Dogsled Tours. For the last few years, they have traveled up from Haliburton to provide the dog sledding experience at our event (which, in case you missed the post below, is on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011).
Last winter, Hank DeBruin, who owns and operates WinterdanceGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-18645491720764399812010-11-01T16:46:00.001-04:002010-11-13T09:33:07.687-05:00This just in from Ontario ParksIn case you don't subscribe to the Ontario Parks Insider, I've taken the liberty to re-post a very important news flash for anyone who camps in a provincial park in our fair province. As I'm sure many of you will agree, there were a few hiccups in the new park reservation service this summer and the Ontario Parks management folks seemed to have listened:
We have heard from many Ontario Parks Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-23616857732816424132010-10-11T11:03:00.001-04:002010-10-11T11:15:21.379-04:00An unsung hero of the Algonquin Outfitters rental fleet
The Compatriot waits patiently for its next paddler
The humble little red solo canoe in the picture above is a Mad River Compatriot. Unlike the majority of the canoes in our fleet, it will never find its way to the "used canoes for sale" rack. This canoe is over 25 years old, still going strong and has the distinction of being the "most requested" canoe we have. One woman took it on four tripsGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-55856053620143694692010-10-03T17:58:00.000-04:002010-10-11T11:16:25.348-04:00OK, so it didn't snow...But the SUN came out, after what seemed liked an eternity of cloudy, rainy September days. Wind and rain have knocked down some leaves but the colours are still pretty nice and, hopefully, will hang in there for the upcoming long weekend.
Don't forget, if you can't get up to Algonquin Park, you can always see the fall colours from space. Regular followers of this blog will remember that we Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-52676247736877508252010-09-28T11:23:00.001-04:002010-09-28T11:52:06.841-04:00Snowflakes in the forecast! Woo hoo!
The weather forecast for Huntsville today - look at those snowflakes!
Here at Algonquin Outfitters, we get excited about winter. It's time for skiing, snowshoeing, snowman building, sledding, skating, snowboarding and, yes, those other fun things like shoveling and winter driving. So, when this morning's weather forecast showed the little snowflake icons for Sunday and Monday, we all gave a Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-59159440591498522832010-09-26T11:35:00.002-04:002010-09-26T13:12:53.068-04:00Fall colours in Algonquin Park are at peak - don't miss it!
"Smoke Creek" by Olaf Schneider
Even when you are lucky enough to live up here, you can never take the fall colours for granted. Every year the colours seem different and every year the "peak" seems to happen at a different time. I suppose you could define "peak" as the time when reds, oranges and yellows are the predominant shades and there are still lots of leaves on the trees. Personally, IGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-20512846324230204012010-09-23T12:42:00.002-04:002010-09-23T12:45:55.922-04:00Some nice fall photos
During the fall, Algonquin Park is a photographer's dream: the changing autumn colours, fantastic light and morning mist are just a few of the natural events that make it a special season. Photographer Paul Madden dropped by the Oxtongue Lake store the other morning and asked if he could take some pictures at our waterfront. Sure, why not? Paul sent me a few of the images and gave us Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-68363201353868900352010-09-21T16:56:00.003-04:002010-09-21T17:17:04.984-04:00Where did the time go? It's fall!Well, long time no blog. I humbly apologize to any regular readers, or for that matter, even casual readers. It was a VERY busy summer at Algonquin Outfitters, which is good, but sadly this blog seemed to take a back seat to everything else that was going on.
So on the first official day of fall, let's get back into it by patting ourselves on the back. Late this summer, the Oxtongue Lake Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-1211415882539192282010-06-17T10:29:00.002-04:002010-10-11T11:17:56.106-04:00The official word on the G8 lockdownThis just in from Calum Rennie, of the G8 ISU Community Relations Group:
Residents of Huntsville can expect security measures to protect the G8 Summit to be put in place on the morning of June 23. They are currently planned to stay in place until June 27. This includes restrictions on traveling on a portion of Highway 60 and roads leading to the Deerhurst Resort. See the map of alternate routesGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-11432915193550088672010-06-07T14:26:00.001-04:002010-06-08T13:21:26.235-04:00Rich Swift on Breakfast TelevisionWe had better be careful or they might make him the host! Our fearless leader, Rich Swift, made another appearance on CityTV's Breakfast Television last Friday. He was helping our friends at Ontario Parks with the festivities in Toronto's Dundas Square, celebrating the start of Tourism Week in Ontario.
Rich and Jennifer discussing the rules of the competition. Click here for the full video Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-9523556902257911052010-05-31T12:33:00.004-04:002010-06-08T13:21:40.433-04:00Getting to Algonquin Park during the G8 SummitUnless you have been on a canoe trip for the last year, you have no doubt heard that our fair town of Huntsville is hosting the G8 Summit from June 25-27. Hot on the heels of that event is the G20 in Toronto. Needless to say, there will be some major security in place and disruptions to everyday life in both places. My suggestion? Leave town! Go on a canoe trip in Algonquin Park!
Having said Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-3994635917886142602010-05-16T10:01:00.000-04:002010-06-08T13:23:59.466-04:00"Leave No Trace" in Algonquin ParkThe Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists have partnered with the Leave No Trace organization and produced a well-done document outlining how back-country users can adopt Leave No Trace camping principles in Algonquin Park. Not only does this document give excellent tips and tricks on how to camp in a low-impact fashion, it also helps create a mindset that will help both novice and experienced Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-19002979760055425712010-05-09T15:06:00.003-04:002010-06-08T13:24:55.587-04:00There's snow time like the present...OK, so I know that I was blabbing on about the nice weather in the post and luring all you unsuspecting canoeists up to Algonquin Park. Today, we in the middle of a cold snap and winter has made a (hopefully) brief return.
What you might have seen along the trail this morning (dog not included)
There are still many people out in the park on canoe trips. This type of weather only underscoresGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-48709561447488546292010-05-04T16:39:00.000-04:002010-06-08T13:24:44.874-04:00Spring has definitely sprung!What beautiful weather we have been having lately. Like the early ice-out this year, everything else seems to be about three weeks early. Trilliums are starting to flower, a few black flies have been spotted and the trout are biting, according to customer reports.
If you are planning a trip to Algonquin Park in the next few weeks, you should be prepared for black flies and possibly a few Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-30242326308817140372010-04-04T12:39:00.000-04:002010-06-08T13:25:11.046-04:00Wow! Ice out on Canoe Lake April 3!Boy, you take a few days off to get knee surgery and the world just keeps moving along. While I was sitting on my deck recuperating after ACL reconstruction on April 1, the combined effects of sun, wind and rain were working away in Algonquin Park. Fortunately, the intrepid reporters at Canoe Lake Ice Out Headquarters are on the job:
Wow!
It looks like the ice went off Canoe Lake last night Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-67504532697714957002010-03-31T11:16:00.002-04:002010-06-08T13:26:00.168-04:00Yes, the lakes are still frozenAcoustic music legend John Hartford sang this about the Mississippi River: "it's too thick to navigate, it's too thin to plow." Lakes in Algonquin Park are in a similar state at the moment. Despite the fantastic weather forecast, don't plan on canoeing in Algonquin Park this weekend. While there is some open water around the edges and few ponds are open, all lakes are shore-to-shore ice.
The Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-40294918210456270282010-03-25T10:49:00.000-04:002010-03-25T11:04:43.672-04:00Opeongo is going to Opeongo this summer!We like getting emails from customers and friends telling us about heir adventures and what Algonquin Park means to them. This is a great one:
Hi,
My name is Jessica H----. I met a colleague of yours at the Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto. He said that I should email you as he enjoyed my puppy. I have attached a picture of my puppy, a border collie, lab, german shepherd mix. I named her Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-89341849689630958012010-03-24T10:11:00.002-04:002010-03-24T10:16:08.652-04:00Winter's last gasp?The recent span of sunny warm weather has got many people thinking that spring has sprung. Most of the snow has disappeared, I've seen people in shorts, we've had calls and emails from folks thinking they would be going on a canoe trip this weekend and robins have been sighted in Huntsville. On top of that, the big lakes in Huntsville area, like Fairy and Peninsula, will likely be ice-free Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-32332769157321936482010-03-14T12:50:00.003-04:002010-03-14T15:49:12.258-04:00Ice out frenzy has begun!Someone called me the other day and commented on how that open water at the Opeongo Store sure looked inviting...
Ha Ha! They were looking at the Google Street View image in the previous post (see below), which of course is a frozen (pardon the pun) moment in time, of an unfrozen lake. This is not the case right now. Despite all the warm weather, sun and rain, lakes in Algonquin Park (and Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-79563114173221268092010-02-28T12:24:00.002-05:002010-03-14T15:49:59.121-04:00Algonquin Park in Google Street ViewWhat a world we live in!
The Google Street View camera car went to Algonquin Park (and a lot of other places). While it did pass through Oxtongue Lake, it did not drive up our road, so you can't see the Oxtongue Lake store.
Check out the view of our Opeongo Store and water taxi. You can "drive" down the Opeongo Road, Highway 60 and about halfway to Rock Lake (why didn't they go all the way?).
Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-8774649632826209232010-02-10T16:17:00.002-05:002010-03-14T15:50:29.315-04:00Winter Fun Day is coming up!Winter fun in the great outdoors is always the theme of the annual Winter Fun Day, hosted by Algonquin Outfitters, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. This free, family-oriented, event takes place at the Oxtongue Lake location, just west of Algonquin Park, on Hwy. 60, about 30 km east of Huntsville. Click here for Google Maps directions.
Winter Fun Day is designed to introduce people to self-propelled (orGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-85554973450809923502010-01-31T10:59:00.002-05:002010-01-31T11:06:20.907-05:00Treading water in the muddy pond of the HinterwebApparently my blog was posted on this Facebook feature called Networked Blogs. Luddite that I am, I of course had no clue until my techy colleague, Randy Mitson, pointed it out. So, if you are both an avid Facebooker and fan of this humble blog, you can do "one-stop shopping" by becoming a Follower. I knew I was a guru, now I can have Followers. Hope it doesn't go to my head. Please scroll down Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-87058206826448299592010-01-10T11:00:00.010-05:002010-01-10T22:12:17.216-05:00A random post about dogsRule # 1: when out in the woods, blend in and stay alert
In case you hadn't noticed, the gang here at Algonquin Outfitters is pretty dog-friendly. You never know when you might enter the store and receive a friendly greeting from Utah, Max, Hogan or any one of the regular canine visitors at Oxtongue Lake. The recent edition of one of the many email newsletters I receive contained a great ode to Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-6004860285238766332009-12-07T14:25:00.001-05:002009-12-07T15:25:02.097-05:00The long awaited BMFF film list for HuntsvilleEditor's note: If you looked at this post prior to Dec. 7, the order would have been slightly different. My gurus suggested a little schedule tweaking to improve the timing, so we moved two short films around. "Mont Blanc Speed Flying" is now on Jan. 19 and "Ultimate Skiing Showdown" is on Jan. 20. Sorry for any confusion. All the biggies are on the same nights as originally planned.At long last,Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-51799449613851042462009-12-06T10:15:00.009-05:002009-12-06T11:19:09.931-05:00The "best of" canoe trip stories 2005 - 2009Can you believe it, this blog is almost five years old!I was prompted to review old posts today when I had a request for some canoe trip stories from a British journalist. I made a list of links to send her and was astonished at the amount of stuff I have collected over the last few years. It was also an interesting review of the evolution of this blog. In the early days, when I was still using Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-61952884604920246492009-11-29T16:35:00.003-05:002009-11-29T16:42:30.435-05:00BMFF tickets are on sale now!Tickets are now on sale for both shows of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour at the Algonquin Theatre. See the post below for purchase details.The final list of films available for the World Tour has only recently been made available. I will be picking the films over the next week and hope to have them posted on this blog by next weekend.Please check back for more details on the films. IGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-67301472329808146392009-11-20T10:07:00.016-05:002009-12-17T16:03:53.249-05:00BMFF tickets go on sale November 30 in HuntsvilleAlgonquin Outfitters is proud to host the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour once again in Huntsville. Join us and ignite your passion for adventure, action and travel! Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories and take you away to the most captivating Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-11735831570911680462009-11-16T09:36:00.011-05:002009-11-16T10:42:59.794-05:00Algonquin Park canoe trip videoI'm always impressed when people make the effort to do a good job recording their adventures on camera. As a "point and shoot" type photographer, I am well aware of how easy it is to take a mediocre picture, how hard it is to take a good picture and how rare it is to take a great picture.Taking video adds an extra dimension and quite honestly, canoe tripping doesn't lend itself that well to the "Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-23262765752286276062009-11-14T10:46:00.008-05:002009-11-15T14:40:25.844-05:00In case you hadn't heard...I'm guessing that Hawksley Workman is currently spending time thinking about...Some of the great things about Algonquin ParkThe votes were counted and, lo and behold, Hawksley Workman and Algonquin Park will soon be forever intertwined in song. If any of my faithful readers helped with a vote, good for you!Listen to your local CBC Radio 2 station on November 23, as that is the day the songs will Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-24521949369792002922009-10-21T09:40:00.008-04:002009-11-14T10:45:59.030-05:00Vote for Algonquin Park! Vote for Hawksley Workman!On my scenic commute to and from Algonquin Outfitters, I listen to great music played on CBC Radio 2. If you haven't experienced Radio 2 yet, check it out at 106.9 FM in the Huntsville area, listen on-line or find your local station here.Currently, Radio 2 is featuring the Great Canadian Song Quest, which has exposed listeners to both new and established Canadian singer-songwriters and many Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-74577211114111734732009-09-27T16:23:00.024-04:002009-09-29T18:53:48.494-04:00Fan mail from happy customers17 day canoe trip + no razor = new hairstylePatrick and Hannah from the UK contacted us back in March about making plans for a fall canoe trip. After many emails back and forth, they boarded a plane, flew to Toronto, hopped on a bus to Huntsville and took a taxi to our store in Oxtongue Lake. After a night in our tent cabins, and some last minute shopping and packing, we drove them to Canoe Lake Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-13915743029934639622009-09-16T09:39:00.012-04:002009-09-16T10:55:12.119-04:00Fog, fall colours and the right formulaYou have to get up early to see these fall colours! Photo by Rob StimpsonThe fall colours are really starting to show in Algonquin Park. Right now, the best colours can be seen between the West Gate and Cache Lake, along Highway 60. I really like this stage of the colour season, when the emerging reds, oranges and yellow burst out against the backdrop of rich summer green.One of the other naturalGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-47241116064187871642009-08-04T15:59:00.004-04:002009-09-16T10:55:28.789-04:00One of our big canoes goes on a long tripExpedition Champlain 2009 is retracing a section of Samuel de Champlain's 1615 route from Huronia to Montreal and, for most of route, is using one of Algonquin Outfitters' four 26' North Canoes. Michael Arvisais and his brigade of Voyageurs left Penetanguishine on Monday, July 20, and are expected to cross infamous La Vase Portages this week. After paddling along the coast of Georgian Bay and upGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-16978171848658602202009-07-22T14:48:00.005-04:002009-09-16T10:55:43.324-04:00Imagine swimming across Algonquin ParkStarting this Saturday, July 25, two Ontario women, aided by four backcountry support crew, will be the first to swim across Algonquin Park. Kim Valenta and Nora Livingstone will cover over 60 kilometers and 25 lakes of Ontario’s wild backcountry to raise support for Toronto Wildlife Centre. Their route starts at Park Lake, near the West Gate just off Hwy 60, and follows a chain of lakes that Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-10804247996954059962009-04-26T09:23:00.006-04:002009-09-16T10:55:55.489-04:00Open water!This should be my last "ice out" report for 2009. All lakes accessible from Hwy 60 are open, including Opeongo. There is a slim chance that some interior lakes could have black ice floating around but after yesterday's high winds and heavy rain, that is pretty unlikely. The only issue facing early-season canoe trippers now is access. Some park access roads are in rough shape and may only be Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-46508942804596168762009-04-22T12:43:00.006-04:002009-04-22T13:00:48.873-04:00Algonquin fly-over ice report is upContrary to popular rumour, park staff were able to fly yesterday and have posted a detailed report with pictures. It is well worth reading as ice conditions are described as being "most unusual."The executive summary is that most Hwy 60 lakes should be passable by Saturday (with the likely exception of Opeongo) but that canoeists should expect to find certain interior lakes still frozen Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-34090120680490096112009-04-21T14:39:00.008-04:002009-04-21T15:21:31.512-04:00The view from Hwy 60Larry the Lawyer emailed the other day after seeing my pictures from April 16:Geez, will you tell Gordon enough already with the snowy pictures on the blog. I took a photo of those same canoes on the AO Winter Fun Day and there was less snow.Larry won't be happy with this report but I feel compelled to tell it like it is. Our staff are now in at the Opeongo Store, getting things ready for the Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-61497938331936754672009-04-19T12:00:00.005-04:002009-04-21T15:21:31.512-04:00Moving towards "ice out"Smoke Lake, as seen from Fisherman's Point on April 16(OK, so I'm no Ansel Adams. I just thought the image looked better in black and white.)I don't have a new ice report for Algonquin Park today but I can report that all the lakes around Huntsville are open. Fairy, Vernon and Peninsula Lakes are all ice-free. Lake of Bays is mostly open with ice in some bays. Oxtongue Lake is 70% open. There is Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-16926198727288889232009-04-16T16:31:00.005-04:002009-04-21T15:21:31.512-04:00A few pictures from todayYou'll want snowshoes to pick out a rental canoeLake of Two Rivers from Hwy 60There is a little open water on Smoke LakeYour faithful blogger paddles the dock at Smoke LakeGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-51060330458614991582009-04-15T16:27:00.005-04:002009-04-15T17:21:31.441-04:00Our blog makes the Insider ReportThanks to the nice people at Ontario Parks for including a link to this blog in their recent Insider Report on Ice Out Canoe Trips!If you are not on the "insider list," I highly recommend signing up. The reports include all kinds of interesting information about Ontario's wonderful provincial parks, as well as contests, camping tips, route suggestions and much more.While I'm at it, thanks to all Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-51294450076711163882009-04-15T10:49:00.006-04:002009-04-15T15:24:04.841-04:00Beautiful weather up here but still lots of ice!The weather has been spectacular lately. With all the sunny days, you'd think that the ice would be disappearing at a rapid rate. Unfortunately, at least for early season paddlers and spring anglers, this is not the case. Night-time temperatures are still well below freezing and the recent snow has made a nice reflective layer on top of the ice. Consequently, there has been much less ice-out Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-82756989772795403462009-04-08T16:19:00.002-04:002009-04-15T16:27:21.725-04:00Spring is over, winter has returnedI've had a few calls today from optimistic souls who thought they might go on an Easter weekend canoe trip in Algonquin Park. Regrettably, I had to inform them that they might consider hiking or even a little snowshoeing.While the heavy rains of last week gave some hope that lakes might open early, winter has reappeared. On Monday, the temperature dropped and 10 to 15 cm of fresh snow fell in andGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-63725572112647396312009-04-02T11:56:00.007-04:002009-04-15T16:27:21.726-04:00Big hole spotted in Opeongo LakeSatellite view of Opeongo, Cedar and Lavielle area from March 31.I saved this for April 2 because nobody would have believed it if I posted yesterday. AO's Opeongo Store manager, Jerry Schmanda, took a bicycle ride up Opeongo Lake the other day to check on ice conditions. He reported that the ice surface was very firm, although there is soft ice near shore. North of Bates Island, Jerry observed Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-82012955997461143242009-03-18T15:54:00.010-04:002009-03-31T10:57:32.342-04:00There is still lots of ice and snow up here!There is room to move on the Smoke Lake skating rink!Despite the recent warm weather, Algonquin Park remains covered with white stuff. Spring skiing conditions prevail!I received a first-hand report from someone who drilled a hole through Source Lake just yesterday: six inches of mushy ice over top of at least 20" of clear hard ice. The weather is predicted to change tonight and temps will drop Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-90373363668251060592009-03-18T15:22:00.002-04:002009-03-18T15:52:50.345-04:00Space Shuttle Discovery will fly over Algonquin Park TONIGHTThis just in...From: Delta Grandview Resort's Echo Valley Observatory, Astronomer: Thomas KovacsThis evening, the Space Shuttle Discovery, currently joined onto the ISS, will fly directly over Muskoka. This will be the best chance to witness this current mission.To see this for yourself regardless of where you live in Muskoka, prepare yourself by facing south-west, roughly in the direction of theGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-42447838477218945082009-03-11T09:07:00.007-04:002009-03-18T15:53:11.441-04:00Rick Mercer in Algonquin ParkMany people think that comedian Rick Mercer has the best job in Canada. He gets to travel the country, meeting interesting people and doing cool stuff. On this week's episode of the Mercer Report, Rick paid a visit to Algonquin Park and went looking for bears with research scientist Martyn Obbard.If you missed it on television, you can watch it on-line on the CBC website or by simply clicking Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-35464418712545429522009-03-03T14:45:00.003-05:002009-03-18T15:53:34.468-04:00First thoughts on ice-out '09Despite the seemingly endless winter this year (this coming from someone who loves the winter), we are thinking about spring. Or at least trying too, which isn't easy when the morning temperature has been averaging about -25 C for the last few days.Our friend Scott Hayden over at the Blue Spruce Resort reports that the ice on Oxtongue Lake is at least 36" thick. He bottomed out his ice auger theGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-39604425943530652412009-02-17T16:40:00.004-05:002009-03-18T15:53:48.485-04:00Winter Fun Day ScheduleCelebrate winter with Algonquin Outfitters!The 15th Annual Winter Fun Day will get you excited about winter! Join us for an activity-packed day with something for everyone. All events take place at Algonquin Outfitters in Oxtongue Lake, February 21, 2009. Rental/demo cross-country skis are available at no charge if participating in scheduled lessons. Please sign out equipment upstairs in the Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-45290022477557458372009-02-02T14:18:00.026-05:002009-02-03T14:38:42.239-05:00How to be a good hostOnce again, the Algonquin Theatre was packed for AO's presentation of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. If you missed our shows in Huntsville, check the World Tour web site for screening dates in other locations.Only a few seats left!Both nights were very well attended, with only a few empty seats. It is a testament to the adventurous nature of people from Huntsville (and beyond) that Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-88314246117350112372009-01-26T09:56:00.013-05:002009-01-27T10:26:48.523-05:00Winter Fun Day coming up on February 21Winter fun in the great outdoors is always the theme of Winter Fun Day, (formerly known as the Winter Assembly), hosted by Algonquin Outfitters in Oxtongue Lake. This year is the 15th annual Winter Fun Day, so plan to join us on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. We changed the name of the Winter Assembly to Winter Fun Day, because, well, that's what it is - a fun day of winter activity!Snow volleyball, Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-47268489325314718432009-01-06T15:24:00.006-05:002009-01-26T13:34:25.221-05:00AO's prize-winning bloggerJeremy in his happy placeSome guys have all the luck. Jeremy Bessey, Algonquin Outfitter's rental and outfitting supervisor, made his first blog post on the interesting Outdoorsica site and won a very nice gift certificate! Of course, he does have to go to that giant outdoor store in Toronto to spend it but we won't hold it against him.All kidding aside, congratulations Jeremy on a well-written Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-61286718405458787732008-12-12T11:39:00.013-05:002008-12-12T15:16:14.384-05:00BMFF film lists for Huntsville, Jan. 20 & 21Here it is, the film list for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour’s stop in Huntsville, Jan. 20 & 21, 2009, presented by Algonquin Outfitters. Thanks to Stefanie and Seana of the Banff Centre for their excellent advice and recommendations.Remember, if you attend both shows, save your ticket stubs and receive a one-time 15% discount on any regularly-priced item at Algonquin Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-25731600827580832282008-12-06T12:17:00.010-05:002009-01-12T09:57:21.037-05:00A little insight on film selection for the BMFFNow that tickets are on sale for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Huntsville, we get many inquiries about what films are playing each night. In order to answer this question in a roundabout way, I will now reveal how film selection works, or at least, how it works here.Algonquin Outfitters has a film selection committee of one, yours truly. Once the films are selected for the World Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-31732029163577576992008-11-29T11:33:00.006-05:002008-12-06T12:15:40.674-05:00Banff Mtn. Film Festival tickets available now!Tickets are on sale now for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Huntsville!Please note there are two shows, on Tuesday, January 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 21. Different films are shown each night. I recommend going to both! No, I haven't picked the films yet but will in the next two weeks or so. Check this blog later for a list if you would like more details on the films being shown in Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-33662943703788411812008-11-27T14:20:00.003-05:002008-12-06T12:05:44.009-05:00The things we do to stay connected...After the heavy wet snowfall we received recently, I had to trek across the AO roof with a broom and clean off the satellite dish. Despite the fact that we are not that far from civilization, satellite is our only option for high-speed internet. It's pretty reliable but the dish doesn't work too well when it is coated with an inch of crusty snow...Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-52222459048934491382008-11-24T13:54:00.003-05:002008-12-06T12:03:59.162-05:00The Algonquin webThis must be the season for creating web sites. Well, it is that awkward in-between time in this part of the world when you can't paddle because the lakes are frozen, you can't ski or snowshoe because there is not enough snow, hiking or biking is awkward because there is some snow, so what's an outdoor person to do? For some, apparently, the answer is to stay inside and make web sites. Or Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-26229499898162125192008-11-21T13:53:00.008-05:002008-12-06T12:06:56.558-05:00Handy new weather site & winter linksIf you are a weather forecast junkie like me, you'll like this handy web site created by Gord Bell, owner of the Beauview Cottage Resort in nearby Baysville.The site, called accu-window-weather, has links to a number web cams located in tourism destinations throughout Ontario. If you don't believe the forecast, there's nothing like a sneak peak to double-check!Who knows, maybe some day Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-80288299339947731732008-11-20T11:43:00.007-05:002008-12-06T12:07:23.284-05:00Winter is here!Happy winter from Algonquin Outfitters!Sometimes it is hard to believe in global warming. When I drove into Oxtongue Lake this morning, I was surprised to see that at least 75% of the main body of the lake was frozen over, an unusual event for this time of year.Well, the ice is thick enough for a fox to make tracks on it...The same scene taken on Nov. 24, 2006 - winter arrived late that yearWhileGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-60028053002132134322008-10-22T14:25:00.010-04:002008-12-06T12:15:40.674-05:00Banff Mtn. Film Festival coming Jan. 20 & 21, 2009Algonquin Outfitters presents the 2008/2009Banff Mountain Film Festival World TourTuesday, Jan. 20 & Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009Algonquin Outfitters is again bringing the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour to the beautiful Algonquin Theatre for two nights. Each evening will feature a different selection of films. Stay tuned to this blog, film descriptions will be posted mid-December.For the Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-89481250578244386742008-10-21T12:25:00.005-04:002008-12-06T12:07:23.285-05:00Snow!Tuesday, October 21 marks the date of the first significant snowfall this fall. And me without snow tires on yet...Ooops, still need to wash, er, shovel, a few canoes.The safest place for a kayak or canoe in this weather is on shore.The trusty '53 GMC is always ready to go on a canoe trip...Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-44190176074365901122008-10-01T16:40:00.003-04:002008-12-06T12:07:53.728-05:00Fall colours are peaking NOW in Algonquin ParkYou have to see it to believe it but the colours are spectacular right now. Quick, get in your car and drive north!The Algonquin Park web site has an informative page on the fall colours, with a cool graph showing leaf change activity, recommended leaf viewing locations and more.While you are there, check out the annual Fish Survey Results and start planning your spring fishing trip for 2009!Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-81730119074495143132008-09-24T11:00:00.004-04:002008-12-06T12:08:08.867-05:00See the fall colours from spaceYou don't need to buy a ticket on Richard Branson's rocket to see the world from space. Regular followers of this blog will remember that we recommend the NOAA satellite image for the Great Lakes region for following ice-out progress. These images, updated several times daily, are also a useful tool for checking on the advance of fall colours in southern Ontario. Since the colours in this image Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-24436087051738273742008-09-11T09:19:00.006-04:002008-12-06T12:08:25.774-05:00Algonquin memories of September 11Every generation has defining moments that cause people to ask "where were you on such-and-such a day." Some are celebrated, like "the day a man stepped on the moon," but sadly, most of these days are tragic, like "the day JFK was assassinated" or "the day John Lennon was shot." September 11, 2001, is now one of those defining moments and I can't help thinking thinking about my own experience Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-17156164362593789442008-08-22T14:35:00.013-04:002008-12-06T12:09:21.358-05:00Hardcore staff tripsNot looking totally into night paddling, our heroes depart the Opeongo dock.A few of the many perks of working at Algonquin Outfitters are access to canoes and tripping gear, proximity to Algonquin Park and the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors at your doorstep. Trouble is, we all still work five days a week like the rest of the world, so some of our staff try to cram a lot of paddling intoGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-34732468233009431662008-08-20T08:42:00.004-04:002008-12-06T12:09:21.358-05:00High water and bugs on the PetawawaSurf's up, on rare sunny day for this summer.Our friends from the Canpaddle expedition sent some pictures and one of the trip members created a great blog (which, for some reason, is spelled blogg across the pond) with photos, captions and some much appreciated comments about how nice the people at Algonquin Outfitters are.Uisdean M. sneaking around the big water. Most of this group paddled Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-29516794309737426162008-07-01T08:49:00.007-04:002008-12-10T04:07:11.880-05:00Happy Canada Day with Mr. CanoeheadKevin Callan and Bailey with the maple leaf canoe.Well known guidebook author and stand-up comedian, Kevin Callan, dropped by our Oxtongue Lake store for a visit yesterday while en route to another Ontario park on his summer tour. We were really impressed with his new maple leaf motif canoe, specially commissioned to celebrate National Canoe Day. After some pictures of Kevin, his dog Bailey, the Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-53050760616358113112008-06-12T10:44:00.005-04:002008-12-10T04:07:12.074-05:00Nice day for a Canpaddle!For the last few years, Algonquin Outfitters has been outfitting groups from the UK for whitewater training trips on Algonquin Park's Petawawa River. There is an surprisingly high level of canoeing culture and activity in the British Isles but they just don't have the extended wilderness river trips that we do. The "Canpaddle" crew below is a group of top-level BCU instructors and Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-29610441075221193472008-04-28T11:05:00.006-04:002008-12-10T04:07:12.367-05:00A little blast of winterRick, Steve and Bernie are in good spirits despite the new snow!Rick is the Canadian distributor for the famous EGB brand of trout lures. They decided to warm up at our Oxtongue Lake store before heading back into Algonquin Park for more product testing. The weather is expected to improve tomorrow. As you can see, early season canoe trippers should be ready for anything!Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-74525573667919601102008-04-27T15:56:00.002-04:002008-12-06T12:12:21.655-05:00Opeongo ice reportThis just in.As the park's report from Friday has indicated, most small to medium sized lakes in Algonquin Park are open. As of 3 pm today (Sunday, April 27), you could get as far as the East Arm Narrows. Currently the North Arm and East Arm are inaccessible by boat. After wind and rain yesterday, plus more wind today. Conditions are changing hourly.If you are going to Opeongo Lake this week, theGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-53323625810492395612008-04-23T10:53:00.011-04:002008-12-10T04:07:14.210-05:00Ice from the airCurrent conditions, based on info from park staff:Streams and rivers are open. Water levels are very high and still rising.In general, all interior lakes are frozen solid up to the shore.Several access roads are impassable due to washouts and/or snow.Check the Algonquin Park spring ice update for more details and safety messages.Check the NOAA satellite images for big lake conditionsThe good newsGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718213851024460924noreply@blogger.com0