tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125724732024-03-17T04:57:01.672-04:00The Algonquin Outfitters blog archivesGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-71293676729119107092012-11-19T16:01:00.000-05:002012-11-19T16:01:49.764-05:00The AO blog has moved...
If you want to see the latest blog posts, please visit our active blog at:
algonquinoutfitters.com/blog/
But since you're here, feel free to browse around and read what we have been
blogging about since 2005. There is some good stuff in here!
Sunset moose in Hailstorm Creek. Photo: J. Schmanda
Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-86030650398780932992012-04-01T10:58:00.000-04:002012-04-01T10:59:15.861-04:00Oh, by the way, Opeongo is ice-free. For now.We made the official call on Thursday, March 29, and announced it on our Facebook page. Unfortunately, we bloggers just can't seem to keep up with those Facebookers.
Now that lakes in Algonquin Park are open, there seems to be a growing
buzz about Easter weekend canoe trips. Here are some things to consider:
The Oxtongue Lake store (and all AO locations) will be closed on Good
Friday. Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-36110009734209415772012-03-27T14:30:00.000-04:002012-03-27T16:48:30.430-04:00Is Lake Opeongo open yet?Our friends at Canoelake.ca are calling Canoe Lake open, with the qualification that there is still ice floating around. Since we don't have people "on the ground" at Opeongo, or better yet, "on the water," our call will be based on the satellite image. As of 4:30-ish yesterday (see previous post), sat images show significant ice still in the east arm and in the narrows between the north and Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-34099265711413926542012-03-26T17:10:00.000-04:002012-03-26T17:12:14.637-04:00Wow.
Satellite image from today. Lake Opeongo is just right of centre.
This year will set another early ice-out record. Looks like a lot of ice is left in Big Trout but other than that Algonquin Park is mostly open water. High winds will have pushed any remaining ice into the south ends of many lakes. The water is still frigid and the expected low tonight is -12 C. I'd recommend waiting a bit Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-79889374998628443592012-03-23T10:52:00.000-04:002012-03-23T10:52:08.053-04:00Ice-out 2012: where is the drama?If you do search through this blog (click the label "ice-out reports for Algonquin Park" in the "things we blog about" box to the right) and read the ice-out reports over the years, you will notice that the seasons with "normal" or "late" ice-out seem to create the create the most excitement. In years like those, we outfitters are hoping that the ice and snow will disappear in time for us Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-27357892893004493942012-03-18T11:31:00.000-04:002012-03-18T11:31:31.842-04:00Oxtongue Lake ice update 3/18/12: summer is the new springAs I am sure I don't need to remind you, the weather has been a little balmy this week. Kind of "barmy" if you ask me, because I am still thinking that I am not done with winter activities yet. Looking at the forecast, I apparently need get over it and put the skis away:
Note the temperature drop at the end of the week. Back to normal?
That said, except for a few open stretches of fast Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-60767528404049252332012-03-15T15:18:00.001-04:002012-03-15T15:22:58.922-04:00A Meanest Link trip report and a quick ice update for your reading pleasure
A Meanest Link report!
Scott Rogers is the first member of the "Six On Six" group to get a trip report on-line. And what a report it is! Well-written, full of great pictures and humour, it definitely does not gloss over the challenges of the trip. Make yourself a couple of pots of tea for this one, because with a 15-day trip, it is no surprise that he created a 15-page report:
smedleyco.com/Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572473.post-57884804751231411632012-02-25T10:29:00.000-05:002012-03-23T11:31:48.989-04:00Um, excuse me, it is still winter up here!If you are living in some snow-less zone and are pining for a little winter activity, don't forget that things change as you drive north. Muskoka and Algonquin Park received an unexpected blast of fresh snow yesterday and I would say that is is now officially "full-on winter" up here. Come on up and snowshoe, ski, go for a walk, build an igloo, whatever floats your boat!
The flag is flying andGordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com0tag: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 Gordon Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137494172126377630noreply@blogger.com01035 Algonquin Outfitters Rd, Dwight, ON P0A 1H0, Canada45.380366703625278 -78.92560958862304745.374790203625281 -78.935480088623052 45.385943203625274 -78.915739088623042tag: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 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-9636271971872864372011-10-24T10:10:00.000-04:002012-03-15T15:25:40.768-04:00A 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-26807440568525218092011-07-09T09:31:00.000-04:002012-03-15T15:25:59.306-04:00The 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-17490923633436309212011-05-01T11:36:00.000-04:002012-03-23T11:31:48.984-04:00We'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 Gordon 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 Gordon 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.com1tag: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.com0