This looks like a fun trip, no crazy long or hilly Portages and the scenery is beautiful. I have to say your Wife does an excellent job with the camera. Looking forward to part 2.
You're correct that the route is relatively flat; lots of beaver dams to get over and a few portages, but nothing long or hilly. And my wife will be pleased to hear what you said about her camera work. Because nothing I say is scripted, she has to make snap decisions about where to point the camera, when to zoom, when to pan, when to linger on a subject, all while trying to make sure that I'm still audible by the camera's mic. It's a thankless job, so we appreciate you noticing. Cheers, - Martin
It's always a treat seeing someplace you've been in another's camping video, isn't it? Brings back warm memories for me, whenever that happens. Happy camping! - Martin
It is absolutely worth it. And it should be said, it's not at all so difficult earlier in the season when water levels are higher. Thanks for watching and posting a comment, - Martin
Thanks brother. That first day was challenging in more ways than one, as you'll see in the next installment. lol Our plans went all to hell. Thanks for watching, - Martin
Hi Martin. Thanks for the great information and for being generous with the names of locations and with your tactics. Will have to give it a try one day. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Thank you Gwyn. I'm ordinarily very tight-lipped about the Crown land destinations we frequent, but this one has been featured in a number of videos by others and is already a fairly well-travelled route with established portages and campsites, so it's a good place for people new to Crown land camping to visit. Cheers, - Martin
Yes, indeed, arriving at that familiar campsite made the difficulties more than worth it. Island Lake is a beautiful and special place for us, especially that island site. Cheers, - Martin
I have never been to this area. I will get more details from you when I meet up with you... looking forward to part 2 Martin... Dennis, Canoehound Adventures
Great video as always! Been to the area a few times, last was two years back. First time I went there I used the great tools you referenced for finding Crown Land sites in Ontario video (a must see for new crown land campers!)
Thanks, Rob. And I'm glad you have had the pleasure of visiting that system. Thanks for the nod about my how-to-find Crown land video. Cheers, - Martin
As always, great video Martin, an informative lesson in dealing with some of the late season challenges in the back country ... looking forward to the next one
Thanks for the kind words, Tom. We always try to make our videos instructive. In the next installment, our plans fall apart and we have to come up with a new plan. Cheers, - Martin
Great stuff! We used to talk on different forums, I remember when you bought your Bluewater Mist, fun to see you in my old stomping grounds. Looking forward to see the loop you take, and I didn't see a single fishing rod so far.
I think you may have me confused with someone else, Chuck. I have never owned or paddled a Bluewater Mist, though it's not at all unlikely we've interacted on various paddling/camping forums. And while you didn't see a fishing rod, we did have one. Plenty of fishing in the forthcoming installments of this trip log. Cheers! - Martin
Fabulous video Martin, looking forward to Part II. Your bride has become quite the the accomplished cinematographer. You achieve a (to me) remarkably small pack volume, especially since that includes food. Any chance you might share a pack / food video someday? More of your wife's food prep videos would be very welcome too!
Thank you Jamie, from both me and my wife. You're going to get your wish, as we fully intend to do videos specifically about what we pack and how we keep our food volume so small. In fact, you will get a preview of that in the 3rd installment in this trip log, where we discuss how we can manage to travel for nearly two weeks carrying everything in only two 75 litre canoe packs. Cheers, - Martin
Thank you! I definitely intend to do some videos about what foods we bring and how I pack and prepare them. However as you will see we follow a diet which makes low pack size much easier then the standard diet and while we love it it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Hi Martin! Just curious as to the size of your dry packs.. I’m trying to whittle my gear down to one pack and having a hard time. Can’t wait for the rest of your series!
Our dry packs are the 75 liter canoe packs made by Eureka. We have a little extra gear that we might need in a hurry (work gloves, tarp, first aid kit, etc.) in a zippered pouch that is strapped to the top of each pack, but aside from that, everything fits in the two 75 liter packs, including all our food. In the third installment of this trip log, we show how and why we're able to fit all our food easily into the bottom of just one of those packs. Cheers, - Martin
The thing I have noticed is that many of the Canadian TH-camr's carry bear spray on them on there canoe trips. I have never seen anyone carrying it in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Do you have that many more bears issues up there? It is legal to hunt bears in the BWCA in the fall so maybe the camp robbers are taken care of that way.
I live in black bear country, so it's a necessary precaution. We do have a bear hunting season in these parts, so I could only guess as to why we have more bears up this way (assuming we do in fact have more bears, which might not be the case). The fact that a lot of people from the US camp with firearms may be a factor as to why they don't carry bear spray. So, the difference may have more to do with laws and cultural habits than to do with any difference in the numbers of bears. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, - Martin
Certainly, if I were going solo, it would have been rather discouraging, as wading and lining a boat and all those carries is harder when you have to do it all yourself. I certainly doubt I'd have recorded any of it. But having a partner, such as my wife, who is keen to press on, come what may, makes all the difference. When one of us is having second-thoughts about continuing, the other says or does what's necessary to keep the forward momentum going. Honestly, there is no more valuable thing you can bring on a canoe trip, than a good tripping partner. Cheers, - Martin
Hi Martyn Thanks for a really comprehensive answer. On one of my trips last summer my oldest grand came along & sure made it easier for me to have a more complete trip. Thanks Brian 79
Id hate the low water your going through , , pretty area though, have to love crown land camping , there is nothing like it, I have to crown land camp in spots one can drive to , One up on the Pickerel river is in the area i go. so nice when there is no crowds of people, no fee,s and the such. nice video
Thanks, Sue. Yeah, the Island Lake and Barrens Conservation area is great in that there's easy parking right at the put-in compared to some Crown land routes where one has to portage some distance from where one could park to where one can start paddling. Cheers, - Martin
It is a great area. We've also camped in the adjacent Noganosh system. It too is a beautiful area. I think that system has been impacted somewhat more by the fly-in fishing camps that operate there, but it's great because once you're in there, it's days of portage-free exploring. Cheers, - Martin
@@PineMartyn Yes , it also helps if the area is away from the main snowmobile trail system , watch is a magnet for off road vehicles in the off season. Really enjoying the videos lately , thanks.
When I got home I checked our photo albums I saw we'd been there years before in late August and in early September, and while the water had been low during the August trip, it was not so low that we had to constantly get out of the canoe, except at the very end, before the last portage. But, as you know, such inconveniences and challenges are what make these canoe trips memorable. Cheers, - Martin
We do indeed. The real key is in the food one brings. In the third installment in this trip log, we will be showing how and why we're able to pack enough food for both of us for more than 11 days and yet fit it all into the bottom of just one 75 liter pack. Cheers, - Martin
The Scenery and Serenity at the End made it Worth it, but Is this Normal for a Canoe Outing... Maybe Canoehound doesn't show this part on his videos 😂😂😂...
The beauty and serenity of that place did make the effort to get there all worth it. Is this sort of thing normal for a canoe trip, you ask? Yes. It's common. Doesn't happen every time, but on most of our Crown land trips we encounter some sort obstacle or challenge that makes the trip unforgettable. I'm confident Dennis has experience similar and worse challenges. Cheers, - Martin
Sorry, I've only just now noticed this comment. I assume you're referring to lowering the canoe down to the water from carrying overhead while standing on a steep slope and not slipping. Yes, practice is a big part of it - learning how to maintain one's balance when the footing is less than optimal. But in addition to simple practice are two other considerations: footwear and canoe weight. I wear hiking boots or river shoes made with soft rubber soles which grip stones, logs, packed dirt, etc., much better than would hard-soled rubber footwear. So, the hiking boots I bring on a canoe trip are different than the ones I'd wear on hiking trip through rocky hills or mountains or bare deserts, which call for a harder sole that won't wear out so fast, but are not as grippy. The other variable is the weight of the canoe. My canoe in this video is very light - about 37lbs - for a 16' tandem boat, which makes it easier to lower under control. My old 60 lb prospector was harder to lower under control and would necessitate I take more care about the slope I was standing on. If I'd had the heavier boat, I'd have lowered it much sooner, where the ground was more level, farther from the water's edge, to minimize the risk of a slip and fall. And if the footing is really precarious, I just ask my partner to help me with lowering the boat. Thanks for the question. Cheers, - Martin
The clothing to reduce injuries ! Amazing tip ! Thank you!
Nice, I remember going on Farm Creek towards Island Lake but the water was higher. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like a fun trip, no crazy long or hilly Portages and the scenery is beautiful. I have to say your Wife does an excellent job with the camera. Looking forward to part 2.
You're correct that the route is relatively flat; lots of beaver dams to get over and a few portages, but nothing long or hilly.
And my wife will be pleased to hear what you said about her camera work. Because nothing I say is scripted, she has to make snap decisions about where to point the camera, when to zoom, when to pan, when to linger on a subject, all while trying to make sure that I'm still audible by the camera's mic. It's a thankless job, so we appreciate you noticing.
Cheers,
- Martin
I took a group of friends on this trip. Stunning spot to canoe and camp. I will be back for sure someday to enjoy it further. Keep it up.
It's always a treat seeing someplace you've been in another's camping video, isn't it? Brings back warm memories for me, whenever that happens.
Happy camping!
- Martin
Looks like all the hard work was worth it though. Looks like a beautiful lake with a great campsite.
It is absolutely worth it. And it should be said, it's not at all so difficult earlier in the season when water levels are higher.
Thanks for watching and posting a comment,
- Martin
A tough start Martin with all the low level and non existent water. Beautiful area though! Can’t wait to see what happens next. Thanks brother!
Thanks brother. That first day was challenging in more ways than one, as you'll see in the next installment. lol Our plans went all to hell.
Thanks for watching,
- Martin
Hi Martin. Thanks for the great information and for being generous with the names of locations and with your tactics. Will have to give it a try one day. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Thank you Gwyn. I'm ordinarily very tight-lipped about the Crown land destinations we frequent, but this one has been featured in a number of videos by others and is already a fairly well-travelled route with established portages and campsites, so it's a good place for people new to Crown land camping to visit.
Cheers,
- Martin
Ahhhh Yes, The Camp Site, Well worth All The Portages. Looking forward to part-2 ! ATB T God Bless
Yes, indeed, arriving at that familiar campsite made the difficulties more than worth it. Island Lake is a beautiful and special place for us, especially that island site.
Cheers,
- Martin
Fantastic ! Can’t wait for part two ! Cheers
Thanks buddy. Glad you enjoyed it.
Cheers!
- Martin
I have never been to this area. I will get more details from you when I meet up with you... looking forward to part 2 Martin... Dennis, Canoehound Adventures
For sure, Dennis. Perhaps we can go together next year.
Cheers,
- Martin
Great video as always! Been to the area a few times, last was two years back. First time I went there I used the great tools you referenced for finding Crown Land sites in Ontario video (a must see for new crown land campers!)
Thanks, Rob. And I'm glad you have had the pleasure of visiting that system. Thanks for the nod about my how-to-find Crown land video.
Cheers,
- Martin
Looking forward to part 2! thank you for posting Martin glad to see (well hear mainly) Mrs PineMartyn!!
I appreciate that. And you will be seeing (and hearing) plenty of Mrs. PineMartin in the forthcoming installments of this trip log.
Cheers,
- Martin
Well done Martin! Can't wait for part 2. I been looking for somewhere to go next year...this may be it,
Thanks, Mike. Island Lake is a gorgeous place, to be sure, with lots of places to explore in and around it.
Cheers,
- Martin
As always, great video Martin, an informative lesson in dealing with some of the late season challenges in the back country ... looking forward to the next one
Thanks for the kind words, Tom. We always try to make our videos instructive. In the next installment, our plans fall apart and we have to come up with a new plan.
Cheers,
- Martin
Great stuff!
We used to talk on different forums, I remember when you bought your Bluewater Mist, fun to see you in my old stomping grounds. Looking forward to see the loop you take, and I didn't see a single fishing rod so far.
I think you may have me confused with someone else, Chuck. I have never owned or paddled a Bluewater Mist, though it's not at all unlikely we've interacted on various paddling/camping forums. And while you didn't see a fishing rod, we did have one. Plenty of fishing in the forthcoming installments of this trip log.
Cheers!
- Martin
Fabulous video Martin, looking forward to Part II. Your bride has become quite the the accomplished cinematographer. You achieve a (to me) remarkably small pack volume, especially since that includes food. Any chance you might share a pack / food video someday? More of your wife's food prep videos would be very welcome too!
Thank you Jamie, from both me and my wife. You're going to get your wish, as we fully intend to do videos specifically about what we pack and how we keep our food volume so small. In fact, you will get a preview of that in the 3rd installment in this trip log, where we discuss how we can manage to travel for nearly two weeks carrying everything in only two 75 litre canoe packs.
Cheers,
- Martin
Thank you! I definitely intend to do some videos about what foods we bring and how I pack and prepare them. However as you will see we follow a diet which makes low pack size much easier then the standard diet and while we love it it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Never seen chairs like that before... can you provide links or details?
(ps: came here from Kevin Callan's channel ...)
Thanks for checking out my channel, Art. The chairs we use for our canoe trips are from Rockwater Designs.
Cheers,
- Martin
Hi Martin! Just curious as to the size of your dry packs.. I’m trying to whittle my gear down to one pack and having a hard time. Can’t wait for the rest of your series!
Our dry packs are the 75 liter canoe packs made by Eureka. We have a little extra gear that we might need in a hurry (work gloves, tarp, first aid kit, etc.) in a zippered pouch that is strapped to the top of each pack, but aside from that, everything fits in the two 75 liter packs, including all our food. In the third installment of this trip log, we show how and why we're able to fit all our food easily into the bottom of just one of those packs.
Cheers,
- Martin
Just started following. These trips you take are amazing. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to more videos.
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and leave a comment.
Cheers,
- Martin
The thing I have noticed is that many of the Canadian TH-camr's carry bear spray on them on there canoe trips. I have never seen anyone carrying it in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Do you have that many more bears issues up there? It is legal to hunt bears in the BWCA in the fall so maybe the camp robbers are taken care of that way.
I live in black bear country, so it's a necessary precaution. We do have a bear hunting season in these parts, so I could only guess as to why we have more bears up this way (assuming we do in fact have more bears, which might not be the case). The fact that a lot of people from the US camp with firearms may be a factor as to why they don't carry bear spray. So, the difference may have more to do with laws and cultural habits than to do with any difference in the numbers of bears.
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
- Martin
Hi Martyn: Great trip but the low water would be too much for me to handle in one swoop. You guys are very determined. Thanks Brian 79
Certainly, if I were going solo, it would have been rather discouraging, as wading and lining a boat and all those carries is harder when you have to do it all yourself. I certainly doubt I'd have recorded any of it. But having a partner, such as my wife, who is keen to press on, come what may, makes all the difference. When one of us is having second-thoughts about continuing, the other says or does what's necessary to keep the forward momentum going. Honestly, there is no more valuable thing you can bring on a canoe trip, than a good tripping partner.
Cheers,
- Martin
Hi Martyn Thanks for a really comprehensive answer. On one of my trips last summer my oldest grand came along & sure made it easier for me to have a more complete trip. Thanks Brian 79
Id hate the low water your going through , , pretty area though, have to love crown land camping , there is nothing like it, I have to crown land camp in spots one can drive to , One up on the Pickerel river is in the area i go. so nice when there is no crowds of people, no fee,s and the such. nice video
Thanks, Sue. Yeah, the Island Lake and Barrens Conservation area is great in that there's easy parking right at the put-in compared to some Crown land routes where one has to portage some distance from where one could park to where one can start paddling.
Cheers,
- Martin
Great spot , I am very familiar with the Noganosh area.
It is a great area. We've also camped in the adjacent Noganosh system. It too is a beautiful area. I think that system has been impacted somewhat more by the fly-in fishing camps that operate there, but it's great because once you're in there, it's days of portage-free exploring.
Cheers,
- Martin
@@PineMartyn Yes , it also helps if the area is away from the main snowmobile trail system , watch is a magnet for off road vehicles in the off season. Really enjoying the videos lately , thanks.
Water levels were similarly low, or even lower on farm creek when I did this last summer.
When I got home I checked our photo albums I saw we'd been there years before in late August and in early September, and while the water had been low during the August trip, it was not so low that we had to constantly get out of the canoe, except at the very end, before the last portage. But, as you know, such inconveniences and challenges are what make these canoe trips memorable.
Cheers,
- Martin
Omg you guys pack light
We do indeed. The real key is in the food one brings. In the third installment in this trip log, we will be showing how and why we're able to pack enough food for both of us for more than 11 days and yet fit it all into the bottom of just one 75 liter pack.
Cheers,
- Martin
I’m so impressed.
@@terlorskitch I'm not sure what impressed you, but I hope you enjoyed watching.
Cheers!
- Martin
The Scenery and Serenity at the End made it Worth it, but Is this Normal for a Canoe Outing... Maybe Canoehound doesn't show this part on his videos 😂😂😂...
The beauty and serenity of that place did make the effort to get there all worth it. Is this sort of thing normal for a canoe trip, you ask? Yes. It's common. Doesn't happen every time, but on most of our Crown land trips we encounter some sort obstacle or challenge that makes the trip unforgettable. I'm confident Dennis has experience similar and worse challenges.
Cheers,
- Martin
@@PineMartyn It was an awesome place when you finally got there, Has your Canoe ever flipped with your Wife in it? Have a great weekend 😊
7:20 I have fallen in that situation many times. Any other tips? I feel like its mostly a practice thing.
Sorry, I've only just now noticed this comment. I assume you're referring to lowering the canoe down to the water from carrying overhead while standing on a steep slope and not slipping.
Yes, practice is a big part of it - learning how to maintain one's balance when the footing is less than optimal. But in addition to simple practice are two other considerations: footwear and canoe weight. I wear hiking boots or river shoes made with soft rubber soles which grip stones, logs, packed dirt, etc., much better than would hard-soled rubber footwear. So, the hiking boots I bring on a canoe trip are different than the ones I'd wear on hiking trip through rocky hills or mountains or bare deserts, which call for a harder sole that won't wear out so fast, but are not as grippy.
The other variable is the weight of the canoe. My canoe in this video is very light - about 37lbs - for a 16' tandem boat, which makes it easier to lower under control. My old 60 lb prospector was harder to lower under control and would necessitate I take more care about the slope I was standing on. If I'd had the heavier boat, I'd have lowered it much sooner, where the ground was more level, farther from the water's edge, to minimize the risk of a slip and fall. And if the footing is really precarious, I just ask my partner to help me with lowering the boat.
Thanks for the question.
Cheers,
- Martin
How do we get to blueberry island