Ontario
Words can’t describe the Kopka Gorge. Three major waterfalls cascade brilliantly through a glacially carved canyon. The portages are difficult, and the third trail drops 150 feet, straight off a cliff. Here, canoe parties must carefully hand the canoes down with climbing ropes. Tent bags are another story...
Ropes Portages, Kopka River Gorge
August 1, 2006
July 11, 2006
Mondale Falls, Allanwater River
As a camper, I portaged past this short drop at the outlet of Mondale Lake on the Allanwater River. We successfully ran the chute two times in a 17-foot Fraser Prospector upon returning with Tyson Schoelzel in 2004 and Nate Beck in 2005.
We had no idea what to expect in 2006. We had vague notes on portage trails and a short email description from a paddler who had traveled this route from the Albany River to the headwaters of the Attwood River system in the 1980’s.
In the end, we spent two hard days of wading, lining, and portaging upstream to Shabuskwia Lake. A tough slog, for sure, but we found one of the most isolated areas of Wabakimi Provincial Park. Brook trout swam past our boats, crusty blazes marked old portage trails, and thick black spruce padded the river’s shoreline.
Shabuskwia River
July 19, 2006
Keewaydin’s first Outpost exploration trip in 30 years began on the North Pipestone River above Frog Rapid Gorge. Downstream of Horseshoe Lake, on the Pipestone River, the Section created a make-shift campsite in the middle of blow-downs and hungry black flies. The most impressive innovation was a log-round oven thrown together upon arrival.
Pipestone River
July 13, 2007