WILDERNESS PROGRAM 40th ANNIVERSARY REUNION TRIP

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BOREAL FOREST WILDERNESS CANOEING, NORTHERN ONTARIO

FEATURES OF THIS COURSE:

THE COURSE:
Water Wilderness first started exploring and canoeing near Dryden in southern Ontario in 1972. Unfortunately, a road cut through the middle of this area in 1976 significantly diminished its wilderness qualities and Earlham Wilderness decided to move north. Since then students have canoed through Wabikimi as it has expanded to more than 2 million acres of protected wilderness.  It is a spectacular waterway of lakes, rivers, bogs, and northern boreal forest. In addition to canoeing across and portaging between these remote lakes, there will be ample opportunity for afternoon swims, personal time, and shared stories by the campfire.

The dense boreal forests of Wabikimi grow on some of the planet’s oldest rock. Known as the Canadian Shield, these granite outcrops are covered by a variety of lichens and comprise nearly a quarter of the park. The forests here are mostly coniferous, made up of species like black spruce and jackpine and larch, and blankets of sphagnum moss cover everything in between. Due to the immense density of vegetation, this ecosystem is home to masses of wildlife including moose, black bears, woodland caribou, eagles, and loons.

Instructors will help guide participants through the terrain though everyone will be expected to do their share of the work including pack and canoe carries, campsite set-up, and meal preparation. Along the way, there will be opportunities to learn new camping and paddling skills and appreciate the local natural history.

A TYPICAL DAY
A typical day might involve an early start at 6:00am for morning chores, a quick but tasty breakfast of hot granola and dried fruit, and some time to load up the canoes and breakdown camp by 8:00am. You might paddle 4-6 kilometers and take a break right before your first “portage” (a land trail between lakes) of the day. After scouting the portage, you’ll organize your group into carry teams to move your gear and boats from one lake to the other (the trail might be as long as a kilometer through wet and boggy terrain). As you experience the challenge of carrying a boat on your back, your boat buddy is right there to switch off and supply emotional support. You might get through in “one carry” without resting and you’ll find hidden reserves you did not know you had. After a hearty lunch of bagels, peanut butter, dried fruit, and cheese, you are off again, paddling another 2-3 kilometers to an island on the middle of a quiet lake.

After a break, its one final push to camp… but wait! It seems as though the group missed the inlet to camp. After a group discussion to determine where you think you are, the instructors figure out the mistake and you paddle for an hour longer than you had hoped. You are tired, but invigorated from the day’s challenges. Once on shore, you immediately divide into chore groups- fire and kitchen set-up, camp set-up, and boat storage. As one group cooks dinner, you might have time to sit by the lake, listen to the loons, and write in your journal. After a yummy dinner of beans, rice, tortillas, and salsa, you gather together as a group to converse about the day and swap stories about Earlham. As the sun sets around 10pm (and the mosquito’s arrive in earnest!) you retreat to your tent with three other tentmates and catch-up on reading, journaling, and sleep. Of course, remember that a “typical day” can be planned but the unexpected cannot!

PHYSICAL CONDITIONING:
When portaging, packs will weigh between 50-75 pounds at their heaviest. As a result, conditioning before your course is important for your safety and the safety of others. It will also add to your enjoyment of the wilderness experience.  We cannot emphasize enough the importance of starting a conditioning routine well before your course. We want to encourage, not intimidate you.  This course can be strenuous, but the physical challenges are well within the ability of a person in good general fitness.  Being in shape will not guarantee you an easy time on your course but it will allow you to focus on enjoying the companionship of others, learning skills, and observing the beauty of the natural landscape.

This course requires both strength (lifting packs, paddling boats) and stamina (long days portaging or in boats).  In addition to doing strength training, be sure to do endurance related activities such as jogging, hiking, cycling, or swimming.  Anything that gets your heart rate up for more than 30 minutes will help build your aerobic fitness.

If you’re beginning a fitness routine, start slowly.  Aim for three sessions a week for about 30-45 minutes each.  Gradually increase length and frequency.

ILLNESS AND INJURY:
Injuries and illness are not common on Wilderness Program trips, but they can occur. Our staff members are trained in first aid and carry sufficient resources for emergency medical services if they are required. When severe injury or illness requires evacuation and/or professional medical care, the injured person is responsible for costs incurred on her or his behalf. This includes the cost of transportation from the backcountry to medical facilities. If the illness prevents the participant from returning to the wilderness, he or she must pay the cost of public transportation home. Insurance may cover medical expenses and sometimes covers evacuation costs.

If you have questions or reservations regarding the information presented, please contact the Wilderness Office.

Contact Us:

Wilderness Programs
801 National Road West, Drawer 87
Richmond, IN 47374
phone:(765) 973-2121; fax: (765) 983-1207
Wilderness@earlham.edu