Heading for Open Waters

HeadingForOpenWaters' photostream

2011-12-05T01:40:00.001-05:00

HeadingForOpenWaters' photostream on Flickr.

I thought I would the link to my Flickr Photostream , this where I will be sharing pictures from the canoe trip.

Files + Links Update

2011-12-04T16:55:00.001-05:00

I added a files link in the side-bar to share some resource guides I have found related to the Trans-Canadian canoe trip.

Enjoy !

A Guide to Canoeing on the Clearwater River PDF

Manitoba Trip Reports PDF

The Methye Portage PDF

Paddle Alberta Guide to the Clearwater River PDF

All copyrighted material is owned by its respected owners. These links are strictly provide as resource materials. No ownership is assumed by myself !

Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 3 Garmin .GPX Map File

2011-12-04T14:14:00.001-05:00

Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 3 Garmin .GPX Map File

These files can be opened in Basecamp and customized , then exported to your Garmin GPS of choice.
This is the same information that's contained in the Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 3 Google Earth file as well , just more customized for Garmin GPS users.
It will probably help if you also have the Garmin Canada Map DVD installed to see this route in greater detail.

Download here >>>>>> Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 3 Garmin .GPX Map File

Sturgeon-Weir - River Part 2 Garmin .GPX Map File

2011-12-04T13:56:00.001-05:00

Sturgeon-Weir - River Part 2 Garmin .GPX Map File

These files can be opened in Basecamp and customized , then exported to your Garmin GPS of choice.
This is the same information that's contained in the Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 2 Google Earth file as well , just more customized for Garmin GPS users.
It will probably help if you also have the Garmin Canada Map DVD installed to see this route in greater detail.

Download here >>>>>> Sturgeon-Weir - River Part 2 Garmin .GPX Map File

Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 1 Garmin .GPX Map File

2011-12-04T01:31:00.001-05:00

Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 1 Garmin .GPX Map File

These files can be opened in Basecamp and customized , then exported to your Garmin GPS of choice.
This is the same information that's contained in the Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 1 Google Earth file as well , just more customized for Garmin GPS users.
It will probably help if you also have the Garmin Canada Map DVD installed to see this route in greater detail.

Download here >>>>>> Sturgeon-Weir River - Part 1 Garmin .GPX Map File

Saskatchewan River - Garmin .GPX Map File

2011-12-04T01:03:00.001-05:00

Saskatchewan River - Garmin .GPX Map File

These files can be opened in Basecamp and customized , then exported to your Garmin GPS of choice.
This is the same information that's contained in the Saskatchewan River Google Earth file as well , just more customized for Garmin GPS users.
It will probably help if you also have the Garmin Canada Map DVD installed to see this route in greater detail.

Download here >>>>>> Saskatchewan River - Garmin .GPX Map File

Lake Winnipeg - Garmin .GPX Map File

2011-12-04T00:37:00.001-05:00

Lake Winnipeg - Garmin .GPX Map File

These files can be opened in Basecamp and customized , then exported to your Garmin GPS of choice.
This is the same information that's contained in the Lake Winnipeg Google Earth file as well , just more customized for Garmin GPS users.
It will probably help if you also have the Garmin Canada Map DVD installed to see this route in greater detail.

Download here >>>>>> Lake Winnipeg Garmin .GPX Map File

Winnipeg River - Garmin .GPX Map File

2011-12-03T21:01:00.001-05:00

           Winnipeg River - Garmin .GPX Map File

I recently picked up a Garmin Etrex 20 for the trip and thought that I would share all Garmin .GPX files that I have been using to customize my route in the Garmin Basecamp Application. These files can be opened in Basecamp and customized , then exported to your Garmin GPS of choice.
This is the same information that's contained in the Winnipeg River Google Earth file as well , just more customized for Garmin GPS users.
It will probably help if you also have the Garmin Canada Map DVD installed to see this route in greater detail.

Download here >>>>>    Winnipeg River Garmin .GPX Map File

Lake Winnipeg - Google Earth Route Map

2011-11-27T14:18:00.001-05:00

This one is pretty straight forward. Heads down , paddles up !

The area covered in this map is from Traverse Bay , Lake Winnipeg to the head of the Saskatchewan River on Cedar Lake.

Google Earth Route Map Download here >>>>> Lake Winnipeg - Google Earth Route Map

Winnipeg River - Google Earth Map

2011-11-27T11:39:00.000-05:00

First off , is the Winnipeg River. I have tried my hardest to include all relevant information for the backcountry traveler. I have noted all generating stations and dams , portage locations , known camping sites , public picnic areas , Whiteshell PP shelters , rest stops , etc.

Please use this information with care when planning your trip , and use extra care when approaching or re-embarking around the many dams.
The area of the trip covered here is from Kenora , Ontario to Traverse Bay in Manitoba on Lake Winnipeg.

Download here >>>> Winnipeg River - Google Earth Map

Google Earth Mapping

2011-11-26T21:19:00.001-05:00

One of the biggest obstacle's to overcome is the amount of mapping involved. There is no one single map resource for a trip of this magnitude , all the mapping must be pieced together from a multitude of sources. I'm kinda hoping that this site can become that shared resource on the internet , that other trippers can turn to for answers and share their experiences as well , for the grand Trans-Canadian canoe experience.

Over the last 2 months (and still continuing :-\) , I having been compiling the route using the Garmin BaseCamp software and Google Earth to encompass all the information that I am able to obtain , either from the internet , through guide books , city and provincial park maps into a giant database of backcountry information. From remote campsites , upstream and downstream portage landings and suitable food and fuel resupply points in-between , as well as points of cultural interest too .

Please remember that these maps are always meant to be used in conjunction with actual topographic maps and are not a replacement for them ! The goal is supply some detailed information that just isn't on the topos.

Download links are in the Google Earth Route Map section of the right-hand side.

UPADTE COMING SOON !!!

2011-11-26T12:10:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of any real updates for the last couple of months but I have been planning full steam ahead and have lots to share with you guys.

So , with that said I will be updating again on regular basis.

LEG 2 - Lake Winnipeg Topo Maps

2011-08-12T22:18:00.004-04:00

Leg 2 of the trip is Lake Winnipeg , so you guessed it ...... these are the Lake Winnipeg topographical maps from the Canadian Government. This series of 50k & 250k maps will cover from the end of the Winnipeg River at Fort Alexander all the way to the northwest end of the Lake at Grand Rapids. Lake Winnipeg is very large and shallow , which makes it prone to big waves when the winds to start to pick up , which means I will have to travel north along the eastern shore of the Lake until I reach the narrows before I can attempt to cross and continue to push northwards to the mouth of the Saskatchewan River at Grand Rapids , Manitoba. Weather is not to be taken lightly on Lake Winnipeg and being wind bound for days at a time is common. This part of the trip can be dangerous and I will not be taking any risks during the many large open crossing that are involved.

Maps included in the Lake Winnipeg map pack are :

1:250,000 Series

01 - 62i Selkirk
02 - 62P Hecla
03 - 63A Berens River
04 - 63B Waterhen Lake
05 - 63G Grand Rapids

1:50,000 Series

01 - Pine Falls 62i/9
02 - Black River 62i/16
03 - English Brook 62P/1
04 - Gull Harbour 62P/2
05 - Shallow Lake 62P/8
06 - Anderson Point 62P/7
07a - Pine Dock 62P/10
07b - Princess Harbour 62P/15
08 - Lake St.Andrew 62P/11
09 - Jackhead 62P/14
10 - Commissioner Island 63A/3
11 - Lynx Bay 63A/4
12 - Clarks Point 63B/1
13 - Reindeer Harbour 63B/8
14 - Kitching Point 63B/10
15 - Wicked Point 63B/15
16 - Long Point 63G/2
17 - Grand Rapids 63G/3

Again , these files are large and the total size of all the maps is 1.56GB. I have compressed the maps into a .ZIP file that is only 463mb and is a lot easier for downloading.
Just download the .ZIP file and extract the .TIF map files. Once the files are extracted , you can then crop and print the area you need for this trip using your favourite image editing software.

Download for free here ....... Lake Winnipeg Topo Map Pack

LEG 1 - Winnipeg River Topo Maps

2011-08-02T18:14:00.008-04:00

I am going to create a free downloads section here on the blog for all the Canadian Government issued topographical maps along my route.

First off , for Leg 1 we have the Winnipeg River topos. This map pack will include all 1:250,000 and 1:50,000 scale topographical maps in very high resolution that you would require to cover the entire Winnipeg River distance from Kenora , Ontario all the way to Lake Winnipeg , Manitoba.

Maps included in this pack are :

1:250,000 Series

52E - Kenora
52L - Pointe Du Bois
62I - Selkirk

1:50,000 Series

52E/15 - Keewatin
52L/2 - Whitedog Lake
52l/3 - Crowduck Lake
52L/6 - Ryerson Lake
52L/5 - Pointe Du Bois
52L/4 - Pinawa
62I/1 - Molson
62I/8 - Lac Du Bonnet
62I/9 - Pine Falls

These are large files , the total size of all the maps is 881 MB. I have compressed the size of the zip file down to 194 MB.
Just download the .zip file and extract the .tif map files. Once the files are extracted , you can then crop and print the area you need for this trip using your favourite image editing software.

Download for free here ....... Winnipeg River Topo Map Pack

Enjoy ,

Ben

Resource Links Added

2011-08-02T15:34:00.000-04:00

I have started to add some resource links at the side of the page that I have found useful so far ...... maybe they can be of some help to you as well.

The Purpose for this Blog is ............

2011-08-02T15:06:00.003-04:00

I decided to create this blog to chronicle my Trans-Canadian canoe trip in May 2012. The hope is to share my experience of preparing and then setting off from Kenora , Ontario on this 4 month awe inspiring solo canoe trip along Canada's historic Voyageur highway.

My interest in this trip started about 4 years ago when I came across a video done by two brothers , Drew and Peter Marshall , involving their own Trans-Canadian canoe trip in 2005. Here is a link if you are interested in watching their adventure .... Brothers Marshall Trans-Canadian Canoe Trip.That video has always left a little bit of a spark inside me that I have never been able to put out and for anybody who loves spending time in the back-country , it looks like a secret paradise that time has forgotten.

Another great account of a very similar trek that I came across since I started researching the trip can be found here ....... Trans-Canadian Canoe Expedition 2002. This account from husband and wife team , Mark and Norah Garrison (almost forgot Scout, their dog) is a great read as it provides updated accounts from their 2002 expedition starting from Lake of the Woods , Minnesota and to their ending in Inuvik , NWT Canada. The site has also been a wonderful resource for myself and I'm sure others as well. Mark and Norah's recommendation to buy a copy of Greg Marchildon & Sid Robinson's , Canoeing the Churchill: A Practical Guide to the Historic Voyageur Highway has been absolutely spot on.

I would definitely recommend this also to anyone thinking about paddling in Saskatchewan along the Churchill and Sturgeon-Weir River's or even if you remotely interested in the early history of the fur trade between the First Nations and the Europeans in Saskatchewan. The authors provide many local accounts from the First Nations tribes and early local residents of the small towns and Native Reserves they pass by. It has to be one of the finest canoe trip guides ever put together , believe me , do yourself a huge treat and pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

Please stay tuned for more updates .....

Sorry if my posts are bit disjointed to begin , this is my first ever attempt at a blog or web page.

Cheers ,

Ben