Multi Night Solo Trip – Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park

2018 is a big year for me… I’ll be turning 40 later this year, and there are a number of “things” I’ve been wanting to check off my list.  This trip was just one part. I’ve recently complete a one night solo canoe trip, where the canoeing was very minimal, and there were no portages.  My next solo trip I was planning had to be bigger.  So, here I go with this trip.

As I’ve been saying online this week through social media, this trip contained the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m sure you will be able to distinguish between each one, but I’ll let you know for sure.

My original intentions for this solo trip was to go to Algonquin park.  I had a route selected, I just didn’t have it booked yet.  It was actually a very good thing I didn’t.  I ended up getting a head cold (as I seem to do at the end of the school year), and would be right smack in the middle of this cold while on this trip.  I decided in the end to take a different route, and a closer to home route.  This is where once again, Unlostify comes into play.  I love these maps and constantly pour over them online (until my actual paper version comes in the mail).  If you download the digital copy, you can crop, draw and even place information on them.  This was exactly what I did for this trip.

I booked three nights in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, staying night one on Loucks, night two on Mountain, and night three on Long.  (Plans did change slightly the second day).  Using the Unlosity digital copy, I printed off two maps. One for my hubby to have, so that he would know where I was, and one for myself to take on the trip.

Day 1 (Tuesday)

I knew that this head cold was going to be an interesting factor (I’ve camped many times with one, so I wasn’t too worried about it), but the heat advisories was another thing.  After getting up and wishing my boys a good week, I started my drive for the Long Lake access point. I checked in (meaning I got my permit number written on the paper for my vehicle), loaded the canoe (I was using a new solo canoe), and off I went.  It was HOT! I applied sunscreen before and on route to my site.

I wasn’t sure how long it would take for me to paddle to my site on Loucks. I did use a kayak paddle to make it easier for myself going this far for the first time.  So in just about over an hour, not quite two, I landed on my site for the evening.

Loucks Lake has a lot of cottages on the opposite side, and all during my set up, I could hear the boaters and tubers having fun.  I was just dying to get in the water as well since I was sweating like crazy. (I even secretly wanted them to ask if I would join them LOL).

I quickly got my Eureka! tent and NoBugZone shelter up (which was needed as there were lots of deer and horse flies(the bad? maybe?). This was when I noticed some blood on my hand.  I had cut my middle finger on my left hand, had no idea how. Oh well. I had lots of duct tape and did a quick fix for the night.

I settled in and also set up my hammock. I knew that after I went for a swim, I wanted to just relax and enjoy the evening. The swimming was wonderful! The water was so nice that I didn’t hesitate to jump right in.  Unusual for me as I tend to wade in slowly. After my swim, I found it was still super warm.  I made my supper (pizza on the fire), and went swimming yet again.  I would actually go for a small swim, check on the fire, and repeat.  It was the best way to stay cool.

I even had a visitor, or two, while I was relaxing after swimming a bunch.  These dragon flies were so calm while eating that I was able to get up really close and get pictures. Even managed to get one on my hand for a close up.

As the sun set, I went back out to my swimming spot and watched the sun go down.  This location was where I was not bothered as much by the flies, and I didn’t have to spend a huge amount of time in my shelter.

As the sun got lower, I was actually pretty tired (head cold meds wearing off), and texted my hubby to say good night and that all was well. I felt like today was a  great success and was looking forward to the rest of this trip.

Day 2 (Wednesday)

It was calling for another super hot day.  I was prepared for this as I took two water bottles with me on this trip. Probably the best decision I made, that way I had a back up bottle and didn’t have to filter water as much while canoeing and portaging. 

My breakfast was eggs and English muffins! My little pot set from the Explore Magazine Gear Box has been super awesome for these trips. Very small and lightweight for solo trips.

I decided to fix up my finger, with a bandaid and more duct tape over it, just to help keep it clean.  I did have to fix this again that night after paddling all day.

As I headed out onto the Loucks Lake, I got messages on FB and my mom was commenting “Are you out alone again”. Yup… again… I don’t think she likes it much. More on this later.

My first portage was coming up for this trip, and there were a few options. Two small portages, or in low water, one larger portage and one smaller portage.  I didn’t know how low the water was, so I opted for the low water option.  This was about a 500+ meter portage, and I could have gone with the short version. Next time! LOL.  This was were the bad started.  Portaging a solo canoe, with NO yoke, was not fun. I thought the seat would rest nicely on my shoulders, but no way.  My head was touching the bottom of the canoe.  It was hard on my head and the seat was slipping off my shoulder and neck from the sweat.  I really need a removable yoke for this canoe! Any help with this??? anyone??

When I got to the second smaller portage, I thought I would try taking my barrel and canoe at the same time. Made sense, the barrel would help support the canoe right? WRONG!! I was glad it was a small 70m portage. That wasn’t going to work either.  This meant that the remaining portages would all be double carry. Meaning I was walking the portage three times. Ya… the bad had started….

The second (technically third) portage for the day was ok. It was mainly downhill and had  a lovely rippling river that I stopped and cooled down my legs. On the other side there is another portage which has a waterfall and I could hear a family enjoying this. I wanted to paddle over and check it out, but I was getting tired, and just wanted to get to my site for the night.

As I entered into Stoplog Lake, I first had to go over a couple of beaver dams.  No problem at all! The second and third one I just coasted over. The first one actually required me to get out of my canoe and heave it over the dam. I wasn’t too worried about this, as I have done this before 🙂

I was then headed to my final portage (number 4) for the day. I haven’t yet tallied how far I have paddled or portaged, but I was feeling it.  I quickly found the portage to Mountain Lake.  I remember looking back at the Unlostify maps, that this portage had an exclamation mark on it.  I forgot to look up in the legend what this meant.  I was about to find out!

This is where it got ugly! I had just over half a liter of water, it was just after noon and I knew I would have to eat soon…. but I really wanted to get across this portage. That would place me on the lake I would stay for the night, and that would feel so good.

I got my barrel on my back and headed up, and up, and up some more… then down… then up again, and again, a little more down, and more up.  (Insert lots of swearing).  This portage was kicking my butt, and bad! Not only was it up, lots, it was now hitting close to 38 humidex!

I finally reached the end of this portage and plopped my barrel down and walked into the water to rinse off my legs a bit.  Then I plopped down next to my barrel and leaned against it for support.  I was done.  I had a bad feeling and I knew exactly what this was going to be.  I was starting to show signs of heat exhaustion. Yes I have first aid, even wilderness first aid, and I know what to do.  I had my water, I had a buff that I drenched with water and placed on my neck, and did my best to cool down.  I knew as well that I HAD to get some food into me.  I had a bagel with peanut butter in my bag and tried as hard as I could to get this into me.  Boy was it ever tough.  I even texted my hubby at this point saying, well… I can’t really write it.  He actually just responded with “was starting to wonder if you had become a bear burrito last night”. Nope. but I could be one now I thought. 

I even told him that I still had to go back and get the canoe.  That this portage was hard, and I now know why there was the exclamation mark on it.  Those Unlostify map makers aren’t joking around!  I had come to the conclusion that I might actually cut this trip short and head home tomorrow.  I knew the distance I had to cover from here to my vehicle was easily manageable. But I would decide later. Right now I had to go back and get that canoe.

After sitting for about a half hour, I finally got up, got myself across the portage, got the canoe and back to my gear.  I had a very short paddle to get to my site, and I was elated. I had some Arbonne energy fizz sticks with me, and I probably drank almost a full liter of water with that in it as soon as I landed on my site.  I was so happy that I remembered to pack some of these.  It was really helping with how I felt.

I wanted to swim, right then, but I knew that if I did I would have a harder time getting my camp set up.  So I plugged away, setting up my shelter, my tent, my clothes line where I hung most of my clothes that I was wearing (only had a bathing suit on at this point), and I was ready to go.

I headed down to the water and found my swimming spot.  Again I just slid in the water and it was another awesome lake.  I was instantly feeling better! The water was so refreshing.

I had posted a picture online with myself after that portage, and the one below. Even my mother was commenting on how the other picture looked really bad. Like I was having a stroke. I had to tell her that was just my face I was making because I was beaten down.  This picture is way better! I was cool and happy again.

I probably hit that water multiple times that afternoon, and then I would just sit in my hammock and take mini naps.  I really enjoyed having the lake all to myself, and not worrying about seeing traffic since it was really a secluded site, that I spent most of that afternoon naked. Yup… naked. It was the best way I found to stay cool. I hope the wildlife wasn’t offended!

I had taken a paddle around this lake to check out the rock cliffs.  They reminded me of canoeing at Puzzle Lake.  I wondered if there were good spots to go cliff jumping, but being on my own this would not be a good choice.  As I rounded the lake, the couple of loons that were occupying this space were very vocal. I didn’t realize until last minute that there was a baby close to me. It popped it head up above water for just enough time for me to capture it on video.  Sorry loons, I will continue back to my site.

As supper rolled around, it was probably close to 7 at night, I knew I had to try to eat something. I wasn’t feeling the best still, probably from the heat, and eating would be necessary.  I had bought these freeze dried meal from MEC, bonus that it has no dairy (since I have a sensitivity and dairy free meals are hard to find).  I got it ready and slowly ate.  It didn’t go far. I ate maybe just over 1/4 of the bag. It is a two portion meal, but I just couldn’t.  Again, my brain is saying eat, my body says no.  I ended up making a packet of oatmeal and shoving that into my mouth. I had extras with me, and this is when I truly started to think hard about staying the third night.

At time point, my body was very tired, my head was super stuffy, and I was just not into this.  I really did want to stay the third night, but I knew that it would not be the best thing for my body right now.  I had texted my hubby again, mentioned that I would head home tomorrow, and even had him double check the weather.  They were calling for severe thunderstorms and humidex up to and above 40 the next day.  I knew for sure this was it.  I would back up in the morning and paddle the entire distance out to my vehicle and head home.

I guess this is where the ugly wasn’t ugly anymore.  This decision was the right one, and I knew it. 

Day 3 (Thursday)

I slept well that night, probably knowing that I would be heading home.  I got up early, took down all my gear, except for the bug shelter.  The deer flies were still strong, and I wanted a place to sit and eat breakfast in comfort. I warmed up my water for more oatmeal, using my barrel as a table! 

After packing up the remaining of my gear, I texted my hubby to say, I’m on the water and heading out now.  This was 8 in the morning.  It was a beautiful morning and still on the cooler side (for being in the mid 20s).

The first portage for today (now 5 in total on this trip), was from Mountain into Buzzard. It was actually close to the same distance as the horrible portage from yesterday, but this one was much easier.  Flatter to be exact.  I quickly got across, back and across again, not before coating myself in bug spray.  It didn’t do much for the deer flies, but it kept the mosquitoes away.

I had a lovely paddle on Buzzard, and was still struggling with my canoe.  It was not tracking as straight as I hoped it would (see, I came back to this), and I believe it was because my barrel needed to be behind me for better weight distribution.  So, after completing my last portage (now 6 in total), which I have officially called the portage from deer fly hell (there were so many!!! I think I had about 50 swarming me), I moved the barrel to the spot behind my seat.

BINGO! This was the place for it.  I was able to paddle the entire way back on Long Lake with ease. I found I was not correctly my path as much as I had been on the other lakes.

It took me about 3 hours to go from my site to my vehicle, completing two portages, packing up my gear, and even going for one final dip in the lake before I texted my hubby to say, I’m done and am heading home. I was pleased that I accomplished this trip, even if I did have to cut it short a day.  Going solo was not the issue at all for me, it was the stuffy head and the heat that really pushed me a lot.  I know this will not be my last solo trip!

As I’m heading home, I hear my phone messenger go off.  I couldn’t see who was in the picture, as it was on my dash for the map and directions, but when I stopped I noticed it was my  mom.  She had to message to say “I need to hear from you, please post something”. Ya….. she was worried. Told her I’m stopped for lunch and will be home soon.  I think she was relieved to know I was ok. Even with me turning 40, she still worries!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my multi night solo trip.  Yes, there is always good, bad and ugly things that can happen.  You just need to be smart about your decisions!