If you watched our Amateur Hour you’ll learn about where our love for nature came from. It’s only natural to share my thoughts on the best paddling guidebooks! Simply, stemming from the connection through camping, portaging and paddling. It is one of the most tranquil, sometimes rough, ways to ground yourself and just busy yourself with your day to day living. No phones (ok, admittedly I do bring the phone and use it for our Explorations photos, video and blog), no wifi, no constant bombardment of social media. It’s a time to disconnected and just… be. Just. Pure. Bliss.
The guides are to the very best canoeing regions for specifically Central and South Eastern Ontario, Canada. Frankly speaking, it’s just really one author I trust the most when it comes to the most detailed hand-drawn map guidebook, with historical explanation to the region. Light is shed to the First Nations in the regions, before the settlers came, punctuated by little pro tips and gems in the area where you’re looking to paddle.
But more importantly, the information details exactly what you need to know, what to expect and straight to the point with no over the top superfluous writing that is irrelevant.
The author is Hap Wilson and his several paddling guide books, with regions including Temagami, Upper Ottawa River, Muskoka and several more regions. He sells it through his website, link below, along with his art and literary books!
The first book I bought from Hap Wilson was over 20 years ago for the Muskoka region in Ontario. It immediately became my best paddling guidebooks that I kept on hand. It included regions like Moon River, where Rob had gone to explore. I discovered some of the best back country camping and paddling decades before the Toronto crowds descended upon my once favourite camping spot. As trails and best-kept secret places become increasingly exposed by newer technology such as Alltrails and the likes, time honoured writing, illustration and the spirit of solace in the woods become loss to quick searches and instant gratification.
However, technology like this has it’s pros and cons. It provides accessibility for many who are otherwise unable to acquire these types of guide books. But with accessibility also brings people who have no respect for the space, portage in outboard engines into non-motorized lakes, and partying all night long. Com’on folks – it’s no wonder spaces are becoming more pressured and less people are even willing to talk about where they go to their secret spot to go camp!
During the pandemic, my favourite camping spot just 1.5 hours away from Toronto exploded with Torontonians and the small parking lot became over flowing through onto the cottage country roads. New “No Parking” signs are put up and the police now more frequently patrol. Just the nature of everything happening, the pandemic, lock-down and the need for outdoor spaces; and not blaming anyone. As a consequence, I don’t plan on going back to that spot and on the hunt for new, quieter, less accessible areas, pushing me deeper into the woods, which is not a bad thing, but difficult time-investment wise for a weekend trip.
But I digress and back to the best paddling guidebooks! In the hunt for more areas, I had previously gone on a 2 week trip, over 10 years ago now, through Temagami and down the Ottawa river, dodging in and out of Quebec province. One of the biggest trips I ever did, and one of the best and most beautiful places too. Remembering this, and also remembering Hap Wilson’s books to the region, I ordered, the guidebook for those regions. Hap Wilson, with his personal and traditional touch, signed the books.
Check out his store, with several more books! https://hapwilson.com/shop/ What’s more, he has a cabin, Cabin Falls Ecolodge in Temagami, in a remote area far from civilization that you may visit! I should mention, I’m not in anyway associated with the lodge or Hap Wilson’s shop, just merely a fan of his and his wife’s work.
If you want to learn more about canoe tripping and canoe camping gear list, check out Explorations the blog post and video here!