8 Day / 200KM Solo Camping Journey: Completely Alone on Remote Wilderness River

Back in May, 2024 I ventured off on an 8 day solo canoe trip covering 200km of the beautiful Pic River. I started up near the town of Longlac, Ontario near highway 11 and ended 8 days later at highway 17 near the shores of Lake Superior and the town of Marathon.
This trip easily became one of my favourite adventures to date, the scenery was jaw-dropping and the wildlife was more abundant than I’d ever seen. I had a few mishaps along the way but that’s all part of it. In the end I couldn’t have been more grateful to be out there. As always, thank you for watching and supporting what I do!
If you wish to support me directly: www.buymeacoff...
Huge thank you to those involved in making these adventures possible:
Drysuit: levelsix.ca/pr...
Canoe/Outfitting: paddle.ca
Camera Case: www.canadacase...
Thank you to Lost Lakes for the maps: / @lostlakes
Logging Images thanks to Steve Briggs and Russel Brother’s Boats: russelbrothers....
#solocamping #camping #canoe #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #fishing

[@LostLakes]

It was a joy to watch this man. I was fascinated to see the rapids and falls in high water as well as that huge colony of bank swallows in action. And it makes me very happy to see the map in use :) This really is a special route and I'm sure you'll inspire more to paddle it. Great job brother 👏

[@JoshuaReidBackpacking]

where can we get the maps? I'll do it!

[@benbeauchamp16]

It means a lot to see this comment from you! Thanks again for the inspiration - this trip obviously did not disappoint.

[@benbeauchamp16]

@joshuareidbackpacking he linked it in the description of his video when he did the Pic. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXKQc3mkpqeHd9ksi=WYp1VVkdiH26m_8o

[@JoshuaReidBackpacking]

@@benbeauchamp16 thanks dude! Great video really enjoyed it. Just got back last from sturgeon river last weekend. Hitting the oxtongue next weekend.

[@tomtommy2227]

@@JoshuaReidBackpacking I was just going to send you this link so we can do this one next spring then I looked at the comments! Great video of a great trip Ben, thanks!!

[@CAMP_KITCH]

Awesome trip. I often have similar thoughts of self doubt. It’s tough to push ourselves past our comfort zone. But that’s where the true reward lies. Can’t wait to share a meal around the fire one of these days. 🔥

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much. Well have to get that planned soon!

[@bradkiss8576]

Man I've spent multiple summers camping by myself in Ontario wish I was smart enough to document it! Woke up one morning to a beat sniffing my head threw my tent. I jumped out hatched on hand an he just calmly went on all fours. I made it to my boat where I still had a couple fish from the night before. I filleted the fish and dropped them down the shoreline for her cubs. This video. Brought back a lot of memories of that trip, Thank You!

[@arenado85]

Another beauty release

[@cassandrat.4057]

so well done, and extremely inspiring! especially love the footage of the falls, felt the awe of that landscape right there with you, just amazing!

[@williamwalker3719]

Thanks Ben! You were asking yourself some questions at the beginning of your vid, all important and relevant, but not everyone is able to enjoy solitude, but like you I find peace, solace and total freedom in being in nature and also learning about yourself @ the same time and when your fishing on top of everything else, it’s like a piece of God given Heaven man! So keep discovering and thanks for your easygoing insights while providing your amazing trip insights and experiences!

[@trevorbeauchamp9056]

I believe one of the most important survival skills is emotional intelligence. In other words, staying calm when facing adversity. I can’t imagine how frustrating the drone and fishing line must have been! Life gave you lemons and you turned it into the best lemonade we have ever tasted!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much, I just realized I never gave credit to my shuttle driver… thanks dad!

[@beautyofthebackcountry]

Loved this video so much! Your heart and your light are a benefit to the world, friend ❤Your adventures and your editing just keep getting better. Keep up the amazing work, Ben.

[@JeffMacCullough]

Another fantastic trip video from you Ben. Great work. Your enjoyment for the outdoors is infectious.

[@jennam.7268]

That last picture!!!!!!! 😭🤩

[@reubenj.cogburn8546]

Just wanted to say, I really enjoy watching your channel evolve. This is not amateur stuff by any means. Just your Wildlife captures are stunning in and of themselves. Right, carry on then. .🚣‍♂️

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much :)

[@darrenrieger4343]

Aw man, your videos are truly amazing, my friend!! They are right up there with Xander, with an extra little video style that I enjoy even more! I love watching and your channel is about to explode in the near future with this kind of quality. 👌 Your passion and your enthusiasm is so pure, it's contagious! ✌

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!!

[@coltonmoutdoors]

yay new ben

[@blairbouchard4975]

Fantastic work Ben, your gratitude for Johntario's work on this route 4 years ago is apt since you're following closely in his footsteps. That's the highest compliment I can give. Just finished my longest solo yet by distance and time and can't wait to graduate to the pic River.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks so much, and right on! I highly recommend this trip as long as you’ve got basic whitewater skills for that one section

[@natashahussain6281]

So unfortunate about the line! The fishing in your videos is always so much fun. They really capture the excitement well!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you! I made sure to pack extra line on the next trips I went on and let’s just say it went to good use! Plenty of fishing moments to come :)

[@Vickyscampingobsession]

Wow Ben! I think this video was one of my faves that you have done. Not a trip I would have done solo given I’m probably older than your parents, so I’m envious of your youth! I would love to do a trip like this but would have to be with someone with a tough tandem boat and lots of whitewater experience if not all of the rapids can be portaged around. I’ll just have to experience it vicariously through you 😊. Epic trip, epic scenery…. beautiful wildlife!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much this means a lot to me. Never say never - age is just a number

[@DarrylEubanks-x7c]

Ben, you have knock in out of park with this one from the beginning to the end. Great job! The waterfalls were awesome and so majestic. thanks

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!

[@marksmith9295]

A trip well done with great photography and wildlife shots. Those were Bank Swallows btw. Good to see you experience and share the last day as your best. This video was a good balance of canoeing, fishing and wildlife despite losing your fishing line. I dont think the voyageurs of days gone by had much time for fishing so this made for a more authentic adventure:)

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!

[@daveysdash]

Hey Ben! Davey here. Met you at OAS Toronto 24, we did a quick vlog on my channel. Gotta tell you how much I loved this video. What an amazing amount of wildlife and beautiful scenery! Hope you are at OAS 25!!!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Hey Davey! Really appreciate the kind words, it was great meeting you as well. I’ll definitely be there at the next one

[@cowbway8462]

I loved this Ben. Really.

[@trishaharrison6183]

WOW. This was just so amazing with the overcome of a few mishaps to this most incredible adventure. I can just imagine the excitement with each of the waterfalls and top it off with all the animal sightings. I don’t think I could pick a favourite moment as they were all so amazing. Supper glad you decided to do it. Thanks so much.❤

[@jacobalderman105]

Absolutely unbelievable. Loved this video so much. Hope I can do this someday. Thank you for sharing this with us. Watching from Florida USA

[@NotSoEpicAdventurer]

What an awesome trip thanks for sharing and amazing Job capturing it. I’ve been tripping for 25 yrs and I question myself & sanity everytime 😂

[@benbeauchamp16]

Hahaha yup sounds about right. And thank you

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

What an incredible journey! Pic River is on my bucket list! TY!

[@richardbosket2987]

Best one yet! Thanks Ben!

[@stevenensminger5737]

Hey you lost the Budweiser hat good for you . Good to see you out and about my friend....

[@benbeauchamp16]

Hate to break it to you but the Bud hat will always make its way back around. Hahaha! Thanks for the support :)

[@michaelmcglone5475]

Hey Ben, I'm a new subscriber to your channel and you are so refreshing I just love the way you get excited about every new thing you see.

[@susanscully9523]

Hey Ben, wonderful video as always. I love your positive attitude no matter what goes wrong. That is a special gift you have. Also, you have the best luck fishing!! My goodness!! So fun to watch

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@mikefoehr235]

Great trip to watch. I am very impressed with your cinematography. I loved the drone shots of the water falls and rapids. Those clay bluffs are perfect nest habitat for swallows.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks a lot! Those swallows were incredible, there were so many more of them that I just couldn’t possibly capture on video

[@dwrivers47]

So nice to see another BB video - what an amazing trip with stunning wildlife sightings and majestic waterfalls. Thank you 😊

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much :)

[@cliffordwright342]

Another amazing video Ben. I always enjoy your trips

[@bradkiss8576]

Always keep a whitefish! So delicious 😋

[@stacyvansteenwyk9380]

Glad to see another trip and hear you're talking with John! Gotta do that epic trip together some day. Thanks for bringing me places I'll likely never go!And I enjoy your Historical part. Glad the drone worked...lucky you and us! Gotta love your exuberance!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!

[@ronlagerquist9163]

Serously your energy and excitement makes this a joy to watch. Add to that amazing camera work

[@benbeauchamp16]

That means a lot thank you!

[@ecttreker9816]

Great trip for sure. That moose was definitely an incredible moment - feel the grunt! Thanks for sharing your adventures. 👍👍

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you! Totally wasn’t ready for him to grunt at me, it’s much louder than I expected

[@fullback118]

Awesome video Ben! Your drone shots are amazing. It cracked me up when you pulled out the double bladed paddle - I always get that same feeling of betraying traditionalism when I give in and pull mine out 😂

[@benbeauchamp16]

Hahaha exactly - thank you!

[@jaysway2346]

Didn't see that ending coming, that was awesome!

[@casmeedmohammed4236]

Enjoying this channel, thank you very much, God bless, keep up the good work

[@natashahussain6281]

Omg what a start to a video!

[@littlesmokey57]

I waited until the very end hit the like button because the count was on 665 👍🏼 Great video dude... 💚🤙🏼❤

[@David-y3j4w]

Great job young man, keep em coming!

[@Outside3.0]

That was freaking awesome Ben best one so far. The wildlife and the scenery was fabulous. Great job and thanks for sharing.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you!!

[@Outside3.0]

@benbeauchamp16 Sir, you are very welcome ...

[@williamleopold507]

We really enjoyed watching your video , beautiful scenery , majestic falls . Exciting animals . Where is this place ? Thanks for sharing .

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks a lot! This is in Northern Ontario. It started near the town of Longlac and finished near Marathon

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Very cool adventure, and beautifully filmed again. This route is on my list now! Thanks!

[@susansmeeton4321]

excellent, what a magic trip

[@ruffsilver122]

Fantastic adventure I really loved seeing the swallows.. I rarely see them nowadays and its good to know there are still remote populations of them and that they are thriving. I knew exactly where you were when I saw the preview of your video.. the boreal forest is so familiar to me.. Thank you for sharing this with us. Keep up the great work..

[@CanadianSledDog]

Awesome work matching the hatch, I believe there is something about that profile and the silver for walleye. I caught my biggest on a tiny silver spoon with plastic grubs on it.

[@Barret-paddles]

I knew this looked familiar! ( huge Lost Lakes fan) Good for you Ben, wonderful video, thank you!

[@jamessnook6715]

Ben is back.... love your videos. Thought maybe you got lost up there....😂🎉🎉

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much, and don’t worry if I ever get lost out there I’ll make sure that at least the footage gets rescued haha

[@challey3109]

Awesome video!!! You’re so positive and calm - I was so happy to see the notification!!! Keep up the great work!!!! Thank you!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!

[@EnjoyTheWild1]

Totally enjoyed that! Your videos are getting better and better. I felt your pain with that drone crash into the water, the same thing happened to me but only despite drying it out for several days it wouldn't work. So glad your drone worked again and captured the rest of this incredible trip. Keep em coming, can't wait for the next one! 🛶🌊🎣🦌🐻🦅

[@oleksandrishchuk7535]

Bro! Keep going!!!!!

[@JacquieBeauchamp-w5m]

Another fantastic work of art! Thanks for bringing us on the adventure with you Ben!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks mom!! ❤️

[@lucasmason177]

Like the positive vibez, bro, been following since I first saw the vid with the El Diablo portage. Bless up✌️🕊️

[@conniewaite1371]

Excellent video!😊

[@wondermonkeyoutdoors]

Hello Ben, found you through a Chris Proust video. I also found Lost Lake through YOUR video and your use of his maps. I plan to watch his videos also. After various Quetico lake trips, I've been looking for river trips, and this one looks like it would be great! The long rapids, the falls, other things, etc. are awesome! Glad your drone was able to continue on. I look forward to diving into your other videos.

[@WVWes]

Beautiful trip n great paddling, bud!

[@jodyreay733]

Sweetness!!!!❤️

[@swbaker8]

Looking forward to this video. Looks like you're having a great year!

[@TheNorthwestWind]

awesome trip

[@NTSAdventures]

I just started watching your channel. You Sir are right up there with the best. The best being Xander and John in my opinion. But Dude, I predict your channel will Explode on day. Great personally for this genre of creations. Well done. Cheers.

[@WildBORProductions]

Wow. Just wow!! Thanks for sharing!

[@nancykoepp4768]

Awesome video, thanks

[@mflacke]

This was awesome Ben! What a great trip. The whitewater runs were sweet! It's second watch worthy. The Pic is on my list now for sure.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much :)

[@Trentleck1]

The effort you put into these videos is inspiring, keep up the good work man! Glad to see you are doing well!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you bro! It Cool to see your name here -hope you’re doing well :)

[@joeyb8413]

Brilliant

[@brentkelly5445]

When you multi day with a new camp everyday, it goes by in a blur. No time to question much, gotta keep going. All the questions are beforehand, and just rewarding afterward in retrospect! Forget about single paddle, kayak paddle is superb tracking and quick work. I wish they would make the blades stiffer though as I find you can overpower it's flex and lose a bit when you dig hard.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Love it, this was well said and thank you :)

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Recently found your channel via Xander’s channel and I’ve got to say I’m really enjoying/impressed with camera skills and eye for detail also your wildlife encounters. Working my way back through your past films.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much - there’s some rough videos if you go back far enough haha!

[@gavinversfeld7776]

Really enjoyed this episode

[@jimhanson7476]

Stunning adventure, so well done… it’s the tough times you will remember…..

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you! Well said

[@annewhelan2437]

I really enjoyed this video and more importantly your love of the outdoors, well shot, keep it up! Your appreciation for Jon of Lost Lakes is right on! 💚

[@KRAdventures88]

Absolutely love the content fella! Well done ! I’m just starting out with my canoe tripping I can’t wait to take trips like this, thank you for the inspiration!

[@CampWithMatt]

Wow Ben! What a trip and what a fantastic ending! Loved this, and all your videos mate. Keep them coming. Is it me, or is there just not as much canoe tripping content this year?

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks so much! I’ve got plenty of videos on the way, I had no time to edit since I was out camping so much all summer. I think it’s a similar case for other creators in the niche

[@CampWithMatt]

@@benbeauchamp16 Could be - hopefully will make for a winter of canoe tripping vids!!

[@supergoodcamping]

So glad you were able to save the drone. It would have been an absolute travesty to not have come home with those majestic falls shots! Plus all of the animal encounters. Dude, this is so amazing! Rock on man!!!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you so much!! We’ll have to have another chat soon - I’ve got some more stories for the podcast

[@supergoodcamping]

@@benbeauchamp16 Looking forward to it!

[@Brentdarley]

Wow Ben! Brilliant trip!

[@GorpcoreStudios]

You really did a great job capturing this one, and what an incredible trip. One for the bucket list for sure. Loved it!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you!

[@mattyinthesky9424]

This was amazing . Thank you

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Ben, I have 7 different Flickr Shad in my Ermazon cart right now! Those Paddlehead guys turned me on to them a while back. They work on just about every species I fish for 👊🏻 That music you used starting at about 47:47 reminded me of watching Justin Barbour’s videos. He used that music in just about every video I’ve watched. I wonder if he’s ever coming back to YT?

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks Alan! They’re the best. I hope he makes a return soon that guys awesome

[@carlbuchan5699]

Loved it Ben, keep up the great work !

[@pjposterman2445]

Nice Video, Thanks Ben

[@Canoe64]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@canoeman1961]

Very nice film. Great scenery. Glad to see your drone survived. Only a couple of comments to make. Firstly, for your own health, never pour hot water into any plastic bag (even if they say you can). The soft plastic, which is manufactured with new material (obviously), fragments very easily in the presence of heat. So you are consuming the entirety of all those fragments. You can't taste it because of the spices in the packaged food. The second is the use of barbed treble hooks. Jon of Lost Lakes used to do the same thing, and a few of us implored him to go single hook and barbless for released fish. He is now a big advocate of fishing with single barbless hooks. You will lose few fish as a result of the change. We can see that you cut away from the recording after catching the fish when you go to removing the hook. I wouldn't want to show the ordeal of the hook removal from the fish either.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thank you! Appreciate the advice :)

[@markarmesto]

Brilliant video. I think; you have a future in cinematography.

[@wildersmithadventures]

Excellent work Ben! I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for taking us along.

[@davegibson9015]

Thanks for the great Video Ben. I Really enjoyed it. Very inspirational!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks Dave!!

[@utahjag]

Some awesome content you are making! The next Xander! Maybe put in the effort to go to shore, set up a camera, paddle by, retrieve the camera and do the same thing on the trail? I think people really appreciate the camera angles not all being first person or from the canoe. But the filming you are doing and the content is spot on! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Thanks so much! I try to get as many of those setup shots as I can, there were plenty in this video

[@jasonneysha]

Excellent camera work

[@jeffdoiron6204]

Hey Ben Just want to congratulate you on a trip well done.. My brother and I did the Pic in May/June 2022.. What an amazing river system.. All though you did not show footage of the portage around High Falls, what were your thoughts.. Did you happen to find a blue and yellow paddle around the shores at the bottom of the falls.. Cheers and keep up with the great videos.

[@benbeauchamp16]

That’s awesome! And thanks for watching. Unfortunately I did not find a paddle :( That portage was great but I didn’t really include it because it was such a well maintained ATV trail, the viewers don’t care about the easy route lol!

[@donmcconnery5080]

You found an old wood burning stove with an oven Fire box on the left side and four gates. May have had a water tank in a unit above. Nice find

[@benbeauchamp16]

So cool, would’ve loved to see it when it was in mint condition

[@j.keithjarvis6750]

The thumbnail makes it look like you and the moose are going on an adventure

[@benbeauchamp16]

That’s exactly what happened

[@fool468]

Ben, can you (or any of your viewers) tell me what the make, model, brand, and size of that orange colored dry bag with the backpack straps is? How many liters capacity? Thanks.

[@benbeauchamp16]

I believe it’s a MEC Slogg 115L I’ve beat the heck out of it and it’s still maintained perfect durability. It’s great to toss a bunch of gear in and know it will stay dry, I’ve even accidentally submerged it completely and everything was fine. The downsides are that it is huge and heavy, and it doesn’t have any little pockets for easily accessible items such as bug spray or headlamps. That’s just my opinion I bought it full price at the store

[@michaelbroyer3918]

Come on man! The silver side of the foam pad faces the ground.

[@benbeauchamp16]

Do you know the science behind it? I always thought silver side up so it reflects your body heat back to you

[@Saltedbiscuit0007]

@@benbeauchamp16I think you’re right Ben, if you want to keep heat on your body, it should be facing you…

[@michaelbroyer3918]

Reflect the cold away from your body.

[@elorider6792]

wow

[@littlesmokey57]

27:59 Beauty aye... 💚🤙🏼❤

[@martymorissette]

Dude the drone…. They do that sometimes! I have been very lucky with my drone crashes when they did exactly what it did for you. It’s quite the bummer for sure when you are out there!

[@benbeauchamp16]

Nothing quite like a gear malfunction at the start of a big trip. 🙄As long as the canoe still floats haha!

[@martymorissette]

@@benbeauchamp16 yeah and wtf is your drone water proof!? lol it worked for so long under water and flew again hahahaha

[@oleksandrishchuk7535]

to whom would I sell my soul to go with you on such a trip!???

[@chazchilly9697]

Ben…subbed on my tv account and my phone account to get ya boosted up…cause you earned it young man!! Intro was excellent! Appreciate the content…got you in the rolodex now with Xander, Lost Lakes, Maxim, and my man main Wild Homestead 😉

[@benbeauchamp16]

Haha right on! Appreciate that :)

[@OutdoorswThatGuy]

Cross yr T's and dot yr I's, kinda day huh 😊

[@benbeauchamp16]

Yup! :)

[@Wearespurstv]

"It's not long but it's super thick" Thats what she said

[@benbeauchamp16]

Classic

[@mryotahead]

What kind of canoe do you use solo?

[@benbeauchamp16]

I use an Esquif Prospecteur 15’