The Loop - Solo Canoe Tripping - Finding Solitude on a Popular Algonquin Route

[@arumrunner]

We are truly blessed to have a huge number of Canadian canoe content creators. But when someone asks me, "What is it like to trip solo?" I always point them to you Jason. You absolutely capture the raw elements of why we trip in the back country. There is often an overwhelming sense of awe of what we see and its frigg'n damn near impossible to capture it on "film" (sic) or bits and bytes but you somehow do it, over and over again. Master Class in session.

[@Crap873]

Oh couldn’t have said it better!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thank you very much. I've been awe struck with both Xander and Jon (Lost Lakes) lately for those same reasons.... they are really killing it on every level... very inspirational stuff. Thanks for watching and recommending to your friends!... next vid from a couple of Temagami trips is going to be pretty cool.... coming 2058 ;-)

[@LostLakes]

Zen Master J always delivers the vibes. Thanks for an hour of peace 🙏 A pox on backcountry boombox users

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks Jon. I can't say enough good things about your work... always look fwd to your releases. I did an almost identical Temagami "falls" loop in September and I found your trip vid inspiring. (and Xander's and Christina's :-). You mentioned near the end how far you had come in 6 years and it is truly amazing when I think back to the first vids of yours that I watched... really inspiring man! Thanks!

[@LostLakes]

@@JasonIrwinTumblehome thanks a million brother 🙏

[@kevinthewild1]

Your trip videos are always a pleasure to watch. This one was no exception. 👍

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks Kevin, yours are always a treat too.

[@miguelcampbello8983]

Blessed by the youtube gods with a fresh tumblehome 🙏

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

😁

[@EzeAdventurer]

Gosh Algonquin is so beautiful... your image quality is stunning mate well done

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thank you very much! Its hard to take a bad shot in Algonquin :-)

[@WVWes]

well a tumblehome video on a random thursday. I couldnt be happier.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@thinblueline64]

Tumblehome! Where have you been? We've missed you! Hope all is well with life,health, happiness? Must say you have some of the best photography, editing, content expression of the backcountry content providers out there! Keep it coming! Cheers! Rex and Diane

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!... life has been busy but made it out for a few trips this season

[@jefft9663]

Thank you Jason for all your hard work!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@canoetripper4651]

A pleasure to watch you use the paddle so well!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!... I edit all the mistakes out :-)

[@Canal-gi8di]

You did this 2 years ago and brought me on this route for my first trip in algonquin, 👌

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

🙂

[@LostInTheWildCanada]

Finished watching every frame, glued to my desktop screen with wide eyes. Fantastic edit as always Jason! You are the master of your art.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks so much!

[@backcountrylakes]

Awesome!! great vid as always!!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thank you!

[@NatureLapse22]

Awesome video, Jason. You always know when to post, too. Dead of winter, depression setting in - NEW Tumblehome video!!!!

[@LostInTheWildCanada]

You look lean and sharperrrrrrrrr... Just started watching this one... Always look forward to your videos...

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Def leaner... not sure about sharper :-). thanks for watching

[@iCanoe_]

Really enjoyed this one! Great shooting and editing. I can tell this one took a while to complete. I loved the shots of you sheltering under shoreside trees during the pop up shower. You create relatable moods with your filming. Well done!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THanks so much!

[@davesinclair5251]

Jason thank you so much your videos always lift my spirits! Love your humour

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.

[@Brentdarley]

Lovely!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@yeoldfart8762]

So glad for another of your videos Thank you. I remember being on Burnt Island lake in the early 60's

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Burnt Island is a very pretty lake... great to see eagles there now! There were none for decades.

[@dwrivers47]

What a treat to have a new Tumblehome video. Unparalleled photography and videography in your films. My fave was the last night views of the fire, sunset and stars. Thanks Jason !

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks!... it was really cold that last night but worth if for the clear skies 🙂

[@stephendouglas6328]

Great to see you again! I've missed your videos!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks!

[@ralfhedin]

Absolutely astonishing video! The Park couldn't wish for a better ambassador.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thank you! That is very kind of you to say... very much a part of what I am doing with these vids :-)

[@clarkpeters8273]

Thanks for this.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@brucemarcille3344]

so glad you are back. I was out this weekend doing Booth and thinking about how I was missing your productions.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!... Booth Lake is calling, been a while.

[@vicki4801]

Thank you, as always. Your videos fill me up.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

No problem, glad. you enjoyed it.

[@GraylingOutdoors]

Great video as usual. I look forward to them.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@christopherbishop6767]

Great video. Enjoy them all. Thanks for doing them.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

NP! thanks for watching!

[@damiancampbell5806]

You are the only person I wish could be camping more than me! Your videos are amazing. I constantly look forward to the next one! Thank you

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THanks!

[@mikelyons3117]

What a suprise , i need one of these everyday . Thanks Jason .

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks for watching!

[@marko9912]

Great to see another video, keep em coming!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

😁

[@DOM-om2cj]

Loved it. I've been fortunate enough to have done the same route, only in 'reverse' order. Brought back many good memories. Thanks for an excellent hour of entertainment.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THanks!... great loop that never seems to get old.

[@dougfrawley7298]

Fantastic! Loved the graceful canoe departure on Macintosh and the timelapsed mist in the trees. Great work as always!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thank you!... no shortage of mist on that trip :-)

[@johnptodd]

Cool trips. Great editing. Stunning photography. And a super relatable character. One of my favorite channels. Thanks Jason.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THanks!

[@KY-ge7uy]

You're back! So good to see you back here Jason. You're cinematography is wonderful, as is your photography and we very much enjoy watching your videos. We're hoping there's more than just this one for summer of '24.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Probably just that vid from last year... took a wee hiatus from some of the "filming". I did a couple of nice trips in Temagami this fall and nice trip to the french with my son in August... I'll weave those into something. Thanks for watching!

[@justinflott5133]

Once again. Look forward to this every fall. Great work.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

😁

[@wildersmithadventures]

Always worth the wait between Tumblehome videos. Great camera work, as always! Seeing you traverse McIntosh marsh brought back memories; I went through there in the spring and yes all those braids are bonkers. I zigged when I should have zagged at least once, lol. Cheers.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Hehe... I met a fella going thru there in the opposite direction / solo with his dog... he looked dazed and thought he was lost. He was glad to hear he was on the right path :-)

[@Crap873]

Yeah I have been waiting for a video from you for so long !!!! not complaining just want you to know how happy you made me even before I watch this tonight! 🇨🇦🥳

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

:-). good to hear...thank you

[@martincuda7947]

Awesome. Enjoyed watching. Your films are fantastic and you made my day.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks!

[@AdamRomanoExplores]

Amazing vid as per usual buddy. Really nice use of the crop and zoom feature. 👍

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks Adam! looking forward to seeing your Quetico trip!

[@aplatono]

An absolute eye candy!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THanks!

[@scotthertzler7137]

Another fantastic video Jason!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thank you!

[@MrJamesOcean]

I was just there last weekend on a 3 day trip. Went to Ink lake just for the hike. Nice to see you taped the bridge while going under it. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Its actually a nice hike with a light load :-) Bridge tap is mandatory!

[@bobbrown118]

Well that make my day! Thank you JI! BB

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@gskeeper7369]

Another classic mate, makes all the difference when your feeling fit n healthy… good job.. great camera work n editing.. Cheers from Down Under

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Cheers indeed! thanks

[@SeanGettingsActorComedian]

Was at work and I saw this on my phone. Looking forward to watching it tonight. Always enjoy watching your trips.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks for watching!

[@NotSoEpicAdventurer]

Such a nice relaxing video - great job capturing the trip, the bird nerd in me loved the cross bill

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

I had to look them up :-). They were really interesting to watch.

[@martymorissette]

Before you even said it I was thinking…. He looks like he’s lost a few pounds! Good for you brother! I’ll finish watching later tonight! Looking forward to it!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks Marty! I was just watching your river trip with the girls yesterday... they are going to be whitewater pros before they're teens!

[@martymorissette]

@@JasonIrwinTumblehome Thanks man yeah Loved your trip here my friend :) keep it up

[@TerribleDate]

Welcome back Big dog, good to hear you are feeling fit, well done as always. Walking down the Joe like a pro. Thanks for the trip!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

👍

[@harrygrimley4352]

This is Awesome. Thanks for sharing this with us. The cup probably wasn't from 60 but was when the park became a park. I live in central MN so it's boundary waters . My son left (accidentally) a cup from Alcatraz somewhere in the boundary waters.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Yeah I was just kidding re the sticker ;-). I put a new sticker on it and it will feature in my next vid. Rest assured, your sons cup is now part of someone elses kit :-). It's kind of funny that I never used to carry a separate mug like that but now I love it... great way to quickly cool down the coffee thats still scalding out of the thermos... duh!!!!

[@dedicatedxplorer]

Thanks, mate! Another inspirational masterpiece. Keep up the good work!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ROYAL2355]

Great into..I always look forward to your videos. Paddle faster I hear banjo music...to funny.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!... I should have bought two of those patches

[@ROYAL2355]

@@JasonIrwinTumblehome congrats on the 20lbs weight loss .

[@DL650a]

Thanks! Another awesome job!!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks for watching!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thank you!

[@JeffMacCullough]

Looks like you had a great trip! Some liquid sunshine included. Cheers.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Drippy sun!

[@andrewpearce3299]

Another excellent trip video! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrZabbitz]

Love your vid's, thanks for posting this

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thank you

[@timothyreid3061]

This is so fitting. Got a few days next week to do a solo so I watched your Canoe Lake loop from a year or two ago and now this! Must watch now.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

👍

[@JB50713]

Beautiful video.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@Dublin12158]

Beautiful video…thanks for sharing

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

thanks!

[@BackcountryPaddler]

That starscape sure was worth the wait... the shot at 56:56 was absolutely stunning! I look forward to your trips so much, my friend! Mark

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks buddy!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Another fantastic video!! Lets go get a trip in together sometime!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Hey man thanks for watching! I need to get caught up on so many vids, yours included. If you're up Ontario way let me know!

[@CrossSmithTeam]

What's your newer solo canoe? Awesome to have you back producing! Always amazing videos!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THanks! The boat is the Swift Keewadin 15 ... light and quick!

[@acamparargentina]

Beutiful trip, mate!! A canoe trip is still in my "must do" list, but not any suitable areas to do it less than 2000 km from home lol (and available canoes down here are all almost 6 m long made of fiberglass, weights a ton!)

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks! Those boats would be tough to portage ;-)

[@peterwerthner9438]

Jason. As a old timer canoeist (78), who has lost most of my canoe partners over the years, i have had to revert in recent years to solo tripping. It's absolutely wonderful continuing to follow your adventures from the early days of "The Carolyn Jane" to this new one. Solo paddling is now my new option, and as long as I can still get the canoe up on my shoulders the journey will go on. Watching this video I see a sleek and much lighter mode of transformation you've turned to. What canoe is the one you're using in this video? It's speaking to me. Peter

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Wow... awesome. I hope to still be bangin around the woods at that age. The new boat (5yrs now) is a solo carbon Swift Keewaydin 15' ... 30 lbs ish which is indeed a game changer. In hindsight I may have gone with their Prospector 14" solo but I do appreciate the speeds I can achieve in this narrower boat. It's also very nice to be able to simultaneously brace both knees firmly on the sides when its choppy or in heavy wind (good example was Winds of October trip a couple years back / CJ would have been a handful in that wind). Bracing that way makes the boat feel like an extension of your body... very reassuring I find. I'm still fine tuning the strokes in this solo boat... much different than sitting back further in a reversed tandem boat. Thanks for watching over the years!

[@GetShook-420]

I did this loop but did it slightly different I went up potters creek ( wish we could of skipped potters creek damn beavers) onto potters lake and continued up through past potters to Brule than over to macintosh lake down through Tom Thompson little doe over to burnt island, back down to little Joe onto Joe and back out onto canoe lake. Trip was around middle of August and let me tell you. IT WAS AWESOME. Tough but lovely, hate every second of it while loving it somehow more at the same time! That being said maybe I’ll do this loop in the spring! Great video, also how did like the 2300 portage to ink lol. Brutal one

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

THat sounds like a great alteration to the loop. I had planned some different lakes too this time but opted to shorten it slightly... in hindsight I could have probably done it but it did afford me some relaxing time for photos etc. Yes, that 2300 is a haul but at least its good even trail for the most part. I just got back from Temagami and some of those rugged ports are a bit nutty in comparison! Glad your trip in mid August was nice... Algonquin rarely dissapoints.

[@GetShook-420]

@@JasonIrwinTumblehome new fan brother, keep it up

[@michaelpickford4294]

Great work as always Jason, but………. “Are we camping yet?” Did I miss it? It’s not a Tumblehome vid without it! Amazing image of the heron!! Just incredible.👏👏👏👏

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

yeah I dont' think I said it!... hat sales are going to take a nose dive ha ha

[@harrygrimley4352]

Just watched this. New discovery. Going to subscribe. Could ask a million questions but how about 2. Why dont you fish? Tell us about your canoe.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks for watching! I'm pretty lame at fishing and I usually use all my spare time for photos etc. I've tried over the years but I don't have the patience 🙂I enjoy watching others fish though. Check out my older Karma Moose and the Redemption Trout vid... my buddy is a fly fish guy and we had a pretty good adventure after some brook trout. The canoe in this vid is a Swift Keewaydin 15 solo. Nice and light. I have an older 14' cedar strip tandem and a 17' tripper as well. They both weigh 60lbs while the Kee is 30lbs so you can imagine which boat is getting the most use. I did have the cedar boat out this summer in French River for a spell... such a treat to paddle it.

[@harrygrimley4352]

@@JasonIrwinTumblehome wow. 30 lbs. That would be awesome. I could jog with that. Very nice.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

@@harrygrimley4352 yeah it sort of opens up the door to longer trips etc... so light!!

[@davidhuth5659]

If only you had a boombox as cool as those guys you passed. Seriously though, what's the point of being in a wilderness area? Thanks for another great video! I always enjoy your cinematography.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Ha ha... my rant was much more extensive but I cut most of it out. One speaker box is what it is... but two? in canoes that are 10 ft apart?... gong show, cant imagine being camped on the same lake :-)

[@CanadianSledDog]

Beautiful work as always! I bet it felt great being 20 lbs lighter on the ports. I'm on a weight gain diet like a sumo what does that mean for my next portage? 😳

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Thanks! Extra pounds means extra reserves! 🙂

[@papacampoutdoors]

Nice trip! Where do you dispose of the water from the food bags after rinsing?

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Good question! I try my best to scrape every last bit out so that there is little if anything left inside. I usually fill it 3/4 with lake water / close the bag / agitate / reopen and then either use it to douse the fire or dig a small hole similar to that of a "number two" hole. The good thing is that you really only need to do it for the first one and then all the other ones just get folded and put inside it.

[@justicebdone]

That 'Woooo' moment is something any man will understand 😂... great content, great vid, thank you!! What canoe are paddling Sir?

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Hello and thanks for watching. The canoe is a Swift Keewaydin 15' in carbon. Its set up so it can be classic paddle style or a packboat. (removable foot bar and seatback, and the seat lowers). I've only dabbled in using it packboat style a few times. Its been good... very light and tracks well. Its much less maneuverable than other classic hull shapes with more rocker. I found it tough to get through some long twisty river sections in Temagami last fall... was wishing I was in a prospector at times. That said, I was sure loving it when I was into the wind on the bigger lakes 🙂

[@kirkchamberlain8490]

First thing I noticed is the new canoe. Where’s the Carolyn Jane?

[@michaelpickford4294]

Where you been dude. That boat was his 50th birthday present to himself and he ain’t 50 anymore…

[@kirkchamberlain8490]

@@michaelpickford4294lol!

[@kirkchamberlain8490]

@@michaelpickford4294 Guess I’ve been out of the loop!

[@michaelpickford4294]

@@kirkchamberlain8490Great excuse to catch up! 😉

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

yeah its 5 yrs on now... CJ is collecting a bit more dust than usual but I did get it out for a trip to the French this summer... some of that will be in my next vid. Cj is 60lbs... new boat is 30lbs. 30 has such a nice ring to it.

[@maydanlex]

Here we go...

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

😄

[@OutdoorswThatGuy]

Just out of curiosity, never been to Algonquin but with all the regulated spots to camp , are ya allowed to camp elsewhere ? Ie , canoeing along the shoreline I'm sure there are some nice spots up in there you'd likely want to but ...rules and regulations.. anything ??

[@Saltedbiscuit0007]

Have to stick to marked campsites…

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Technically you need to stick to marked sites. In Algonquin it's probably worth making sure thats the case because it gets very busy in summer and it would be a bit of gong show if folks could make camp anywhere... Tom Thomson wouldn't have any trees left along the shore if it was a free for all :-). Sometimes in French River or some of the more remote northern parks, I'll make exception in a pinch. I usually have small (or no) fires and sleep in a hammock so my footprint is minimal :-)

[@JB50713]

That snake did not want to be on camera! Lol

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

some knob kept jamming a camera in his face! ... he he

[@justinflott5133]

Established 1960 lol

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

I put a new sticker on it now... should be in the next vid :-)