Wabakimi Backcountry Canoe Trip - Part 1: Flindt River Headwaters

[@armtgshnks]

Great video. I enjoy the honesty. It makes me feel like I'm not the only one who struggles on these adventures we're lucky enough to have.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, I am trying to find the right balance of how much to show of the personal side. But yes just putting a trip together, even when you are in top form, can still be challenging.

[@duncanhutchison807]

You had us in suspense with all those rocks in the river.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Duncan.

[@1enediyne]

Wab is on my bucket list, when the kids get older. Glad it sounds like the family stress has worked out. Can’t wait for the rest of the videos.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, there are more on the way.

[@Woodswalker1965]

Sorry to hear about your recent struggles Kevin . I’m really looking forward to the next parts of your trip. All the best💪👊

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Wade 👍

[@EzeAdventurer]

I know that feeling well! When you're making mistakes, and you know your judgement is off. Awareness is step 1, I have no doubt the next parts will show you in your groove as you settle in. Been there, don't be too hard on your self!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Eze, much appreciated!

[@iCanoe_]

Forgetting stuff back at the truck is a specialty of mine. I am also an expert at leaving windows down and doors unlocked. Sometimes I just stand there and stare at the truck just to make sure that I did not forget anything. This happens just before I forget something :p. It can be hard to focus when your mind is already on trip. Good to hear that you remembered the Zolio before you paddled too far. Sorry to hear about the pre trip stress events. Hopefully you are more at ease as your trip progresses. Lovely scenery so far and nice work with the camera. Cheers!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, for that. I know I am not alone in the forgetful part.

[@cretan911]

Sweet Canada day with Kev!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, Happy Canada Day!

[@davidcook7008]

Great video! Love Wabakimi. Did a trip last year. Made me laugh when you were talking about leaving things. I left my fishing gear in my car and did not realize till I was on the train! 7 days in Wabakimi and no fishing!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yeah it happens. I once met a party of 6 guys in Woodland Caribou. They were camped close to the access point but said they had been in the park for 4 days. One of them had forgotten all the fishing reels and they got two days in before they realized! They traveled back to the access point to get the reels - I wouldn't have wanted to be that guy! :)

[@alphawhiskyadventures]

You did me one better. Family responsibilities kept me close to home for the past two years. Stay well Kevin. Looking forward to the next episodes.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Alpha Whisky, life happens and sometimes we need to stay put for more pressing matters. I am glad I was finally able to get away. I hope all is well.

[@supergoodcamping]

Sorry to see a bumpy start, but knowing it gets better - they always do!! Glad to see you out on the water again, Kevin. We're off to Killarney on Friday & looking forward to enjoying some of your killer recipes!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome, have a great trip!

[@stephenrobinson5949]

Happy for you getting out again. Looking forward to the rest of the trip. Hope to see a video of you planning your trip, planning your route, meals, gear etc. Have fun

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Stephen, that's a good idea. I'll have to put that on my future video list.

[@bsc1463]

Great editing ! Brings me back to my canoeing days . Subbed in and ready for part 2 . Thank you !

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome, thank you! Part 2 is on the way this weekend.

[@kevinharding2099]

Glad you are back on the water. I can identify with what stress does as the last month has been a dozy for me. I sincerely hope the trip helps and you come out a revived, relaxed man. Take care.

[@KevinOutdoors]

The trip was just what the doctor ordered. Thanks for kind words.

[@billanthony1426]

Nice vid, warts and all.Thanks for sharing.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks! 👍

[@gordthompson4664]

Good to see you paddling again. I hope that in the next few days (episodes) you hit your stride and shake off the residual stress. Happy Canada Day!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Gord, I do, but it takes me a few days. :)

[@kevinthewild]

Glad to see another trip video from you Kevin. Leaving on a big trip can often create stress on its own - regardless of anything else you are dealing with at the time. I’m sure you found your groove as the trip went on. Looking forward to watching the rest of the trip!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks! I do catch my groove eventually.

[@craigrobertson6082]

Great start to the trip. You were really earning your spurs on that first set of rapids.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much Craig.

[@Caramel_Latte_is_Delicious]

This is so cool. Thanks for sharing it with us!!!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, you are welcome!

[@Caramel_Latte_is_Delicious]

​@@KevinOutdoorsI really enjoy your videos. I can't get outside as much as I'd like to due to disabilities, so thank you! Please don't be hard on yourself for the small mistakes. 😊

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

You will get it straight! Try not to be so hard on yourself! Been on the Flindt and N…super cool! Off to E 2!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, yes after about a week I started chilling out. 😎

[@jaysway2346]

Looking forward to following along with the rest of the series.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Jay!

[@86beeman]

Nice to see you Kev. I hear you about the family stress and how it can affect you. I hope it worked its way out through the rest of the trip. I look forward to watching it.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much. The trip was just what the doctor would recommend!

[@northern_wilderness_adventurer]

I'm surprised I had not found your channel before now, but glad I have. I like these types of videos, you are very authentic and relatable and I appreciate you bringing us through Wabikimi. I only get to do 1 big trip a year, and I have this one penciled in for Fall 2026. Can't wait to see more.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I'm glad you found the channel. Welcome!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Just got back from a somewhat similar route. You must have been out a few weeks before us. Started on vista but went down the Alanwater and up the Flindt (with the slight deviation via Wilkie Lake). Great trip for a road access loop!

[@KevinOutdoors]

That's an interesting route, pretty much the opposite trip. Yes on the way back I went into Wilkie as well, the water was so high going directly from Flindt Lake to Flindt River would have been a real challenge.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

@@KevinOutdoors Alanwater was high. Passed a few fire pits underwater. Rapids were pushy and fun, but when we headed up the flindt the water had significantly dropped. We saw our paint on exposed rocks 3" out of the water on the upper flindt near vista from running the small rapids the week prior! Was fairly easy going and we were able to paddle up swifts and avoid a few ports. Cleared the trail out of Wilkie and did a bit of work on the burnt ports, but glad parks went through in June. That's gonna be a jackpot of downed trees for a few years to come!

[@dwrivers47]

Hope all is well Kevin. Part 1 was beautiful. I don’t have the mental fortitude to solo trip - always impresses me how you can do 2 weeks on your own😊

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, things are smoothing out with the family issues. Two weeks out is about my limit. I have some footage that might make a future video where I discuss that. If I was on the TV show Alone I would tap-out at the two week mark, I just miss my family too much.

[@MeetMeOutside]

Fantastic ! Great to see canoe content from you ! Hang in there ,I find for me it takes at least a couple days before I feel....in the moment. Thanks for sharing man !

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind comments, much appreciated!

[@JoeOsChannel]

Nice video Kevin. Looking forward to Part 2. Makes me really want to get out for a trip soon. Late 2022 was my last on unfortunately. Sorry to hear you've been going through stressful times, I hope things are getting better.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Joe, things are improving. 👍

[@trippingandtrekking]

Great video Kevin! Seems like it may have been an easier run in the Spring melt but super nice landscapes nonetheless.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks. There was very little spring runoff this year. Despite that, water levels are still higher than normal given all the rain we had in May and June. I think that section of the river is just 'bony' all the time.

[@Joe90V]

By coincidence I was looking through your vids yesterday to see if I'd missed one, and here you are! You're obviously back safe now but what I find helps is to write down as you go anything you've forgotten so a future packing list can have these highlighted. Same with troubles - write them down, it's a form of sharing. All the best, Jeroen.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Joe. Yes I have a fairly comprehensive checklist but this trip was long in the planning, long in delays and a rush to launch. My mind just wasn't on the task.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Nice video 👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

@@KevinOutdoors 👍

[@EzeAdventurer]

Ah no way dude! I'm about to head there to Wab myself for solo trip really soon!! Will watch this!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Have a great trip!

[@northern_wilderness_adventurer]

I'm really enjoying your trips, glad to hear we'll have another to look forward to. Cheers!

[@EzeAdventurer]

@@northern_wilderness_adventurer thanks matey!

[@brentandellesoutdooradventures]

Nice to see you back on the water, and in Wabakami. Is that a Prospector canoe? I was wondering about the double seats?

[@KevinOutdoors]

I added a third seat to bring my weight more towards the bow when I solo, it helps with the trim of the boat. I actually did a video about that.

[@Habsolutely]

the double seated configuration on your boat is interesting. Ive never seen it before. Is it custom?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes it is. The extra seat puts my weight more forward giving the boat better trim in the water and helping me maintain control in wind and waves. I have a video about that seat... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGekpa1tfZuhbJI

[@Habsolutely]

@@KevinOutdoors Great video. Now I know why I've spun in circles paddling a double canoe alone before.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

.. Some struggles along the way ,, fortunately they were minor ... I've found and pass to others that no matter how skilled you are ,, making a list and going over it when loading is a problem releaver later.. A nice trip and location for sure .. Q: what brand wooden paddle is that ?? Looks to have a slight bend ,right ?? .. Look forward to the next .. Stay Safe ..

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks. That is a Grey Owl paddle. It does not have a bend.

[@ThePrevo02]

Hey Kev, as a now southern Ontario resident and former Thunder Bay resident, it would be interesting for me to know the dates you are making these trips.

[@KevinOutdoors]

This one was basically the last two weeks of June.

[@ThePrevo02]

@@KevinOutdoors Hey bud, I hope the home situation improves. Good to see you back online.

[@mazman9355]

in case my nephew is watching, camping without a cup is kinda like glamping without a nintendo 😮

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, yeah I like that. 😝

[@mazman9355]

its not a super metaphor....but it captures the pain 😂😂 ( i happened to see a glamping pic not long b4 i watched your vid, nintendo safely plughed in)

[@Bikerbobber]

I believe you are wrong on the drone thing. It's illegal to fly them, without a permit, in any provincial park what your are flying is undisputedly a drone. The parks do not specify size of drone in the regulations. Size only matters with transport Canada and registration of a drone. I would hate to be in the wilderness and have a drone flying around me. I find it a bit self centered that you feel the need to do that. Other then that, I like the vids.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I appreciate your comment. All I can say is that I am a licensed drone operator, I have read every part of the Ontario Parks legislation and regulations. The word 'drone' or 'UAV" or other description does not appear in any of it. O. Reg. 346/07: MECHANIZED TRAVEL IN WILDERNESS PARKS does describe aircraft and where they can land and aircraft are permitted to land on all lakes in Wabakimi. Transport Canada regulates airspace and a micro-drone can be flown anywhere except Class F restricted airspace. Class F is generally for emergency areas like forest fires. I recognize there is a public sentiment/belief that drones can't be flown in parks, and so I respect other people and wildlife, but there are actually no rules against it.

[@stevemoss5975]

You are wrong about your interpretation of the rules they are fact not allowed in provincial parks. Very clearly stated . Wether licensed or not. ​@KevinOutdoors

[@KevinOutdoors]

@@stevemoss5975 Can you tell me where it is very clearly stated?

[@stevemoss5975]

@KevinOutdoors if you google drone use in provincial parks, it will show you. Numerous posts all over algonquin sites showing the regs. You need special permission, which is hard to get specially just for ytube