WABAKIMI PART 1

After my first solo last year, I got hooked and wanted more of the solitude that can be found up in the boreal forrest. Since I had gone to Woodland Caribou the 3 years before and seen a big part of the park, and also because a big part of the park had burned, it was time to go and explore a new area. I decided it was time to go to Wabakimi.
The year before I had been pushed around by the wildfires in Woodland. This year it would be the opposite element I would have to fight, water.
Before I even got to Armstrong Ontario, it became clear that the waterlevels were extremely high in the area. For some reason, my google maps took me down a logging road (Black Sturgeon Rd) instead of sending me to Thunderbay and from there taking the normal paced highway 527 up.
If I did not have a smaller sized off-road ready truck, there is no way I would have made it through the 112 kilometer road that got narrower at every bend. At some places the road was under water about knee deep!
Then once I was in the park it was obvious too how high the water was. Several fire pits under water, wet portages and at the shores, the water went well beyond the trees and in to the woods making it hard to get to the shore sometimes. All that being said, every trip in a remote destination comes with hardships. I did not expect this trip to be an easy one but I found myself complacent in the fast moving waters with my very heavy canoe and gear.
Wabakimi is an incredible beautiful and remote area and from day one showed me her wild untouched beauty. This video covers the first 2 days of my trip.

[@Jerry-ds4ye]

The voice, the cinematography... Im in love with each & every experience... Thank You

[@RobinLauer]

This is going to be an epic series, your canoe and outfit are great to see in such a beautiful element. I only trip in my wood canvas Chestnuts so I can really relate to this, well done.

[@toshselfpropelled]

You can't beat the beauty and feel of a cedar/canvas canoe. Beautiful scenery too!! Looking forward to the rest of the trip.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I agree! Thanks Tosh!

[@EK-mx7zb]

I love the length of the trip. Right away, I know you’re there for the long haul, going to sink into it, and not on a quick weekend warrior outing. There’s a valuable statement being made on trips like that, and sharing well-made footage from it is a treasure.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I love the long trips! Thanks for watching!!

[@RxRidgerunner]

Looking forward to following along on what has started as an epic adventure. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you!🙏

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

Stumbled across your channel! Been on this route…very nice! TY!

[@SoloSchmitty]

Looking forward to this series!

[@dadandladadventurers7732]

Just a beautiful trip so far. The canoe and the packs and the scenery are so pure.

[@dadandladadventurers7732]

I find myself checking back to the channel twice/day hoping part 2 is out!

[@ryanhines2857]

Be interesting;g to watch where you go in that many days. I’m doing Allenwater river to Wabakimi, to Whitewater, then Smoothrock, Caribou, and exiting on Little Caribou Lake next August. You just started at our exit so I’ll be watching these carefully for nuggets of information! Pretty epic that you already saw a Woodland Caribou!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Sounds like a solid trip! And yes, I tend to get extremely lucky with wildlife encounters😁 i feel incredibly fortunate!

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Great start to an awesome trip! Thanks for letting us tag along!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏼

[@maninthewoods]

Looks like a great trip. Watching next episode now!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you! Enjoy!

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

Hi Koen, love the shots your capturing 👍

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Marc! It is beautiful up there!!

[@clyde5852]

Love the videos… scenery/you are a breath of fresh air;) look forward to watching you

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Clyde!🙏

[@ryanhines2857]

Was just on those portages last week Thursday and Friday. Exited at the Little Caribou bridge on Saturday with Bruce picking us up. It’s weird recognizing exactly where you were at on the portages. We stayed in the awesome mid lake campsite you stopped and talked at.

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Good times! Looking forward to the rest.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Jason!🙏🏼

[@ladyadventurer5095]

Just loving your journey... so feel the solitude, your beautiful scenery, and the strength of solo. I have just purchased my first canoe - new to me, (avid kayaker) and feel so connected, so in love with it... From all the way in Queensland, Australia, I will enjoy your visual stories. Thank you.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you! There is definitely something magical about solo tripping through wild and mostly untouched parts of the world. How is canoe tripping in Australia?

[@FreakofNature1]

Wow! WL Caribou and a bear 🐻 Great start to the trip brother! Thanks for sharing🍻

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Right!? That was day one! Pretty wild! Thanks for watching guys! 🙏🏼

[@davidcook7008]

Great videos (having watched part 2 and looking forward to 3) I will be in Wabikimi this summer, unfortunately not as long at trip, only 90km easy 5 days. Thanks for posting!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

You’ll have a blast I’m sure! It is a incredibly beautiful area! Thanks for watching!🙏🏼

[@won8204]

Looks like an awesome. Glad I bumped into you. It may change my spring plans.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Are you the guy I met at the Antler River? Send me a message on facebook or instagram if you are!

[@won8204]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer i am but I don't have social media lol.

[@adventuretimefishinghunting]

Very nice! Wabakimi is on my wish list!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

You wont regret it! It is stunning!

[@amorimontagnus2042]

So happy to see a new series from you! So looking forward to following your journey, helps accept the sting of the season coming to an end.

[@offgridDAVID]

Looks like a great trip brother, very refreshing 👌

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks man! It was an amazing trip for sure! I’ll be checking out your channel later too!

[@supergoodcamping]

Nice! LOVE that canoe. On to the next.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks! I love that canoe too! I still can hardly believe it is mine every time I look at it to be honest😅

[@codybrooks2696]

Love your canoe, its beautiful

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks dude!

[@papacampoutdoors]

Look forward to this 30 days nice!

[@iceman256]

Awesome adventure. Beautiful scenery and wildlife...bear & caribou and nice size pike to start off your trip. Your canoe is a beauty,looks pretty sturdy😍 .I would recommend Bluefox vibrax minnow lure ( minnow with a spinning blade in front) by far the best lure I use. You can pick them up at Canadian Tire or Bass Proshop if in stock. I prefer dehydrated home cooked meals rather store bought. Homemade taste much better and cheaper. Looking forward to your next episode. Thanks for the share Brother 👊 🇨🇦🔥🇨🇦🔥

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you! I didn’t have time to do any dehydrating and food prep myself so I just bought them all. Was a lot easier under the circumstances 🙂

[@JacobPhillipsOutdoors]

Pumped for another series! Got to do 12 days in Wabakimi/on the Kopka 3 years ago and it was an adventure to say the least haha... some of the wildest portages I've been on. Excited to see you navigate that section with the cedar/canvas. Absolutely beautiful boat!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Jacob! When I look at my canoe I can still hardly believe she’s mine!

[@markcummings6856]

Stellar video.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Mark 🙏

[@tomboyd7565]

Koen, We absolutely love your videos, especially when you narrate along with the photography/videos. Your solo 28-day adventure was exceptional. Also love it when Sara-Jade joins your adventures. We have owned 2 cedar strip canvas-covered canoes over the years (1975-2022). Gave our last one to our son in Barrie, ON just this summer. Also love your home country too as we did a river cruise (several years ago) through Netherlands/Belgium visiting several of the Canadian war cemeteries during our cruise. Wonderful people. Cheers, Tom Boyd

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you Tom. Ive been very fortunate in my adventures! And yes there is a great bond between Canada and the Netherlands thankfully! Thanks for following along! 🙏

[@MichealBacon]

Just beginning to watch this series now. Your boat is beautiful, very traditional along with the packs. But if I had your gear I'd paint that blue barrel within a shade or two of the same color as your boat canvas covering. That blue barrel stands out like a sore thumb and takes away so much of the traditional look. Perhaps a burnt orange to blend in, but yet still visible in the event of a dump.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I 100% agree with you on this!! I have even looked everywhere for didfferent color barrels. Now recreational barrel works makes red ones, but thats still way to bright and an eyesore to me. Ive actually thought about making some sort of green canvas cover to go over it or even just a canvas tarp to cover it up. Ive always wanted a good set of canvas tarp anyways to go with this traditional outfit. One to lay on as a groundcover and bedroll and the other to set up overtop as an A-frame.

[@carolandkenlunney5430]

beautiful canoe. looking forward to the rest of the series

[@dalesiemens]

So happy to see another trip from ya!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Dale! Let me know what you think!

[@trooperjinthewoods4538]

I'm watching it on the way into work . Wow you got lucky with all the wild life you saw, that alone made the trip worth while.

[@dalesiemens]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer yea I loved the episode, you film so well and capture scenery like no other. Amazing trip so far. I took a trip through woodland caribou this summer inspired by your filmed trip and it was an awesome time, landscape a bit different with the fires but still beautiful. Looking forward to the rest of the trip videos

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thats amazing!! Thanks Dale! 🙏 I intend to go back to Woodland next year! I feel like I’ll forever have a connection to the park after last year!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Definitely very lucky!😁

[@andrewfallak7572]

Beautiful canoe to quote Bill Mason “ Theres a beauty and warmth in a wood canoe that you just don’t find in other canoes”. Wish I had one! What length is it? I chose to paddle with a 16’ prospector rather than a a shorter light one as I wanted the experience that Bill Mason would have had in his chestnuts 16” the guys with the shorter solos and Bob Specials laugh at me😅. Let em laugh. Wabakimi is such a special even sacred place. Unfortunately I’m in no physical shape to penetrate its wilderness so have to live vicariously through your videos. You sure do it justice! Thanks so much!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Andrew! It definitely feels very different. I love the whole traditional look and feel. My wood canoe is a 17 foot sturgeon river (sorry, not sure what the model is called) I hope to back to Wabakimi maybe next year! Thanks for the compliments and thanks for watching!

[@andrewfallak7572]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer Wow that’s a big craft! I just purchased a Nova Craft 16’ Prospector is a lot of boat with a very deep hull I’m hoping it will serve me well in big water. I know you don’t think much of but I have a nice carbon double blade paddle which I will need to serve on Lake Winnipeg which has a lot current and big swells were a single paddle doesn’t get you any where. Can’t wait to see your video of your return to the park!

[@maplehouseknives]

Really missed your videos man, I was worried about you for a minute! As always, can't wait for the next one!👍

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks dude! Im not going anywhere! Im here to stay! Ill keep making videos for a long time. I’m just limited for time while working fulltime. I wish I could just focus on the outdoors fulltime!

[@maplehouseknives]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer Understand totally! Keep doing what you do, I love it! The canoe is off the charts, hope you go into detail in the coming vids!👍

[@jimhanson7476]

Yes another adventure awaits us.. awesome start and the wildlife..

[@urbanoutdoorsman5654]

I enjoy your videos completely. They are almost the best I’ve seen on KZbin. Great work. Can’t wait to see the next one

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks so much! Thats a big compliment!🙏

[@JasonLydiaIrwin]

Good stuff!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks guys!!

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I’m glad you are back posting videos. This looks like it’s going to be a great trip. I’m very much looking forward to this series. I can’t get over that beautiful boat you have and your doing the retro thing with the canvas Frost River packs 👍🏻

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Alan! Definitely my favourite look, going traditional. Now I’m not sure if it was the best practical choice for Wabakimi though!

[@bjmd28]

You had better be on an epic trip. Part 2 already 😂

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Haha! If only I could take my computer with me so I could edit while traveling! It is very time consuming and life has been soo busy in the most amazing way!

[@jonathanelizabethrockey4701]

Thanks so much for your sharing. Your video(s) are great and inspiring. I'm hoping to do a bit of Wabikimi some day. Have you posted anything about your itinerary and gear that might be helpful to those considering it?

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks soo much! I have not posted anything like that no. The amount of editing that these trip videos take, I don’t have much time left to make a gear video. I might go back to Wabakimi next spring though, so maybe I’ll do something like that for that trip! Thanks for watching!

[@davidwsmith316]

Awesome!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks David! 🙏🏼

[@CanoeTheNorth]

Very nice part 1 of the series. Man that water is high. I did a trip there at the end of August and it looked completely different. I think we stayed at the same site (your last campsite in the video) and the water was so much lower it almost looks like a different place. Great animal sightings and nice pics of that caribou! Great work.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks! It was soo wild!! I would love to see some of these places and compare! Some places where the map said possibly line, there wasn’t any sort of shore to stand on anywhere. There was soo much water that there was swifts and fast water where on the map it looks like normal clear passage. Lots and lots to learn! Yes the wildlife is absolutely incredible! I fell asleep with my head on my journal when I heard him and I somehow instantly knew and woke up think ‘CARIBOU!!!’ Crazy how, full of adrenaline, you can run through the woods without socks on, and not feel anything but as soon as the caribou had crossed the water to the next island and had disappeared out of sight, I started walking back and I remember it feeling like walking on a field of legos😅

[@Tents.and.Timber]

Oh my goodness mate, the intro had us hooked, all that wildlife is nuts. We are looking forward to lots more. Ps. gorgeous canoe, we are jealous.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank guys! I still look at that canoe and can hardly believe she’s mine! And that jealousy might end once its on your shoulders at 80 pounds dry and roughly 90 pounds a few days in to a trip!😅

[@Tents.and.Timber]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer hahaha thats a true point, although we did a white water canoe trip earlier this year and used 80lb canoes for that adventure. We much prefer our usual 40lb canoe, but the river trip was a ton of fun.

[@olavmsonge5221]

The canoe is a beauty. But a bit heavy ? Portage (french), carry. I think the canoe is a bit heavy to portage. Thanks for the trip💯

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Haha, correct. It is very heavy to carry! Thanks for watching!

[@FishingWithKa]

Can't wait to watch! Your last series was great.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Ka!

[@82caferacer]

What a great video !!!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you!

[@rebeccadees2300]

You might want to look into a tumpline tutorial I saw in another video. It helps take some of the weight off your shoulders when portaging your canoe. Cliff Jacobson tumpline was the source for this in the other video. William Russell KZbin channel has a video of his canoe trip on the Wabakimi?) that shows the tumpline.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I have actually tried that before and I found it more awkward then helpful! I think for a lighter canoe it would be ok but not for this heavy beast of a canoe. Its 88 pounds!😅 I do love my tumplines on my Ostrom Wabakimi pack and barrel harness. With the canoe the problem for me is that when I go downhill and tilt the canoe forward, the timeline slacks and when I tilt it back going uphill it pulls on my head more. I will definitely watch his video cause it could also be that I was doing something wrong. Thanks!

[@rebeccadees2300]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer just thought I would share. I know nothing about camping etc that’s why I enjoy several channels plus yours. When I saw that video portion showing the tumpline I thought I would share it just in case it was something new. Thank you for your reply and I look forward to more of your video adventures.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I really appreciate it Rebecca! Thank you for thinking of me! And thank you for watching my channel!!☺️

[@donalddakota8069]

Very nice filming, talked with you and the rest of the panel last week on Canoehounds Outdoor show. I just realized that. Your canoe with canvas packs looks so at home in the bush, I'm not into neon ultra light junk. You can run whitewater with a wood canvas, the crew of Headwaters Canoe, who built mine, run rapids as well as camp Keewaydin and Camp Temagami canoe trippers. You just need to carry a repair kit if needed. I'm not much for whitewater myself, just don't care for it. I always say "No one ever drowned on a portage trail" Looking forward to the rest of your trip! Take care.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Donald, I appreciate it! I agree with the bright colours ultra light junk part! It always bugged me on trips before. I have a nice wood canoe and fully intend to use it for what it is made for. I do need to gain a lot more experience running rivers. Portaging or not. I did purchase a nova craft SP3 prospector 16 that I’ll be using to gain experience on the rivers. Im extremely drawn to go further and further north and do long trips and running rivers and whitewater just opens up so many routes and places and I’m very much looking forward to it. And I have to admit, i do like the rush it gives going down a rapid. Thanks for watching Donald, I’m sure we’ll chat again some time!

[@leelichlyter1553]

Looking forward to watching this series after watching Woodland. Beautiful boat you have. What is the weight? My portages in the Atakaki were with an 80lb aluminum....not so easy to lift up gracefully! For those blisters, a little Aquaphor does wonders. I'm an endurance paddler (200 mile plus races) and it helps a lot until you build up the callouses.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you! My wood canoe comes in at 83 pounds dry and about 90 after a few days of tripping when she soaks up some water. Ill be taking my 90lbs prospector through Atikaki this year! I use a ointment by Watkins (petro carbo first aid salve) that does incredibly well for my blisters and is good for mosquito bites and other rashes and infections aswel! Its very important for me yo bring that or it will be a very painful ride till the callouses are built up! Thanks for watching Lee!

[@1966dc]

Looks like another great series! Looking forward to the rest. At 16:20 a back ferry might have been the way to go. Less stress! At 21:50 there's a ghost walking through your camp.... or, maybe an albino bigfoot.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Larry. Yeah it was a littlebit of a struggle getting across to the channel on the left (which on the map said could be lined) what I didnt get on video is that I had to paddle around a tree that was hanging over/in the water almost all the way to the far righthand bank. I didn’t have any river experience prior to this trip. I bit of a lot more than I can chew!

[@howardbaer8966]

Hey Dutch Explorer! My son and I were coming out as you were coming in. Looks like you had a nice trip! The Hair Baer

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Are you the guys I met at the portage from Little Caribou to Caribou?

[@howardbaer8966]

Yes, we are. @@The-Dutch-Explorer

[@mywaterzmywoodz]

Looking forward to the rest of the series! When is the next video due out?

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks! I’m not sure yet. It is in the making but life and work are very busy right now. I wish it could be my fulltime job!

[@mywaterzmywoodz]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer hopefully you can get the next one out this holiday season.

[@mattymieds]

How much does that beautiful wooden canoe weigh?

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

It weights about 80lbs dry and add about 10 pounds when she’s been in the water for a few days. 🙂

[@scottcameron8583]

Very nice beginning to an awesome trip. Can't wait to watch the rest. Are you using a new camera. The images are crystal clear! What kind might it be?

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Scott! I had the same setup with one added gopro 10 but i used it with the same 4K 60fps settings as my older gopro 7🙂

[@larrygorst8749]

Good Lad. Fishing sucked, but all round one fine video. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thanks Larry! Yeah I thought I lost my fishing mojo for a while.

[@kevinjanis5189]

When is the next installment going to be released? Can’t wait another minute!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Haha I am working it slowly. My fulltime job and life have been keeping me very busy lately! Thanks for watching Kevin! 🙏🏼

[@michaelroffe2461]

I was there mid summer. Water levels were lower, but the wind crossing Caribou lake was tough.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

It sure is a huge lake! Get to see any Caribou on Caribou lake?

[@michaelroffe2461]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer I did not, but did see one on Smoothrock lake!

[@asafloml1-asaf-yaari]

Just "discovered" you...glad I did...have a small question - why dont you eat pike? Regards from a new fan from Israel...

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Oh I have no problem eating pike, but when there is walleye and trout available I much rather eat those! Thanks for watching!

[@jacquescoutu7631]

I wish I could fit a 30 day trip in my schedule. I like how your camp and gear stay organized and clean. My pet peeve is people dumping out their dry packs and barrels all over.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

It is all about hiding it behind the camera angles😅 no I do like a clean campsite. Feels better looks better and works better. Less risk to loose items and whatever I don’t need is packed away safe and dry!👌

[@bonpecheur4565]

Beautiful start in that long trip ! I dont know how you manage to bring so little gear in a 30 days trip , I bring 75% more than you on a week long trip 😅 thanks

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

This was not little gear! This was a lot IMO. I could probably have left a lot of stuff out but I like to pack some extra video gear and battery power and such. When it comes to necessities you really don’t need much out there!

[@adrianrobins5313]

Nice, I love your canoe ,good video your videoing is very clear and crisp, what camera are you using.Catch some fish for supper.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Thank you Adrian! This was a combination of my gopro 10 and gopro 7.

[@adrianrobins5313]

@@The-Dutch-Explorer pretty good for gopro

[@tercet]

Looking forward to the series, any reason why you took the wood canoe over a more sturdy one?

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I have a wood canoe, I did not have a river canoe at the time. I love the wood canoe and unlike some people who baby their wood canoe and only day trip with it to keep it nice, I fully i tent to put it to use at any opportunity I get. I love the old rustic more traditional look and that was kinda what I was going for and I planned to just portage around any white water. I did recently buy a nova craft prospector 16 SP3 to use to gain experience in running rivers and whitewater.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Exactly!👌 and to me in that kind of landscape… my old bright blue bag and shiny epoxy covered kevlar or plasticy river boats always kinda look out of place in a way. Obviously they have their practicalities but I’ll choose wood over anything else when i can get away with it. Now its my inexperience thats more of a problem!

[@denniswaite8287]

I was in Wabakimi in August with much different conditions . . . wind! What dates were you there?

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I set out onto little Caribou on May 25th.

[@Hames_tripper]

Were those portages or rivers? Haha, crazy high water!

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

A little of both! I could alnost have paddled through the portage!😅

[@rebelwithano4890]

👍

[@DL_Chris]

Next time take the nova craft and hit those rapids 😬

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

I probably will! I have some trips planned for next year to gain whotewater experience!

[@ktownc936]

Holy shittttt. How 2.06k subs? I think you need to change the restaurant's name. I know it's hard to leave grootmoeders recipes behind but you are not bringing in the community/numbers. Start a new channel and link this old one for more views.

[@ktownc936]

I must excuse myself, you have more viewers than subscribers on this video. Pigs in my pen.

[@The-Dutch-Explorer]

Ill take the time to grow this one! Maybe later down the road I’ll promote these older series again as they were amazing trips.

[@biged4476]

Cheers✌