Day 1: Scarecrow Lake to Paul Lake

Over the next few days I will post up an entry from each day of the expedition as well as some post expedition bits too. Now I'm not the most eloquent person in the world so I have settled with letting the pictures do most of the talking and I shall keep my writing to a minimum. I think that might work best for everybody. so without further ado, here's day number 1:

Day one provided an interesting start to the expedition. An early start and a rush to get to Lakeland Airways meant that amidst all the excitement Ray and I forgot our breakfast. I was far to nervous to eat anyway... The trip on the float plane was a truly a once in a life time experience. After all the baggage (including ourselves) had been weighed to ensure the plane was perfectly balanced, it was time to depart. The first 15-20 minutes of the flight were incredible as we looked out the window and watched the lakes and trees fly-by. After 30 minutes I began to get nervous. Since setting off we had seen nothing apart from lakes and trees. Thick dense pine woodland formed a blanket over the land. Walking out would be an impossible task should anything go wrong. I began to think we had bitten off more than we could chew and willed the plane to land at every lake we flew over. This continued for another 20 minutes and by this point we were a long way from anywhere.

The Float plane.

North east arm of lake Temagami.

Nothing but lakes and trees all around.

Ishpatina ridge on the horizon, the highest point in Ontario at only 693m.

I called shotgun.

 We landed after a 50 minute flight and the landing was absolutely perfect. So good, in fact, that I hadn't even realised that we where now floating, the plane taxied into the middle of Scarecrow Lake. The pilot untied the canoe from the side of the plane, chucked in our baggage and gave us a helping hand down into the boat. After wishing us the best of luck he climbed back into the plane and prepared for the return flight.

Last chance to turn back.

About to be really alone.

 As the roar of the float plane engine died away Ray and I remained still in our canoe in the middle of the lake. Yet to really talk to each other we both just sat and took in the silence around us. I knew that these next 8 days where going to be tough... we didn't even manage to get to the end of the lake before a 'discussion' on forward paddling ensued. After the first few kilometers we began to find our rhythm and relatively soon we where cruising along with no thought at all. The morning flew by with perfect conditions and mirror flat lakes. The only sounds where the dip of our paddles and the call of the white throat-ed sparrow. we soon arrived at Scarecrow Creek. Surprisingly challenging to navigate, this little ditch consisted of fast flowing shallow rapids and the odd obstacle, which required quick maneuvering to avoid in the very narrow creek.

Obstacles

 After the thrill of Scarecrow Creek we once again opened up into a series of lakes. The wind began to pick up and was blowing into our face providing a very nice cooling breeze. The day was hot and the breeze was very welcome. Lunch was had at the South-West end of Hamlow Lake before the start of our longest portage. At 1600m a little under a mile, this portage would take us from the lakes on to the Sturgeon proper. We quickly realised along the portage that mosquitoes can bite through just about anything. I have said on numerous occasions since returning that this portage took us well over 4 hours. Having read back through my journal I have noted that it had only taken 2 and a half! It certainly felt longer. With 2 kit bags, 10 days worth of food and a 16ft canoe the portage was hell. A harsh winter and travelling early in the year meant that nobody had done this route since last season. As a result, the portage was blocked with multiple large pine and birch trees that either needed climbing over or chopping down. After the 3 mile walk we where very keen to get on the river and have a relaxing float into camp.

Lunch view, just after seeing some bald eagles.

Making a dent in the provisions.

The pleasant breeze of earlier had freshened up into a strong headwind. Morale was a little bit low and Ray even referred to the river as being just like the Preston canal. After slogging away we decided to call it a day, 8km before our planned campsite for Day 1. The first campsite we came to was not suitable for the night so we where faced with a tough decision of battling on or risking an open water crossing in the strong wind to check out a campsite on the over side of the lake, risking the crossing we soon found shelter on a camp situated in a large wind eddy. feeling a little low we quickly got a fire going, made camp, ate and got straight to bed. We hardly talked. The mosquitoes where out in full force and we had already had enough... Ray was not looking forward to the next 7 days but I tried my best to remain upbeat, feeling that it was my duty to remain positive. It really felt good to be alone. Scary, but good.

The first nights camp.