Canada>Ontario->EGL->2019 Canoeing Season > French River Hang Aug 2019

**Cruiser51** · 08-07-2019, 09:25

Planning on going, I didn't see a meet up time/place or is that still being decided?

Brian

**KeeWayKeno** · 08-07-2019, 09:29

No personal experience but from trip reports, trees are a bit sparse & habituated bears are common. I'm not counting on being able to hang food. The only real field test of the Ursak I've seen was here (Shawn James, My Self Reliance YouTube).

P.S. ... I'm also not likely to try for the Bustards in my wind-hating canoe

, happy to wait for those who brave the open water crossing on a nice safe island.

"Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one." T. Thomson

**Chard** · 08-07-2019, 10:45

If anyone has multiple bear-proof food storage systems, it'd be nice to bring them all along so we can make sure everyone has something. Standard plastic tripping barrels with the locking metal rings are not bear-proof unless certified by the manufacturer.

Expect winds from the west as we approach the bay. Plan to trim canoes accordingly.

Currently no group meals are planned, but French Canadian pea soup is a definite space saver

Suggested first camps for late-comers rendezvous (Please feel free to provide alternatives)

Trip Rendezvous: Hartley Bay Access Point - Aug 20, 8am
1st night: Sites 700-706 in the area of Crombie Bay
2nd night TBD: Sites 808-810,823 (726-728 in foul weather)

**Hoolio** · 08-07-2019, 13:50

Hey all,
After reading this very informative blog on a much bigger trip than Heather and I have planned, we have a renewed desire to push for the bay.

https://albinger.me/2017/10/05/canoe...aps-and-day-1/

Heather and I are going to play it cautious. We like canoe trips but rapids are beyond our comfort level especially loaded with gear.
Our plan is to spend one night near Pike Lake and then 2nd night either on the Bustards or if windbound than on the shore sites at the bottom of the aforementioned figure 8 loop.
In no way do I want the avid paddlers to not go have fun in the rapids, we are simply offering another option with the idea of a real rendezvous out on the Bay.

**Chard** · 08-07-2019, 17:32

I saw Ursack offer these online but they're out of stock.

Liner

I might have a source for the same 0.025 gauge sheet aluminum to roll up and use as an insert for the Ursack to minimize crushing. The supplier quoted around $20 per sheet which would be about 18" by 36". We'll see if that's the final quote. If I do get one for myself, is anyone else interested?

**Hoolio** · 08-07-2019, 19:02

I would be interested.

**KeeWayKeno** · 08-07-2019, 21:21

I made a sleeve from some scrap aluminium flashing. ( I'm cheap.)

"Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one." T. Thomson

**Chard** · 08-07-2019, 23:53

Originally Posted by Hoolio

Hey all,
After reading this very informative blog on a much bigger trip than Heather and I have planned, we have a renewed desire to push for the bay.

https://albinger.me/2017/10/05/canoe...aps-and-day-1/

Heather and I are going to play it cautious. We like canoe trips but rapids are beyond our comfort level especially loaded with gear.
Our plan is to spend one night near Pike Lake and then 2nd night either on the Bustards or if windbound than on the shore sites at the bottom of the aforementioned figure 8 loop.
In no way do I want the avid paddlers to not go have fun in the rapids, we are simply offering another option with the idea of a real rendezvous out on the Bay.

I'm good to do Pike Lake and then push on to Bustards in anything short of a full gale (be just like Beggar's Canyon back home). There's about 1 km of open water between the southernmost point of the islands at the mouth of the main channel and the north end of the Bustards. I have an XL shorty unsoiled wetsuit somewhere that someone might want to borrow.

YOLO!

**Hoolio** · 08-12-2019, 10:41

Food for thought. Be prepared for everything. Bugs, sun, animals and possibly cold August nights.
Write up from a recent trip in same area.
https://www.myccr.com/phpbbforum/vie...?f=108&t=47600

**keg** · 08-12-2019, 12:31

Can we come up with a rough itinerary?

My Suggestion
20th - Crombie Bay (sites 700-706)
21st - Garbage Bay (808-810 or nearby)
22nd - Scow Bay (713-718)
23rd - Bustards/Scow Bay
24th - Extra day - in case of weather
25th - Pike Lake (622-625, 640)

Alternate
20th - Pike Lake
21st - Main Channel/Scow Bay
22nd - Scow Bay/Bustards
23rd - weather day
24th - Five Fingers area for those inclined
25th - Near Thompson Bay (614-621)

Comments?