New canoeing areas are always sought after by canoeists. The
BWCA and Quetico was always thought to be the prime destination.
Until now.
The Atikaki Wilderness of The Woodland Caribou Park in
Ontario, and The Atikaki Park in Manitoba offer new routes for those in need of solitude and adventure.
The sheer solitude of these areas is breathtaking and
overwhelming and
few people use these routes during any given season. For example in some years as few as 800 canoeists paddle Woodland Caribou. Imagine 1.2 million acres all to yourself. It happens. You may paddle and never see another human or even the hint of one.
These
pristine areas cannot compare to other heavily used parks in
Ontario/Manitoba. They have no pre-made campsites and those that ARE there are primitive to say the least. Make your own is the rule of thumb.
Fires are permitted in
Woodland Caribou Park (unless stipulated otherwise) and there is certainly no lack of bedrock to build a fire pit. Manitoba however asks you to use stoves or metal
fire pots. Be sure to bring a saw, and try to avoid the heavier axes or hatchet. Weight is important on these
trips. When you leave, please leave the area close to as you found it as possible.
There are no roads in these areas, hence it is virtually
virgin wilderness territory just like it was hundreds of years ago.
Many lakes are within this area and no portages go into about half
of them. They are for the better part unexplored to this day.
The Atikaki is really yet to be discovered. It's flora and fauna
are not highly documented and information of such is certainly incomplete.
Discover Atikaki yourself and attempt to unlock it's secrets.
