What we’re about
Are you interested in overnight backcountry travel? If you long to sleep under the stars, do multi-day treks in the wilderness, or paddle all day and sleep on beaches at night you have come to the right place.
All levels of experience are invited though some trips may not be appropriate for all members. There is an emphasis on getting out there especially on weekends and helping people expand their abilities in backcountry travel.
Some activities will include backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, ski touring, snowshoeing, and bicycle touring.
Come join us, learn more about traveling in the backcountry and find friends to explore with. We look forward to seeing you!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Bruce National Park Backpacking WeekendNeeds location
I've booked a little April weekend hike in Bruce National Park, partly because we're enjoying such fine April weather, and partly because I think the black flies will make an early appearance in May, but mostly because Ambika asked me to.
We'll depart Cyprus Lake April 26, visit the Grotto, and spend the night at Stormhaven. Sat night we'll camp at High Dump. Sunday we'll take a back trail to Halfway Log Dump, then head home.
The Park limits us to two tents and four hikers per campsite. This is a hike suitable for beginner backpackers, and we'll be moving along at a relaxed pace, but you should be in good physical shape - there's a fair bit of scrambling involved.
Further trip details will be sent by email. No pets on this trip, thanks. Backcountry campsites are modestly priced, so costs will be low.
Upon posting this trip, I tell the Meetup software the trip is full, so your RSVP puts you on the Waitlist and indicates your agreement with the terms of the Co-Participant Understanding. Following your RSVP, your next step is to contact me, by Meetup message or email, to discuss your experience level and related info.
There's always someone to lend a hand on KWBT Meetup trips, but you are responsible for your own transportation, food, gear, and personal safety. You can contact me with any questions through this Meetup app.
Mike
- Introduction to backpacking - A first trip with TimSix Mile Lake Provincial Park, Severn, ONCA$12.93
Join me for an introduction to backpacking. This trip aims to help those who are new and/or uncomfortable with self supported backcountry travel.
If you already are a capable backpacker please be considerate and make room for people who are new to backpacking as this trip has limited space.
We will focus on gaining the skills needed for backcountry living and travel. The overall pacing will focus on giving time for instruction and demonstrations. Although this is a backpacking trip these skills are transferable to any other trip that requires you to carry your needs for multiple days in a backcountry setting.
This trip will be held in Gibson Provincial Park. This means this trip is going to a bit more "real" as there are no official campsites, trail maintenance, or privies. On the upside, we are headed to a lovely campsite. From there I have seen beavers and woodpeckers from camp and enjoyed the calls of coyotes.
There are a several short climbs over it's 8km but over all the difficulty of the trail is moderate. The will be muddy patches and the spring weather can a bit unpredictably warm or cool. It is important that you ensure your pack is not too heavy and that your footwear is well fitted. Given the somewhat usual weather bug conditions are hard to predict but I anticipate something biting at least part of the trip.
It is highly recommended you attend the "Introduction to backpacking - Learn what to pack" (https://www.meetup.com/kw-backcountry/events/300461608/) workshop on April 23rd.
Participants need to be in good physical fitness. Backpacking is a strenuous sport involving carrying weight on ones back over uneven and unpredictable terrain. Participants are required to
- Respond to the email address they have registered with Meetup.com in a timely manner.
- Reading all off the documents linked from this form and filling out the spreadsheet.
- If you have heard from me (Tim Laurence) by May 4th you are responsible for messaging me using the chat on the website, sometimes the MeetUp email silently fails.
The packing list for this trip can be found on the MeetUp site or at this link.
https://tinyurl.com/kwbackcountry-packing-list
Participants who are not packed properly may be asked to remain at the cars for their own safety.
You are responsible for providing or arranging for all gear you will need. I (Tim) personally have a fairly wide range of equipment to loan, please consider borrowing some of mine before buying. Additionally I encouraged you to share tents and stoves to lessen the amount you will have to carry.
In the spreadsheet below you can indicate items you need to borrow and or that you have available to loan. Also indicate your car pool details.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fhJfODb1Clz6j7-pZAhQ7YK8qB5vlK2K4aJSvUO6g8A/edit?usp=sharing
To RSVP I am collecting $12.93.
I am calculating these numbers assuming 5 people attend.
$11.00 reservation fee
$38.75 Friday night campsite
$10.17 Extra car fee
= $59.93 / 5 people or $11.99 per person
The final $0.94 goes to PayPal for transaction fees.Additionally participants are expected to evenly share, with their fellow passengers, the expense of the fuel for whichever vehicle they come in.
Friday @ 6PM. Carpools will head out to Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. I have reserved campsite 136 which can hold up to 6. If needed we will reserve another campsite nearby.
Saturday morning there will be a review of everyone's gear and introduction into some of the basic skills needed for backpacking.
After the review is done we will set out, typically around noon, and drive for about 20 minutes to the baseball field near the park. https://goo.gl/maps/Rx1gT7K2S5Ar32bA7
From there we will follow the ski and snowmobile trails to our campsite stopping occasionally for instruction.Sunday we will return the same way we came in a little wiser. We will aim to be home before 11PM.
- Canoe trip Rathburn lake loop -Kawartha Highlands ParkAnstruther Lake Road, North Kawartha, ON
Paddling the in kawartha before all the camping spots get booked up.
Itinerary:
- friday evening: start at Anstruther lake access point, paddle to Rathburn lake to set tent. if we arrive early we can explore North Rathburn lake & back
- saturday: pack up and move to the next campsite on Copper lake. Set camp, then pack the essentials for a day trip to serpentine lk or anderson lk. 2 portages to get to the campsite, between 216m & 370m
- sunday: pack up and head back to the anstruther access point
Number of portages: at least 3
difficulty: easy/moderate
there are some portages, and there can be wind on the larger lake. nothing drastic, just that previous paddling experience is required.fees: about $30, depending on the number of people
Maps: link to Jeff's maps to see the planned routes
Outfitters: wild rock outfitters. adventure outfitters
Expectations:
This is just a meetup, NOT an adventure travel tour. you are responsible of your own gear, your own safety, skill level, first aid, physical fitness, emergency contacts, etc, etc. pls read and acknowledge before signing up.
rules, expectations, policies, etc
co-participant understanding
You are welcome to carpool, make arrangements for paddle partners, or gear sharing. the messaging feature in meetup is quite handy or we can do a google sheet.
