Epic #1 - The Brent Run

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Welcome to The Epics!
Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.

History
The origins of the iconic Brent Run are steeped in wilderness lore. What we do know is that, starting nearly 100 years ago, hardcore guides in Algonquin began trying to complete this grueling 160 km challenge in a 24-hour window. Few have succeeded but, to this day, the legend lives on.

What You Need to Know
For our version of the Brent Run, we’ve taken the best half of this historic adventure and stretched it over five days. This maintains the challenge of the journey (trust us, it will still be a significant challenge) while also allowing us the time to actually appreciate the impressive makeup and scale of the park.

You'll travel from the top of Algonquin Park all the way down to the Highway 60 corridor in this incredible test of endurance and determination. Covering roughly 80 km with 11km of portages, this journey takes you through the heart of the park’s rugged wilderness, combining long paddling stretches with challenging portages that require strength, patience, and planning.

We'll be getting up early each day and putting in long hours (up to 12 hours some days!) to make it to our next campsite each night. Along the way, you'll begin to understand how special Algonquin is, as you cover huge distances without once coming into contact with civilization.

Expect to navigate a mix of serene lakes and winding rivers, each with its own character and obstacles, from choppy open waters to twisting, narrow channels. Portages along the route can range from manageable to gruelling, with some stretches featuring steep climbs, uneven terrain, and slippery rocks that will test both your body and your gear.

For those willing to embrace the challenge, the Brent Run offers one of the most rewarding and unforgettable journeys in Algonquin Park.

What's Included:

• Return transport between Toronto and Algonquin
• 2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training
• Rentals for lightweight canoes, PFDs and paddles
• All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits
• All safety equipment (including first aid kits and water purification)
• Tents and all the camping equipment you'll need (sleeping bags and pads are available for rent)
• All permits and campsite bookings for the whole trip
• A preparatory information session
• Detailed trip plan with packing lists, maps and the indigenous history of the route we're following
• Extensive planning to ensure your safety throughout the adventure
• A custom, iron-on patch to immortalize your unforgettable adventure

NB: As this is a one-way adventure, self-driving will not be possible.

Epics are mentally and physically demanding adventures, and participation isn’t automatically guaranteed. These expeditions require skill, determination and teamwork to get through.

To help ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all, anyone who has not previously completed an Epic will need to fill out a short questionnaire so we can assess readiness together.

Your level of fitness and outdoors experience will play a role in this process. Having certain adventures under your belt will ensure you have the right skills and preparation for these kinds of experiences. These include:

• Any Wilder Series adventure, including the upcoming Wilder Loop
• Any Survivalist Series adventure, including Introduction to Navigation or Cold Exposure
• Canoe Foundations Clinic
• Hilton Falls Mega
• Any other adventure with 4 or 5 star difficulty

If you register for an Epic and are not approved, you will receive a refund in full.

Highlights
An Epic Challenge - Follow the historic 80km line from Cedar Lake to Canoe Lake, tracing the path of the legendary park guides who turned this route into a provincial icon.
Abundant Wildlife - Algonquin is teeming with wildlife and you'll get to experience it over our 5 days in some of the most remote regions of the park.
‍Backcountry Bonding - Forge friendships and memories that will last a lifetime as you work together to successfully complete this adventure.

Event cost: $1050+HST. Please register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com