Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The Great Awakening

After a brief yet intense winter, spring is once again resurrecting the slumbering landscapes of Algonquin. Just a few weeks ago we were snowshoeing in knee deep snow, racing down Nordic Ski trails and busting our backs shovelling yet another new snow fall. Now the ski trails are officially closed for the season, the snowshoes are hung for another year, and the snow shovels, thank God, are being hidden out of sight for at least 8 months!

On Friday, March 23rd Miko and I went for a short hike around Whiskey Rapids, in Algonquin Park. The trail was a bit icy in sections as it was early in the morning. It was Spring Meets Winter All round.

Miko, who loves to swim, had been out of the water for nearly 6 months, which had resulted in her being dirty and smelly, in dire need of a bath! She is an extremely intelligent and obedient dog and I had to give her the ok on heading on in for a swim. Oh the excitement! Even though the water was still frigid the sun was warm and Miko, stick in mouth, looked as if she was in heaven.




On Sunday the 25th Robin and I decided on an afternoon hike with some guests, across the road, on the Beetle Lake Trail. The warm sun once again doin’ it’s thing and the freshness of the Algonquin spring air was a force too strong to ignore.



I was amazed at how little snow was present in the forest, a lot less than 2 days prior. In patches the sun had melted the snow right away from the forest floor, where it found hundreds of maple keys. The tiny seeds had just jumped into action and began to germinate, producing tiny seedlings.

We paused briefly at the 2 really impressive lookouts over Oxtongue Lake and bathed in the afternoon sun.

There were a few soakers along the way, but all in all it was a great day out. I love this time of year. You can feel and smell life coming, well back to life I guess. Moose are once again being seen along the road, coming to lick the salt and eat the early plants in the ditches. For getting new gear, local stores, like Algonquin Outfitters are unloading all of their winter stock at great prices! Although whenever I go in I can’t help but look at all of the canoeing stuff.
Any day now the first of the magnificent spring wildflowers, the trout lily will poke out a leaf or 2. Today, the 28th of March, I noticed that the Oxtongue River across the road from the Wolf Den has been freed. I looked over towards my canoe in building anticipation. Maybe next week, Pontiac (16’ fibreglass) will get to be like Miko and take it’s first swim of the year!

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Reel Paddling Film Festival


March 15th, 8pm at the Algonquin Theatre, Huntsville

Our friends over at Algonquin Outfitters will be hosting this years Reel Paddling Film Festival at the Algonquin Theatre on March 15th, 8pm. What better event to attend for March Break, a great opportunity to get ramped up your excitement for the spring and summer paddling seasons. Films featuring all kinds of paddling from flat water Canadian canoe tripping, that we all love, to some of the craziest moves possible on all class of white water rivers by some of the best white water paddlers on the globe.

Come check it out, tickets are a special price of only
$12 for adults / $10 for students Tickets available now at the Algonquin Theatre website or by phone

Algonquin Theatre
37 Main Street East
Huntsville, ON P1H 1A1
Box Office (705) 789-4975
Toll-free 1-888- 696-4255 ext. 2352
http://www.algonquintheatre.ca/events/reel_padd_fest.htm

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Job Opportunity at the Wolf Den

Summer Host Position

The Wolf Den Bunkhouse and Cabins is currently looking for a reliable, outgoing, friendly person to assist in hosting duties. Spend your time off canoeing, hiking, biking and exploring in beautiful Algonquin Park.

The position is available from June 1st to August 31st 2007. The dates are negotiable. Preference will be given to those with an Eco-tourism/Environmental background and/or those returning to school in September.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Hosting --- greeting both domestic and international guests, giving tours of the facility, answering phone/e-mail, taking bookings, providing information on local attractions i.e. Algonquin and Ragged Falls Provincial Parks

Cleaning --- laundry, keeping the cabins, rooms, and the main building (kitchen, lounge and washrooms) tidy

Customer service --- handling cash, selling environmental products in our on-site store

Gardening and outdoor work --- watering, planting, and permaculture planning

Education --- Assisting in planning and preliminary implementation of Environmental Education Centre

You will be working independently, as well as in a team. Tasks may include moderate lifting. Must be able to be assertive yet friendly with guests, and communicate well with others.

Monthly wage of $1450 and includes accommodation. Hours to be negotiated. Bonus opportunities available.

Please forward resumes via email to: Benjamin Teskey at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Great North American Wilderness Clean-up

May 12 & 13, 2007

For 365 days a year your mother nurtures you. She provides you with clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, good nourishing food to eat, protects you from intense UV rays, and presents you with renewing recreational opportunities.
This mother’s day is your chance to give just a little bit back. Join us in the Great North American Wilderness Clean-up. Hike, bike, or paddle, pick-up a bit of garbage and have a fun day out with great people. Show Mother Earth that you are grateful for all she does for you.


Join an existing group in your area or form your own. Ask Ben from the Wolf Den wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com for details or visit www.wildernesscleanup.com

Wolf Den’s Group "The Wolf Pack" will be cleaning in Algonquin. Participants will receive ½ price accommodation for the 2 nights.

Friday, March 2, 2007

March Break Special at the Wolf Den


Come and Join us for your March Break and Receive a 10% Discount
Things to do while in the area:

Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking and the World Class Visitor Centre in
Algonquin Park (7 min Drive)
Soak up the grandeur of Ragged Falls (15 min Walk)
Hike through mixed forests and past spectacular
Lookouts on the Beetle Lake Trail
(Right Across the Road from us)
Relax by the Fire in our Lounge or Warm up in our
Cedar Log Sauna
Down Hill Skiing at Hidden Valley
Skating in Dwight

Offer Valid From the Night of Sunday March 11th to the
Night of Thursday March 15th.
No Snowmobiles please!
Contact Ben or Robin today
1-866-271-9336 1-705-635-9336

Thursday, March 1, 2007

A message from The Wolf Den Hosts: Our Story

The Wolf Den Vision:

To create an ecology education facility while maintaining affordable and comfortable accommodation and eco-tourism related operations.

The Dream:

Our passion is truly the environment, and we believe the best way to protect and honour it, is to teach and educate anyone who is willing to listen about the earth. Many people have lost touch with our Earth Mother, and don’t realize how our fast paced, industrial, commercialised lives are dramatically affecting our earth. It is important to get back in line with the land and understand how it works, in order to fully respect its true worth. This is why we wish to offer the opportunity for people to come here and be immersed in a natural and beautiful setting in which they enjoy, and then learn about the importance of this environment. Being so close to Algonquin Park really affords this opportunity, allowing people to have a protected, amazing place in which to explore so close to us.

Our plan is to still provide year round, affordable and cozy accommodations for a wide variety of guests, but we will to add to that, an environmentally focused learning centre and outdoor education facility. This will unfold throughout the next few years but has already begun through increased awareness of conservation, distributing environmental education pamphlets and by conducting workshops and guided hikes on nature and ecology. As time, funds and knowledge allow we will expand this new branch of the Wolf Den. We are also working on obtaining a sustainable energy demonstration to be put here on site, such as a small wind turbine and/or solar panels. We will have workshops on the equipment and show how they are a viable resource for energy. Education is key.

The Goals:


To overtime add the following additional services and make changes:



  • Informative guided hikes in the area

  • Programs with hands on learning on such things as fire building, outdoor survival, animal observation and tracking, edible and wild plants, ecology, and oneness with the earth

  • Open a small on-site gift shop and new reception area, in a reclaimed original log cabin, selling local, ethically produced products with minimal to no packaging with items such as Wolf Den clothing, handmade jewellery, natural beauty products, local art, nature books ect.

  • Obtain sustainable living working demonstrations such as solar power, wind power, alternative transportation, composting toilets, and permaculture methods

  • Build additional alternative cabins from methods such as reclaimed wood, used tires, straw bales, rammed earth, & adobe building methods
    Show video presentations on Algonquin’s various animals and plant life, bringing together the ecology of the park

  • Create an arboretum trail illustrating local native plant species
    Reduce waste through conservation, intensified recycling, and composting
    Make and post factsheets on native flora and fauna, conservation, and sustainable living practices

  • Completely switch to environmentally friendly cleaning and toiletries products

  • Encourage outside educational organizations to recognize and use facilities

  • Provide public internet services

  • Provide a shuttle service, and ecotourism tours into the park and local areas

  • Align strategic partnerships with local outfitting, tourism, environmental and alternative energy companies

  • Provide increased information about Algonquin Park

* Please note that these goals will take time and will be heavily influenced by financial viability and time


Final note:


The Wolf Den is truly a magical place where people can get together from all around the World. And although it may look as though it is simply an affordable, comfortable place to spend the night, the Wolf Den is much more. It is a launching pad, a place in which we can grow and create real learning opportunities to educate the public. A place where we can make a difference in this place we all call home, our EARTH.


How you can help us succeed:



  • Spread the word about our place to your family and friends

  • Take some brochures and pass them out

  • Write to your favorite guide book about the Wolf Den

  • Come back for another visit

  • Organize a group trip of your friends, a club or family reunion

  • Go online and write a review about your stay here. Some places to go online for travel reviews such as:
    worldweb.com, igougo.com, tripadvisor.com, gusto.com,
    travelpost.com, realtravel.com, travelblog.org