Algonquin Outfitters - Photo Contest

Got some great shots? Want some great gear?
Our Friends over at Algonquin Outfitters are running a Photo Contest this spring.

Algonquin Outfitters Photo Contest Rules and Regulations
Algonquin Outfitters is holding a photo contest from March 15th to May 31st, 2008. Upload your favorite photo(s) taken in Algonquin Park or showing Algonquin Outfitters canoes or events, to enter to win prizes. A winner will be chosen June 2nd, 2008. Photos need to be at least 1024x768 in low compression JPG format and should not be any larger than 2mb each, if higher resolution.

Prizes: 1st place $100 Gift Certificate for Algonquin Outfitters
2nd place $75 Gift Certificate for Algonquin Outfitters
3rd place $50 Gift Certificate for Algonquin Outfitters

Gift cards can be picked up at any of the Algonquin Outfitters (Bracebridge, Huntsville, Oxtongue Lake or Opeongo Lake) or at Boatwerks in Haliburton or Minden. Any additional shipping (above the cost of shipping a gift card) will be the responsibility of the winner if arrangements for a product to be shipped are agreed upon.

Disclaimer
By uploading a picture, you hereby grant Algonquin Outfitters the right to publish, display, post and otherwise use the photo for their websites and other media. You agree that the photo may be cropped, edited, electronically manipulated or otherwise altered, and that whether or how the photograph is used is entirely for Algonquin Outfitters to decide.

You certify that you are the photographer and sole copyright owner of this photo, and have obtained the consent of all identifiable persons shown in it for these uses. Algonquin Outfitters has the sole discretion to use or not use any photo. You also understand that all photos are subjected to a moderation process before being posted in the gallery.

To submit a photo to the contest visit the website at Photo Contest , fill out the form and email us your photo.
Winners will be announced on June 2nd.

March Break Special and Events at the Wolf Den, Algonquin Park

10% off Accommodation from Sunday March 9th – Friday March 14th

Monday at 10am: Trees of Our Forest (approx. 1.5hrs) A short talk on the function and importance of trees plus a beginner’s ID lesson on 11 local species.
Followed by a walk and look at the trees of our forest.
Monday at 7pm: Campfire. Grab a hot chocolate and gather around the fire for free marshmallows and swap your adventure stories.

Tuesday at 10am: Kids Craft Corner (approx. 1.5hrs) Learn the art of beading and make your own bracelet. For both boys and girls! $5 charge to cover supplies
Tuesday at 7pm: Nature Video Night. Grab a spot on the couch and watch a nature video. Free popcorn!

Wednesday at 10am: Animal Tracks and Signs (approx. 1.5hrs) Introduction lesson on marks left by local wildlife followed by a walk in the forest looking for animal signs
Wednesday at 7pm: Wolf Howl. There is a pack in our area we’ll try and make them talk. Short night walk included.

Thursday at 10am: Shelter Building. Learn about different types of natural shelters and what a shelter really is, followed by building a real shelter.
Thursday at 7pm: Campfire. Grab a hot chocolate and gather around the fire for free marshmallows and swap your adventure stories

All activities except for the Kids Craft Corner are free of charge. Activities are aimed at a general audience (Kids and Adults). Children must be accompanied by an adult for all activities except for the Kids Craft Corner. Activities are for Wolf Den guests only. Please indicate interest at time of booking.

Empowering Ancient Ways - Deepening our connection with nature through Ancient Wilderness Living Skills

The Wolf Den has proudly teamed up with Wilderness Educator Chris Gilmour to bring you a Traditional Skills and Bush Craft course.

When: April 27 - May 2, 2008
Where: The Wolf Den Hostel in Dwight, ON. (west side of Algonquin Park on highway 60)
With Who: Wilderness Guide and Outdoor Educator Chris Gilmour & Skeet Sutherland a former Instructor at Tom Brown Jr’s Tracker School, now teaching classes through his Ontario based company Sticks and Stones
Wilderness School (SSWS)
For Who: The core skills of this course are sure to enrich the lives of the most seasoned wilderness guide to the novice nature enthusiast
Price: $ 500 before March 31st
$ 560 after March 31st
* Price includes meals and 5 nights accommodation

Course Topics Include:
● Shelter, Water, Fire, Food
● Wildlife Tracking
● The language of nature
○ concentric rings
○ base line symphony
● Stone, bone, and antler tools and usage
● World of Natural Fiber- Harvesting, Processing and Preserving,
○ Trees and plants
○ Animal skins and sinew
○ Wild Edible, Medicinal and Utilitarian applications
● Traditional hunting and trapping methods
● Stalking, Natural Movement, and Camouflage
● Caretaker Ethics Emphasized
● Empowering our ecological footprint
● Traditional cooking and food preservation
● Container making

For registration and more information please visit http://www.chris.earthmentorship.com/
Via e-mail at: chris@earthmentorship.com or by Telephone at: 705-788-1210

Igloo at Algonquin's Wolf Den

This past week, with a little help from some guests and friends, we added a new building to the Wolf Den. Unlike the rest of our buildings this new one is not built to last. Infact it probably won't last past the end of March. As you have probably guessed, due to the title, pictures and our previous post. We built an igloo!

The great people over at Algonquin Outfitters lent us their demo model of the Ice Box, made by Grand Shelters. The Ice Box is available for purchase from Algonquin Outfitters

At first the Ice Box seemed to be quite complicated. But as we built, it became simpler as we understood the whole process a bit better. We made a few flaws along the way which we would surely not do the second time.

Here is the beginning of the third course of the igloo. We weren't supposed to leave a gap for the door but it made it a lot easier to move around. We fixed the problem later by bridging the gap with a board.

The concept is simple, a series of connecting rods with one end pegged down in the middle of the igloo and the other connected to a plastic box. The diameter of the igloo is determined by the selection and placement of the rods. As the igloo goes up, the length of the rod is shortened and lengthened. During the building of each block, finely mixed snow is dumped in and packed. After each block 2 mechanisms were released and the box slid over.

Building was slow at first, until we got a feel for it. Gentle was the key. Packing too hard fractured the block causing it fall apart after the next move.

It was great to have the help of some of our friends and some of the guests who were here. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.

As the Igloo got bigger and bigger. Everyone became more excited and were spurred on by the progress.

With a tiki torch we were able to work into the dark.

In the daylight we noticed the rod had been some how moved from the centre peg, causing some funky angles. We decided to correct the bad angles by losing the rod and taking turns supporting the box at the desired angle.

As we got higher, a ledge along the bottom was important to allow the shoveller to get the snow to the box.

As we neared the finish, the outside pannel of the box was removed to allow easier shoveling.

When completed, a person over 6 feet tall could stand straight up inside the igloo. The base was 11 feet in diameter.

Even our dog Miko was happy with the final outcome.

We plan to add a breezeway and a Balsam Fir needle floor. Other than this is the finished product.

All that is left is for you to check it out next time you visit Algonquin Park!!

Cheers!

Happy Holidays from Algonquin's Wolf Den

We would like to wish everyone a very joyous and festive holiday and all the best in the New Year.

Winter sure has arrived in Algonquin Park. It is shaping up to be a great winter season, with tonnes of snow already on the ground. This year we are offering a few additional activities at no additional charge.

During the Christmas Break we will lead a guided hike to Gravel Falls. This pretty little waterfall is located up river on the Oxongue, from Ragged Falls. It is around a 4 hour round trip moderate hike along an unmarked route, off the beaten path. Snowshoes will be neccessary and are available for rent from Algonquin Outfitters

On December 28th and 29th from 1pm - 3pm we will be building an igloo here at the Wolf Den. Algonquin Outfitters has lent us an igloo making tool called the Ice Box. The Ice Box, made by Grand Shelters "is an affordable, lightweight, and packable tool for building a snow shelter in any snow conditions" and is available for purchase from Algonquin Outfitters. Warm up by the campfire and enjoy free hot chocolate.



We will also now be open for New Years. On New Years Eve day there will be another guided hike to Gravel Falls and will have an optional Pot Luck and campfire for all our guests to get to know each other

Spaces for this holiday season are filling up fast. To reserve your spot call us today.

Coming this January we will begin free guided hikes every Thursday. Themes will include such topics as Wildlife Signs and Tracks, Trees of our Forest, and Waterfalls and River Ecology of the Oxtongue.

Stay Tuned for Events and Activites coming this March Break.

Cheers,
Robin and Ben from the Wolf Den

Reduced Permit Fees for Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park has reduced its permit fees from $13 /day/vehicle to $11 /day/vehicle for the period of November 1st - December 17th.

This is a very quiet time in Algonquin Park The cooler weather and the fallen leaves have caused the crowds of tourists to stay away. However for the slightly more hardy adventurer it has its own magical appeal. The Tamaracks (Larix laricna) have turned a lovely golden yellow, the bare deciduous trees reveal the not long ago shrouded forest, and you can pretty much have any of the day hike trails to yourself. It is a lovely yet under appreciated time!

Happy Hiking!

Fall Colours in Algonquin Park

Fall in Algonquin Park is in full swing. I have just come across this Ontario Parks website. http://www.parkreports.com/fall/ reports on fall colour for the Province.

At last check Algonquin Park was at 90-100% change with 10-15% leaf fall.

Cheers