Slow down.  Get away from the hustle and bustle.  Listen to the breeze and the water.  Be immersed in the beauty of Nature.

Imagine sitting by the lake after a day of relaxed canoeing, reflecting maybe journaling or reading in the summer sunshine. With the city out of sight and the responsibilities of your day to day life taken care of, you are finally able to relax. Being in Algonquin, sitting around a campfire listening to the crackle of the flames, the crickets and the soul touching sound of the loon call allows you to reconnect to yourself.

If you have been yearning for some time away, time in nature, and time with other like minded women, then I invite you to join me for a weekend to Relax. Reconnect. Reboot.

On July 19-21 join myself Samantha, and other women between the ages of 30 and 70 looking to retreat into a weekend of wilderness paddling, yoga, nutritious delicious food, and camping in world renowned Algonquin landscape.

This 3 day retreat will reenergize you, have a relaxing tone, and reset your rhythm for the year ahead. It’s the best way to wind down, appreciate the summer connecting to nature and reconnecting with yourself in the ebbs and flows of a natural rhythm. This is your chance to unwind and take time for yourself, you deserve it!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

I am a professional wilderness canoe guide with over 10 years experience and more than 250 nights out backcountry canoe tripping. I specialize in taking out beginners, in particular European tourists looking for the iconic Canadian experience of a wilderness canoe trip and making them feel safe and comfortable in the back country. I am a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach eager to share how easy and tasty nutritious food can be. Eating good food, feels so great. Adopting a holistic approach to health, self care and keeping expectations and goals achievable are important parts of my practice. I am also a Red Cross first aid instructor and volunteer firefighter for the Dorset fire department. With me you can feel at ease and safely taken care of.

Kathleen has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has been teaching since 1998. She is certified in Kripalu, Esther Myers and Ashaya methods of Hatha Yoga as well as recently certified in Yin Yoga. Kathleen teaches an integrated approach to yoga combining attention to physical alignment with a celebration of the heart. Her teaching is infused with passion, lightheartedness, connection with nature and always deep reverence to all of her teachers and to this ancient practice of yoga. Teaching outside surrounded by and embodying all of the elements of nature is Kathleen’s favorite Yoga Studio.

On this back country retreat you will eat well, feel alive, and feel safe with an experienced professional guide.

One of the greatest benefits is the chance to breathe fresh Algonquin air increasing alertness and experience easier breathing if you live in or near a city with more vehicle pollution and less trees. Canoeing is a low impact activity with numerous health benefits including its peaceful cadanace that can be meditative and relieve stress.

Canoeing and portaging provide and astounding sense of accomplishment and self confedance.

Eating delicious nutritious food will kick start your health for increased energy and better digestion.

On this trip you will experience tranquil beauty in nature, in others, and in yourself.

This canoe trip is designed for beginners, but is suitable for all abilities. You will paddle with a partner for 4 to 9 kilometres each day, taking approximately 3-5 hours. We will move at a relaxed pace, taking breaks along the way. We will be portaging from lake to lake as a team, you will be properly coached on how to lift with assistance and carry gear. Don’t worry about feeling unable to do this, portages will only be a few hundred metres. As long as you can carry a packed suitcase, you will be able to confidently carry gear across a portage. We will use featherweight canoes from Algonquin Outfitters, 16’ prospector canoes made of kevlar weighing only 40 pounds. Portaging is a very satisfying mode of travel to feel self sufficient and move like the early explorers of Canada.

If you have never been on a canoe trip before there is no need to worry, instruction will be provided. I’ve taken many people on canoe trips that have never paddled or camped before, it is a rewarding form of exploration. It is a wonderful feeling to paddle up to the perfect campsite, it’s like coming home at the end of a long day. You put on some cozy clothes maybe after a swim, and not worry about what you look like, set yourself up to be comfortable. Make your bed, relax and take time for you the rest of the evening. We will be staying at the same campsite both nights, giving you the chance to really settle in to your home away from home in the forest. The food never tasted so good after a day of paddling, I guarantee you will not go hungry and your tastebuds will be satisfied.

There is very little cell reception around Algonquin. This will give you the chance to truly disconnect and be at peace. As the guide I will be carrying a satellite phone for emergencies, you can feel at ease you will be safe and well taken care of in an emergency.

This Women’s Wilderness Canoe and Yoga Retreat is an all inclusive trip.

You will be provided with all equipment needed:

All 3 meals and 3 snacks per day are provided. I will create the menu with nutrition, sustainable energy and satisfaction in mind. All allergies and food restrictions will be accommodated for. Suggestions will be taken into consideration.

Take a look at what retreat participants have to say:

“I really enjoyed the group of girls, the activity, the food, all of it was great. I would most definitely do the weekend again, in fact we already chatted a little about next year. I felt safe at all times..a well organized trip. I would 100% recommend the trip thanks for the pictures” – Denyse

“The level of difficulty was perfect, I find that as I get older I need to pace myself and I was able to do that. The food was great, plentiful, tasty and nutritious. I loved the yoga; Kathleen is such a great teacher and her theme of the elements was perfect for the weekend. I didn’t really set a ‘goal’ as much as I had an intention……which was to have time to connect a bit more with my daughter, so yes it was achieved! I felt completely safe and supported. I would definitely recommend this retreat to a friend. Please keep in touch, and hopefully we will connect again soon.
Thank you so much Sam! Many blessings.” – MJ

“Thank-you………I feel such tremendous gratitude for this Wild Women weekend you offer. I felt the difficulty of this year’s trip was perfect for me. A good paddle and the portage routes – both of them were manageable distances, enough to get a good workout but not too much to feel exhausted at the end! You amaze me with the food, I felt well nourished both from our meals/snacks ingested and in such a beautiful environment! I always feel safe with you as our guide. You are tremendously organized and steadfast in providing an awesome experience. I already have been recommending the retreat. In gratitude for all that you do and blessings, Valerie”

“It was lovely to be paddling again, to be away from the noise and hustle bustle of city life, to hear the loons, to be in good company and to feel so nourished by the experience. My goal was to carry a canoe by myself which I did and then to carry one with someone else which I did with Val – very empowering. Thanks for all that you did in organizing and facilitating the retreat! You are a natural at what you do! Best wishes for the rest of the summer and hope to see you again! much love Catherine”

“I really enjoyed the trip and overall the trip was easy for me; the packs were heavy but manageable (even for an old gal like me!) The food was really good and healthy and I appreciated that. The yoga was not only enjoyable but thought provoking as well (ie. boundaries), there was a real connection to the environment, which makes sense given where we were. Kathleen has a gentle and effective way of imparting her Yoga knowledge. I felt safe and yes I would recommend this trip to a friend; in fact a few curious friends have already expressed an interest in going. Thanks again for a great trip!” – Karen

“My mind body and soul were touched on the weekend….thank you for that….I did feel a healthy shift in my busy striving for perfection energy……The food was absolutely scrumptious, the site was so beautiful, the swimming was the best (even the climbing out lol) the canoeing was bliss and the portages were just the right challenge (easy to say that now lol) – I loved how we all worked together! Best of all I love to laugh and I did a lot of that!

Sam I have not done anything like this for 40+ years and have wanted to but was not sure that I could….but I did and am feeling really good about it! You are so very patient, helpful and laid back which is a huge plus especially with a group of “in-charge”/Pitta women!! I would recommend this retreat in a heartbeat and would love to do it again with my daughters!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart – you are awesome!
Hugs! Janet”

“I thought the retreat was great! It was very well organized and coordinated from the meeting place to the food and all the logistics. I felt it was the perfect balance of relaxation and challenge and you were great about giving us enough information so we knew what to expect. The food was very good and I felt there was lots of choices for everyones taste. Finally I think the yoga is a great complement to the canoeing and probably saved our sore muscles. All in all I would definitely do it again and have recommended it to several friends!All the best, Leslie”

“Thank you for sharing the photos! It was a wonderful trip. Food was great. I thought it was just the right amount of canoeing and portaging and I loved the yoga. I would definitely recommend your trip to other people who have never been canoeing before, or even if they have but want a relaxing and nourishing weekend away. I am not a big camper, but other than a lack of having a pillow (which is on me) it was a comfortable environment. You put a lot of thought and effort into the trip and I thank you for the experience!! All the best!! Dawn”

Registration for this retreat is on a first come bases and there are only 10 spots! So sign up as soon as you can for July 19-21 .

The Women’s Wilderness Canoe and Yoga Retreat is an all inclusive price of $630.

If you want to schedule a 10 min phone call to clear up any questions you have send me a note at [email protected]

Wilderness Traverse is a 24 Hour Adventure Race hosted annually in Ontario, Canada. Teams of 3 or 4 navigate using map and compass over 150 kilometers of rugged Canadian Shield back-country on foot, mountain bike and canoe. It is one of the toughest team-based endurance challenges around and simply reaching the finish line is a massive achievement.

I believe the very essence of adventure racing is captured with phrases such as teamwork, wilderness navigation, route-finding strategy, and overcoming physical and mental limits. These are just words on a page until you get out there and experience it for yourself. Believe me, there is no greater feeling of satisfaction (and yes, relief!) when you cross the finish line in a classic adventure race.

My goal in the creation of the Wilderness Traverse is to place a challenge before your team that captures your collective imagination and no matter what the outcome, gives you an indelible memory of a very special place in Canada.

You will love it. You will hate it. You will feel powerful. You will want it to end. Then, when it’s all over and you’re back to your regular day-to-day life, you will crave to do it again.

I will do whatever I can to get your team to the finish line. All I ask is that you come to the start line, face the racecourse with an open mind, and push like hell until the time is up. You’ll be glad you did, I promise you

Bob Miller
Event Organizer

2018 Wilderness Traverse – Stoked Oats V Snowpants

An epic Adventure-Battle for the Beaver in Ontario, Canada. Wilderness Traverse is a 30-hour adventure race taking place annually in the province of Ontario, Canada. Teams of 4 navigate a 150km wilderness route on foot, mountain bike and canoe using only map & compass to guide their way. Video Produced by AW Media

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 23, 2019
Race Check-In: 16:00 – 20:00

Registration procedure:

• Check-In
• Gear Check (must show specific gear indicated on the gear list with an asterisk)
• Navigation Test (teams who have finished comparable events, won’t need to complete this check). We’ll be testing knowledge of: topographic maps (symbols, contours, scales, distance & time estimates etc.), UTM grid system (identifying locations), and compasses (features & deriving bearings).
• Emergency Communication Device Pick-Up (teams will be shown how the Yellowbrick Tracker works & what to do in case of emergency)

We’ll aim to make registration as smooth as possible and don’t expect it will take more than 1 hour. Teams can check-in without all team members present, however they’ll need to have missing team-mates signed waivers and gear-check equipment in order to complete the check-in process.

Race Briefing: 20:00 – 21:30 (at least 2 members from each team must be present)

• Introduction of Race Staff & Sponsors
• Distribution of pre-marked race maps and instructions (teams will be given 45 minutes to review the maps before the Course Overview commences)
• Course Overview (The Event Director will describe the course and provide any pertinent information not contained on the maps or in the instructions)
• Q&A

Saturday, August 24, 2019

• Pre-Race Breakfast: 06:00 – 07:00
• Gear Drop-Off: 06:00 – 07:00 (Provide Gear Bins/Bags and Bikes to Race Management)
• Board Buses for drive to Start: 06:30 – 07:00 (Buses will depart at 07:00 sharp!)*
• *Depending on the course layout buses may or may not be utilized. Teams will find out if buses will be required at the Race Briefing on Friday evening.
• Arrive at Start Location: 07:45
• Race Start: 08:00

Sunday, August 25, 2019

• First Team Expected to Finish: 04:00 – 06:00
• Course Closes: 14:00 (All teams must be off the course at this time)
• Post Race Meal: available from 11:00 – 14:30
• Awards Ceremony: 14:30 and 15:00

Finding Team-mates

Interested in finding a team, or require a team-mate to round out your roster?
Send me an e-mail (bob”at”wildernesstraverse”dot”ca) with a description of your
AR experience and goals. I’m currently keeping a list of teams and individuals and have been making matches frequently.

Adventure Racing Ontario Series

For those interested in seeing how their team stacks up against the competition in Ontario, Wilderness Traverse is a member of the Adventure Racing Ontario Series. Teams will earn points for the series by participating at Wilderness Traverse. More details can be found by clicking on the link above.

 2018 Opening – Open May 3rd / Algonquin Park officially opens for spring (May 11th 2018)

The Lake of Two Rivers Store has a great assortment of fresh produce and fruit, fresh and frozen meats, dairy, groceries, drinks and ice. Don’t forget your Algonquin Park souvenirs too! The store also features a full range of camping and fishing supplies from the best brands in the biz. The new Cafe & Grill is serving great gourmet coffee as well as hamburgers, french fries, pulled pork poutine, wraps, fresh salads and more healthy and gluten free options than ever before!  Get a scoop of your favorite flavour of Kawartha Ice Cream or cool down with a milkshake!

Mountain bikes are available for rental at the store. All of our bikes are mid to high end products from great brands like Specialized and Salsa, they are available in a variety of frame sizes and include a helmet in the rental rates. We also rent youth bikes and Trail-a-Bikes for the early years riders. How about a trailer for the infant or your extra gear? We rent those too!  The Old Railway Bike Trail is easily accessible from the Lake of Two Rivers Store and is a great way to see the park from a new perspective!

Store Hours

Where can I buy a good new or used canoe?

This question comes up more often than you might think.  Whether it’s the beginning of paddling season or the middle of winter, people always want to know where they can buy a good used canoe, and many of them turn to us as they know our rental fleet consists of some of the best canoes on the market.

Swift Canoe will be featuring a spring sale at our Oxtongue Lake location.  There’s not better time to buy and enjoy a new, or new to you, canoe than the spring.

Every year we sell off a number of retired rental canoes that have seen several seasons of rental use and will always have scratches and patches on the hull. All of our canoes have been reconditioned to a “no leak” condition, some may even have had new paint jobs. All are a good value.

Most used Kevlar models sell between $1000 and $2000 (about half to a third of their original retail price) and fiberglass models sell between $500 and $900. The most popular used models are Algonquin or Prospector 16 & 17 and the Swift Kipawa 16’6″.  Please visit our Used Canoe page for a list of models currently available.

 2018 Opening – Open May 3rd / Algonquin Park officially opens for spring (May 11th 2018)

The Lake of Two Rivers Store has a great assortment of fresh produce and fruit, fresh and frozen meats, dairy, groceries, drinks and ice. Don’t forget your Algonquin Park souvenirs too! The store also features a full range of camping and fishing supplies from the best brands in the biz. The new Cafe & Grill is serving great gourmet coffee as well as hamburgers, french fries, pulled pork poutine, wraps, fresh salads and more healthy and gluten free options than ever before!  Get a scoop of your favorite flavour of Kawartha Ice Cream or cool down with a milkshake!

Mountain bikes are available for rental at the store. All of our bikes are mid to high end products from great brands like Specialized and Salsa, they are available in a variety of frame sizes and include a helmet in the rental rates. We also rent youth bikes and Trail-a-Bikes for the early years riders. How about a trailer for the infant or your extra gear? We rent those too!  The Old Railway Bike Trail is easily accessible from the Lake of Two Rivers Store and is a great way to see the park from a new perspective!

Store Hours

Where can I buy a good new or used canoe?

This question comes up more often than you might think.  Whether it’s the beginning of paddling season or the middle of winter, people always want to know where they can buy a good used canoe, and many of them turn to us as they know our rental fleet consists of some of the best canoes on the market.

Swift Canoe will be featuring a spring sale at our Oxtongue Lake location.  There’s not better time to buy and enjoy a new, or new to you, canoe than the spring.

Every year we sell off a number of retired rental canoes that have seen several seasons of rental use and will always have scratches and patches on the hull. All of our canoes have been reconditioned to a “no leak” condition, some may even have had new paint jobs. All are a good value.

Most used Kevlar models sell between $1000 and $2000 (about half to a third of their original retail price) and fiberglass models sell between $500 and $900. The most popular used models are Algonquin or Prospector 16 & 17 and the Swift Kipawa 16’6″.  Please visit our Used Canoe page for a list of models currently available.

 2018 Opening – Open May 3rd / Algonquin Park officially opens for spring (May 11th 2018)

The Lake of Two Rivers Store has a great assortment of fresh produce and fruit, fresh and frozen meats, dairy, groceries, drinks and ice. Don’t forget your Algonquin Park souvenirs too! The store also features a full range of camping and fishing supplies from the best brands in the biz. The new Cafe & Grill is serving great gourmet coffee as well as hamburgers, french fries, pulled pork poutine, wraps, fresh salads and more healthy and gluten free options than ever before!  Get a scoop of your favorite flavour of Kawartha Ice Cream or cool down with a milkshake!

Mountain bikes are available for rental at the store. All of our bikes are mid to high end products from great brands like Specialized and Salsa, they are available in a variety of frame sizes and include a helmet in the rental rates. We also rent youth bikes and Trail-a-Bikes for the early years riders. How about a trailer for the infant or your extra gear? We rent those too!  The Old Railway Bike Trail is easily accessible from the Lake of Two Rivers Store and is a great way to see the park from a new perspective!

Store Hours

Where can I buy a good new or used canoe?

This question comes up more often than you might think.  Whether it’s the beginning of paddling season or the middle of winter, people always want to know where they can buy a good used canoe, and many of them turn to us as they know our rental fleet consists of some of the best canoes on the market.

Swift Canoe will be featuring a spring sale at our Oxtongue Lake location.  There’s not better time to buy and enjoy a new, or new to you, canoe than the spring.

Every year we sell off a number of retired rental canoes that have seen several seasons of rental use and will always have scratches and patches on the hull. All of our canoes have been reconditioned to a “no leak” condition, some may even have had new paint jobs. All are a good value.

Most used Kevlar models sell between $1000 and $2000 (about half to a third of their original retail price) and fiberglass models sell between $500 and $900. The most popular used models are Algonquin or Prospector 16 & 17 and the Swift Kipawa 16’6″.  Please visit our Used Canoe page for a list of models currently available.

 2018 Opening – Open May 3rd / Algonquin Park officially opens for spring (May 11th 2018)

The Lake of Two Rivers Store has a great assortment of fresh produce and fruit, fresh and frozen meats, dairy, groceries, drinks and ice. Don’t forget your Algonquin Park souvenirs too! The store also features a full range of camping and fishing supplies from the best brands in the biz. The new Cafe & Grill is serving great gourmet coffee as well as hamburgers, french fries, pulled pork poutine, wraps, fresh salads and more healthy and gluten free options than ever before!  Get a scoop of your favorite flavour of Kawartha Ice Cream or cool down with a milkshake!

Mountain bikes are available for rental at the store. All of our bikes are mid to high end products from great brands like Specialized and Salsa, they are available in a variety of frame sizes and include a helmet in the rental rates. We also rent youth bikes and Trail-a-Bikes for the early years riders. How about a trailer for the infant or your extra gear? We rent those too!  The Old Railway Bike Trail is easily accessible from the Lake of Two Rivers Store and is a great way to see the park from a new perspective!

Store Hours

Where can I buy a good new or used canoe?

This question comes up more often than you might think.  Whether it’s the beginning of paddling season or the middle of winter, people always want to know where they can buy a good used canoe, and many of them turn to us as they know our rental fleet consists of some of the best canoes on the market.

Swift Canoe will be featuring a spring sale at our Oxtongue Lake location.  There’s not better time to buy and enjoy a new, or new to you, canoe than the spring.

Every year we sell off a number of retired rental canoes that have seen several seasons of rental use and will always have scratches and patches on the hull. All of our canoes have been reconditioned to a “no leak” condition, some may even have had new paint jobs. All are a good value.

Most used Kevlar models sell between $1000 and $2000 (about half to a third of their original retail price) and fiberglass models sell between $500 and $900. The most popular used models are Algonquin or Prospector 16 & 17 and the Swift Kipawa 16’6″.  Please visit our Used Canoe page for a list of models currently available.