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Opasquia 2014

I have been in contact with Big Hook Wilderness Camps. They have seven outpost cabins in Opaquia. At their Central Lake Outpost they have canoes for rental.

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Re: Opasquia 2014I talked with Big Hook again this morning. They have 3 canoes at Central Lake Outposts. Two Nova Craft 17 foot Prospector and a 15 foot Nova Craft Scott. These weigh 70 pounds. They rent for $40 per day.

The round trip transportation is about $520. This can be done because the contracted air services are able to fly with full loads. He makes no profit on these flights. That cost is what the services charge.

I again brought up the option of bringing in Pak Canoes. He said if they were bulky it could incur "Cube Space Charges."

To book a trip you can send a $250 deposit for each person to the Big Hook's Milwaukee address. P.O. Box 510465, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Be sure to explain that you are making the deposit for a canoe and your dates. All entries and exits are on Saturdays but you can stay multiple weeks. The balance is paid during trip with cash or travelers checks. Please read all the info on their site for all the details.

Craig (Farmer) and I are booking two weeks with one of the 17 foot canoes for July 13-27,2013
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"They have 3 canoes at Central Lake Outposts. Two Nova Craft 17 foot Prospector and a 15 foot Nova Craft Scott. These weigh 70 pounds."

Whoa, my Bell Magic weighs 35 lbs and I'm thinking I should get something lighter - maybe you guys could stick around another week and carry the canoes. I'll bring beer and carry the empty cans.:cool:
 
Waleswalker said:
"They have 3 canoes at Central Lake Outposts. Two Nova Craft 17 foot Prospector and a 15 foot Nova Craft Scott. These weigh 70 pounds."

Whoa, my Bell Magic weighs 35 lbs and I'm thinking I should get something lighter - maybe you guys could stick around another week and carry the canoes. I'll bring beer and carry the empty cans.:cool:
Click to expand...
We are just two lads trying to play hard while we can. Part of that plan is to be in WCPP as soon as we get back to Red Lake on July 27, hoping for a gathering on Glenn Lake. The rest of the plan will be to go back to Opasquia in 2014 by using Big Hook again. In 2014 we will know a little more about travelling in Opasquia.
 
Those flight costs are a deal maker. I'm still planning on being in Woodland Caribou PP in August, I hope I can hook up with you guys and here all about the trip to Opasquia.
 
See you there! We still need to finalize the location and date for the gathering. Any suggestions? I'll be in the park the last week of July and plan on staying at least three weeks.
 
Just an FYI for those following this thread. Martin should be home this evening so more info about his trip should soon be available. His proposed loop was executed per his original plan with some explore/layover days on East Lake. dd
 
Marten has created a blog with information about Opasquia. I'll let him provide the links and other information about his experiences.

Long story short, there was enough positive information available after Marten's trip that I've set up a trip with 3 other paddlers for June 21 - July 5th, 2014. Marten has also scheduled a return visit a few weeks after my exit and I'm aware of a few others that have already put their stake in the ground for next season.

Stay tuned for additional information about this "new" paddling destination.

dd
 
We did have a great time and found out that working through Big Hook Wilderness Camps is the way to visit this park. For 2014 all the flights will total about $650. Canoe rental will be $55 per day and this will include a gallon of white gas or a canister of propane per week. It also will include tent rental. Tent rental from an outfitter waives the need to have a Crown Land Camping Permit which is normally required in this non-operating Ontario Provincial Park. This link is for my blog from which you can access the trip journal, you tube video and a G4 map with portage details and other info.
https://sites.google.com/site/thenorthwoodsman1/
 
Today I got a response to a series of questions I e-mailed BHWC. I thought some of you might have an interest in the answers.

Question 1: What kind of tents do you have available? We plan on buying 2 new tents for the 2014 season. We have been in the flyin outpost business for 30 years, but never really pursued the canoe biz until talking to Martin. We have 1 good tent up there now, but don't know the make. One thing to remember is, there is the 100 pound weight restriction.


Question 2: A number of our group are reasonably committed hammock campers. Is it acceptable to leave the rented tent(s) behind and actually use other forms of "sleeping accommodation?" It is understood that we'd need to find appropriate trees (and all use tree straps rather than ropes to minimize impact on the trees) or "ground" the hammock (which is another option). If you want to use hammocks that is your option.


Question 3: While I suspect we'll be using white gas stoves, one of our party might consider taking a JetBoil-type stove. The canisters for this stove use a different thread arrangement than the "Coleman" style. What kind of "bottle" did you plan on stocking? Standard off the shelf Coleman bottles from Walmart.


Question 4: Does the gallon of white gas come in its own (metal) can or should we plan to bring sufficient fuel bottles to transfer that volume to? Metal cans


Question 5: Other than issues that might arise with air transport, any issues with us supplying our own PFD's and paddles? One of our number is a newbie and will likely need what you supply. The balance of our crew are old hands (literally) and have selected paddling gear for personal comfort and fit. I'm sure we'd take one of your paddles per canoe as backup. No problem. Watch the weight.


Question 6: Martin mentioned in his write up of his trip that you put him up for the last night of his trip. I'm assuming this arrangement was made to facilitate early morning departure and is done on a space available basis? Be back at Central on Friday night. We start fly at daybreak. If the small cabin is available you may use it. We have a shower and a sauna, and you are welcome to use them.


Question 7: Can we individually pre-pay for our trip? Yes. Lots of groups pre pay.


dd
 
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Martin and DD,
Thanks for the information, I had seen the report posted at PNett and took a look, but really just a quick one and need to go back for the maps and video, and maybe even the answer to this question..
So, if two folks go in together, is it $650 each for the flight (100 lb gear limit each) and $55 a day for a tandem canoe each? Or $55 a day total for the canoe/tent whether it's a solo or a tandem with two people?
 
The canoes are $55 per day per canoe. Flights and weight limits are per person. The Dagger Legend 15 has three seats but I checked it out with a load in the waves and found it to be a very good solo boat.

There is no option for using your own canoe. This trip is so reasonable because you are using Big Hook's efficient system of transporting guests from Red Lake to their outpost camps in Opasquia.
 
$55 a day for a tandem crew is a great price for such a great detestation, imho. The plane ride is an excellent bargain too.

A ten day trip would cost each $925 flight included, hard to beat that.

In my case, Woodland Caribou Prov Park is still the place to go as I only got a small taste of it on my one and only trip there. When I get a few more trips in there, then I'll think of bigger and better. Until then, WCPP is my perfect canoe place and my top of the list place every year when I start planning.
 
Robin said:
$55 a day for a tandem crew is a great price for such a great detestation, imho. The plane ride is an excellent bargain too.

A ten day trip would cost each $925 flight included, hard to beat that.
Click to expand...

Just keep in mind that with current logistics used by Big Hook Wilderness Camps, your trip would have to be planned for a multiple of 7 days (e.g. 14 days) ... in on Saturday and out on Saturday due to flight schedule arrangements.

dd
 
If anybody is travelling to WCPP or OPP and needs some logistical help, please feel free to drop me line. Always willing to help out fellow paddlers.
 
Thanks Red, most folks are a long way from home up there, it's good to have a friendly helping hand.
 
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