Karen and I had a terrific weekend at the Paddlers and SnowWalkers gathering. It was nice to meet fellow CTN members. Somehow we missed catamount hardware and low angle al. Next time!
The Ohana Family Camp was a superb venue for the gathering. The schedule “pace” was just right with plenty of time for personal interaction. As already mentioned, the food was outstanding.
We split up on the workshops so were able to attend many: Map and Compass, Outdoor Cooking and Baking, Tarps and Knots, Canoe Poling, Making a Canoe Pole and Poling Tips and Food and Menu Planning. We both struggled deciding which workshop to attend as there were many enticing choices.
Friday evening and Saturday morning and evening there were guest speaker presentations:
Willem Lange, Readings
Sam Brakeley, Winter Camping in Vermont
Matt Hopkinson, Poling
Ray Rietze/Pat Dole, Winter Camping
Karrie Thomas, Backcountry Skiing with Family
Naomi Heindel, Effect of Fires in Quebec
Becky Mason and Reid McLachan, Paddling Local Quebec Rivers
Chris Giard, Canoeing in Labrador
Every speaker was knowledgeable, experienced and passionate about their topic. The knowledge and expertise shared was incredible.
This event has been happening for 30 plus years. Many of the participants have decades of experience in remote canoe travel with a common theme of extended, far northern trips. If you enjoy canoe tripping, and in particular are interested in remote trips, I’m sure you’d enjoy attending. A friend of ours who attended and is relocating soon to Michigan told us “I will be flying back for this next year “.

