Description
All senses will be heightened with this leisure focused expedition. We will still be moving camp multiple times through the week, but will be travelling less kilometers in the day from our regular trips and will have more time to enjoy that first cup of coffee and that glass of wine at night.
We will be journeying through the magnificently beautiful LaCloche mountain range and LOTN’s backyard for our adventure. We will take the scenic route through steep and winding portages that bring us through giant Hemlock and Birch forests into the pristine Wright’s Lake. We then will day trip out to the Big Water of the North Channel of Lake Huron where will will spend time exploring the shoreline and enjoy the vistas. We will then journey to the breathtaking Alexander Lake in which we will camp out for two nights to do more exploring of the area. Our final night will take us close to the take-out and will be nestled in an intimate pond where wildlife is bustling.
Day 1: Travel in to the LOTN basecamp and pack up for our journey. (9 km)
Day 2: Camp in the beautifully private pond beyond Moose Lake. (5 km)
Day 3 + 4: Head into Wrights Lake for two nights. (4.5 into Wrights and ~4km of day hiking without toboggans)
Day 5: Camp on Alexander and day hike to over look North Channel (7.5km)
Day 6: Camp on Upper Horseshoe (5.5km)
Day 7: Hike back to Car (3.5km)
Total approximate distance depending on how much day hiking we’d like to do: ~39km
Key Focuses on this expedition:
- Safe and efficient travel in winter including ice safety;
- Proper use of tools and equipment;
- Cooking on a woodstove and stoking the fire to stay warm at night;
- How to properly regulate your temperature in the winter;
- Winter photography and nature interpretation;
- Tracking and wildlife viewing;
- Teamwork and community building;
- Work hard, play hard! – Board games and outdoor games will be encouraged!
Price Includes:
- Snowmobile shuttle of gear into remote property;
- 6 nights of tent living;
- Wine served with supper;
- All meals including snacks for the duration of the program;
- Group gear such as tent, toboggans, safety equipment, kitchen, and communication devises;
- Instruction and guidance from the LOTN team (including Hank the dog- conditions permitting!)
If you’re unfamiliar with our approach to winter camping, check out our Philosophy page and our Expedition Overview page. Also see our Policies and Conditions.
Brian Johnson (verified owner) –
I’ve done outings with Lure Of The North where we broke camp and travelled every day, and also outings in base camp with daily snowshoe walks. This trip was a perfect blending of the two. We travelled every other day and alternate days were base camp days. Travel days were as challenging as ever: tearing down camp, travel through a variety of conditions (including slush and deep snow), and setting up camp. Base camp days were spent exploring and photographing the area, resting, and playing games. As always, the food, gear, and leadership were top notch. If you desire a blend of challenge and the chance to bask in Ontario’s winter wonderland, I would highly recommend this trip.
Joe Simpson (verified owner) –
There was 5 of us on this adventure, plus Kie leading the trip. The average age turned out to be 69. The trip was an opportunity to participate in the winter camping we love but at a level we could enjoy. I like the 2 ‘base camp’ days, where participants were free to enjoy exploratory trekking, skills building or just performing chores, like getting firewood, water, etc. around camp. Kie did a great job of balancing what mother nature had in mind for us and what we wanted to do. Thank you for another week of fond memories.
myra lefkowitz (verified owner) –
Just returned from the inaugural Slow and Steady Expedition and can’t wait to go again next year. The trip was everything it was advertised to be and more. It had challenge, time to explore, time to learn axe skills, great food, – even had cake and ice cream! knowlegable and flexible leadership and great company and team work. Can’t say enough positive things about this trip. I strongly recommend this trip for anyone who is looking for a challenge but wants time to appreciate the beauty of the winter wonderland. This trip has it all!!!
Harold Kinsley (verified owner) –
I would say that Flexibility and Teamwork were the two main themes of this particular trip.
What seemed like an offering for a Snow Walker put out to pasture, which I gladly signed up for, ended up being much more thanks to Mother Nature. It was an adventure with all the ingredients of a long haul but in the short space of a week over only a few kilometres.
Slow and Steady and a fulfilling one for a Snow Walker at any level.
Thanks Kie (and Dave).