Portage To 2023
Each year we give a yearly rundown of some of the biggest news while looking ahead to the next year. Join us as we portage to 2023!
Top 10 Most Read Articles in 2022
Last year’s top articles highlighted companies such as MEC, Maps and gear… this year at Traversing the most read articles were...
#10 - Storm Damage
Storm damage caused a lot of turmoil across Canada in 2022 much to the ire of campers…
The hugely popular Berg Lake trail in B.C. was closed for the entirety of the year, and thankfully has reopened for winter use.
A derecho caused massive blow down damage at Bon Echo Provincial Park in Ontario (as well as many other parks across the province) and has essentially reshaped the park forever more.
All backcountry canoe routes and campsites were closed at Nopiming and Manigotagan River provincial parks in Manitoba due to flooding.
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier closed due to flooding in Quebec as well.
Extreme fire danger In Banff closed some backcountry sites
Fundy National Park closed backcountry camping due to Hurricane Fiona
#9 - Kevin Callan’s Top 70 Canoe Routes of Ontario book
How can you say ‘no’ to another 10 routes and 50 more pages in the latest edition of Kevin Callan’s must-have book? Pre-order it now for an April 15th, 2023 release and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out his memoir: Another Bend in the River and Paddler's Guide to Killarney and the French River (which both came out this year).
#8 - Land'escapes Opens Private 26,400 Acre Backcountry Park In Ontario
Private backcountry camping? It’s a bit of a foreign concept to most, so we delved into what this brand new park offers.
#7 - Scouts Canada Finds That Canadians Are Pretty 'Meh' At Camping
Scouts Canada surveyed Canadians to gauge their basic outdoor skills. Turns out, Canadians are pretty ‘meh’ at camping (try answering the the questions yourself to see how you would fare).
#6 - New Killarney Canoeing & Hiking Map From LatLong
We love pouring over maps and so we were very happy to not only see a brand new map of Killarney Provincial Park, but a whole new line of maps from LatLong.
#5 - Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground Opens In Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The $7 million project brought a brand new coastal camping experience along the world famous Cabot Trail. Visitors to the Parks Canada campground will have a private, backcountry feel, with stunning ocean vistas and views of the highlands and cliffs.
#4 - Arc'teryx Planning To Open 12 New Canadian Stores Over The Next Two Years
Arc'teryx who currently has 13 brand stores in Canada, has ambitious plans to open 12 stores over the course of the next two years.
#3 - Claim Your Camping Trips On Ontario's 2022 Staycation Tax Credit
Go camping and get 20% back? Sign us up! The Province of Ontario is offering a pretty handy kickback so be sure to print off all of your receipts before tax time.
#2 - Gear Review: MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Tent
The tried and true camping tent received a refresh in 2022 and we put it thorough it’s paces and compared it to an earlier version.
#1 - Therm-a-Rest Announces NeoAir XLite NXT For Spring 2023
We use both the Summer and Winter version of the original NeoAir and couldn’t imagine a camping trip without them. So naturally we’re looking forward to the revamp.
Other 2022 news…
Traversing News
We turned 12 this year, had numerous fun trips with our little one and released these three videos (don’t forget to subscribe to our channel if you enjoy our videos as well)…
Hunter and Harris
Sadly just as soon as we saw the return of the fantastic canoe paddles from Hunter and Harris with their exclusive deal with Nova Craft… Hunter and Harris closed up shop. We wish them the best (grab one of their last remaining paddles left at Nova Craft before they are gone forever)!
Route Planning, GPS and SOS
Paddle Planner did a complete overhaul on their website including adding four new maps
Zoleo added progressive SOS so that you could continue to chat with emergency services
Will Starlink Replace SPOT & inReach As Your Backcountry SOS Network?
Garmin announced the inReach Mini 2 and the inReach Messenger. They also reached a milestone of lending a helping hand in over 10,000 incidents.
Park News Updates
Manitoba Parks released an interactive map to help you plan your winter activities and they also made improvements to their online reservation service. The Province Of Manitoba also invested $1.1M to improve accessibility at Manitoba Parks
B.C. Parks launched their new website which was more interactive and made it easier to find a campsite. They also set a record this year for the number of camping reservations.
Alberta Parks launched a pilot project to limit generator usage
Ontario Parks officially launched an online store and announced that they are reducing the maximum length you can stay at a campsite. Also, check out Quetico's portage maintenance map.
Doctors In B.C., Ontario, Saskatchewan & Manitoba Can Prescribe Parks Canada Passes
Kejimkujik experimenting with different ways to deliver wood to the backcountry
Nova Scotia Provincial Parks breaks a record for the second year in a row for highest number of camper nights.
Cool New Gear
Trailhead announced new canoes for 2022
Badger Paddles launches Forest Edition canoe paddles
Whisky Jack Outdoor Co. releases new gear for Winter Campers
Helle releases new sharpening stones & enamel mugs
Recreational Barrel Works releases new tump line as well as a new Expedition Barrel Harness And Pouch
Hotcore Outdoor Products adds reflective guylines to Wingman Tarps
Level 6 added to their lineup of canoeing gear
Business Updates
Nova Craft acquires wooden canoe part manufacturer AJK
Wild Rock Outfitters in Peterborough celebrated their 30th Anniversay, has new owners and instituted a loyalty program.
Green Outfitters in Cobourg, Ontario closed
MEC opened pop-up shops in HBC stores
Lure of the North gear is available once again
Esquif is rebuilding their headquarters after fire in 2021
Swift opens new retail store at factory HQ
Passings
Sadly Ken Fisher, the Founder Of Nova Craft passed away this year.
Year End Recaps…
Looking ahead to 2023
Official Killarney Map
A new map of Killarney Provincial Park was very welcome from LatLong and not too far off Killarney will release their own official map of the park.
Current view of the build, December 29th, 2022 - so nice to see the huge timbers out front
Canadian Canoe Museum
After many years of slow progress, all of the sudden everything is coming together for the brand new building for the Canadian Canoe Museum. It is set to open in 2023 and we can’t wait to visit.
Symposiums
In-person symposiums are finally re-opening everywhere and there is lots to look forward to in 2023…
Frostbite! Symposium - January 13th to 15th
38th Wilderness and Canoe Symposium - February 15th
Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show - February 24th to 26th
Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show - March 4th & 5th
Canoecopia - March 10th & 12th
Calgary Outdoor Adventure Show - March 18th & 19th
Ontario Backcountry Canoe Symposium - March 25th
Montreal Outdoor Adventure Show - March 25th & 26th
Winter Camping Photo Contest
After the success of our yearly canoeing photo contests, we are going to hold our first ever Winter Camping photo contest. Be sure to snap lots of photos this year to enter! Details coming soon.
Thanks for portaging with us. Did we miss anything? Let us know (including which trips you have in the works)!
