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Silver Islet to Rossport - July 2005
See more photosThe July 2005 ISK trip from Silver Islet to Rossport, Ontario was a huge success. Dana Dickson, Clint Courtney, Ron Meador, Ron Steinwall and Dave Hamilton participated in the trip. Four of us loaded our gear and three of the boats on a trailer. We met Dave at the Thompson Hill rest area west of Duluth.
Thursday night we stayed at the Hazelwood Lake B&B. We had dinner at Armondo's in Thunder Bay. The forecast for Friday was for high winds in the morning with dimishing wind and waves in the afternoon. We departed Silver Islet and paddled to the mouth of Black Bay for lunch and to see if the crossing was possible.
The wind and water were favorable. We paddled through some 2 to 3 foot waves near Hardscrabble Island. Friday night we camped on the southeast side of Edward Island. Despite being only 28 miles as the crow flies from Thunder Bay the only weather information available is the Coast Guard channels with a verbal summary and MAFOR codes. Our weather record sheets are needed now.
On Saturday, we paddled to Swede Island trying to stay in the lee of as many islands as possible. Near Magnetic Island, my compass showed a 60 degree deviation for a while. Lunch was on Phlox Island with a view of Number 10 Island light. The crossings were a challenge for a group with some people new to paddling in following seas up to three feet. The lead paddlers saw a bear at the first campsite on Swede Island, so we moved on to another campsite. Saturday night we stayed at the entrance of Swede Harbor. The sauna was a welcome treat for sore muscles and the deep clean that comes from heat, steam and swimming in the lake.
On Sunday morning, we paddled through Loon Harbor. A thunderstorm over took us near a fish camp. As we landed, the storm passed. We crossed Roche Debout Channel. Part way across we met a boat carrying a kayak with a second kayaker following. One of the paddlers was injured. They used their VHF radio to call for help and found someone listening. After lunch at Rouche Debout Point, we paddled on to the NE corner of Spar Island. The waves between Agate Point and Lamb Island we a good example of why kayakers should consult charts as well as topographic maps. As we rounded the point it looked like the breaking waves went all the way to Lamb Island. We chose to duck behind the shoals, threading our way between the clapotis near the shore and the boomers on the reef.
The campsite on the NW corner of Spar Island was a delight. As we sat in the afternoon sun we had a great view of thunderstorms moving across the mainland. During the night a thunderstorm passed overhead. The lightning was so close we could hear the crack of the spark before we heard the crash of the thunder.
In the morning, we had calm and fog. The fog was lifting as we departed. As we got close to Fluor Island, the wind and waves picked up. We chose to paddle up the Nipigon Strait. We spend Monday night at a campsite between Dupuis Point and Duncan Bay.
On Tuesday, Ron S. and I battled the diving gulls and climbed a small island to investigate a marker post. There was no indication of the purpose of the post; although it looks like an old surveyor's marker. We took some photos and added a couple of rocks to the cairn at the base of the post. As we left the island, I saw a couple of softball sized grey fluffs heading away. The gulls may have been agitated because they thought we were predators after their chicks.
Tuesday night found us at McKay Cove. The campsite had tent platforms and an outhouse of a sort. We dried clothing in the sun and bathed. Despite my optimism, sun and wind did not keep the bugs at bay. The next day I found a line of bug bites on my leg where the hem of my shorts touched.
Wednesday morning we paddled into the Rossport Islands. We circumnavigated Vein Island and camped at the point on Minnie Island. The outhouse here had a door, broken but a door. Clearly we were getting closer to civilization.
Thursday we toured through the islands east of Rossport. Little Lake Harbor is beautiful and the rock formations on the north side of Channel Island are spectacular. We landed in Rossport about noon. Lunch at the Serendipity Cafe was a wonderful change from our trip food.
We stayed at the Prince Arthur Hotel on Thursday night. The border crossing was uneventful despite the London Bombings the day before.
Overall we paddled 102 miles in 5 and a half days. See more photos
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