TEMAGAMI EXCELLENCE IN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AND REGIONAL CUISINE

WILDERNESS CANOEING, CANOE TRIPS, KAYAKING,
OUTFITTING, MENUS, SHUTTLES, MAPS, CHECKLISTS, PARK PERMITS,
AND LOTS OF GREAT PADDLING TIPS
Everything you need to know to get yourself ready to go!

Prices are in Canadian funds. For details about a lodge based stay, please refer to the Smoothwater Ecolodge.

COMPLETE OUTFITTING
Since 1984, Smoothwater has provided friendly, professional service emphasizing backcountry ethics and personal safety. Our complete outfitting enhances your backcountry experience. All  you bring are your personal effects. Packages include lightweight kevlar canoes, food packs, sleeping pads, stoves, cook sets, first aid kits, etc. Our menus combine fresh and dehydrated meals, prepared at Smoothwater with the same high standards as our lodge cuisine. Vegetarian meals are a specialty. Finally, we prepare a detailed trip plan based upon your experience, expectations and time line. In keeping with our ecotourism mission, we provide field guides with our complete outfitting packages so that you can better understand the flora and fauna of the area you're about to explore.

COMPLETE OUTFITTING RATES
Complete Outfitting with food, gear, canoe is $85 pp/day. Children age 12 yrs and younger, $55 pp/day. No charge for children age 5 yrs and younger. Complete outfitting for kayak trips is $95 pp/day. Food only, packed in barrel w/harness or dry bags and canoe pack is $55 pp/day. All other gear is available for rent.

CANOE & KAYAK  RENTALS
We have top-of-the-line equipment for your complete backcountry needs. All gear can be accessed at either our Backcountry Store in Temagami village or our Ecolodge on James Lake. For flatwater trips we rent versatile kevlar canoes by various manufacturers, including Scott, Arrow, Langford and Old Town. They are available in two weight categories: Standard (56 to 62 lbs) and Extra Light (52 lbs or less). All of our canoes are equipped with comfortable carrying yokes and your rental includes one paddle per person plus one spare, PFDs, a bailer and floating rope. Canadian Coastguard law requires one whistle per craft. Bring your own or buy one at Smoothwater.

A note about our canoes and their rental prices: Each year we renew a portion of our canoe fleet and we meticulously maintain and repair all of our canoes so that they are in excellent condition for all of our customers. Despite what some people may tell you, there is no magical way to make canoes 'light'. The use of materials like carbon fiber and manufacturing techniques such as vacuum bagging can reduce weight while maintaining hull stiffness. However, durability is sacrificed. Bottom line: less material = less weight AND reduced durability.

Consequently, lighter canoes are less able to absorb wear and tear, particularly in an area like Temagami, which is characterized by rocky shorelines and rugged portages. The higher rental price of our Extra Light kevlar canoes reflects their higher purchase price, their greater maintenance cost and their shorter rental lifetime.

CANOE & KAYAKS RATES

Canoe rentals include a comfortable carrying yoke, PFDs, bailer, bow and stern floating lines, one paddle per person and one spare per canoe. Kayak rentals include skirt, paddle, PFD, floating line, pump and paddle float. ABS canoes are recommended for whitewater. Canadian Coastguard law requires one whistle per craft. Bring your own or buy one at Smoothwater.

HOMEMADE CAMPFIRE CUISINE
We understand the demands of wilderness travel and we've developed our campfire cuisine to deliver the tastes you crave and the energy you require, while addressing the need for reduced volume and weight. We lovingly prepare meals on the premises in our famed kitchen, most often with organics. We then dehydrate these foods and portion them specially for you. Fresh meats, vegetables and fruits are added to complete a balanced, nutritious menu. We'll go out of our way to accommodate your needs - from packing a diverse vegetarian menu to dehydrating chicken for your canine companion! Just let us know.

ROUTE & TRIP CONSULTATION
Whether you are interested in exploring Temagami's famous old growth pine forests, remote ridges or quiet fishing spots, we want you to have a fabulous trip. Talk to us about your route - we know Temagami intimately, and can recommend countless routes, on or off the beaten track. Each summer, a number of old, under utilized routes are restored by canoe rangers employed by Friends of Temagami. We're the best source of info about these 'new' routes. We also record your float plan to ensure that your whereabouts are known in the event of an emergency.

SHUTTLE & MAPS
Temagami's access roads can be confusing and rough on your vehicle. Our convenient shuttle service facilitates a worry-free trip. We'll also arrange your floatplane flight into the backcountry. Secure parking is available free of charge. We stock 1:50,000 topographic maps of the Temagami region, the Temagami Canoe Route Planning map plus many trail maps and books to help you visualize your trip and understand the area. Click here for Smoothwater's Online Store. Contact us for shuttle rates.

PARK PERMITS
Everyone (Canadians, Americans and Europeans) is expected to pay a day fee for camping in any of Temagami's seven provincial parks.  In addition, non-residents of Canada must pay for play oncrown land.  Sound complicated?  Not really .  We make it easy.  Call 1-888-569-4539 for info. 

SCHEDULED GUIDED CANOE TRIPS FOR ONE OR MORE DAYS
We're like proud parents when it comes to Temagami and we want to show the area off. Accordingly, Smoothwater offers many themed trips, led by experienced guides who offer keen insight into specific aspects of Temagami's natural, cultural and historical values. While trip participants come from many different locales and often represent a wide age range, all share a curiosity about Temagami, a sense of adventure and respect for Nature.

We want you to enjoy your experience and learn within a supportive, friendly atmosphere.

The cost of our guided trips include the leader/instructor, all equipment, food and shuttles from Smoothwater. For scheduled, guided Smoothwater group trips, please click Canoe, Kayak Trips & Instruction and Lodge Based Events.

SMOOTHWATER GUIDES FOR CUSTOM TRIPS
We are very proud of our wonderful guides. They are first and foremost professionals, hand picked for their life experience, tripping skills, knowledge of Temagami, safety credentials and bon-vivant spirit. Think of a guide as your very own private tutor. Whether your trip be a class three whitewater river or remote flatwater route, hiring a Smoothwater guide is a sensible way to improve your skills and enhance your understanding of Temagami. We enjoy matching each guide to your group's dynamic, be it a single woman or a German speaking trip of 22 soccer players.

If you're wishing to customize your own guided trip, contact us at temagami@onlink.net.

CANOE TRIP MENU SAMPLER
For the sake of cooking expedience and clean up efficiency, groups are asked to select one item for each meal.
BREAKFAST
Fruits, Fresh Oranges/Grapefruit/Prunes/Raisins
Cereals, Granola/Corn meal/Oatmeal/Red River
Pancakes and real Temagami Maple syrup
Drinks, Various fruit juice powders
Hot drinks, Hot chocolate/Organic fair trade coffee/Tea (herbal, green or black)
Eggs and local mennonite slab bacon (for your first day)
LUNCH
Smoothwater's homemade hummous
Local Mennonite summer sausage/Various local cheeses/Various nut butters (Peanut, almond, sunflower seed)
Tins of Salmon/Tuna/Sardines
Breads, Bagels/tortillas/heavy rye/bannock*
Drinks, Various fruit juice powders
Fresh veggies: carrot, celery, cucumber, olives
Fresh fruits: apples/oranges
SNACK
Chocolate/dried fruit/oranges/deluxe trail mix/granola bars/local Mennonite beef jerky/more chocolate!
SOUPS
Smoothwater's homemade, organic and vegetarian Split Pea / Black Bean /Curried lentil
Chicken Noodle/Minestrone/Beef & barley/Cream of broccoli, mushroom or potato
SALAD
Coleslaw Smoothwater style -a hearty mix of cabbage, carrot, onion and caraway seed. You add the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.  It's nice to have something crunchy while out on trip.
ENTREES
First night: Fresh local organic chicken or beef or local seasonal fish with fresh veggie stir fry/lo mein noodles/teriyaki sauce
From day two Smoothwater's
Texas Chain Gang Chili with rice
Three Bean Veggie Chili with rice
Vegetarian sauce with spaghetti
Bolognese sauce (made with local organic beef) and spaghetti --It's an absolute favourite.
Fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil & sun dried tomatoes with pasta
Campfire pizza with all the fixings
Basil pesto & pasta
DESSERTS
Various homemade Smoothwater cakes and cookies/S'mores.  If you want to bake at the campfire, we have a reflector oven for you.
STAPLES
Spice kit (salt/pepper/cinnamon/oregano/garlic/curry), brown sugar, real Temagami maple syrup, Milk powder/Peanut butter and jam/cooking oil/butter/salad dressing /Organic fair trade coffee/teas/hot chocolate/assorted fruit juice powders

*BANNOCK is a quick bread, originally of Scots Irish heritage. Prepared by frying, or wrapping on a stick, it is excellent for dinner or lunch. We recommend cooking it after dinner and storing it for the next day's lunch. Flavours are herb, sesame or garlic.

OUTFITTING HARDGOODS LIST

NO TRACE BACKCOUNTRY ETHICS

RESPECT
To be in the backcountry is a privilege. It is a good feeling to give back to the forest, not just to take. Encountering the presence of others by seeing a dirty campsite, garbage or broken branches is unfair to those who use the trail after you, and to the forest itself.

FIRES
Dry wood is plentiful along the shoreline or well back from campsites. At campsites, do not remove dead branches or cut down small dead trees, as these have a place in the ecosystem. Keep fires small. Stoves are excellent for cooking on canoe trips.

WATER QUALITY/PURIFICATION
It unsafe to drink untreated water due to the potential presence of giardia parasites and e-coli bacteria. Humans also pose a threat to water quality, and need to properly dispose of their excrement. (See below)
Proper water treatment is important to one's health. When on a remote trip, the health of each individual is a group issue.

GRAY WATER & FOOD WASTE
Lakewater must not be fouled with graywater, soaps, food scraps or toothpaste spit. Wash dishes and hands in a dishbowl on land. Food particles should be strained from gray water (through an old sock works well) and then packed out. Dispose of dishwater in the forest well back from the campsite. Do not wash your hair and body in the lake. Swimming is all that's needed to stay clean.
Avoid cooking more food than you will consume. Pack out what you do not eat. Burying food will attract animals

GARBAGE
Pack out everything that you pack in, including all your garbage. If you find garbage, please help by packing it out, too.

PEE & POOP ETIQUETTE
1) Where to do it
The disposal of human excrement is a significant problem in wilderness areas, and Temagami is no different. Knowing what to do will help keep the area clean and attractive for others.

If you are camping on a small island you must use the mainland for toilet purposes.

Some campsites have outhouses or boom boxes in place. Where they are absent, choose an area at least 50 meters away from the shoreline. Look for a spot with an inland slope (prevents fecal matter from being swept downhill during spring run off) and soil that is at least 8 inches deep.

2) How to do it
a) With groups fewer than four people, individuals may dig a small 'cat hole' 6-8" deep with a trowel. Use a stick to place poop into the hole, being sure to mix with some soil to speed up decomposition. Cover hole with soil when leaving the site, leaving no trace. Do not bury toilet paper or feminine hygiene products (see below).
b) If you have 4 or more people, dig a group latrine wide enough for the number of people you have. Poop, compost and cover with soil as above. The poop stick marks where the next person goes.

3) What to do with toilet paper
If buried, most toilet paper will not decompose due to its chlorine content. Further, animals may dig it up and leave an unsightly and unsanitary mess. Toilet paper, tampons and sanitary napkins must be disposed of in one of two ways:
a) Take two garbage bags and place one inside the other. Place all toilet paper and feminine hygiene products in the inner bag. When leaving the campsite, close both bags, place them inside a stuff sack marked "Toilet" and pack them out. This is the preferred method for disposal. It is completely sanitary and easily practiced.
b) Individuals may burn their toilet paper at the campfire.

When peeing, do so well back from the campsite, away from tents. While urine is not a sanitation problem, it is an animal attractant.

TREES, PLANTS & ANIMALS
Please respect nature. Do not disturb the natural landscape. Keep to existing trails and campsites. Do not harm animals and aquatic life.