Canoeing Plans for 2026?

[lowangle al]

Well, my plans just got changed big time. I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. I need more testing done to determine how far along the cancer is and if it has spread anywhere else. It will certainly delay all of my plans, I just don’t know how long the delay will be, a few weeks or even a year delay. I also just learned about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. I am thinking about paddling it in 3 or 4 years from beginning to end, all 740 miles of it.

Sorry to hear this, my season is also in question. I'm waiting to get surgery scheduled to have part of my colon removed and am concerned about what else they might find. I think we should take Robins advice. My plan is to do what I can while I can. Hopefully we can still get out this season, even if it's something not to ambitious.

 

[Erica]

We rarely mention here the health challenges we face. I’m grateful it comes up from time to time. It certainly gives me courage to keep trying. I was ready to quit my solo trips about 10 years ago or so. It was Robin and Gerald who set the example and encouraged me to continue. Thanks to them and to everyone.

 

[Packrat]

I think I learned a lesson regarding preparting for my canoeing this season. Last year my ten or twelve one and two hour work outs just prior to the Bowron Lake outing was pretty inadequate. This year I'm already looking at starting my prep next month. No ice on the local lakes and a wet suit on order in case I decide to test the temperature of the water accidently. I intend to focus all my summer/fall padling on BC Canada which is paradise compared to Washington State.

 

[dramey]

Please don’t let your diagnosis alter your plans. I’ve been dealing with serious prostrate cancer (Gleason 9, Agent Orange) since 2016 along with bladder cancer since 2014 (AO also) and while sometimes the treatments can be bothersome or even arse kicking, I have tried to get in as much canoe tripping as I could,
Unfortunately ,I have also altered or canceled plans unnecessarily because of my imagined disability. No more!
I’m on my second series of chemo treatments right now along with hormone therapy and the major side effects are some weakness and fatigue.
I just asked my oncologist last week would it be ok to miss a treatment in August ( yea, this series of chemo goes till October, bring it on bi itch) so I could take a road trip to western Ontario for two/three weeks, his face lit up and he insisted that I go.
Good luck.

My Gleason score is also 9, my PSA was 17.69. I am waiting for VA to ok my next set of imaging. Then my doctor and I will sit down and discuss treatment options.

 

[Packrat]

I commend your attitude! All I have to do is put up with old age but you have a lot of serious compications that would excuse your giving up. Is there something in that Alaskan existence that makes you tougher?

 

[BobMills]

Please don’t let your diagnosis alter your plans. I’ve been dealing with serious prostrate cancer (Gleason 9, Agent Orange) since 2016 along with bladder cancer since 2014 (AO also) and while sometimes the treatments can be bothersome or even arse kicking, I have tried to get in as much canoe tripping as I could,
Unfortunately ,I have also altered or canceled plans unnecessarily because of my imagined disability. No more!
I’m on my second series of chemo treatments right now along with hormone therapy and the major side effects are some weakness and fatigue.
I just asked my oncologist last week would it be ok to miss a treatment in August ( yea, this series of chemo goes till October, bring it on bi itch) so I could take a road trip to western Ontario for two/three weeks, his face lit up and he insisted that I go.
Good luck.

View attachment 152842

You're the MAN Robin

 

[dramey]

I commend your attitude! All I have to do is put up with old age but you have a lot of serious compications that would excuse your giving up. Is there something in that Alaskan existence that makes you tougher?

We get a lot of snow in the winter. In the past 36 hours we have gotten 18-24” of snow, so I get to ride the atv with a snow plow on it to shovel the snow. I also go snowmobile riding besides canoeing. Living in Alaska is a busy lifestyle so I think it helps keeps us healthy.

 

[Sting]

I’m making a bit of a career change this year and to kick it off am doing a special trip. I’m hoping to be out for 7 to 8 weeks travelling from the Winnipeg area to Sault Saint Marie via the Path of the Paddle route and then Lake Superior. This is a fairly local trip for me so costs will be minimal and there will be lots of great history to learn along the way. As primarily a river tripper in the past, I’m really looking forward to paddling Lake Superior in my new to me Mad River Monarch.

That sounds amazing. I am just sitting at my kitchen counter right now looking at my path of the paddle map. I’m considering a trip in 2027. I haven’t been able to find a whole lot of info about it besides the map I ordered and a couple YouTube videos. Have you found any good sources to help you plan your trip?

 

[Paddlinhal]

I had to bail out on my bucket list George River trip in northern Quebec due to leukemia and the possibility of needing a blood transfusion. Something about no cell phone service, no roads, and few hospitals gave my oncologist the willies, which spread to my wife and I finally had to do the adult thing. But I feel fine and have a few other good trips planned, closer to home.

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

Vey much looking forward to open water, but that is still a couple of months out at least.

Late May group trip: 8 days in Quetico. Late season (probably September & 8-12 days) solo to Wabakimi, assuming the invitees reply "no".

Probably a family trip in the August timeframe, though early June has been discussed; that would be Quetico.

If the ice comes out early: I have a very aggressive 3-night BWCA route I've always wanted to do, but it would have to be late April or the first few days of May, and that means a very early ice-out year is required. Option B in that timeframe would be the Nam/St Croix. Both options would be solo.

I'm pretty well set on boats but a used MN3 is of interest.

 

[Pseudonym]

I had to bail out on my bucket list George River trip in northern Quebec due to leukemia and the possibility of needing a blood transfusion. Something about no cell phone service, no roads, and few hospitals gave my oncologist the willies, which spread to my wife and I finally had to do the adult thing. But I feel fine and have a few other good trips planned, closer to home.

Very sorry to hear that @Paddlinhal.

@Robin may have some advice:

Canoeing Plans for 2026?

Only plan is to get on the water every chance I get. Mostly local lakes but I'd like to do the Allegheny Water Trail and the Clarion River but the water flow on both can be a narrow window.

www.canoetripping.net

 

[Pseudonym]

I had to bail out on my bucket list George River trip in northern Quebec due to leukemia and the possibility of needing a blood transfusion. Something about no cell phone service, no roads, and few hospitals gave my oncologist the willies, which spread to my wife and I finally had to do the adult thing. But I feel fine and have a few other good trips planned, closer to home.

Very sorry to hear that @Paddlinhal.

@Robin may have some advice:

Canoeing Plans for 2026?

Only plan is to get on the water every chance I get. Mostly local lakes but I'd like to do the Allegheny Water Trail and the Clarion River but the water flow on both can be a narrow window.

www.canoetripping.net

 

[gadabyte]

a compromise trip somewhere in maine with my son. he's not crazy about canoeing, i'm not crazy about fishing, so we're going to go on a canoe fishing trip. (suggestions welcome).

1-2 week temagami trip, details TBD.

 

[Erica]

I had to bail out on my bucket list George River trip in northern Quebec due to leukemia and the possibility of needing a blood transfusion. Something about no cell phone service, no roads, and few hospitals gave my oncologist the willies, which spread to my wife and I finally had to do the adult thing. But I feel fine and have a few other good trips planned, closer to home.

I’m sorry to hear about it. The no cell service and no roads (ie the reasons I’m out there) does tend to make doctors and my brother nervous.