Wolf Howls in Algonquin Park

This trip was run through the Northern Edge Algonquin which is a beautiful family run retreat just outside the Park. As well as canoe trips the Edge runs many other retreats such as Yoga, Sea kayaking, 'Seeking Solitude' and 'Finding Balance' courses. It is an incredibly calm & peaceful place to be and the overwhelming feeling I got from all the people I met there was a complete acceptance of everyone whatever their background or beliefs happened to be.

Our guide for the trip was Alexis Burnett who is a wilderness guide for Northern Edge and also runs his own company Earth Tracks. ( For more info on both see the links in the sidebar )

We had a small group of only 6 including Alexis and we had a mix of canoeing & camping experience in the group from quite a lot to none at all. We set off on a small creek which is actually a high up part of the south river and over three short portages into Craig Lake. As we were only out for two nights this became our base camp. The journey to Craig Lake was a short one and we set up camp in good time to enjoy an afternoon of swimming and relaxing.

On the first night we cooked over a camp fire which Alexis started using a bow drill, Ray Mears style ! The food was great and as we sat around the campfire chatting quietly, the lake was very still, I started to get excited about the eagerly anticipated Wolf Howl !

Now, I had assumed, that Alexis as a wilderness guide, had spent many years perfecting a wolf howl, pitch perfect in order to make the wolves believe he was a lost member of the pack etc. in order to encourage them into returning his call. You know what I mean - in the same way that some people can mimic exactly various different bird calls.

No. That's not how it works. Alexis explains that 'someone' [ usually him ] does the first howl and then the rest of the 'pack' join in on the second howl and we just keep going til in fades out. 'Just let it all out' Alexis encourages - on hearing this I got the attack of the giggles. We took positions on the edge of the campsite facing the lake, hands cupped ready for the howl. By this point Alexis was struggling not to giggle too and I was almost doubled up in laughter. [ I apologise if my fellow canoeists were taking this rather more seriously ! ] Anyway, after a couple of deep breaths and a lot of self control, Alexis started the first howl while I giggled in silence and then we all let go - it was so much fun !!! Unfortunately we never got a reply ( apparently its about 65% success rate ) but I tell you I couldn't wait for the next night to howl away again, it was such a laugh. I wonder what the residents of Yewbarrow Road would think if I took up frequent howling ... ?

We had gorgeous weather and I slept in my hammock both nights which was great. I got some lovely photos of sunrise without even having to get out of bed. We got up early and went for a paddle before breakfast, practicing our 'indian strokes' to try and silently sneak up on any moose that may be down at the waters edge, it was just beautiful.

I had a wonderful time on this trip and owe a huge thanks to Alexis for making the trip so great and also for lending me some gear and setting me up for my 'vision quest'...more on that later...