Portage To 2025
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 2025!
Top 10 Most Read Articles in 2024
Last year’s top articles highlighted companies such as store closures and new maps … this year at Traversing the most read articles were...
#10 - The Canadian Canoe Museum Is Opening May 13th, 2024
Years in the making, the Canadian Canoe Museum successfully build a stunning brand new building to house the ENTIRE collection as well as offer so many more improvements that make this a must-see destination.
#9 - The Hamilton Adventure Expo Kicks Off In 2025
Here in Ontario we have the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show and the Ottawa Outdoor + Adventure Travel Show, but this May we were surprised to learn that a new expo is kicking off in 2025… the Hamilton Adventure Expo! It’s already gaining a lot of momentum and has a huge list of special guests and vendors. Be sure to check it out!
#8 - Wildfires Close Jasper National Park
Each year western Canada braces for when and where the next massive fire is going to strike. This year was no different and sadly this growing issue is starting to affect our National Parks. On the upside, Parks Canada recently announced that all backcountry campsites will be ready for the 2025 season.
#7 - New MEC Location Opening In Whitby This July
There are no MEC locations between Toronto and Ottawa and this year MEC opened a new store in Whitby to serve that area.
#6 - Canoe Designer David Yost Fields Questions From The Internet
The more you delve into canoe design, the more the questions pop up. There’s nothing like access to a canoe designer to set the story straight on design and the science behind it.
#5 - How To Download Old Maps From Unlostify Or Jeff's Map
With the release of the Algonquin maps, there was a revitalization on the prior work that map maker Jeff McMurtry has created. That left the question… how do I get my old copies? Thankfully Jeff made a handy dandy website that does all the legwork for you!
#4 - Garmin Simplifies Their inReach Subscription Plans
Garmin made a lot of tiny little changes this year. Some caused more controversy than others. First they discontinued the ability to post to social media from inReach Devices. Then they extended their Maps+ service worldwide, but in turn removed layers and only offered them through this paid tier. Finally, they simplified the tiers on their subscription plans which left many grumbling about having to pay more than they previously did.
#3 - MSR Announces The All-New Hubba Hubba LT For Spring 2025
The Hubba Hubba series of tents have been a mainstay since its inception in 2004. Every generation fixes a few quirks from the previous generation while still trying to shave a few grams from the overall weight. The 2025 LT version focuses on weight and the reduction of carbon emissions to make it. MSR also announced a brand new stove for 2025 while they were at it.
#2 - Check Out This Awesome Canoe Accessory: One Stern Spring
We enjoy crafting up an April Fools joke every year and we’re not sure we can top this year’s.
#1 - 'Maps By Jeff' Announces The Long Awaited Algonquin Map
This article ranked #1 two years in a row, which shows just how much interest there is not only Algonquin… but well made maps.
Two Of the Biggest News Articles That Flew Under the Radar
There were two articles that both have big impacts to Canadians but flew under the radar this year. The first is that Transport Canada is moving to make lifejackets mandatory across Canada. The second is that Health Canada provided an update on flame retardants in tents.
Business Updates
True Outdoors in Kamloops, B.C. celebrated their 20th anniversary
Track ‘n Trail in Edmonton, Alberta celebrated 40 great years
Outdoors Oriented in St. Catherines, Ontario turned 30
Ramakko's Source For Adventure in Sudbury, Ontario turned 40
Quebec’s Altitude-Sports turned 40! Became a Certified B Corp and even launched their very own house brand of gear.
After 60 years, hiking boot manufacturer Vasque closed.
As Churchill River Canoe Outfitters Turns 60, It Now Has A New Owner
Haliburton Paddle Shop Has A New Logo AND A New Owner
Long time canoe PFD maker Stohlquist looked to be closing down in February, but luckily found a buyer in Sport Dimension Inc. which saved the company.
Off! created a mosquito weather report
The Complete Paddler moved their retail shop up the road to Mississauga.
German outdoor coat maker Wellensteyn comes to Canada
Route Planning, GPS and SOS
Apple added the ability to send messages via satellite in iOS 18 followed by Garmin who added Garmin ResponseSM with the latest Pixel 9 smartphones in the U.S.
Starlink announced the Starlink Mini which will offer campers backcountry connectivity anywhere.
Goat Maps launched for iOS and it’s fast and nimble.
Outside released a new version of their GAIA GPS app that tied in their brand new social media endeavour. It wasn’t appreciated.
Garmin Announces The inReach Messenger Plus SOS Satellite Communicator
Park News Updates
Quetico backcountry reservations can now be booked year-round
French River Provincial Park changed their backcountry reservation model For 2025
Ontario Parks is changing Temagami's reservation model
It’s nice when backcountry parks give an update on portage conditions. Woodland Caribou did an excellent job and even released a full map.
Nova Scotia's New Island Lake Wilderness Area Is Now Protected
Alberta Creates Two New Parks And Adds More Than 1,400 Hectares To The Provincial Park System
Alberta Parks Launches New Camping Reservation System In Time For 2024 Season
B.C. Parks Adds Reservations To Three Backcountry Campgrounds
Parks Canada Releases New Fundy Backcountry Planning Guide
Nova Scotia Parks Adds 15 New Provincial Parks And Expands Two More
New Brunswick Park Passes Now Available From Public Libraries
Killarney Provincial Park now has a SPOT lending program
Parks Canada Now Offers 'Notify Me' E-mail Alerts For Campsite Openings
Killarney Procincial Park celebrated their 60th anniversary
Cool New Gear
Recreational Barrel Works Announces New Canoe Packs For 2024
Ostrom Outdoors Announces The 'Aurora' Day Pack
Check out all the new stuff from Swift Canoe And Kayak in their 2024 launch video
H2O Canoe Company announced three new canoes
Nova Craft Announces The Return Of The 15' Angler Canoe
Esquif Announces 'T-Formex Lite'
Red Food Barrels are available from Recreational Barrel Works
Frost River Announces The Northstar Expedition Pack
Hultafors Announces A New Axe And Leather Accessories
Trangia Announces New Gas Burner, 'Storm'
Sea To Summit Unveils New Gear For 2024
Katadyn Announces Two New Water Filters
Micklagård Announces The Wadmal Wool Blanket
Nova Craft's SP3 Prospector Canoe Is Back In Stock
No Normal has crammed coffee into a tube for your next camping trip
Esker Outdoors announces a new Multi Tent
Trangia releases their iconic stove in three new colours
We always love a good Canadian invention, especially if it has to do with Canoeing. This year we had TWO cool new inventions
Media
Jim Baird launched a podcast this year and there has already been 20 episodes of “Baird Country” for you to catch up on if you aren’t already a subscriber.
If you enjoy the show Alone, be sure to subscribe to the new official podcast. It’s chock full of behind the scenes commentary and analysis of our intrepid survivalists.
Sad News
Dan Cooke Of Cooke Custom Sewing passed away this year
Our favourite articles
With the announcement of red food barrels this year… did you know there was once green food barrels?
Ticks have become worse than ever… here’s a handy Trail Mix article we wrote to sum up how alert we should be.
We panicked earlier this year when we had to send our puffy jacket in for warranty service but couldn’t find our original proof-of-purchase. Thankfully there are a few companies that still offer excellent customer service!
In an age of print media disappearing, we wrote about two magazines you should subscribe to right now!
Year End Recaps
Traversing News
We turned 14 this year and had numerous fun trips with our little one. Despite all the tripping we only released two videos. This year was definitely spent just taking in the surroundings on our trips and not turning the camera towards us (although we have some fun plans to try out the anamorphic lens next year) (don’t forget to subscribe to our channel)...
We also had some incredible photos entered in this year’s canoeing photo contest. We invite you to check them out if you haven’t as an incredible source of inspiration. We also want to send another shout-out to both Recreational Barrel Works and MEC for generously offering the prizes!
Looking ahead to 2025
California Parks is banning single use propane tanks. A sign of the times.
Kevin Callan shared a concept image of a new canoeing story book for kids that hopefully comes to our local bookstores in 2025
I wrote this in 2022 and it’s becoming more prevalent than ever… Will Starlink Replace SPOT & inReach As Your Backcountry SOS Network?
Globalstar is launching an additional 26 satellites this year to help with coverage for iPhone SOS
Parks Canada announced all the dates for their upcoming camping season
Frostbite! Symposium is January 10th to 12th
The Wilderness and Canoe Symposium is February 22nd
The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show is February 21st to 23rd
Canoecopia is March 7th to 9th
The Ottawa Outdoor + Adventure Travel Show is April 26th to 27th
Thanks for portaging with us. Did we miss anything? Let us know (including which trips you have in the works)!