Bob and Diana McElroy have added a new "vintage trip-log" to their website ... Nipissing River Loop from Kiosk 1979 May 17-24.

"Next portage 400 yd., good trail, passes through large open area with many falling down old log buildings of what appears to have been a lumber camp. The sun was out and we spent quite a bit of time taking pictures of buildings and scenery. Left about 2:00. Next part of river winding, marshy and open. Wind came up and rain moved in suddenly, but pretty well let up by the time we hit 1300 yd portage around High Falls, about 2:30."

Mark Rubino has added an account to his website, of a 5 day camp-out on Cedar Lake with friends ... Access #27 Cedar Lake May 12th - 16th, 2004. He was subject to some rough paddling and rough hiking on old railway road bed.

"I was not prepared for the conditions that I was paddling, but nevertheless paddled on grimly, determined to make it back to camp. Within 30 minutes I came around the bend and as I turned to make it into camp, I became blown off course. I paddled furiously as I could see Michelle, Marylyn & Sean watched me from shore. There was nothing anyone could do."

J. A. "Karior" has submitted an account of his Smoke Lake to Lake Louisa and Back - Aug. 4th to 8th, 2007 canoe trip. Some deep mud and steep portaging made this trip a real workout.

"The island campsite near the portage looked like a perfect swimming spot, but it was already 1pm, with a lot of travel to go before Louisa. So after eating a quick lunch on the island, we headed out across the lake and portaged into, and crossed, Lawrence Lake. The portage into Rod and Gun was murder, the first hundred meters of trail had an elevation rise of 50 meters! We portaged into Lake Louisa, saw a pair of otters near the put in, came across a moose AND found an unoccupied island camp site. This made for a great end to a long and tiring day. "

The October - November photo contest winners have been selected. Framing and light have played a very important role in all three winners.

1st place: Tom Bennett's "Still There" is a lush summer study in green and blue, framed by trees.

2nd place: Mark Rubino's "November Glory" is a chilling pre-winter contrast of colours, also framed by trees.

3rd place: Aaron Webber's "Smoke Lake Frame" is autumn's full warm colours framing the blue of lake and sky.

Back in September of this year on the shores of Booth Lake, an idea was given birth. It was to develop a formal association representing the interests and concerns of recreational users of the interior of Algonquin Park.

Over the following weeks, momentum was achieved through the direct participation of Laurie March, Sean Rowley, Mark Steele, Mark Rubino and Barry Bridgeford.

The tentatively named Algonquin Park Recreational Users Association is in pre-formation discussions, currently establishing its final name, mission statement and primary goals. The website, its supportive forums and the entire initiative was officially launched earlier this week.

Laurie March (operator of www.outdooradventurecanada.com and www.gjstudios.com) is being extremely supportive by providing continuing technical and organizational support in the form of both sophisticated online discussion forums www.outdooradventurecanada.com/aprua/forum/ and the groups own professionally designed website www.outdooradventurecanada.com/aprua/.

If you are an Algonquin Park backcountry recreational user, you're invited to check out the group's website, to consider taking part in its discussions and to help the process through its planning, formation, registration and promotional phases .. and into its ongoing operation.

Together we can all make a difference!

Darren Dare has a very well photo-illustrated trip-log on his website, of a solo trip he took to Clamshell Lake .. Wendigo to Clamshell August 27-30th, 2007. He started at the Wendigo Lake access point and canoed south on the North River, through Allan and North Depot Lakes. Darren is a bass fisherman and was not disappointed!

"I spent a lot of time at the far end of Clamshell amongst the bouldes and timber with limited success. I did manage to land myself a nice 4 pounder later in the afternoon which I kept for supper with an accompanyment of Lipton Sidekicks and orange juice. After supper I relaxed on the rock and spent some time near the campfire writing notes in my journal for this trip log."