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Why Does the Air Feel Cleaner On the Water?

Why Does the Air Feel Cleaner On the Water?

If you’ve ever gone canoeing, kayaking or fishing on bodies of freshwater, you might have noticed something different about the air quality. The air around lakes, ponds, rivers and other freshwater sources often feels cleaner, more breathable and more pleasant overall. This sensation isn’t just your imagination. The air surrounding freshwater tends to be cleaner for several significant reasons, and some of them might surprise you. Forests – Earth’s Natural Air Purifiers The most important reason air feels cleaner on…

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A Tourist in Whitehorse

A Tourist in Whitehorse

Whitehorse is a very unique provincial capital. There are no buildings above 8 storeys tall, it's home to the world's largest weathervane, has a population of less than 30,000, and is known as the Wilderness City. I visited Whitehorse in 2019 while guiding canoe trips on the Yukon River, and I can't wait to go back someday. The friendly welcoming atmosphere, thriving culinary scene, art and creativity everywhere you look, easy access to outdoor pursuits, and quirkiness of this small…

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Can you convert a Flat Water Paddler to Rapids?

Can you convert a Flat Water Paddler to Rapids?

A Client Experience During a Noire River Adult Adventure Being a full-time flat water paddler for over 10 years, I wasn't sure what to expect paddling whitewater for the first time. Would I enjoy the faster pace, paddling down the rushing water of a Quebec, Ontario river? Could I handle the waves that could possibly swamp our canoe, boulders blocking our path and the adrenaline rush that was sure to follow? This summer my husband and I took on an…

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How to Become an Outdoor Guide

How to Become an Outdoor Guide

How does this sound… You're paddling down a technical rapid in the beautiful boreal forest, the sun shining above. Around you are eight other people, visibility ecstatic as they take their turns. In the evening, you cook up a delicious pot of chilli and bake coffee cake over the fire, while everyone sits around and replays the day. You fall asleep in your tent under the stars. This isn't vacation for you… this is your job. If that sounds appealing,…

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MHO Skill Levels

MHO Skill Levels

All of our trips at MHO Adventures aim to provide you with comfort and education on how to travel through the backcountry. No matter the skill level, each trip offers beautiful landscapes, fun river travel, delicious food, and different camping, portaging, and paddling challenges. While there are aspects of a canoe trip that we can control (quality of our gear, gourmet meals, and our guides), there are many aspects that are out of our control. Things that are constantly changing,…

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Chiniguchi/Laura Lake

Chiniguchi/Laura Lake

  Wolf Lake... a seemingly mystical land of old growth red pine, quartzite white cliffs, and waters so clear and blue you can see right down to the bottom. For years, I have wanted to visit this lake and witness firsthand the beauty and history that exists in this area. The opportunity finally presented itself when I got to plan a short flat water trip for Thanksgiving weekend. After a bit of research, I found that the Chiniguchi/Laura Lake loop…

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The Full Missinaibi

The Full Missinaibi

My decision to do the Full Missinaibi River Adventure is a bit of a long story. My kids and I have always been campers. Every summer they would go to an out tripping summer camp in Temagami and disappear into the wilds of Ontario for three weeks paddling down rivers like: the Sturgeon, the Dumoine, the Coulonge, the Harricana, and the Albany. Upon their returns, they would be full of so many stories of adventure, struggle and triumph. As they…

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Wilderness Archetypes

Wilderness Archetypes

At MHO Adventures we offer a wide range of adventures in many different areas around Ontario and Quebec. Our adventures range from 3 days in the Haliburton Frost Centre (with your family or on one of our Duke of Edinburgh journeys), to paddling the entire length of the Missinaibi River over 25 days. Due to the variety of expeditions we offer, we have the privilege of meeting people of all ages, coming from various corners of the globe with a…

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Cooking Over a Fire

Cooking Over a Fire

Cooking over a fire… Has a romantic ring to it don't you think? Getting in touch with your roots, your inner woodsman, your primal instincts! None of that setting a convection oven to exactly 350oF and a timer for 12 minutes for perfectly baked cookies, no setting your stove to low and letting your tomato sauce simmer for an hour. Cooking over a fire is roughing it, it's how we were meant to cook!  If only it were that simple.…

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Gratitude To The River

Gratitude To The River

This summer I was fortunate to be able to Guide with MHO and be on expeditions in many beautiful places around Ontario that I had never been before. Each of these trips was so different not just because of the area, but also because of the wide range of incredibly unique and amazing humans I got to meet and spend time with in these remote and wild places. As different as they all were there was a similarity amongst all…

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A Guided Canoe Trip is the Perfect Post-Lockdown Family Adventure

A Guided Canoe Trip is the Perfect Post-Lockdown Family Adventure

The province has been social-distancing for over eleven weeks now. It has forced businesses to close their doors; restaurants have migrated to take-out and delivery. Suddenly a trip to the grocery stores is no longer a mundane weekend chore but the most exciting (and high risk) activity anyone does. No one knows exactly when things will return to normal, or what exactly the new normal will look like. Perhaps the industry that will see the greatest shift is the tourism…

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The Ultimate Guide to Feeding During your Outdoor Adventure

The Ultimate Guide to Feeding During your Outdoor Adventure

Experiencing the wilderness is amazing but many people dread the eating experience. While the outdoors is not exactly the Ritz, you need not be stuck with boring camp food or have to do a Survivor food challenge! Let's show you what your meal plan could look like, the cooking equipment required to supplement your packing guide and how to prepare simple but highly nutritious gourmet-style meals during your outdoor adventure. You need nutrients for your adventure The increased physical activity…

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My Missinaibi River Trip – Clients Journal Entry

My Missinaibi River Trip – Clients Journal Entry

The Missinaibi River is a favourite destination for paddlers like me who find it relaxing and fun. This is why I decided to give my description of a typical day on the river in July for anyone considering making the trip. I also chose the trusted MHO Adventures for this guided trip because of their consistent standard. All days will be different depending on river conditions, weather and group size or experience but this article should give you a flavour…

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11 Reasons to Take a Guided Wilderness Trip in Canada

11 Reasons to Take a Guided Wilderness Trip in Canada

We get it. You like the outdoors. You are awed by the wildlife, flora and unspoiled waters in the wilderness. Being an adventure enthusiast in Canada or the United States means that you would have gone on at least one such expedition or wish to do so in the near future. Before you decide if a guided trip is right for you, here's what you need to know.   What is a Guided trip? If you (and your friends/family) would…

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21 Sites, Sights and Things to do in Killarney, Ontario

21 Sites, Sights and Things to do in Killarney, Ontario

Killarney is a municipality in Northern Ontario which was named after an Irish city with similar features. It is home to 'the Crown Jewel of the Ontario Parks system', the Killarney Provincial Park, which is also one of the most beautiful parks in Canada. It was established in 1964 following the insistence of influential painters who were part of the Group of Seven artists. Little wonder! It has over 50 pristine sapphire blue lakes, a coast of pink granite, a…

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5 Reasons to Adventure on Moose River

5 Reasons to Adventure on Moose River

Family Adventure on Moose River Some families watch their favourite shows together, while others have game nights. Some families cook together, and some adventure together. If your family falls into the latter category, then we have the perfect adventure in mind for you. Perhaps you fall into one of the former groups - that's okay too! MHO Adventures loves showing young, old, new, and seasoned adventurers the ropes. Or, in our line of work, the paddles. Northern Ontario is home…

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Whitewater Rapids: The Universal Classification Guide

Whitewater Rapids: The Universal Classification Guide

There are a good number of white-water rivers in Canada with popular activities including canoeing, water-rafting, kayaking and wilderness exploration. Rapids are responsible for the appearance of 'white' waters. They are areas of lower water levels that cause the waves to beat against the exposed rocks, which aerates the water with air bubbles and it makes for a fun ride. Water naturally flows downstream and the goal is to move with that current. How do you know what those classes…

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Whitewater Glossary: 30 Whitewater Terms You Need to Know

Whitewater Glossary: 30 Whitewater Terms You Need to Know

Perhaps you've picked an interest in water sports or you have stumbled into one of our articles on white-water adventures. You might even be a pro already, looking for new waters to conquer. Regardless of your skill level, there are certain terms you should know. The difference between a rapid and falls may be a simple slip in conversation, however it could lead to dangerous mistakes on the water. Here are basic terms to articulate the components of your next…

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5 Interesting Facts About The Noire River

5 Interesting Facts About The Noire River

This Canadian river gets its name from the dark colour of its waters. Its source is just South of the La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve in Western Quebec from there it flows down into the Ottawa River. Remote but notable, there are a number of reasons the Noire River is a well-loved paradise by Whitewater canoeists and wilderness enthusiasts. One of 'the three sisters' The Noire River is often grouped together with the Dumoine and the Coulonge rivers because of their…

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The Essential Packing Guide For Your Whitewater Expedition

The Essential Packing Guide For Your Whitewater Expedition

Packing for any trip can be a hassle. However, when it involves being outdoors for several days up to a number of weeks, you have limited options for accessing those necessary items that you did not bring along. Of course, your specific needs may differ slightly, but we have prepared a guide with most of the major items you need to think about and pack for your white-water adventure. Canoe gear You need the appropriate canoe and outfitting for your…

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7 Tips for Tackling the Missinaibi River

7 Tips for Tackling the Missinaibi River

There are so many fascinating things about the Missinaibi River.  It once served as a highly important trade route for the First Nations, and has earned its place as one of the 37 designated heritage rivers in Canada.  The upper part of this magnificent river is located right in the heart of the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, which is the world's largest wildlife preserve.  With dozens of lakes, a vast wilderness and a number of historical remnants, it offers a…

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