Hiking Ishpatina Ridge

Difficulty Rating:
Camping
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Beauty Rating:
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Solitude Rating:
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Adventure Category:
Adventure Start:
Aug 16, 2024 6:30 AM
Estimated End:
Aug 18, 2024 9:00 PM

Adventure Description

This is the big one, probably our most ambitious adventure to date.

Ontario may not be blessed with big mountains but one peak stands above all others at 693m - Ishpatina Ridge. Few have heard of it, even fewer have climbed it and for good reason. It's really hard to get to, the trail is barely marked and natural obstacles include a river crossing that we'll have to wade. As you might expect, it also gets really steep.

On day one, we'll drive up to Temagami then turn off the road for several hours of driving up a rough bush road, getting deeper and deeper into the wilderness. We'll set up camp for the night ready for day two when we start the epic 30km hike that takes us to the very top and back down again. We'll celebrate around the campfire during our second night in the forest before returning back to Toronto with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

What to expect? This is Type 2 fun but will be pretty incredible while you're doing it. It's guaranteed to be among the most remote places you've visited and Temagami's rare old growth forest is a truly magical space in which we'll be immersing ourselves. We'll be wading rivers, bush whacking for many kilometers and carrying significant weight as we're bringing in camping gear. The reward should be absolutely worth it at the top.

You'll be accompanied by our expert guides keeping you safe and motivating you along the way.

What's included:

All camping equipment (except sleeping bag and pad)

All meals (except lunch on the way up there and dinner on the way back)

Expert guides with advanced Wilderness First Aid qualifications

This is the big one, probably our most ambitious adventure to date.

Ontario may not be blessed with big mountains but one peak stands above all others at 693m - Ishpatina Ridge. Few have heard of it, even fewer have climbed it and for good reason. It's really hard to get to, the trail is barely marked and natural obstacles include a river crossing that we'll have to wade. As you might expect, it also gets really steep.

On day one, we'll drive up to Temagami then turn off the road for several hours of driving up a rough bush road, getting deeper and deeper into the wilderness. We'll set up camp for the night ready for day two when we start the epic 30km hike that takes us to the very top and back down again. We'll celebrate around the campfire during our second night in the forest before returning back to Toronto with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

What to expect? This is Type 2 fun but will be pretty incredible while you're doing it. It's guaranteed to be among the most remote places you've visited and Temagami's rare old growth forest is a truly magical space in which we'll be immersing ourselves. We'll be wading rivers, bush whacking for many kilometers and carrying significant weight as we're bringing in camping gear. The reward should be absolutely worth it at the top.

You'll be accompanied by our expert guides keeping you safe and motivating you along the way.

What's included:

All camping equipment (except sleeping bag and pad which can be rented here)

All meals (except lunch on the way up there and dinner on the way back)

Expert guides with advanced Wilderness First Aid qualifications

N.B. Self-drivers will not be able to join this adventure without an off-road capable vehicle (think AWD/4WD with some ground clearance - you don't need a jeep). For that reason, space is limited with just 10 people in the van.

Itinerary

Friday August 16th

06:30 - Drive to Ishpatina. Van leaves from close to Keele Station
14:00 - Arrive at trail head parking, begin hike
17:00 - Set up camp, dinner

Saturday August 17th

07:00 - Begin Hike
07:00- 19:00 Hike to top of mountain then retun back down
19:00 - Set up camp. Dinner round campfire

Sunday August 18th

Morning - Complete hike out, lunch

Afternoon - Drive back to Toronto

21:00 - Anticipated return to Toront

Rental Gear available

Tents, cooking equipment, mess kits. Sleeping bag and pad can be rented at the link in the trip description.
Adventure Cost
Event Cost:
$445+HST
Transport Cost:
$70

Join This Adventure

To join this adventure, you'll first need to become a member of Wilderness Union. We're an Outdoor Adventure Community of 20-40 year olds dedicated to helping you get out of the city, explore more and find your outdoor friend group.
Membership gives you access to over 100 unique adventures a year, regular socials, outdoor education and our private discord all at unmatched pricing.
Sign up for a one month free trial and $25 in trip credit towards your first adventure and start seeing more of the wild.

Become a Member

Credit Eligibility

This trip is eligible for trip credit use and any credit on file will be automatically applied against the cost of the adventure (up to $25 per adventure).  Review your current credit balance in your account.
This trip is not eligible for trip credit use (except for any refund credit on file).

Cancellation Policy

Full amount charged on registration. 90% refund available until August 2nd, 50% refund available until August 9th. No refunds available after then.
If you cancel and wish to rejoin, please confirm with us on Discord to ensure that the updated registration has been received.

Join This Adventure

To join this adventure, you'll first need to become a member of Wilderness Union. We're an Outdoor Adventure Community of 20-40 year olds dedicated to helping you get out of the city, explore more and find your outdoor friend group.
Membership gives you access to over 100 unique adventures a year, regular socials, outdoor education and our private discord all at unmatched pricing.
Sign up for a one month free trial and $25 in trip credit towards your first adventure and start seeing more of the wild.

Become a Member

Members Attending

Alex
Enida
Sai
Denis
Jana
Marie
Bianca
Aaron
Megan
Justin
Johnry
Artem
Britt
Corey
Darshan
Norah
Krishna
Ahmed
Sarah
Joel

Members on Waitlist

Bianca

Adventure Cancellations

Alex
Sai
Denis
Jana
Aaron
Megan
Johnry
Darshan
Ahmed
Sarah
This adventure opens for registration soon!

Trip Updates

2/7/24 - N.B We no longer have space in the van so anyone after this point will car pool with one of our self drivers. Anyone booking after this date will only have their place confirmed after July 15th when Isaac returns from travel. 2/8/24 - We still have space remaining but exclusively for self-drivers.

Apply for Membership or log-in to sign up for this adventure

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