Wilderness canoeing can be an awesome experience or just a
pain in the back depending on the terrain you travel over.
And Peterborough-based veteran wilderness author, Kevin
Callan, has seen it all. His second book about canoeing in
Northern Ontario hit the market at the beginning of May.
A Paddler's Guide to Killarney and The French River,
published by Boston Mills Press, recounts 20 of Callan's most
rewarding canoeing, kayaking and hiking trips, both old and
new.
Ten years ago, Callan wrote his first book, Killarney. It
helped attract thousands of paddlers and hikers from all over
North America to the unspoiled beauty of the provincial park.
Despite the increase in traffic to Killarney, Callan found
the area was still as unspoiled and breathtaking as ever when
he returned last year.
His new book discusses trips from day excursions to
week-long adventures for paddlers of all skill levels. Callan
is honest about his descriptions.
"When I think back to my past canoe trips across Killarney
Provincial Park, not all were pleasant outings. Some involved
hauling gear and canoe over incredibly steep, jagged portages,
trudging through thick, bug-infested swamps and even setting up
on a camp site already occupied by a black bear," Callan
writes.
A Paddler's Guide to Killarney and The French River features 55
colour photos and 13 colour maps and retails for $19.95. The
book is available at Chapters on The Kingsway and is on
priority order at Black Cat Too downtown on Durham St.
