Super Good Camping Podcast

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A week in the Algonquin backcountry has a funny way of changing what feels “urgent.” We’re recording from day seven of our Barren Canyon trip in Algonquin Provincial Park, watching late-September weather do what it does best: swing from almost summer-like warmth to nights that flirt with zero. We talk about what that shift feels like in camp, how we stay comfortable when the temperature drops, and why shoulder-season camping is equal parts preparation and attitude.

We also get real about the logistics of heading home: packing up efficiently, timing the paddle and portage back to the car, and the inevitable hunt for that first coffee stop after days off-grid. Along the way, we dig into a topic that matters for anyone doing remote canoe tripping or backcountry camping in Ontario: communication and safety. We share what we’ve learned about emergency satellite features on newer phones, why we still carry a Zoleo satellite communicator, and how we think about first aid kits when help is far away.

And because it wouldn’t be camping without a bit of wonder, we get distracted by a big bird of prey, swap memories of rare eagle sightings, and end the day talking stars, satellites, and the simple relief of looking up instead of looking at a screen. If you’ve been craving a reset, we’ll remind you that it doesn’t have to be extreme: an hour in a local park, a conservation area, or a simple picnic can still make a real difference. Subscribe, share the show with a camping buddy, and leave a review if it helps you get outside more often.
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A lot of outdoor stories sound fearless. This one is honest about fear and that is exactly why it matters. We’re joined by our longtime favourite repeat guest, Camper Christina, to talk about her book The Space Between Lakes and the real-world experiences behind her solo canoe trips across the Canadian backcountry. She shares how she went from “I don’t want to be an author” to writing a full book in a matter of weeks, sparked by the glaring lack of women’s voices on canoe tripping shelves and the bigger wave of sexism and inequality she sees spilling into everyday life. 

We dig into what solo camping safety actually feels like when you are a woman travelling alone, including the difference between being remote and being seen. Christina breaks down the mental math of access points, trains, strangers, and why many men simply have not had to think that way. We also talk about why “keeping it real” in trip reports is a safety practice, not a vibe, and how learning through courses, experience, and even public criticism builds confidence over time. 

Winter camping fans get plenty too: hot tents, wood stoves, DIY gear experiments, and why eating well in camp is part comfort and part survival. Christina also gives us a peek at what’s next, from a film festival project to outdoor show presentations on storytelling and trip planning, plus her push to make those stages more diverse so more kids can see themselves outdoors. 

If you enjoy backcountry camping, solo canoe tripping, winter camping tips, and thoughtful conversations about representation in the outdoors, hit play, subscribe, share this with a camping friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
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The Manifesting Formula
Welcome to The Manifesting Formula. I’m Christine Rizzo, and if there’s one thing...
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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

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A canoe pack can be “waterproof” on paper and still be miserable to live with at a landing. We’re reviewing the Recreational Barrel Works bag we’ve been testing as a replacement for our old North 49 dry bag, and we get specific about what matters when you’re loading a canoe, hauling to the car, and grinding through a portage.\n\nWe talk through the build and layout first: fabric on the outside that feels sturdy and easier to grab, grab handles on every side, and a web of straps and buckles that let you cinch the whole load down tight. We also dig into the small features that end up being big quality-of-life upgrades, like the top zippered pocket for maps, hats, and other quick-access essentials that don’t need to be fully waterproof.\n\nThen we get into carry and safety. We share how the padded, ventilated shoulder straps feel over time, why the chest strap flexibility helps when you’re breathing hard uphill, and how the hip straps stabilize a heavy load. Side pockets are handy but a little shallow, so we explain our approach for tying off gear like bear spray so it stays accessible without becoming a yard sale if the bag tips.\n\nFinally, we break down the standout feature: the waterproof liner. We explain how to roll and seal it properly, why filling it inside the pack makes life easier, and how the extra space up top can fit additional small dry bags for more protected storage. If you’re dialling in your canoe camping gear, hit subscribe, share the episode with a paddling buddy, and leave a review with your go-to packing tip.
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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

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Nine paddlers drift through a stunning Algonquin Park corridor and barely anyone is wearing a PFD, and that’s where we start. From the shoreline at the top of the Lower Barren, Tim and Thomas check in on day six of our Barren Canyon canoe trip with the kind of honest trip reporting you only get when you’re living it: cold hands, quiet mornings, day-tripper traffic, and the granite walls that make this route feel unreal.

We talk through what the last stretch of the trip actually feels like when temperatures drop close to freezing at night and your sleeping bag is “good enough” but not exactly comfortable. If you’re planning shoulder-season backcountry camping in Algonquin, we dig into the small choices that keep you warmer and happier, from dry layers to smarter camp rhythm. We also share what we’re seeing on the water this weekend, plus why a capsize can happen fast even on flatwater when a breeze, a lean, and inexperience line up.

Then we get practical with a campsite review for this final site: the thunderbox location and the windy walk to it, the reality of punky shoreline firewood, and what to expect from the approach with two short portages. We wrap with a clear warning about the terrain: hilly ground, roots, rocks, and a strong case for boots and a headlamp as soon as the sun drops. If you love canoe tripping, paddling safety, and real-world Algonquin route notes, you’ll feel right at home with this one.

If you enjoy the trip updates, follow along, share the episode with a paddling buddy, and leave a review so more campers and canoeists can find the show. What’s your one non-negotiable piece of canoe trip safety gear?
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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

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Getting older changes your camping trips, whether you admit it or not, and we think that’s good news. Pamela and Tim talk through how we keep canoe camping in Canada fun, safe, and realistic as our bodies rack up a little more mileage. The spark for this conversation is our friend and paddling legend Cliff Jacobson, plus his reminder to “follow your passion” after a heart scare. That line about not being saved so you can sit around and watch TV stays with us for a reason. 

We get practical fast: simple strength training for paddlers, keeping hips and shoulders mobile, and why technique matters more with age than it ever did in your 20s. We also share how our trip style has shifted from big kilometre days and constant moving to shorter days, more stay days, and more time actually enjoying the scenery. If you’re looking for senior camping tips, canoe camping for seniors, or just a smarter way to plan portages, this is the kind of planning talk that pays off on day three of a trip. 

Gear is part of the puzzle, but not in a gimmicky way. We discuss lowering pack weight with better tents and sleep systems, using properly fitted portage packs, considering a tump line, and choosing routes with manageable landings and safer portages. Then we zoom out to backcountry safety: always wearing your PFD, leaving a trip plan, carrying first aid, monitoring weather, fuelling properly, and using a satellite messenger or other communication device you trust. We also talk about balance, vision, hearing, and medication side effects, because those details can matter a lot in the bush. 

If you want to keep paddling for decades, listen now, share this with a camping buddy, and subscribe. After you’ve listened, leave a review and tell us what you’ve changed to keep getting outside.
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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