11-Day Wilderness Camping in the Boreal Forest 

Thanks for all the kind concern about Erin's knee 💚 Thankfully she recovered very well and seems no worse for wear now. And to answer another FAQ, she had just graduated from her masters program in counselling psychology about a week before the trip :) The band she wears is just for trips so something doesn't happen to her engagement ring and we plan to get married in 2023.

Any day we get a big, new, awesome, one-hour-and-thirty-eight-glorious-minute Lost Lakes video is an awesome day. Can’t wait to snuggle up on the couch tonight and watch like a favorite movie.

The amount of quality content you provide is astonishing

Congratulations on your graduation Erin 😊. Sorry to hear about your hurt knee. Glad you are doing better.

Absolutely amazing trip! The sunsets and sunrises, the northern lights, the wildlife just incredible. You make such a wonderful team and bring us the greatest adventures, thank you 🙏🏻

A couple years ago I was going down the RU-vid rabbit hole while sitting in my garage babysitting a brisket on the smoker. I was looking for videos about fly-in fishing in Ontario (in anticipation to a 3 generation trip to Northern Ontario with my dad, son, and uncle), I stumbled across Backcountry Angling Ontario. I loved how the videos were shot and edited. As a lifelong backpacker I also identified with your simple minimalist camping style. Within a couple months, I had pretty much watched all your canoe trips and realized I was going to have to head out to the boreal forest for a backcountry canoe trip someday (despite about a 30ish year gap since I last paddled a canoe). After many mornings practicing locally in a p.o.s. plastic rental Old Towne, I did a solo trip to Quetico over Labor Day last month . As a novice paddler the wind caused me fits (and a few nervous moments), but I loved every minute of my trip despite the challenges. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INSPIRATION! It’s awesome to find a new passion at nearly 50 years old. Now I’ve just got to get a little better at dealing with a crosswind….

THIS VIDEO WAS AMAZING!!!! You guys have given me so much viewing pleasure. Watching your videos gets me out of my bed, if only in my head, and takes me on beautiful adventures. I only recently discovered your channel, but this is my favorite video so far. The videography is beyond words. Jon, you could be a professional. The bear and moose encounters gave me goosebumps. Erin, congratulations on such a worthy accomplishment! You will be amazing in your field. Your kind heart is evident in every video. Blessings to you both. You have made my life better.

the late night stargazing time lapses bring tears to my eyes they're so beautiful.. it's something I want to see for myself badly

Good to see that you two have graduated! Finally, your Doctorate of Peacefulness! Thank you both! 🇨🇦

And congrats to Erin!! Great achievement.

This channel deserves more subs but I find it very fitting that only a select few know of the beauty that is to be enjoyed

Yay-Yuh!!! Love every second. Just yesterday I was wondering when your next vid would be published!! Hey Erin, nice lid!! Congrats!!!! Thanks so much!!

There's so much to enjoy about this. The added nuances and details (the night time fauna, the shoreline video captures of you two passing by, the aurora borealis) are scintillating. Such a video spectacle of topography from above and below in addition to the dual view aspect of the rapids runs is nothing short of astonishing. Good gracious there's nothing on TV today like this!! From here on, I'm just left speechless at this amount of time, work, and energy. Amazing!

That was a beautiful trip. I've never seen northern lights with clouds like that. Sunsets and sunrises were gorgeous. Congratulations Erin. Thanks guys

I get sooo lost in your videos lol the scenery is beautiful and so are you two 😊❤ x

I have a hard time remembering which of your videos I’ve watched, so now as soon as I begin watching I LIKE the video.

Congratulations to Erin!, love that she wore her cap out there lol. Jon I am so used to seeing you with your bush husband (Xander) that it's refreshing to see you with your future wife XD love your videos Jon, I discovered you and Xander seperately, I cant begin to explain how stoked I was when you guys tripped together. your last trip with the aurora borealis was magical, some of your best videography I think I have seen. Thanks for all the effort you put in to share these videos with us.

A magical video, so entertaining and the wildlife, Northern Lights, the Moose, the Bear, Pelicans and the scenery all photographed so beautifully. You out-did yourselves for your viewers. So, thanks for sharing!!! Namaste 🙏

So lovely. I'm sure so much of your time is grueling, a bit scary, painful (knee) while your films give a sense that peaks of humor, beauty, and natural rarity make it all worth while.

Erin congrats on graduation! Great trip, thanks for sharing.

What an amazing trip. Your videos are so beautiful. Your camera work and editing are so good. Congratulations to Erin on her graduation 👩🏻‍🎓

Heck yeah, it's a great day when I see another hour+ video from you guys in my sub box. Man some of those portages looked gnarly. Also Congrats to Erin for graduating!

Well done, brings back fond memories. The quailty of your videos is unmatched. At Grip Lake, I knelled, bowed and chanted “Rob Haslam, I am so unworthy”

Watching you two is like eating chocolate, like I have never had it before - God bless!

First good vibes and positive wishes that Erin's injury heals quickly and fully. That looked horrendous. What a fantastic trek, absolutely beautifully captured on video. Just wonderful. I almost feel guilty to witness your trials and triumphs and the truly special moments you work so hard for. Almost..

You two are awesome, thanks for taking us on your trips! And congrats Erin! :)

In video, the aurora borealis is ALWAYS shown in time lapse. Always. I appreciate so much the one scene where you showed it in real time. It is no less stunning. Thanks Jon !!!

Enjoy seeing you both together enjoying the things you love to do. You have a great relationship 😊

Thank you for maintaining our trails in the north. You are a great ward sir.

Congratulations Erin on graduating college!! What a breathtaking trip! So glad you guys could do this together. I have the patience to watch a long video and I’m so grateful that you didn’t cut it short. That next to last portage! I remember the Roadhouse at the end of an adventure was always the best! Pine needle tea is extremely beneficial. I believe it’s a good relief from congestion. I was seeking natural Covid relief and pine needle tea was one of the recommendations.

Awesome teamwork from both of you guys running those rapids, but omg special kudos to Erin who was SO FREAKING BRAVE.

Congrats to Erin on finishing school… John u are like a meditation on the beauty of nature… backcountry angling Ontario - woohoo!!!

Thank you, John, for taking us along with you on your eleven day wilderness camping adventure! Please let me confess, you are such a beautiful soul and your language is a exquisite pleasure to listen to together with the beautiful nature natural authentic sounds from birds, water and rain! May God bless you both most richly! Best regards from Sweden! (Land of Trangia and Fjällräven!)

👌perfect timing for a slow wah day.

Erin's graduation cap in the intro! Loved that! Such an accomplishment and thank you for choosing a career where you contribute so much. 👋🇨🇦

What I like best is the sound of loons, It really gives a sense of tranquility and peace. With no noise at all it seems that the trip might be too unbearable without the amazing call of the loon.

wow! i have to remind myself that this is not a big production for nat.geo or something, fantastic video, thanks for sharing! i hope it is rewarding for you in the way that you can keep doing this as a job and also that you are not burning the candle in both ends on a personal level from the work that you obviously put into this.

I love your videos man. I might have said it before but I’m really glad we’re all able to experience this with you. It’s something a lot of wish we could do but for some it’s not feasible. We’re living vicariously through you. Keep it up man! And don’t forget the fishing 😃

We call getting our hats wet “water hat.” A key to staying cool on summer trips!

Nicely maintained portages are hard enough I cannot imagine bushwalking a canoe

We all appreciate the quality of these videos!! Words can’t express how enjoyable it is to be completely soaked into the environment along with you. That wouldn’t be made possible with ads popping up ever 5 minutes. For that my friend I’m truly grateful

can't wait to watch later!! better than any TV movie you could find. thank you for sharing your adventures Jon and Erin - and congratulations on your masters!! (ring look nice on you as well!!!!!!)

NORTH OF NAKINA , your title shot on boat & intently rowing double handed with a cow boy hat is the best wild photo I have ever seen in my life !!! The photographer gelled the ferocious & choppy waters with you ; Just beautifully ! It's an yearly best nature photo winner hands down !!! Congratulations galore to bioscopic image on HD !!!

The white water sections were another highlight! Thrilling

As soon as I saw Erin walk into the first frame, I knew this one would be special and, of course it was. I don't see how your trips can just keep getting better, but they do!

Congratulations on your Graduation Erin. Thanks for the beautiful video. Hope your knee heals quickly and completely. May you both be well and happy

Congratulations Erin! 👩🏼‍🎓 ❤ we’ve missed you

Erin's the best! There's this level of light heartedness she brings to these vids

"The Golden Spruce" is a very trippy read. How did the guys axe end up above the high water line?? Another beautiful 1.38 hours spent in the company of two wonderful people, thanks for this guys.🙏

Speed running the river at @26:07 was pretty sweet!

I can already envision a 2023 trip with Erin in the bow of the canoe wearing her bridal veil!

You gotta like this outdoor living stuff. Thank you for posting and letting us go along for the trip.

Brilliant cinematography, I was mesmerized for the entire video, well done.

So nice to see your beautiful bow lady back in your canoe, Erin your toughness and love for the adventure is second to none.. Jon and Erin thank you.. well done

Loons...the loons! My heart, that sound!

Thankyou for taking me on this magical journey of the north country. Without nice young people like you two, at age 76 I would never be able to see this wild wonderful country. The way you present the video's and talks are very professional, nice work.

Jon and Erin, you all never disappoint! Always beautiful scenery and fantastic content, I enjoy your videos so much! Nice to see Erin again…thanks for taking us along on another wonderful trip!

Sorry Erin hurt her knee !! Ouch. I remember when she twisted her ankle !! That was the most beautiful trip ! Thank you for taking us along. Cool dance moves Erin ! 🌝

I appreciate the long form content you post. Good mix of scenery, activity, and talking. Thanks for taking us along. MTO

Lost Lakes and Tumblehome… all day long!

That bear sighting was so cool. Good call to skip those last ports, glad you and Erin got out of there safely..love y'all

Love that fancy cap at the beginning, Erin! Congratulations 🎉! Wonderful adventure and beautiful footage with two great people-that’s hard to beat. Thank you for sharing!

Love the mortarboard ensemble for that nature look, that was the best!! Congrats Erin.!

Th ank you for treating us to this serene and awe inspiring journey! Love the music. The scenes were breath taking! I will never get to make this trip but loved every minute!

You including the broader area of the map has me really questioning why I don't get out more, or get a passport to visit Canada. I live in Minnesota so when I see how beautiful the north of MN is, I realize it can only get better in Canada. Thanks for the videos, they really are too good for us.

Call me a sap but ive teared up a couple times watching this video. Your love for nature and sharing it with us protects it. I am the same way... if we dont protect it we will lose it. You both are Truly Amazing Human Beings and i dont say that to just anyone. Thank You Jon and Erin for all you do for Planet Earth !!

Erin is really a gamer! Definitely a keeper. You sir,are a lucky man.

The fare North is a paradise, thanks for the amazing pictures showing

Best trip and best filmed and edited yet. And from you Jon, that's saying something when every journey is an experience for the audience. I hope Erin's knee is ok and there is no permanent damage.

Wow, it's so beautiful. Thanks for creating and sharing this...great footage.

There are so many amazing qualities of this video, I would like to say thank you for the evening star shots. I love looking at the dark skies and figuring out where you are from the constellations. I hope that you might feature the evening sky in future videos, as you know, it is just as pretty as the daytime views!. TY!

Wow. The quality and style of your videos just keeps getting better!!! Love your content!!!

John, your filming and photographing is on another level since you do this fulltime. Absolutely incredible, thank you so much for all the effort you put into this so we can enjoy your trips with you. Erin is a treasure, you are a blessed couple! Greetings from the Netherlands, Joël

U guys motivated me to go camping like this one day too!!

My wife and I have started watching your channel together. She has a bad knee so we related to Erin's plight. Well done!

Thank you both, greetings from the Netherlands

Keep it up guys. love the content. Always look forward to a new one.

I was watching this with my 2 month old baby girl and when it got to the northern lights portion, she started making all kinds of talking noises. ALmost like she knew how magical it was. Really great stuff Jon. We are watching pieces at a time together in hopes she will fall in love with nature as soon as we can get out to do a trip. Edit: By the way, I hope Erin's knee is ok and she made a full recovery. That looked pretty gnarly so I hope it wasnt anything serious

Loved the night shots of the water critters! Great video!

I had neckpain, backpain, cold fingers, tickly throat. But I am not sick. Just groggy. I couldn't fall asleep. And now I wake up after a 2 hour nap to a nice long video that will be relaxing. I am staying in bed under the blankets warming up and feeling better with some good vibes. If only we had these videos on a daily basis huh. It's crazy how much work you put into your youtube channel. I am STILL catching up on all your videos. I am making progress!! But, there are loads of them. And I like it. Keep up the fantastic work.

Awesome adventure guys!!!!

Excellent video guys, another amazing experience with Lost lakes, good work maneuvering thru the rapids, congrats Erin on your graduation. Awesome Thank You!

One of your best videos yet...Awesome, thanks.

Thank you for an incredible journey!!! I hope Erin's knee is better!!! Cheers!!!!

The bright green catapillar is a tomato horn worm and they grow into lunar moths. They are big and just as vivid green. They're beautiful. Edit: A terrible garden pest for your tomatoes and peppers, though the one garden pest I can't hate. You can't leave them on plants because they will eat literally all the leaves down to nothing.

CONGRATS ERIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE DEDICATION PAYS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting Im older with back issues so I cannot canoe anymore so vicarious canoeing is my thing THANKS GOD BLESS

I don’t really know how to express my thoughts about this video. I can say that this is a generous and profound gift. I think people will look at this 100 years from now and be in awe. The quality is that of a big screen movie. The content goes beyond that.

Love to see Erin with you on trip

Great stuff, Jon!🛶

Outrageous photography and videography. Setting a new standard for the genre.

Glad to see you with the Botany book. One of my favorite books. Nice trip, great team work. Thanks for sharing!

Loved that whitewater section on Day 6! So cool to watch your teamwork together - the background music had me STRESSED though, haha!

Absolutely incredible video. Amazing production to capture the beauty of your trip, spectacular to say the least.

I enjoyed seeing Erin wearing her Grad Cap at the beginning of this video. I hope this means we will see more of her in the future. 🎉

I have no words to describe my happiness in watching this pure & pristine adventure . T.Y. 2 !!!

That's awesome, guys! 🤗 Keep it up! 😌

Another great trip with beautiful views. Thank you for all the effort it takes to make these videos happen. 👍

Great video guys, congrats to Erin for her completion of college. Totally awesome

That was great. The drone videos really show how special that place is. Hope Erin is ok. That was nasty.