Slate Islands Sea Kayak Expedition

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will travel in sea kayaks that hold 2-3 people plus all necessary gear. An average day’s travel consists of 3-8 paddling hours depending on weather conditions. Be prepared for the possibility of a wind bound day. Travel distances vary from 8-14 miles each day. To protect the environment, Wilderness Inquiry uses Leave No Trace camping techniques. No previous experience is needed to complete this trip.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the summer months range from 45 F to 85 F. Rainfall can vary, but you should expect at least a day of rain. The weather is greatly affected by Lake Superior’s large expanse of cold water. Lake Superior is notorious for sudden weather changes, we must always be prepared.

ACCOMMODATIONS: This is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in a comfortable tent. Typically, there are 3 people per 4 person tent (although other arrangements can be made). Bathroom facilities consist of an outhouse or a foldable commode chair set up in a privacy tent.

MEALS: The fun of camping includes cooking in the wilderness, a challenge with great rewards. With plenty of fresh air and exercise, hungers are at their peak and our meals are especially good. We pride ourselves on providing healthful ingredients for simple, plentiful dishes everyone will enjoy. Count on hearty breakfasts of pancakes, bacon and fresh fruit, trail lunches of cheeses and cured meats, plenty of snacks, and wonderful stir-fries, sautés, and pasta dishes, finished off with campfire s’mores and a glass of wine.

YOUR GROUP: The group size ranges from 8 to 10 participants, plus 2 or more Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities. Our trips are cooperative in nature. Wilderness Inquiry staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however, we ask that you pitch in when you can. Part of the adventure involves participating in daily camp activities such as cooking and dishes.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary kayaking and camping equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation.

COVID POLICY: We continue to monitor and update our COVID-19 policies. Wilderness Inquiry strongly encourages everyone to be fully up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination and take other necessary steps for the health and wellness of all. We ask you to self-screen for any signs of illness prior to your trip’s departure. Please contact Wilderness Inquiry if you are exhibiting signs of illness. We will also continue to follow all guidance and requirements of locations that we travel, keeping in mind some international destinations do require vaccinations and/or negative covid tests. We will update this policy as new information and guidance becomes available.

SAFETY WHILE ON TRAIL:  Though not required, some individuals may choose to wear a mask, and we expect all participants to respect this choice. Please ensure proper hygiene including, but not limited to, hand-washing and/or sanitizing before eating and after using the restroom. Individuals who become ill or test positive for COVID-19 during a Wilderness Inquiry experience will be isolated to the best of the group’s ability and are responsible for their own transportation and expenses to depart the trip.

The Slate Islands’ most recent distinction is the concentrated presence of woodland caribou. According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, it is the largest unpredated herd of this species known. The caribou arrived on the Slate Islands in the early 1900’s, when Lake Superior froze over. The Lake had not frozen over again until the winter of 2002/ 2003. The freezing of the lake allowed for at least two wolves to cross over to the islands. Until then, caribou did well on the Slate Islands due to the lack of natural predators, and due to the lack of deer and moose who compete for food and carry a parasite that are lethal to caribou. Caribou can be seen frequently swimming across the bay or walking along the shore.

Another rare find on the Slate Islands is the presence of Arctic plant life. Dryasdrummondii is an arctic species which is usually found 1600km to the north. This species was found on the Southwest coast of the island primarily in rock pools. The second rare find was the Polygonunviviporum commonly known as smart weed. This species is considered a delicacy to the Inuit people and is normally found in the high Arctic areas. The plant grows in low lying mossy rock, and can usually be found on the northern shores of Greenland, Ellsemere Island and here on the Slate Islands.

Scientists believe that the Islands were created by an explosive event, most likely the impact of a large meteorite. By this theory, the Slate Islands represent only a small part of a much larger impact crater beneath the surface of Lake Superior, representing the bulls eye of the cosmic blow. The islands rise to nearly 400 feet, 122 m above lake level.

Buck Sharpton, staff scientist at NASA’s Lunar and Planetary institute, says that the meteor that created the Slate Islands was about 30 kilometers in diameter. The asteroid plunged 3 km inside the earth. The meteorite, moving up to 20 km per second, vaporized in a blast equal to more than one million megatons (megaton= 1 million tons) of TNT. The Slate Islands are a tremendous resource for scientists to understand the science of asteroids collisions with plants and to offer clues about the next “Dinosaur Killer” meteor in the earth’s future.

From www.terrace-bay.com/slateislands.html: