Algonquin - Western Uplands Backpacking Trail - October 2017

As mentioned in my 2016 post on the Algonquin Western Uplands backpacking trail, I had planned to complete the trail again in 2017 without suffering the same knee and foot injuries. I succeeded in this, and attribute this to:

• Pacing myself for the long haul. I over-reached on the previous trip, in some cases from frustration. Going in knowing what to expect over the long run makes a difference.
• Better, larger boots. Specifically, Scarpa Zanskar GTX in a EU size 46. This is roughly equivalent to a US size 13 and is therefore about 1 full size larger than I'd normally wear. Very good boots, and kept the water out on what was a much wetter and muddier trail than it was in 2016.
• Heel lock lacing pattern to keep my heel from slipping in the larger boots. Combined with some grease rubbed on my heel each day for anti-friction (I normally use Burt's Bees Hand Salve but for this trip used a Burt's Bees lip balm stick due to the much smaller weight/size), I avoided heel blisters for the first time on a backpacking trip.

There's not much else to add about this trip, as it was largely a repeat of the 2016 route with largely the same gear with some things left behind 35lbs of equipment, which was down to 25lb by the end (due to food and fuel consumption).

Some notes on relative difficulty:

• Day 1: Entry to Maggie Lake E: Average difficulty.
• Day 2: Maggie Lake E to Pincher Lake N: Second most challenging day. Shorter distance but more terrain variation.
• Day 3: Pincher Lake N to Brown's Lake: Longest distance but counteracted by less variable terrain. This was the only day it rained significantly and when the first picture below was taken.
• Day 4: Brown's Lake to Susan Lake: This was the hardest day and where my feet suffered the most.. The trail is narrow and slanted in many places as well as being rocky or laden with tree roots, increasing the friction between your shoes and feet.
• Day 5: Susan Lake to Exit: I had an overwhelming memory of the 5th day being easier from the previous trip, but I must have been remembering the relief offered by the final few kilometres. The early part of this stretch is as challenging as the rest of the trail.

There aren't any grand lookouts on this trail, but I've attached some pictures from along the way.