Hello and welcome to Voyageur Tripper, the outdoor adventure blog. This page will help you get acquainted with me and show you what this blog is all about!
My name is Mikaela and I’m the voice behind Voyageur Tripper. I started this blog in 2017 but didn’t do much with it until late 2019 when I made the decision to dedicate the blog to outdoor education and backcountry camping. I feel as though there are enough Youtube and Instagram channels inspiring people, but there aren’t enough giving people the resources they need to plan and execute those trips themselves.
I generally blog about four topics: canoeing, hiking/backpacking, backcountry camping and Canada travel. I’ve also been known to dabble in the occasional opinion piece and environmental sustainability is strung throughout all my posts. Below I’ve included links to some of my most popular content.
I also run Trip Reports | A Voyageur Tripper Resource which is a membership website and database for backcountry camping routes in Canada. I’m striving to create the largest collection of highly detailed and comprehensive backcountry camping trip reports. Currently, we have more than 100 reports!
In addition to this blog, you can find me on posting on Instagram and or sharing resources in my private Facebook Group. I also run a monthly and weekly newsletter where I share outdoor education tips and blog updates. You can sign up here.
Canoe camping is what I’m best known for. I spent four summers guiding flatwater and whitewater canoe trips for youth groups in destinations like Algonquin, Killarney, Temagami and the Upper Ottawa Valley.
Everyone loves to hate Ontario, or as it’s often referred to, On-terrible. Whether it’s our lack of mountains or distance from the ocean (or how the entire province is equated…
Continue Reading 10 Incredible Destinations for Backcountry Camping in Ontario
Whitewater paddlers consider many factors before they choose to run a rapid. In this post, I’ll give you a brief overview of these considerations and what goes into scouting rapids.…
In the summer of 2018, six lifelong paddling friends from Quebec began a trip unlike any other. Over 65 days, Expedition AKOR traveled 1600 kilometers to connect the inland town…
Continue Reading Polar Bears and Paddling: Behind the 1600 km journey of Expedition AKOR
A few years back I started dabbling in the hiking and backpacking scene and have since been on a quest to achieve an ultralightweight backpacking setup. Now that I live in California, I’m doing a lot more backpacking than canoeing, so expect many more posts in this category.
Backpacking Trail Destination Guides:
Hiking Gear Guides:
If you’re new to hiking, the best investment you can possibly make will be buying hiking boots. If your feet aren’t comfortable walking 100 feet, you’ll never want to try…
Most people know the basics of what to wear hiking: quick-dry shirt and pants, and a sweater in case it gets cold. While that can be sufficient for a lot…
Continue Reading 11 Hiking Outfits for Women for Any Weather & Condition
If you like hiking, Vancouver is the place to be. There are literally hundreds (thousands?) of hikes within a short drive of the city. While many of the hikes are…
Continue Reading 11 INCREDIBLE Easy Hikes in Vancouver: Chill Trails with Amazing Views
The majority of the outdoor education materials I create are centred around backcountry camping and giving others the knowledge and tools they need to get outside safely and comfortably.
When I just got started in backpacking, I was carrying nearly 40 lbs and every step on the trail was painful. I’ve come a long way in the past five…
Continue Reading What is a Good Backpacking Base Weight & How to Lighten Your Backpack
I was pretty reluctant to get into backpacking. Walk for long distances carrying heavy things? No thanks! But over time I started to love backpacking and at this point, you…
In the summer months, you can pretty much get away with any clothing on the trail. Grab some running shoes and a pair of gym shorts and you’re good to…
Continue Reading Winter Hiking Clothing & Layering in Cold Weather
I spent four months guiding in Nunavut, so I’ve written quite a lot about it. It’s easier one of the most incredible places I’ve ever explored and I can’t wait to go back for more.
Recently I went hunting on my hard drive in search of one particular photo. I found it buried in the incorrect folder (and untagged, unnamed – why do I do…
Continue Reading North of the Arctic Circle: A Look Inside a Remote Arctic Base Camp
For a city of just 8,000 people, Iqaluit really punches above its weight. When I first moved to Nunavut’s capital city, I was painfully lonely. But once I started making…
Continue Reading 21 Unique Things to do in Iqaluit, Nunavut + The Ultimate Iqaluit Travel Guide
Iqaluit Hotel Reviews: Where to Stay on your Arctic Getaway So you’re thinking of a trip to Iqaluit, Nunavut’s capital city. In a territory as vast and sparsely populated as…
Continue Reading 5 Iqaluit Hotel Reviews: Where to Stay on your Arctic Getaway
This is my home province and where I’ve done most of my guided and personal trips.
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures like wildlife spotting, paddling and hiking near Kingston, I have the destination for you. And unlike Algonquin, it’s not going to involve 1) 3+…
Continue Reading Paddling & Hiking Near Kingston: Discover the Frontenac Arch Biosphere
I am suspicious of anyone who claims they enjoy portaging. I don’t hate it, but I definitely don’t plan my canoe trips with the intention of carrying my canoe for…
Continue Reading 11 Ontario Canoe Trips With Little-to-No Portaging
I distinctly remember the first time I saw the French River. I was driving north on Highway 69, from London Ontario to Killarney Provincial Park with my family. We approached…
Continue Reading 6 Excellent French River Canoe Routes + Planning Guide
I spent the last year living in Vancouver, British Columbia. If I’m going to settle anywhere in Canada, it’ll likely be around here!
At last – my long-awaited Local’s Guide to Vancouver is finally complete. I moved to Vancouver in August 2020 and have spent the last two years exploring all that Vancouver…
Continue Reading My Favourite Things to do in Vancouver – The Ultimate Local’s Guide
If you like hiking, Vancouver is the place to be. There are literally hundreds (thousands?) of hikes within a short drive of the city. While many of the hikes are…
Continue Reading 11 INCREDIBLE Easy Hikes in Vancouver: Chill Trails with Amazing Views
Although I was raised some 3,000 km from Bowen Island, my mom spent a lot of time on Bowen Island. She lived in Vancouver during high school and university, and…
Continue Reading Things to do on Bowen Island: Hiking, Restaurants, Accommodations & More
Although I’ve visited almost every province and territory, I haven’t written about all of them. I do have a few posts on New Brunswick, Alberta and Quebec.
So yeah, that’s me and the blog currently. I hope you enjoy exploring the site. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram.
