Researching, compiling, typing up and posting this information is not a project which can be undertaken by a single person. There are many thousands of canoe routes in our country, and no single wilderness canoeist can hope to paddle even a small percentage of these trips in their lifetime. 

Neither can any individual be expected to single-handedly compile and publish all of this information. If this project is to succeed in drawing together the important knowledge base which currently exists in the minds and trip diaries of canoeists, it will be due to the participation of all who  paddle in Canada.

How can you help document Canadian canoe routes? There are two ways. The first is to dig into that vast storehouse of knowledge that you're already carrying around and to share that knowledge. Let us know about your favourite canoe trips. If you have trip logs, we'd love to get that information also.
 
The second way is to take a notebook along with you in the future when you paddle and to record as much information about your trip as possible. What are we looking for in a trip log?

• If possible, a narrative description of the areas you paddled through. Are areas rocky, swampy, sandy? Are there any spectacular scenic areas that are a must-see? Are there hiking trails or side-routes which are worth investigating?
   

• Accurate distances and durations for the trip, and any parts of the route which might make good shorter alternate trips.
    

• A list of the maps required for the trip. Federal topographic, Provincial series, and any other maps which may be available (for example, park maps).
    

• Descriptions of the portages on the routes - length and difficulty.
    

• Description of any campsites you found along the route. In particular, it would be nice to know which ones are four-star rated and which ones are duds. How big are the sites? How many tents would they hold?
    

• Information about any whitewater or other obstacles on the route. Are any of the rapids or chutes runnable? If so, where was the main channel. What is your best guess at the class of the rapid?
    

• Information about the put-in and take-out. What roads did you have to travel to gain access? What kind of shuttle arrangements did you have to make? 
    

• Are there any reference materials which proved helpful? Do you know of any books or magazine articles which could provide further information?
    

You can also help out by browsing the forums regularly and answering any questions that you can.  Click on the "Forums" tab above to get there.

As well, take some time to browse through the gear section and add reviews for any products you're familiar with.  You'll be providing valuable information to someone considering a gear purchase.