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Greetings!
 This month marks the 100th anniversary of Tom Thomson stepping off the train in Algonquin Park.
Over the next 5 years we will be following Tom, through his history in Algonquin Park, re-living many of his experiences.
We start this month with two brothers' epic Algonquin Park Canoe trip over 25 days, starting May 15th.
We'd also like to introduce you to an artist who's "On the Trail of Tom Thomson, 100 Years Later", as he spends the next 2 years discovering many of the spots in Algonquin Park where Tom painted his famous works of art.
We'll be announcing our first ever Algonquin Art Contest too. We're going to help you create your Algonquin art over the summer, in time to enter it in our first ever fall Art Contest.
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Backcountry Brothers epic 25 day Canoe Trip
Aaron & Alex Savatti - Sponsored by Algonquin Outfitters & Johnson Outdoors Aaron and Alex Savatti, the Backcountry Brothers, are departing on an epic Algonquin adventure today. The two siblings from Toronto, Ontario, have created their ultimate challenge and it starts now. While the Backcountry Brothers have shared many adventures in the past, this time they will attempt something they never have before: spend one month traveling and living in the pristine wilderness of Algonquin Park. The really hard work is almost complete: planning and packing for the trip, not to mention to daunting task of seeking sponsorship and support for the endeavor.
"Do you think you could spend a month in the woods with your brother or sister?"  On May 15, the duo will be departied from Algonquin Outfitters at Lake Opeongo, equipped with quality gear provided by Algonquin Outfitters, their main sponsor. Built into this adventure is another, much larger goal. They will be creating the pilot episode for their up and coming show, Backcountry Brothers, a journey that will take them from coast to coast, dotted with outdoor adventures and small town experiences along the way.
"There's only one way to see how far we can take this thing, and that's by pushing it to the very edge, creating as much awareness as we can about ourselves and the park, and by never letting our persistence diminish," said Aaron. Be sure to follow them online:    They'll be providing live updates via their Spot Connect during their epic adventure! 
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On the Trail of Tom Thomson, 100 Years Later
Gene Canning - Artist - Sponsored by Algonquin Outfitters & Marmot Canada
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Tom Thomson's time in Algonquin Park, 1912 to 1917, Canadian Artist Gene Canning will be paddling and painting his way into history. Gene will follow the same canoe routes that Canada's most famous artist, Tom Thomson, followed 100 years ago. This two year project will take Gene over hundreds of miles of rivers and lakes, as well as many miles of portages. Gene plans to complete at least 150 field paintings during this time, many of them at the exact same locations where Tom created his paintings all those years ago. If an exact location can't be determined, Gene will base his painting locations on his and others historical research. We will see Thomson in a way never before explored, through the eyes of an artist.
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Algonquin Art Contest
We're happy to announce our first ever Art Contest featuring art inspired by Algonquin Park. We'll have more details to announce soon, but here's a teaser.
This summer we're going to provide you with opportunity to experience Algonquin Park through the eye of an artist with  special events and notices. So be prepared to be inspired to create.
The rules will be simple, no photography or videos (since we already have a photo and video contest), all other mediums are acceptable. Watercolours, Oils, sketches, even sculptures can be submitted to our Algonquin Art Contest.
We want everyone to be inspired so we'll have categories for professionals, amateurs and even kids. Our professional judges will pick our winners from submitted digital copies (pictures) of the artwork submitted online. (No need to actually send us your art, just a picture or scan of it)Look forward to this contest opening for submissions this coming fall. Between now and then we'll help you find reason to create some Algonquin Art.
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Jason's Race Across America
 In June, Huntsville High School graduate and Algonquin Outfitters alumni, Jason Lane will attempt to complete the almost 3,000 mile (4,811 km) route from Oceanside California to Annapolis Maryland, and he only has 12 days to do it.
Riding in the solo men's category, he will push himself to average 23 hours of cycling each day, with the goal of finishing in 10 days and setting a Canadian record.
"Only five Canadians have finished the Race Across America in the solo category. It will be an accomplishment to finish, and if my training and preparations continue to go well, then maybe (I'll get) the Canadian record or top rookie finisher." "Jason got a new bike last summer and since November has been averaging over 2000 km a month in training. The bike is in need of some TLC, We are very fortunate to have support from Algonquin Outfitters, which will enable us to rebuild the bike before the race and have all the extra gear to do repairs out on the road during the race."
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| Marmot Cloudbreak Bag
 If you've never been able to decide between down vs synthetic your indecision has come to an end with the introduction of Marmot's new Cloudbreak Sleeping Bag!
This industry-leading bag is as compact and lightweight as down, but completely synthetic, featuring thermally efficient hybrid technology for added warmth where you need it most - your core and feet. EN-tested for warmth down to freezing, the fully-featured bag has full-length dual slider zipper, 3D-constructed hood and full-length snag free draft tube for plush comfort.
Look below for an amazing deal on 2011 Marmot sleeping bags.
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Live Your Adventure Contest
Our 50th anniversary, Live Your Adventure contest is coming to a close this weekend. On May 20th we'll be processing the entries to come up with our winners for the over $10,000 in outdoor adventure gear that's up for grabs.
This will be the last free chance for you to enter this great contest before it closes on this weekend. Remember you can also use your sales ticket number from any transaction you make in our stores as your entry code too.
Free Entry Code "MayNL-LastEntry"
Just visit our website to enter today! |
Goal Zero Solar Chargers
Last year I bought my first solar charger to power my outdoor adventures and boy was I impressed. Ultra compact, durable and powerful this is one gadget that every adventure seeker needs. I love it!
 | | How GOAL ZERO EmPOWERS you? |
If you want to keep your devices powered anytime and anywhere, all you need is a solar panel and a power pack. That's it. The solar panel will collect the power and the power pack stores the energy for you to use. GOAL ZERO power packs can be charged by the sun through the solar panels, but can also charge from the outlet on your wall or even through a 12-volt car adapter. GOAL ZERO power packs have a variety of outputs: USB ports for cell phones or tablets, 12-volt for DC accessories, and AC ports for laptops, etc... It's easy to use - no electrician required. www.goalzero.com Look below for an amazing deal on GoalZero solar kits! Plus a deal on GoPro Kits plus Accessories!
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Huntsville Half Marathon
The first Huntsville Half Marathon: Band on the Run running race will take place on Sunday June 10th, 2012. There will be three race options available. - Half Marathon (21.0957 km - to be exact)
- 10 km
- 5 km
 I would like to add an additional category with my entry into the run. I'm not a runner but a canoeist, so I'll be portaging the 5km. I may be the last person across the finish line but I'll do it in style.
The Huntsville Fire Department will also be coming out to run in full fire fighting gear. This is going to be one unique marathon. Band on the RunYes - you will now have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day! The race will feature live bands at the start and finish areas, the turn around point and along the route. It will be a rockin' day for racers and everyone else who would like to come out and cheer them on. Embrace the Muskoka Hills The race will start and finish at River Mill Park which is right in the centre of Huntsville, Muskoka. The turn around point for the Half Marathon will be at the amphitheater at Arrowhead Provincial Park. In between will be plenty of beautiful scenery and lots of hills. Race Route Maps |
Mobile App of the Month
 MotionX GPS has been my favorite mobile GPS app for my iPhone for some time now. I even have their sister product the MotionX Drive for use in my Jeep, when I'm on the road. I buy a lot of apps (I currently have 96 installed on my iPhone), one I can't live without is MotionX GPS. It is the most accurate GPS apps I've seen it even out performs my Garmin GPS in difficult situations, giving me accurate locations under trees and deep in the brush.  Above is my route from today out to Opeongo to see the Brothers off. It's also one of the most full featured GPS apps I've seen.
- A great GPS App for all out outdoor activities; cycling, hiking, running, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, flying, geocaching and more.
- Free downloadable maps so you don't have to be connected for it to work.
- 10 different maps including; MotionX open topographic and road maps, Bing, Google and even NOAA Marine maps. And to think I paid nearly $200 once for Garmin's Topo maps!
- Record and save up to 101 tracks & up to 400 personal waypoints.
- Live updates to Facebook, Twitter, email or even an online map.
LIMITED TIME OFFER:MotionX-GPS is now 67% off, only $0.99!
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How to deal with bug season
Jeremy Bessy - Algonquin Outfitters, Oxtongue Lake
 What do you do when black flies and mosquitoes welcome you to their home? There are many ideas of how to keep from being greeted over enthusiastically by the bugs. Eat garlic but not bananas. Wear light colours, never blue. Cover yourself with a mixture of moose scat, pine needles and fresh rain water collected from the back of a painted turtle. Some repellents work but may melt your wrist watch. Other repellents are as effective as a bottle of snake oil sold out of the back of a covered wagon. When it comes right down to it there are two ways to avoid our bloodthirsty little friends. The first is to not go outside, which is pretty ridiculous. The other is to become tolerant of the outdoor enthusiast's little winged nemesis. Embrace the tiny creatures and relinquish a little blood now and then. Everybody needs to eat! When a  black fly or mosquito bites you, thank the little gaffer for choosing you to be the target of its blood-seeking mission. Remember, we only get to experience these wonderful creatures a few months of the year - before you know it they will be gone.
Jeremy Bessey |
 | | View our event calendar |
May & June 2012 Events
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$25 off Goal Zero
Solar Charger Kits
Take $25 off the regular price of
any solar cell & battery combo (Kits starting at just $129!)
AO Sku: 1276214 |
$25 off GoPro
Accessories with purchase  Take $25 off the regular price of
accessories when you purchase them with any GoPro Hero2 Kit (Hero 2 outdoor kit $349)
 AO Sku: 1276215
| Combine these offers for the best Goal Zero / GoPro combo deal ever!
Offer Valid: May 15th 2012 - June 15th, 2012 * Not valid on in stock items only
not valid in conjunction with any other offer * no cash value * stock may be limited
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40% off 2011 Marmot Bags
Our Oxtongue Lake base has several 2011 Marmot sleeping bags left over from last year. With our 2012 stock arriving now we need to make some room so we're clearing them out at 40% off our regular price. You won't find a deal like this on quality down sleeping bags, every day!
Take advantage before they are all gone
Marmot women's Angel Fire -4c down, just $162
Marmot men's Sawtooth -9c down, just $162
Not valid with any other offers, while quantities last
call 705-635-2243 for details We do Paypal invoicing for mail orders
| Special offer while quantities last only, not valid with any other offer or discount.
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