Georgian Bay isn’t technically one of the Great Lakes, but anyone who has paddled it will tell you it deserves the title. This northeastern arm of Lake Huron stretches 190 kilometers long and 80 kilometers wide, holding over 30,000 islands carved smooth by glaciers and dotted with windswept pines. It’s a place of staggering beauty—and unforgiving power.

I’ve kayaked parts of Georgian Bay before, especially around Philip Edward Island, but this trip was different. Over five days, I set out to paddle nearly 100 kilometers, traveling from Chikanishing Creek in Killarney Provincial Park to the small town of Britt. It was a true expedition, an A-to-B journey across one of the most spectacular paddling destinations in the world.

Stormy Start

The Bay wasted no time reminding me who was in charge. On day one, howling winds and torrential rain pinned me down at Killarney Outfitters. Georgian Bay demands patience; you don’t just go when you want—you go when it allows.

By late afternoon, the storm relented enough for me to launch. Paddling out of Chikanishing Creek, I quickly felt the Bay’s immensity. That night I made camp on the Fox Islands, a collection of exposed granite outcrops. They’re breathtaking, but dangerous if the wind shifts—launching from them in rough seas can be treacherous. As rain pattered against my tent, I cooked fajitas under the vestibule, grateful for hot food and a dry place to wait out the weather.

The Calm After the Storm

The next morning dawned calm and clear, the water a sheet of glass stretching to the horizon. These are the moments that lure paddlers into a false sense of security. Out here, conditions can shift in minutes.

Sure enough, by mid-day the wind returned. Whitecaps rolled across the open stretches, and progress slowed to a crawl. Paddling Georgian Bay is a constant dance between beauty and beast. One moment serene and inviting, the next raw and unforgiving.

But tucked into its countless coves, I discovered timeless campsites framed by glacier-scarred granite and twisted pines. Each evening, I was rewarded with fiery sunsets spilling across the endless horizon—a reminder of why this place captures the heart of every paddler who ventures here.

Lessons From the Water

By the final day, I was tired but settled into a rhythm: paddle, rest, paddle, camp. The Bay had pushed me with strong headwinds, tested my judgment on exposed crossings, and reminded me of the importance of humility on the water.

Reaching Britt, I felt more than a sense of accomplishment. I felt a deeper respect for this wild coastline. Georgian Bay isn’t an easy place to paddle—but that’s what makes it unforgettable.

Read a more in depth article about Exploring Georgian Bay.

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For paddlers, Georgian Bay is among the greatest destinations in the world. It rewards preparation and patience with some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet. Out there, every paddle stroke feels like a step back in time, into a wilderness that refuses to be tamed. Watch more paddling adventures by subscribing to Ken Whiting Adventures.

Special Thanks

Destination Ontario https://www.destinationontario.com  

The Seven https://www.northeasternontario.com

Explorer's Edge http://explorersedge.ca

Ontario Creates, Boreal Design Kayaks, NRS, Aqua Bound, Killarney Outfitters

The post Sea Kayaking Georgian Bay | Part 1 appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Front-End Upgrades

Starting with the front, I added an Addictive Desert Designs bumper. Not only does it look awesome on the GMC Sierra Overland Truck, but it also dramatically improves approach angles with added cutaway. Tucked inside is a 12,000lb Warn winch, just in case things get gnarly (which, luckily, they haven’t yet!).

Lighting has been a major focus—there’s a 50” Baja light bar mounted up top, along with one amber Baja Squadron Pro on either side. These bad boys outperform fog lights off-road and throw serious light into ditches and trailside brush.

Tire & Suspension Overhaul

I swapped in Nokian Outpost nATs—about 20,000 miles on them now, and they’re still quiet and gripping everything I throw at them. The Nokian Outpost are mounted on 17” Icon wheels. The tires are 315/70 R17s, which come out to roughly 34×12.5s.

For the front suspension, I installed Bilstein 6112s and upgraded the upper control arms. This let me squeeze out about an extra inch of lift on top of the factory 2” AT4 lift, which helps the truck clear tougher terrain with confidence.

Off-Grid Water System & Shower Setup

Water was the next big leap. Enter the Boonedox Raincloud—a 10-gallon pressurizable metal water tank mounted to the roof via a Prinsu rack. Yes, I drilled into the roof of the truck (and didn’t spring a single leak), but it was 100% worth it.

That system feeds into the Joolca Ensuite shower, complete with a hot water heater and shower floor. It's surprisingly private, even has storage for towels, and if you’re in full conserve mode, you can recycle shower water with a hose drain.

I mounted a DECKED case for all my hoses and a portable pump setup. That way, if I’m near a river, I can draw water directly—saving tank water for when I really need it.

Rear Suspension + More Cargo Mods

Out back, the truck now sports Bilstein 5160s with remote reservoirs and a custom set of heavy-duty leaf springs that add a total of 3” of lift. I’m ditching the old 2” block to clean it up and return to that nice factory rake.

The Prinsu rack up top (technically made for a Silverado, but they’re basically twins) also holds the water tank and can support more lights or gear as needed.

The Full Camp Setup: A Home on Wheels

This GMC Sierra Overland build includes an Alu-Cab 270 awning, which is freestanding and super quick to deploy. I mounted rails all around to support things like the shower, water system, and RotoPax fuel cans. I've also added more Baja S2 Pro flood lights for camp visibility.

In the back, the Project M camper build is dialed in. There’s a roof rack with MaxTrax up top, Overland Solar panel, and inside, a full DECKED drawer system. One side holds a Dometic drop-in dual-burner RV stove—my complete mobile kitchen. The other side is packed with recovery tools, Boxo tool roll, and drill gear.

For propane, I carry a marine-grade fiberglass tank (perfect for my propane outboard motor) and also use it with a LavaBox fire pit and to heat water for the Joolca.

Inside the Camper: Compact Comfort

Inside the Project M, I’m standing on the DECKED platform and only have to slightly duck at 6’. There’s an insulating layer, two MaxxAir fans with rain sensors, and a king-size bed setup with expandable cushions. For solo travel, I sleep sideways and it’s plenty spacious.

Food and beverage storage is handled by the Dometic CFX75, a dual-zone fridge/freezer combo that sips power and stores enough food for days off-grid. It’s been flawless during this trip.

Why the GMC Sierra Truck Works for Overland

This GMC Sierra build has evolved into a capable, comfortable, and self-sufficient overland rig. Whether it's extended off-grid travel or a weekend fishing trip, it handles it all. The modular storage, off-road capability, and comfort upgrades make this truck a real home-on-wheels.

If you're building your own overland rig, or just want a taste of freedom, the GMC Sierra is a platform worth looking at.

The post Georgia Traverse Overland Trip in GMC Sierra and Four Wheel Camper Project M appeared first on Hazeadventure.

I'm here to simplify it for you.

First, backpacking doesn’t have to be a sufferfest. It's entirely possible to enjoy your experience and be comfortable in the wild.

So let's get started:

Choosing Your Gear:

About Backpacks:

Your backpack is one of the main building blocks in backpacking, duh.

The most important elements of a backpack are fit, comfort, and durability. I’d rank getting a pack that fits YOU as priority number one. If you are comfortable on the trail, you will enjoy yourself quite a bit more than if your pack is causing you problems.

There are two ways to talk about size for a backpack; capacity (i.e. 55 liters, 65 liters, etc) and frame size (i.e. small, medium, large).

For capacity, I recommend a 50-65 liter pack. To me, that’s the sweet spot for almost everyone. Don’t make the mistake of buying the largest pack ever (like I did, my first pack was a whopping 135 liter monster). Bigger is not better.

For frame size, I recommend going into a store, such as REI or a local shop, and getting your torso measured. This is important because it’s not always super intuitive, you can be 6 foot 3, and need a medium pack because your torso is a certain length.

It’s common for backpack size to be different than what shirt size you wear.

Make sure you get your torso measured before you buy your first pack.

Here’s a video that breaks it all down.

About Your Sleep System (sleeping bags and sleeping pads):

Sleeping bags are many people’s favorite items. There’s nothing better than crawling into a great sleeping bag on a chilly night and sleeping soundly all night long.

Here’s how to make a good decision on what sleeping bag to purchase. Generally speaking, I recommend a down sleeping bag that’s rated to around 15 degrees F (this is a traditional 3-season sleeping bag). It’s meant to be appropriate Spring through Fall, but not be appropriate for winter conditions.

Down or Synthetic Sleeping Bag?

Let’s keep this simple: Down bags are more expensive than synthetic bags. They are significantly lighter and pack down MUCH smaller. The downside (hehe) is that if they get wet, they won’t keep you warm. Down feathers clump together when wet and lose their ability to insulate. So you’ll be cold in a down sleeping bag that is wet.

Synthetic bags, on the other hand, maintain the ability to keep you warm, even when wet. Synthetic bags are much cheaper but do not pack down well and are generally heavier.

Synthetic bags are solid options if budget is a big concern, or if the majority of your camping is car-based camping (and you don’t have to pack or carry your sleeping bag in a pack).

There’s more I could say on sleeping bags, which I do here in this video!

Sleeping Pads and Mattresses are the single most overlooked / underrated item for new backpackers. And it makes a bigger difference in your camp experience than anything else you buy.

Seriously, it’s not hyperbole. If you go top-o-the-line on anything, let it be your sleeping mattress.

A pad is just that, a lightweight foam material that insulates you from the ground. They are simple, durable, and lightweight (and they will never pop), so they have their place.

The biggest mistake I see new backpackers make is overlooking the importance of what they sleep upon. Most people buy the cheapest sleeping pad when they are getting gear for the first time. But sleeping pads are not made for utility and not comfort. Your sleep quality will be diminished.

I used a cheap sleeping pad for the first ten years of my camping life. When I switched to a sleeping mattress, it revolutionized my world! I’m not kidding. I had no idea I could sleep so well while camping.

Air mattresses insulate you from the cold ground far better than foam. You will be much warmer with the better insulation from the ground. The increase in softness will also keep your limbs from going numb in the middle of the night.

About Tents and Shelters:

This is about to get in-tents!

When you start shopping for tents, they can all look relatively equal. Price usually does a pretty good job of indicating the quality of materials used. Cheaper tents ($100-200 range) will be heavier, won’t pack down as small, and are more likely to break down with use. A common problem with cheap tents is not being resilient to water(aka leaky), having tent poles break, or getting rips in the fabric.

The biggest difference in price often correlates to weight. Ultralight tents are expensive but weigh less than three pounds (really nice ones are under two pounds). Mid-range tents generally weigh 4-6 pounds. Budget tents often weigh more than six pounds, which is very heavy!

Size: In general, most people will want to use a two-person tent. You can easily carry a two-person tent by yourself. If you are sleeping solo, you’ve got plenty of space inside the tent for all your gear. If you have two occupants, you can comfortably sleep shoulder to shoulder, but with no space inside the actual tent for your gear. Typically there will be room in the vestibule for gear (under the rain fly, but outside the tent).

You should get a one-person tent if: you are exclusively a solo hiker or are setting out to do a distance trail (such as the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail) and weight is a primary concern.

You should get a two-person tent if: You are a general backpacker. You might go by yourself or with a partner or a dog. This is the most common tent size to purchase.

You should get a three-person tent if: You are going backpacking with a parter + a child or dog.

Other options: Shelters can be as simple as a tarp from Home Depot that you string up between two trees. Tarp-style shelters are surprisingly effective, and are a great option for people who want an economical, lightweight shelter. These are best suited to ultralight hikers and thru-hikers (people hiking long distance trails).

Wanna see it in action? Here’s the Home Depot option.

About Stoves and Meal Prepping:

For new backpackers, don’t overthink this category. Keep it simple.

Small stoves that run off butane canisters hit all three important factors: small, cheap, and effective.

Stove/pot systems like JetBoil, are great too. They are super-efficient at, well, boiling water. This makes them excellent for people who primarily use dehyrated backpacking meals.

If you are going to spend a lot of time camping, I recommend a liquid fuel-based stove such as the Whisperlite. They can be cleaned and maintained in the field and reduce trash because you refill the fuel tank. These are generally a little bulkier, and can be a bit more intimidating to operate because you are using liquid fuel. Best suited for guides, not beginning backpackers.

POOP:

When you are out in nature, nature will call. So what do you do?

Some people just hold it until they return to their porcelain throne back home. Some people just poop right onto the ground, and then leave it (and the used toilet paper) behind, for the rest of the world to have to deal with. For the love of everything holy, please don’t do that.

• Get a trowel.

• Go two hundred feet from water, the trail, camp, and high traffic areas.

• Dig a cat-hole about 8 inches deep.

• Lower your pants to your thighs (not your ankles).

• Squat. Rest the back of your thighs on your ankles, like a catcher in baseball. Your pants are out of the way (if you lowered your pants to your thighs).

• Relax. Take in the views and do the doo’s.

• Fill in the cat-hole when you’re done, burying the used TP with the poop.

If you’ve still got questions, watch the handy video I made detailing EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know.

Okay, you’re practically an expert! Now go get out there!

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