MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2020

5 Strongwater Camping & Cabins, Sunshine Coast, Egmont, British Columbia As a native Ontarian, coastal B.C. is a feast for the senses. The sight and smell of the ocean, the old-growth forests covered in vibrant green moss, the colourful starfish clinging to the shore during the ebb and flow of the tides—this is all new. Outside of Egmont, the ocean creates a standing wave though Skookumchuck Narrows. The wave is a fantastic and famous surf spot. Though a pay-access campground, Strongwater has a strong place on my list because of the amount of time I’ve comfortably passed there on surfing trips. 4 Hawaii Rapid, Mistassibi River, Quebec During spring snow runoff, the Mistassibi River boasts more large standing river waves in a 70-km section than any other river in the world. Midway through the rapid that holds four of these top-quality waves is a unique tubing feature named “Hawaii”. The river is remote, the nearby towns are small, the locals are friendly and have always accommodated kayakers from around the world who come to shred. Camping beside Hawaii is too loud to be soothing, but access and proximity to a rapid of this size is rare. Benny Marr’s favourite Remote Campsites 5 Top The Ontario-born pro kayaker has paddled the wildest rivers all over the globe and slept in some crazy places. We asked him for his most memorable and remote campsites.–Ed. A campsite can make its way to your Top Five by hitting high scores in diverse and random categories. An epic setting and/or big view can underscore the life decisions that brought you to that moment—which will likely foster a deeper relationship to the outdoors. The site may make the list because of its proximity to terrain that boasts a best-in-class feature for your outdoor discipline. And perhaps the approach to the site was special or difficult? Exhaustion can rule over setting when you have earned a deep sleep immersed in a natural soundscape. 17 Egmont, B.C. DANIEL STEWART UPFRONT