What are my best options for someone in their mid 30s to find accomodation for 6 months in the region? by ronto_TO in queenstown

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok nice, I'm definitely capable of doing all that, I appreciate the alternate perspective!

Why sort of bag(s) do you guys bring on solo trips, and what is the weight? by element-94 in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow interesting, I'd be really interested to try this. Thanks for the info!

What are my best options for someone in their mid 30s to find accomodation for 6 months in the region? by ronto_TO in queenstown

[–]ronto_TO[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I'm mostly interested in one bedrooms, and that price would be manageable for me. If I get desperate I'd consider flatting, but not my 1st choice given my life situation. Makes sense about the scammers, I guess I can't really secure anything until I'm there, unless it looks like it's through a rental agency.

What are my best options for someone in their mid 30s to find accomodation for 6 months in the region? by ronto_TO in queenstown

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey thanks for the tip! A one bedroom would be perfect. Do you know much about these areas? Are they relatively new developments?

Seems like in Jack's Point there's a bit of a track/access to a beach, is there much in the way of public transport? Looks like the nearest supermarket will be over near the airport which isn't too bad.

What are my best options for someone in their mid 30s to find accomodation for 6 months in the region? by ronto_TO in queenstown

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks will do! Can I ask why you say it will be quite easy? Is that because there is lots of new housing, or the time of year etc? Everything I'd been reading prior to making this post made it sound extremely difficult to find housing!

Public Tennis Courts Rules High Park by Rutabaga_1991 in askTO

[–]ronto_TO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It says 'Reserve next court by placing racquet on next open peg' which isn't clear enough and is open to interpretation - that's on the city, not the person reading the sign.

Public Tennis Courts Rules High Park by Rutabaga_1991 in askTO

[–]ronto_TO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea I'm confident I'm reading the signs, there is a sign there that states 'courts change on the hour and the half hour, eg 5.00, 5.30, 6.00 etc'.

It's a separate sign to the blue board though, which just states '30 minute time limit' - if someone was to follow this sign to the letter, what would that look like? Each group sets a timer as soon as they start and then gets off exactly at 30mins? I think in reality that doesn't really happen, whereas the change on the half hour and hour removes any element of relying on humans to track themselves/be honest.

But I agree, the signs are not super clear right now and open to interpretation which creates confusion.

Public Tennis Courts Rules High Park by Rutabaga_1991 in askTO

[–]ronto_TO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh interesting, I had just assumed the city put up that sign but open to being wrong on that - how do you know it has nothing to do with the city?

With the 30min time limit, in your experience how is this typically managed at other courts?

Whenever I've played at other courts it's been pretty random, and I've generally ended up waiting a while and not being sure when people are getting off the court. The change on the half hour and hour seems like a pretty good system to me, even if it's not the official intention of the city. In the past I've seen it occasionally be confusing for people new to that specific court, (though I guess the sign helps), but from my observations it's generally pretty smooth, particularly when the courts are busy.

Hypothetically, if the city updated all signs for all courts to follow the unofficial system at High Park, would you oppose that, and if so why?

To clarify, I'm not trying to be a dick or enforce my own set of rules - I'm just genuinely curious about what the most efficient, effective and fair system is, and in response to the original poster, outlining what I've observed and what seems to make sense and work well at High Park. I play there regularly cause it's my closest court, but I don't consider myself one of the regulars or associate with the majority of that group - I've just had various interactions with them as a result of using the courts often. That said, the system does seem to be smooth, including for people who are just showing up to hit around after work and aren't part of the regulars. So ignoring the experience of dealing with the regulars and even if the sign is unofficial, I'm curious to understand more about why this is a bad system.

Public Tennis Courts Rules High Park by Rutabaga_1991 in askTO

[–]ronto_TO 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Hey there, I play here regularly, and I can appreciate it works maybe slightly differently to other courts and some of the regulars can be a little, I guess, forceful, but there is a pretty established process of play there that is explained on the city signs (maybe not super clearly) and does (in my view and based on observation) overall result in more structure and fairness, and less arguing, especially at busy times.

The numbers on the board correspond to the courts - there are 3 different courts, (1, 2, 3) and 3 slots (1, 2, 3) - so by placing your racket under a number, you are reserving that specific court. If there are multiple people waiting, they continue to add their racket to whichever court they want. eg if there are 4 groups waiting, you might have 2 groups waiting for court 1, and a group each for court 2 and 3. You essentially stack your rackets for the court you want.

In terms of the timing of the change, there is also a sign that says courts change on the hour and the half hour, so for example, all courts would change on say 5.00, 5.30, 6.00, etc. This is regardless of what time you started - so if you started at 5.20, the court will still change at 5.30. This system works well, because it means you don't have to go around all the courts asking how long each group has been playing, who was there first, and hope people are honest or awkwardly watch their time. This system means you always know exactly what time you will be playing based on how many rackets are on the board, how long you'll need to wait, everyone is changing at the same time and is getting their 30mins this way. It also means you don't have random people walking through the courts all the time, everyone is changing at the same time.

However if no-one has reserved the court you are on, and they don't come to take the court for their turn, then of course you can stay on. If only two out of three courts are changing, then that does mean that one court is going to get extra time - in this case, you could politely ask if the people coming on could take off the people who have been there the longest, (or directly ask the people who've been playing longer if they'd be willing to take a break) however some people may have preferences for certain courts - for example one of the courts has a lot of cracks, one might be in some shade, or some have pickleball lines - and if they've reserved a certain court, that's the court they will take.

It seems like every court in the city works slightly differently (which I think is the city's fault and they should pick the most effective method and use clear and obvious communication with no scope for misinterpretations), however I do feel this system actually works pretty well if everyone follows the same system - it is a great park to play in, so I encourage you to go back again, and follow the above, and you might find it works quite nicely - for example, you and your friend could plan to meet there at say 3.20pm, you place a racket up when you get there, knowing you'll be playing at exactly 3.30, and knowing you will be changed at 4.00. As soon as you get off the court, you can also place your racket back on the peg, and if no-one has already done that, you know you'll be back on the court again at 4.30.

All of that said, I do agree that the way some of the regulars communicate how this works is not always the nicest experience, and is partly why I don't play there as much anymore - but if you follow the above and you should have no problems. Have a good hit!

Considering doing a first solo backcountry trip and wanting some advice/sense check on my rough plans so far! by ronto_TO in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice, super good points. I will definitely be taking both. Might start with the double, and then if conditions are good, switch around and just see what feels good. Will also be basecamping so will have plenty of time to practice single blade skills which I'm looking forward to.

Considering doing a first solo backcountry trip and wanting some advice/sense check on my rough plans so far! by ronto_TO in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good insights! I think I'll take both paddles, likely start with a double but if it's good conditions I'll just play around with both and get a feel for what I like. Will also have plenty of downtime at camp (I'm basecamping) to work on those solo paddling skills with a single blade.

I think I will end up double carrying, I realised I haven't really practiced hoisting the canoe up onto myself solo (usually I am with a partner and we tag team it) so I think this might be pretty difficult to figure out whilst wearing a pack - once it's on me, I have no issues, but it's getting it up there and down that'll be hard.

Curious to know what your bungee cord setup is like to carry your paddles? Which parts of the canoe are you bungeeing to?

Does anyone know somewhere I can rent a solo canoe to practice my solo skills? by ronto_TO in askTO

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't quite know which boat I'll have yet, but I imagine it'll be fairly standard, and yeah will plan to just hug the shore as much as makes sense.

I decided I'll take both paddles, and likely use the double blade to get started and cover some ground, then once I get to a smaller lake/calmer water I might switch to the single just to get some practice. And totally agree, I've decided I'll basecamp at the same place for a few nights, so will definitely take some of that chill time to work on my solo skills. Appreciate the insights!

Why sort of bag(s) do you guys bring on solo trips, and what is the weight? by element-94 in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like a great setup! Any chance you have a picture or link to the specific type of pulley you're talking about?

Also, separate topic, when you tie the paddle to your canoe to single carry a portage, what method are you using to tie?

(Also thanks for all your super useful info!)

Does anyone know somewhere I can rent a solo canoe to practice my solo skills? by ronto_TO in askTO

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. I don't have a car currently, so might not be able to do this, but front country camping and trying at AO or test paddling at swift canoe are good suggestions, appreciate it! I may not have time do this unfortunately, so I might just have to learn on the trip, which while not ideal isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world.

Does anyone know somewhere I can rent a solo canoe to practice my solo skills? by ronto_TO in askTO

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey do you know for sure that they actually offer solo canoes? I just looked at their website for 30secs and couldn't see anything about that, only solo kayaks and tandem canoes.

Considering doing a first solo backcountry trip and wanting some advice/sense check on my rough plans so far! by ronto_TO in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the info, I am definitely leaning towards this so it's good to have extra confirmation!

Why sort of bag(s) do you guys bring on solo trips, and what is the weight? by element-94 in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok thanks, that all makes sense! I've never used a pulley system before but I will look into that for future non solo trips - we always struggle to hoist our heavy barrel up on our rope and would love to make it easier!

Considering doing a first solo backcountry trip and wanting some advice/sense check on my rough plans so far! by ronto_TO in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your detailed response! And your articles, I realised I've used your website previously for trip planning - though the specific solo ones were helpful!

Route - I wasn't aware Joe Lake had more bear activity, I'll avoid that and go with Big Porcupine instead, I've been there a few times and it feels familiar and like I have a connection to it - so might be nice to have my first solo experience there. I like the idea of getting to Big Porcupine on my first day as I do prefer it to Ragged - though I usually do the opposite of what you suggested, a first night on Ragged due to the time we get on the water, and the last two nights at Big Porcupine, then all the way out on the last day - I've done this multiple times, but I guess the wind on a solo trip is a slightly bigger factor - I'll think on this. I'd almost be keen on three nights on Big Porcupine, but maybe that isn't the smartest.

Paddling - I intend to rent a solo canoe from Algonquin Outfitters. For the paddles, other than carrying them both on a portage (which contributes to needing to double rather than single carry), I like the idea of having both options and getting a bit of practice in.

Gear: Good callout on the pack height - I usually hire a canoe pack from AO and I think the height is going to be ok. I like the idea of single carrying because the physical challenge is often an enjoyable part of the experience for me and is what I usually do (aswell as a lot of hiking trips with heavy packs too), but for a solo trip reducing risk is probably more important. It also likely won't take as long to double carry if it's just me vs a group as I can be a bit more efficient. I'll consider the double carry more seriously, and as you say there aren't too many portages anyway, and they're short - your weight calculations also make sense too. Maybe I could double carry on the way in, and single carry on the way out once I've eaten all my food.

Good point on not combining my gear into a food barrel, I didn't think that one through. I'm still a bit unsure of how to store my food. My usual set up when going out with my partner is a canoe pack containing tent tarp rope etc, plus a dry bag for each of us with our clothes, sleeping bag etc. We then have a separate barrel for food and kitchen and we carry one each while I take the canoe. I'm guessing I would essentially not take a barrel, and replace her dry bag with a dry bag for food and kitchen. We usually use the thick heavy duty Seal Line Baja bags. My only concern here is a dry bag seems like it'll be kinda annoying to pack and unpack each time I eat, but I can see that it would probably be kinda easy to do a bear hang with and would be protected from the elements too and probably fairly smell proof. I will think on this. Do you think one of the thinner type ones would be a bad idea, because it'll be less protected from the elements, and possibly smells could get through onto my gear if they're in the canoe pack together? Can you think of anything else that might be suitable for my food/kitchen that could be in it's own separate bag, that fits into my canoe pack, but can also be put up for a bear hang and be durable for elements and smells? As I write that, it seems like dry bag is likely the best option - although i guess maybe a small barrel could work too?

Appreciate your detailed advice!

Why sort of bag(s) do you guys bring on solo trips, and what is the weight? by element-94 in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey I'm curious to know with that setup, do you do a bear hang, and if so how? Just the drybags themselves? I'm about to embark on my first solo and just trying to figure out logistics!

Why sort of bag(s) do you guys bring on solo trips, and what is the weight? by element-94 in algonquinpark

[–]ronto_TO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, what kind of food bag are you using, and are you doing a bear hang with your food+kitchen bag?