Stage 9 Klotz Lake, ON to Hearst, ON

June 10
162 km, 8 h 26 m

If 1 is the loneliest number, then two 1s must be double the lonely. The number 11 in northern Ontario is forlorn between Longlac and Hearst. The only company here is the black fly. In spades. I didn’t even want to rest at the side of the road, the flies were so bad. Even Deep Woods Off! would not deter the foul beasts. It was a long day.

The wind was tricky. It seemed like there was a head wind, but every time I stopped, it was calm. Frustrating. But after Hearst, more civilization awaits.

I didn’t see a single police car today. I could have been burgling bear dens and selling crack cocaine to the moose. No one would have been the wiser.


In the belly of June
A lion-like roar
A forceful wind…