Canadian
Canoe and Kayak Wilderness Adventures
http://wildernessadventures.ca/NahanniRiverRaftAndCanoe.html
1-866-383-9453
adventurescanada@yahoo.ca
14 Day Nahanni National Park White Water Canoe Trip: Rabbitkettle Lake to Lindberg's Landing
Imagine the "land of the midnight sun", a country of diverse land forms and new delights to the eye every day. Imagine rivers that flow through these lands in a sinuous manner, serving as a conveyer to move you from one delightful experience to the next. You will be accompanied by your knowledgeable guides who share their love for the area and with them you unfold the mysteries and experience the beauty of the north. You will wake up each morning in your well equipped camp, not knowing specifically what will happen but knowing it will be memorable and will inspire stories to tell your friends for years to come.
A Nahanni River Experience is truly
the trip of a lifetime. The following is a tentative agenda and has been designed
with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the
river while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule
to make the best use of river and weather conditions. We adhere to the new departure
regulation system of the Park, which works to ensure that all river travelers
have the same wilderness experience.
Craft Type
2-Person Canoe White Water Canoe.
Participant Prerequisite
Canoe = Class III Whitewater (click
for more info)
Intermediate paddler who is comfortable on class III whitewater. A willingness
to learn and a fitness level suited to paddling from 3 to 7 hours per day. If
unsure of your ability please call with any questions: 1-866-383-9453 0r 416-569-5889.
A Word About River Ratings:
Physical requirements for river trips are generally modest, but can vary
depending on the nature of the rapids (on some rivers, portages are necessary
at times). Rivers are ranked according to the difficulty of their most severe
rapids, and we've indicated the class of rapids for each river trip throughout
the site.
Route Summary
Rabbitkettle Hot Springs to Lindberg's Landing, approximately 370 km (230 miles)
with an elevation drop of 550 m (1,800 ft)
Rendezvous point
South Nahanni Airways, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories
Expeditions Include
Guides, boats, local air charter & ground transportation as described
in the itinerary, high quality: tents, paddles, lifejackets, waterproof pack
and all meals while on the river.
Expeditions Do Not Include
Transportation to meeting point listed, personal clothing, sleeping bag
and pad, guides gratuities, hotel accommodation and meals when off of the river
or the $147.20 Park fee or GST (5 % Goods and Services Tax).
The following is a tentative agenda and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions. We adhere to the new departure regulation system of the Park which works to ensure that all river travelers have the same wilderness experience
Day 1 (D)
This is the first day listed for your trip. The scheduled flights arrive in
Fort Simpson around midday. If you have notified us of your arrival time, the
guides will meet you at the airport. If you are driving to Fort Simpson, plan
to arrive at South Nahanni Airways by 10 a.m. The friendly staff there will
point you towards your guides. Normally, we have time at this point for a quick
look at Fort Simpson and to become acquainted with fellow travellers.
Once everyone has arrived there
will be a chance for last-minute questions concerning clothing, gear, packing
and other details. Those requiring our river bags will have time to transfer
gear from their own bags. You can leave unrequired items in our trailer.
After loading our supplies and gear into the aircraft we begin one of the major
highlights of the adventure - the upriver flight. Flying over the majestic Nahanni
Range and Ram Plateau, a visually stunning panorama unfolds in front of our
eyes. You want to be sure to have your camera on your lap with lots of film!
Past participants have stepped off the plane declaring that "if the trip
finished now, I would have my moneys worth!".
Please note that under certain conditions
(weather, forest fire, plane availability and upriver conditions), it may be
necessary to make our upriver flight soon after arrival. On the other hand,
we have occasionally found ourselves waiting for safe flying conditions. In
any event, we will have supper and find ourselves camped in Fort Simpson or
on the shores of the Nahanni.
If we are required to overnight
in Fort Simpson you are welcome to camp or take a hotel room (at your own cost).
Day 2 (B/L/D)
In the vicinity of Rabbitkettle Lake we will prepare ourselves and the canoes
for the downriver trip. Making our way to Rabbitkettle Lake, we may decide to
hike the 7 km to the tufa mounds or wait until the following morning.
Day 3 and 4 (B/L/D)
We begin the downriver trip. This portion of the river above Virginia Falls
is a flat, meandering section that allows opportunity to learn the necessary
canoeing skills from the guides, or to brush up on techniques. The mountains
and U-shaped valley created by the glaciers will dominate the scenery. Camping
will be in the most choice spots between Rabbitkettle Lake and Virginia Falls.
Day 5 (B/L/D)
Virginia Falls (twice the height of Niagara) will be the destination. We will
camp there for two nights. This is the other spot within the National Park where
planes may land and we may see other campers here.
Day 6 (B/L/D)
The day may be spent exploring and photographing the area surrounding the falls.
If weather permits, those who are up to an all-day hike may strike out for the
summit of Sunblood Mountain for a panoramic view of the area.
Day 7 (B/L/D)
We will portage around the falls. The trail is downhill and easy. You need only
carry what is comfortable for you. After a late shore lunch and briefing, we
will embark on an exhilarating run through the rapids of Painted Canyon also
known as Fourth Canyon. Supper conversation in camp will be full of recollections
of paddling adventures in the canyon.
Day 8 (B/L/D)
We enter Third Canyon, the walls of which rise 1,200 m over the river. Keen
eyes may spot woodland caribou, moose and Dall's sheep. Stopping at The Gate
and Pulpit Rock for lunch, we will hike to the top of the canyon for a bird's-eye
view of the narrow gorge below and the expanse of the canyon walls. Camp will
be downstream of Pulpit Rock and The Gate.
Day 9 (B/L/D)
Paddling through the Big Bend and Second Canyon and past Headless Creek we will
find ourselves camped in the vicinity of Deadmen Valley. The view includes the
Tlogotsho Plateau and Prairie Creek Canyon. It was here, on the shores of Headless
Creek, that the bodies of the Mcleod brothers were found in 1905 and the legend
of the Headless Valley was born. Downriver at Sheaf Creek, R.M. Patterson and
his partner, Gordon Mathews, wintered over in 1928. Patterson later wrote Dangerous
River, one of the most eloquent accounts of the early days on the river. Around
the campfire, we will read from his book.
Day 10 (B/L/D)
Camp will be in Deadmen Valley or First Canyon.
Day 11 (B/L/D)
The highlights will include First Canyon, Canada's deepest river canyon at a
depth of 1300 m, George's and Lafferty's Riffles and White Spray Springs. After
stopping at Kraus' Hot Springs for a soak in the 37° C natural springs,
we leave the canyons and carry on to camp in the area known as The Splits. Here
the river braids and twists into many channels.
Day 12 (B/L/D)
While negotiating the huge meanders prior to the native village of Nahanni Butte
we will experience the river valley opening up to meet the forested flat lands.
Camp will be in or near the village (population 80).
Day 13 (B/L/D)
Paddling down the voluminous Liard River will take us to Lindberg's Landing
where we will be the guests of Edwin and Sue Lindberg for showers, a BBQ and
an overnight stay at their cabins.
Day 14 (B)
We will be picked up by vehicle and driven to Fort Simpson to meet our plane
home. There may be time to explore around town.
Note: It is customary on the Nahanni
River to sometimes employ the use of "Canyon Rigs" (catamaraning canoes)
for some rapids to ensure greater stability. This decision is made "on
site" by the guides based on a safety assessment of prevailing conditions.
On rare occasions, we can encounter
high winds and waves on the Liard. If this is the case we will have to choose
between waiting it out, hiring a native-owned power boat or calling an aircraft.
The cost of this additional transport would be split evenly among the guests.
Additional Notes
For an exceptionally concise list of the remarkable features of the South Nahanni
River, visit this site of the UNESCO
World Heritage Committee.
The following initials indicate the
meals included each day:
Breakfast = B Lunch = L Dinner = D
In the interest of participant safety and well being the guide / instructor may alter the actual trip itinerary at their discretion.