INFO REQUEST: N.Ont.Canoeing

INFO REQUEST: N.Ont.Canoeing

Post by Rowland K » Tue, 11 Oct 1994 07:54:49


I am considering a canoe trip in Northern Ontario next
summer with a few friends.  We are all fairly experienced
flat water canoeists, but have no white water experience.

We were considering a few possible routes, ending on
either the Albany River (at Fort Albany) or the
Moose (at Moosonee).  In the former case, the finish
point is apparently accessible only by air, in the latter,
rail service is available.

I have contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources and
received information from them regarding the routes and
a number of possible outfitters.  I have mailed a few
outfitters for information, but have not yet received
any replies.

My request is for information anyone might have regarding
prior experiences with outfitters in the area, both in
terms of their professional abilities, and the cost
(in particular, it seems that flying out of Fort Albany
might be a bit pricey?.  As well,
any recommendations for the trip itself would be
appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Rowland Kao
Physics Dept.
University of Guelph

 
 
 

INFO REQUEST: N.Ont.Canoeing

Post by Sherwood Botsfo » Tue, 11 Oct 1994 09:48:06

I think you are making a mistake to do a trip this far into the
wilderness as your first non-fla***er trip.

Possible first trips:  Grand Portage to Ft. Francis.
Ear Falls to Pine Falls.
Wallace Lake, Manitoba, to ***vein
(Contact Manitoba Dept. of Tour. for details)

Also, I strongly suggest that you take a course, and spend several
weekends doing whitewater. Think about it:  If you make a blunder on a
weekend trip, you probably won't have to walk more than 20 miles to the
nearest road.  Walking out from halfway down the Albany is a different
proposition.

P.S. If you want a guide/instructor call me.

: I am considering a canoe trip in Northern Ontario next
: summer with a few friends.  We are all fairly experienced
: flat water canoeists, but have no white water experience.

: We were considering a few possible routes, ending on
: either the Albany River (at Fort Albany) or the
: Moose (at Moosonee).  In the former case, the finish
: point is apparently accessible only by air, in the latter,
: rail service is available.

: I have contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources and
: received information from them regarding the routes and
: a number of possible outfitters.  I have mailed a few
: outfitters for information, but have not yet received
: any replies.

: My request is for information anyone might have regarding
: prior experiences with outfitters in the area, both in
: terms of their professional abilities, and the cost
: (in particular, it seems that flying out of Fort Albany
: might be a bit pricey?.  As well,
: any recommendations for the trip itself would be
: appreciated.

: Thank you in advance for your help.

: Rowland Kao
: Physics Dept.
: University of Guelph

--

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=> tel:403 492-3713                             fax: 403 492-4256 <=        

 
 
 

INFO REQUEST: N.Ont.Canoeing

Post by John Bish » Wed, 12 Oct 1994 23:45:49

: I am considering a canoe trip in Northern Ontario next
: summer with a few friends.  We are all fairly experienced
: flat water canoeists, but have no white water experience.

I did a trip on the Missinaibi last fall, having only limited whitewater
experience.  Although much of the river is probably only class I-II, we
ended up portaging just about everything, because it wasn't worth the
risk.  It was still a great trip though!

The advantages of this route are:

1. Transportation to and from this trip is convenient and cheap.
There is train access between Moosonee and Cochrane (3/week).
Missinaibi Headwaters Outfitters in Chapleau can provide a shuttle
from Cochrance back to Chapleau, but the bus is also a
cheaper option.

2. Last year about 1700 people paddled the river.  If you get into
trouble, chances are you will see someone within a day.  There is a
new book on the river by Hap Wilson, and I would expect it to be
noticeably busier in the years to come..

3. Halfway down, the river crosses the transCanada at Mattice.  You
can get new food and other supplies, or bail out if there are other
problems.

Disadvantages:

1. If you are not prepared for whitewater, be prepared for frequent
portaging on the upper part of the river!

2. Water levels are highly variable.  We ended up wading the loaded
boat through a lot of shallow rock gardens.

Good luck!

--

\.  
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  \ ..      
   \__ (*)__/\            
      \     / o          
       \(*) `                Jonathan Bishop    
        \                    Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
         \                   phone: (416) 480-6100 x 3280


 
 
 

INFO REQUEST: N.Ont.Canoeing

Post by Alan Dun » Thu, 13 Oct 1994 01:38:30


Quote:
> I am considering a canoe trip in Northern Ontario next
> summer with a few friends.  We are all fairly experienced
> flat water canoeists, but have no white water experience.

>  "stuff deleted"

Consider looking for two books from your local library. I do not
remember the authors but the books are called "Canoeing Ontario's River"
and "Canoe Routes of Ontario". The first gives detailed accounts of some
classic trips, including the Missinaibi (recommended by another poster). The
second is more of a reference on where to get additional information, but it
might give you some ideas. Another good book that discusses planning for
serious wilderness canoe trips is "Canoeing Wild Rivers" by Cliff Jacobson.

Since you have no whitewater experience, I strongly recommend taking at
least an introductory whitewater course, one that would get you an ORCA
(Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association) Moving Water I certificate. In
north Ontario, you can get pretty far from help if you experience any difficulties.

Enjoy your trip and post an account when completed.

Alan Dunne

 
 
 

INFO REQUEST: N.Ont.Canoeing

Post by GILCHR.. » Thu, 13 Oct 1994 23:06:06

Quote:


>Subject: Re: INFO REQUEST:  N.Ont.Canoeing
>Date: 11 Oct 1994 16:38:30 GMT

>Kao) writes:
>> I am considering a canoe trip in Northern Ontario next
>> summer with a few friends.  We are all fairly experienced
>> flat water canoeists, but have no white water experience.

>>  "stuff deleted"

I missed the original post on this, but I see useful notes from others.
I, too, paddled the upper section of the Missinaibi a couple of years
ago.  It was beautiful and there is much to recommend it.  Just a few
points that I haven't seen mentioned yet...

1.  The outfitter from whom we rented our canoes had participated the
previous summer in a body recovery from a hydraulic in a rapid near
Mattice.  If you don't understand this, take a whitewater course.

2.  The river is not as wild as you might imagine.  Walk into the bush
at most points for a couple of hundred meters and you will find clear-
cut land.  Laws forbid clearcutting within sight of the river, but
the lack of animal habitat nearby seriously limits the amount of large
wildlife you are likely to find.

3.  It was mentioned that there are some 1700 people going through in
a year.  Wow!  I had no idea it was so many.  But figure it out...
If there are 120 days (June to Sept) during which the river is used,
that's roughly 15 people a day passing any given spot.  Of course, lots
of people do only the upper or the lower section, but then most do
so in July and August.

4.  So there is a lot of traffic and not much really wild wilderness (at
least in the upper section), which leads to my last (negative) points.
Many of the campsites are in truly appalling condition.  People have
crapped everywhere, and some sites are strewn with toilet paper and
used women's sanitary products.  Really ugly.  Finally, you may find
yourself in competition for campsites.  We hop-skotched with a couple
of other groups for most of our 10 days on the river and nobody
found it easy to get very friendly because of the competition for camp
sites.

5.  Oh yeah, one last point.  One of our members got injured (back)
and we had to get him to hospital in Mattice and cancel the last half
of the trip.  Point one, be prepared for this type of scenario (you
might have to do all the gear-carrying and portaging and paddling).  
Point 2, watch your gear in Mattice.  Some kids pissed in our water
bottles (c'mon, don't laugh) and stole our fishing gear and a paddle.

Forewarned is forearmed....

Rae
easy to be friendly