CANOE TRIPS IN CANADA  SUMMER 2010 WESTERN ONTARIO CANOE EXPEDITION (35 Days) Kapikotongwa, Little Current and Squaw Rivers June 28 - August 1 Fee - $3400 U.S. The heart of the Wilderness Way program is the extended wilderness journey. This summer’s expedition, which explores little-traveled areas of northwestern Ontario, provides a wide variety of canoeing experience for the backcountry traveller. The major rivers of the trip have widely varying characteristics. The Kapikotongwa is a medium-sized river with frequent rocky runs capable of challenging the canoeist’s skill, while the Little Current is a large, fast-flowing river with open, big-river rapids. The Kapikotongwa merges into the Little Current at Percy Lake, subsequently dropping over Betty Falls, Canyon Falls and Louella Falls. Shortly beyond Louella Falls travel shifts into lower gear for the final segment of the journey, working upstream on the smaller Squaw River. Reaching its headwaters on Cordingly Lake, we will rendezvous with our vehicles in Nakina for the return drive to North Bay. The trip begins at Aroland, 15 miles west of Nakina on the railroad tracks north of Highway 11. Initial travel on the smaller waters of the Kowashagama River will permit everyone to become accustomed to whitewater maneuvering before encountering the more challenging rapids of the Kapikotongwa and Little Current. At all times we negotiate rapids with care, often scouting from shore before moving on. Though we run what we can, we line the canoes or portage where necessary. At all times our most important consideration is safety, which specifically takes the ability of each member of the group into account. While there will certainly be times that travel is demanding, the 35-day time span allows for a generally moderate pace, with ample opportunity for fishing, swimming and exploring the many beautiful places along the way. Indeed, the country around Nakina, renown for its abundant moose population, also offers unparalleled fishing opportunities. Lakes are chock-full of northern pike and walleye, while stretches of the Little Current and Squaw abound with brook trout ready for the taking. The trip is in country where the native Ojibway still hunt, fish and trap. Though we may not encounter them on our journey, we will often stay for a night on their traveling campsites and walk the portage trails they have established over the centuries. As to details: the group is expected to consist of six to ten members. We will meet in North Bay, Ontario, and return there at the end of the trip. The fee of $3400 (less any applicable discount) includes all transportation beyond North Bay and is payable as follows: a $200 non-refundable deposit should accompany the application with the remainder of the fee due by May 15th (45 days before the trip is scheduled to begin). While previous camping or canoeing experience is not essential, participants should be well aware of the physical and psychological demands of an extended wilderness journey. At times wind and weather conditions or portage trails, which may be infrequently used and in poor condition, can make travel difficult. This is the nature of a true wilderness trip. For the welfare of both the individual and the group, it is important that each participant is prepared to cope with the more challenging aspects of the trip. If you have questions, would like more information or would just like to talk about the trip, you can call or write me, Andy Smyth, at the above address and phone number or contact me by e-mail at wway@mac.com . I will be happy to answer your questions or tell you more about any of the Wilderness Way programs.

CANOE TRIPS IN CANADA
SUMMER 2010

WESTERN ONTARIO CANOE EXPEDITION (35 Days)

Kapikotongwa, Little Current and Squaw Rivers

June 28 - August 1 Fee - $3400 U.S.

The heart of the Wilderness Way program is the extended wilderness journey. This summer’s expedition, which explores little-traveled areas of northwestern Ontario, provides a wide variety of canoeing experience for the backcountry traveller. The major rivers of the trip have widely varying characteristics. The Kapikotongwa is a medium-sized river with frequent rocky runs capable of challenging the canoeist’s skill, while the Little Current is a large, fast-flowing river with open, big-river rapids. The Kapikotongwa merges into the Little Current at Percy Lake, subsequently dropping over Betty Falls, Canyon Falls and Louella Falls. Shortly beyond Louella Falls travel shifts into lower gear for the final segment of the journey, working upstream on the smaller Squaw River. Reaching its headwaters on Cordingly Lake, we will rendezvous with our vehicles in Nakina for the return drive to North Bay.

The trip begins at Aroland, 15 miles west of Nakina on the railroad tracks north of Highway 11. Initial travel on the smaller waters of the Kowashagama River will permit everyone to become accustomed to whitewater maneuvering before encountering the more challenging rapids of the Kapikotongwa and Little Current. At all times we negotiate rapids with care, often scouting from shore before moving on. Though we run what we can, we line the canoes or portage where necessary. At all times our most important consideration is safety, which specifically takes the ability of each member of the group into account.

While there will certainly be times that travel is demanding, the 35-day time span allows for a generally moderate pace, with ample opportunity for fishing, swimming and exploring the many beautiful places along the way. Indeed, the country around Nakina, renown for its abundant moose population, also offers unparalleled fishing opportunities. Lakes are chock-full of northern pike and walleye, while stretches of the Little Current and Squaw abound with brook trout ready for the taking. The trip is in country where the native Ojibway still hunt, fish and trap. Though we may not encounter them on our journey, we will often stay for a night on their traveling campsites and walk the portage trails they have established over the centuries.

As to details: the group is expected to consist of six to ten members. We will meet in North Bay, Ontario, and return there at the end of the trip. The fee of $3400 (less any applicable discount) includes all transportation beyond North Bay and is payable as follows: a $200 non-refundable deposit should accompany the application with the remainder of the fee due by May 15th (45 days before the trip is scheduled to begin).

While previous camping or canoeing experience is not essential, participants should be well aware of the physical and psychological demands of an extended wilderness journey. At times wind and weather conditions or portage trails, which may be infrequently used and in poor condition, can make travel difficult. This is the nature of a true wilderness trip. For the welfare of both the individual and the group, it is important that each participant is prepared to cope with the more challenging aspects of the trip.

If you have questions, would like more information or would just like to talk about the trip, you can call or write me, Andy Smyth, at the above address and phone number or contact me by e-mail at wway@mac.com . I will be happy to answer your questions or tell you more about any of the Wilderness Way programs.