Canadian
Canoe and Kayak Wilderness Adventures
http://wildernessadventures.ca/NahanniRiverRaftAndCanoe.html
1-866-383-9453
adventurescanada@yahoo.ca
12 Day Nahanni Canyons Canoe or Raft Trip: Virginia Falls to Blackstone 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
Raft on all trips,
2-Person White Water Canoe: Please note that there is a $200.00 flight surcharge
per person for a 2-Person White Water Canoe (we bring one inflatable canoe per
group at no extra charge).
Explanation of craft
2 Person Canoe - the traditional 16' and 17' canoe. Previous canoe experience
is an asset. Physical fitness and comfort on moving water are important.
Raft - the safe and stable expedition
raft is ideal for those who desire their hands free to photograph or to travel
in a more relaxed fashion. The guide manoeuvres with oars and paddling is completely
optional. Those who wish to be active will find ample opportunity to paddle.
Participant Prerequisite
Raft - Beginners, (click
for more info)
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
Virginia Falls to Blackstone Landing, approximately 240 km (150 miles) with
an elevation drop of 396 m (1.3000 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 toward 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)
This is a day for exploring and photographing the area around Virginia Falls,
nearly twice the height of Niagara, or for an all-day expedition to the top
of Sunblood Mountain for an excellent view of the surrounding area.
Day 3 (B/L/D)
We will make the final portage around the falls. The trail is downhill and easy.
You need carry only what is comfortable for you. We will assemble the canoes
and, after a late shore lunch and briefing, we will embark on an exhilarating
run through Painted Canyon, also known as Fourth Canyon. The final challenge
for the day will be Figure 8 Rapids (Hell's Gate). Camp is finally made for
the evening below Wrigley Creek.
Day 4 (B/L/D)
We drift past the confluence of the Flat River and then enter Third Canyon,
the walls of which loom 1,200 m above our heads. This 20-km canyon is created
by the river slicing through the mixed strata of shales, sandstones and limestones
of the Funeral Range. We camp halfway through this canyon near The Gate, a 100
m wide gorge where the walls tower 460 m above us.
Day 5 (B/L/D)
In the morning we do a short hike to the top of The Gate and are awarded a magnificent
view of Third Canyon and Pulpit Rock. After lunch it's back in the canoes and
on through Third Canyon to camp at Big Bend.
Day 6 (B/L/D)
On through Second Canyon and into Deadmen Valley, where we will stop for a spectacular
2-hour walk up a dry creek bed for an overview of this immense region. After
drifting by Headless Creek, we continue on to Sheaf Creek. Here R.M. Patterson
and his partner Gordon Mathews wintered in 1928. We will camp for the night
at Prairie Creek.
Day 7 (B/L/D)
This may be selected by the trip leader as a lay-over day. If so, you can spend
a relaxing day around camp or exploring the massive alluvial fan of Prairie
Creek. For birders it is the nesting grounds for upland sandpipers, common nighthawks,
white winged crossbills, chipping and savanna sparrows. Fishermen will find
both bull trout and Arctic grayling inhabiting the pools and eddies of the creek.
Day 8 (B/L/D)
We start the day with a short hike up Dry Canyon, followed by the big waves
of George's Riffle. These rapids are at the western entrance to First Canyon.
We will camp near its end at Lafferty Creek.
Day 9 (B/L/D)
We spend the day hiking up Lafferty Creek canyon to view some of the hundreds
of caves in the area.
Day 10 (B/L/D)
After the waves of Lafferty's Riffle, we take a quick dip in Kraus Hot Springs
before bidding farewell to the canyons and entering the braided channels of
The Splits.
Day 11 (B/L/D)
Making an early start from our camp in The Splits, we will rendezvous with a
power boat from the native community of Nahanni Butte. Stopping in the village
we will have an opportunity to see this traditional community. Later in the
day we will arrive at Blackstone Landing, where we will camp for the final night
and enjoy a warm shower.
Day 12 (B)
We will be greeted by our van and driver and transported through the aspen-forested
roadway back to Fort Simpson to meet the homeward airline flight.
Note: Upon booking, we need to know
which craft you would prefer (Raft, 2-Person Canoe). Please note that there
is a $200.00 per person flight surcharge for anyone selecting the canoe option.
Numbers will indicate how thoroughly we will be able to match preferences for
craft - please let us know your preference on the application form and call
with any questions: 1-866-383-9453. See The Details package for an additional
explanation of the craft.
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.
Please Note: We are not a travel agency and can not book transportation, accommodations or other travel related services other than what is included in the itineraries which will be booked by the Whitehorse office.