Canadian
Canoe and Kayak Wilderness Adventures
http://wildernessadventures.ca/NahanniRiverRaftAndCanoe.html
1-866-383-9453
adventurescanada@yahoo.ca
8 Day Nahanni Canyons Canoe or Raft Trip: Virginia Falls to Blackstone Landing
For those with limited holiday time, this adventure allows you to experience the Nahanni's Grand Canyons and many of the features for which the river is renowned.
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 $150.00 flight surcharge
per person for a 2-Person Canoe if you are opting to canoe instead of rafting
(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.
Route Summary
Virginia Falls to Blackstone Landing, 7 river days:
approximately 240 km (150 miles) with an elevation drop of 396 m (1,300 ft)
Rendezvous point
South Nahanni Airways, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories
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 or 416-746-7427.
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.
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)
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,
occasionally we have 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)
At Virginia Falls, twice the height of Niagara, we complete the portage around
the falls, inflate and load the rafts and head downstream. Everyone pitches
in to carry what they can and we take as long as we need to complete the task.
Camp is finally made for the evening below Wrigley Creek.
Day 3 (B/L/D)
We drift past the confluence of the Flat River and enter Third Canyon, the walls
of which loom 1,200m above the river. We camp halfway through this canyon near
The Gate.
Day 4 (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 5 (B/L/D)
We start the day by challenging the big waves of George's Riffle and enter First
Canyon, the deepest of all the canyons. Camp will be made at Lafferty's Riffle.
Day 6 (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 7 (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 8 (B/L/D)
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 $150.00 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.
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.