25/06/11 Canoeing in Manitoba

Exploring a traditional view of Canada we kayaked in the wilderness, but nothing prepared us for some aspects of this adventure that we hadn’t really predicted.

 

Charley checks out the river.

The first thing was simply the remoteness of the adventure, by driving for three to four hours and then flying for another 45 minutes we were in the heart of the Canadian shield on the Bloodvein river in the middle of nowhere.
The float plane had the canoes tied to each of the pontoons and the pilot simply looked out of his window to find a suitable place to land, we were all bouncing around in the back of the cabin and realised our lives and fate depended on the health and experience of this one man.
The plane looped round three times and suddenly dived for the water and with a roar of engines and a final choking series of coughs there was silence, after the canoes had been removed and all the kits and waterproof barrels containing our personal possessions were removed the float plane flew off and left us alone in the wilderness.

There were four canoes, I was in one with the expedition leader Cam, Nat and Mungo were in one with their camera equipment and their canoe partners Rob and Matt, and Russ brought up the rear with his canoe partner Dave.
We paddled and learnt canoe craft and came to the first set of rapids where we camped for the evening and were confronted with our first cloud of mosquitos, although we had mosquito nets and repellent, they were still to become a constant irritation. (Can no one rid the world of mossies?)

However with the right repellent everything was fine, and as we lay in our tents that evening there was a violent thunder storm with crazy flashes of lightening, and you knew that you were just a pinprick in this unspoilt wild frontier land.

The next day we put our canoes lessons in to practise, learning how to take on the rapids.

I must admit at one particular class three rapid I wasn’t happy at all, and did exactly what Cam told me to try and avoid some of the very turbulent water that would suck you under, which would not be a pleasant experience.

I think for all of us the unexpected characteristics with the feelings of remoteness and being out of any form of communication with the outside world was new and strange. The food was good and having to paddle for four to five hours a day meant we were getting consistent physical exercise, and wild camping next to some of the most beautiful scenery that Canada has to offer.

Despite having had to canoe into headwinds with aching limbs, knowing that you can only go where you need to with personal effort, it was with some sadness that we left it all behind, and when the mobile signals returned and we were back in the van heading back towards Winnipeg, we suddenly realised that our modern society is possibly too busy for our brains to bear.

I would thoroughly recommend a period of time away from the noise because it gives you time to think.

See you on the road….

Charley xx