MacKenzie River Canada comments?
 

I am currently researching for a possible trip on the MacKenzie River in
the Northwest Territories of Canada.

It looks technically straightforward, with only two rapids in 925 miles,
neither difficult. I assume that we would find campsites near the river.

The logistics look easy also, fly to Yellowknife, rent a folding canoe
(Pakboat) from Expeditions Plus, take a bus to Fort Providence, paddle
for three to four weeks, restocking at villages as required, and then
fly back to Yellowknife from Inuvik.

I get the impression that we would see one or two other boats a day on
the river, including commercial traffic.

I would like to go to the Artic Ocean, but not clear on how to get back
to Inuvik. Maybe arrange a floatplane to pick us up near the ocean and
fly us back to Inuvik. Sounds like something that I would want to
arrange face to face in Inuvik, sit down with a map and mark the pickup point.

Anything else I should know? Any part of my plan that looks
questionable or unwise? Any tips?

I heard a talk and read a book about Sir MacKenzie, and that kind of
inspired me, as did the little story in Canoe and Kayak about some
Australians who did this trip, but had to be rescued from the pack ice.

I should admit that I have not canoe tripped in Canada, but I have some
canoe tripping experience in Utah, as well as experience leading
mountaineering expeditions in Canada, Mexico, and South America. I
usually succeed through planning, having adequate partners, and being
willing to do whatever is required to survive or get the job done.

Richard

MacKenzie River Canada comments?
 

Richard Ferguson said:

I am currently researching for a possible trip on the MacKenzie River in
the Northwest Territories of Canada.

It looks technically straightforward, with only two rapids in 925 miles,
neither difficult. I assume that we would find campsites near the river.

The logistics look easy also, fly to Yellowknife, rent a folding canoe
(Pakboat) from Expeditions Plus, take a bus to Fort Providence, paddle
for three to four weeks, restocking at villages as required, and then
fly back to Yellowknife from Inuvik.

I get the impression that we would see one or two other boats a day on
the river, including commercial traffic.

I would like to go to the Ar[c]tic Ocean, but not clear on how to get back
to Inuvik. Maybe arrange a floatplane to pick us up near the ocean and
fly us back to Inuvik. Sounds like something that I would want to
arrange face to face in Inuvik, sit down with a map and mark the pickup
point.

Anything else I should know? Any part of my plan that looks
questionable or unwise? Any tips?

The Mackenzie River is easy paddling, more like a long lake than a
real river. Expect to be windbound occasionally. The only hazard is
running into sand bars. The water is silty. I have heard that there
are nautical charts available, which might be useful if only to stay
in deep water. Commercial traffic is usually tugboats and barges.

If you have the time, visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage
Centre in Yellowknife. The visitor center outside of town has trip
reports on many NWT rivers. I expect there is one on the Mackenzie.

Douglas

MacKenzie River Canada comments?
 

"Richard Ferguson" wrote in message
...
I am currently researching for a possible trip on the MacKenzie River in
the Northwest Territories of Canada.


Lots of camping sites possible, between good shore patches and sand/gravel
bars. Instead of having a floatplane take you to Inuvik, have a local guide
come pick you up in their big plywood flatboats. (Air shuttles cost
thousands, compared to a boat tow which costs hundreds). When I did trips up
there, I outfitted through Dave Loeks at Arctic Edge Expeditions in
Whitehorse. He arranged for the gear, the fly-in to Duo Lake (on the Peel
watershed) and had an Inuit come pick us up 100 miles from Inuvik to tow us
in, since the MacKenzie was a huge, flat lake. It looked like the
Mississippi on a calm day, and there's no way I would have wanted to spend
2aweek paddling that kind of fla****er against the winds and bugs. YMMV. The
MacKenzie sounds like an interesting, historical river that you will always
be able to point to on a map and tell your friends about, but I think it'd
be the most boring trip imaginable.

--riverman