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Day 3: Sunday, September 5 Peter was up early as usual, and started the fire and got the coffee going. The sunrise was spectacular, but few saw it. While Peter was doing this, another large flight of geese took off and skimmed very low across the lake, heading south. Peter’s turn for breakfast consisted of adding water and two of Rick’s eggs to pancake mix. This was expertly cooked by Andy and Joan in relays.
Andy the sous-chef. On the water by 09.05, and paddled close to six loons. Once again, the apprentice sternsmen ensured that we covered as much ground as possible. After 3.5 km, at 10.00, we came to portage 7, 1015 m, which would take us to Nipew Lake and the Churchill River. It was in good conditiion and the veteran team of portagers had no problem other than aching all over.
Andy figured it was time for him to portage a canoe solo. Karen took pictures.
Elaine decided that she too could portage a canoe solo. Peter was thrilled to pass his on to her, and Andy was thrilled to put his down and offer help.
Elaine easily made it to the end of the portage.
So we sent her back for another load! The water in Nipew was more cloudy. We started our 16 km paddle down Nipew, but the weather was warm and we had a following wind. Warren knew a fine beach on Boyle Island where we stopped for lunch.
Lunch consisted of hot dogs grilled on sticks over a fire, another new experience for our UK team members.
Karen and Andy learning how to roast hotdogs over an open fire! We continued paddling around Selby Peninsula, and after a brief hunt found the continuing channel south past Fletcher Island (where we met our first stranger canoe) to Hayman Lake. We landed above Sluice falls, for another 1 km portage, then paddled across to Corner Rapids. Our original plan was to portage this rapid, but the day was gorgeous, and it looked like we were ready to run rapids! Unfortunately, it seemed that the whole world had also chosen to play in this rapid as well. It was very crowded, with about 30 people in a variety of boats all trying stuff in the whitewater. Warren and Karen went down first, no problems.
Peter and Joan going through the waves. Then Warren took Karen and Andy down...
At this point, Andy is still dry. But the canoe went through the next wave and he was soaked. Since the day was nice, and the water warm, the brave (Rick, Elaine, Joan, Warren and, after some agonizing, Andy (wearing Peter’s yellow helmet) all swam Corner Rapids.
Elaine and Andy complete their swim. Warren is hovering, prepared to rescue someone getting swept downstream. In the background the zoo can be seen, about another 12 canoes and kayaks.(Click to enlarge). All these people meant that our prime site at corner rapids was taken. We tried the site on the rock across the river, but Rick thought that there were too many flies so, after prospecting other potential sites, we settled on one at the foot of Farside. This was not a commonly used site, but had elagant terracing in three separate levels. It was at this point that our phenomonly good luck with regards to mosquitos ran out: they were having a convention here. Warren and Andy threw fishing lines into the water. Nothing, not even a nibble. We lit the Coleman lantern and huddled around the fire. It was Warren's turn to do dinner. Since his was the last big evening meal to be eaten, it was important for it to be light. Normally, we would have dried our meals, but we didn't have enough time for all that preparation. Warren had thrown together an experimental glop. It was a mixture of dried cream soups, a few tins of flaked chicken, served on top of rice. Delicious, filling, and more importantly, left a big ball of warmth in your belly. We were all cold or at the very least, cool after swimming and then not finding the campsite immediately. The mosquitos feasted on us. |
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Please send all comments to warren.long@shaw.ca Go to: Warren's CanoeingPages Go to: Warren and Sandy's Home Page |
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