Canoeing The Churchill River Of Canada - By: daisy45

Because we live in the 21st century with its technological know-how and great advances in knowledge, we tend to think we have the best of everything. Sometimes the achievements of men of bygone era's though, can give us pause for thought.

There is much evidence to show that people have always paddled the Churchill River. By the very nature of the environment, hunting, fishing and trapping were the tools of survival, and canoes were a means of ensuring it.

When the settlers came, so did the fur trade. Trapping became a lucrative business. The best time to trap an animal is the beginning of winter when its fur is at its glossiest, so trappers canoed up-river to lay out their trap lines, and that's where they stayed until spring. Canoes loaded with pelts, they would return home, down rivers swollen with the spring thaw, a hazardous journey, negotiating any problem in the way. It had to be done, it was not an option, and it wasn't done for sport. It was the means by which they sold their pelts at the markets situated along the river's lower reaches.

Licensed fur traders were called 'voyageurs'. Eventually the canoe gave way to the larger York boat which could carry more pelts on any one journey.

The Churchill River remains a great place to canoe. The river water flows so clean you can drink it. During summer, the water temperature is warm enough to swim or bathe in comfortably. (One doesn't like the idea of drinking the water too soon after this though, but perhaps that is being over sensitive, as wild animals are not particular about where they relieve themselves or drop their dung!)

Both beginner and seasoned paddlers are catered for because portages exist to walk your way around the difficult rapids. These portages offer a chance to experience the natural flora of the region, like wild blueberries or raspberries. Of course, you have to take into account the weight of your canoe which you will have to carry on your shoulders. Today, tourism in the area offers the chance for experienced guides to assist you.

You may even get the opportunity to see woodland caribou, bald eagles, bear, moose, wolf and other wild animals. Stretches along its course are some of the few places where predators and prey operate as they have for ages past - without any interference from man. These places can safely claim to be among some of the last wild areas of the world.

For the truly skilled canoeist, class 4 rapids exist around Nistowiak Lake and below Potter Rapids. (A class 4 rapid is defined as having “high, powerful irregular waves, exposed rocks, strong eddies usually navigable by intermediate to expert paddlers”). There are 20 sets of rapids along the entire length of its course, and some of its tributaries have class 6 rapids, e.g. Paull River.

Remember though that the weather can quickly change a smooth idyllic ride into a choppy, wave- bedecked ride. For those who want adventure but who are not old hands at paddling, its always best to wait until the wind has died down before attempting to shoot the rapid.

One more thing, if you camp along the trail, you will inevitably encounter mosquitoes. So don't forget either nets or repellent – or both.

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About the Author

http://www.theboatingstore.co.cc/?p=87 The author is a retired high school teacher of geography and maths. Try 'Quick Compare 35 Brand Name Kayaks' to help you make a choice. Also if you would like a free ebook - an unusual story set in the days of sailing by well-known and respected author Joseph Conrad, 'The Secret Sharer' or a book about travel in El Salvador 'Slow Bus To Ahuachapan' by John Drewman then use the email address on the website to request them.

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