2012 TRANS-TERRITORIAL CANOE EXPEDITION 
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Through Summer, and into Autumn

8/16/2012

12 Comments

 
Picture
To be honest, this next portion of the journey, up the Mackenzie River and across the Great Slave Lake, was the part of the trip I was least excited about. After being surrounded by mountains for over seventy days, we were about to descend into the lowlands of the north, into the vast boreal forest where the land was as flat as the water. Low lying forests crowded the muddy banks and there is virtually no differentiation in the physical layout of the land. Monotomy was what I expected.

When we paddled onto the big muddy waters of the Mackenzie, there was a dread we all felt, for once again we had returned to the battle field of upstream travel. But the Mackenzie proved to be a gentle river with a slow current and almost lake like conditions that made this upstream experience completely different than the challenges we faced battling our way up the Ross and Pelly Rivers. And though the landscape was not as spectacular as what we had seen, it was as though the earth we experienced in the Yukon and on the Nahanni lent its spectacle of snowy peaks and valleys to heaven. Almost every afternoon we would see clouds amass and form mountain ranges of enormous thunderheads that dwarfed us and our surroundings. Thunder, and then bursts of lightning, were a late afternoon norm. Somewhere on the muddy banks, with our boats tucks in the reeds, we would huddle in the brush as rain and lightning ripped across the river.

Then we reached the Great Slave Lake. The tenth largest body of freshwater in the world. One of the major challenges of the expedition, paddling this lake would expose us to hundreds of miles of wind and water that went unchecked by any land barrier. Somedays we were lucky and had calm conditions and made over forty miles; on other days ocean-sized swells forced us to shore and into the patience game.

Our daily schedule changed from a fixed wake up time to paddling whenever it was calm. Several times we paddled over fourteen hours. If conditions are right, the paddling is just too good to sleep through, miles must be made. After all, we knew that the inevitable wind would pick up, force us to shore00 and allow us ample opportunity to catch up on sleep.

Just east of where the Slave River enters the Great Slave Lake, something magical happens. The quiet and humble shore, (let’s be honest, it’s a boring shoreline) transitions to the spectacular rock formations of the Canadian Shield. This is the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, and in many ways it is a completely different lake than the western portions. Seven years ago I paddled this area with my brother. At the time I was struck by the raw beauty of the endless maze of rocky islands and deep cold water. I told many people that it was my favorite place I had ever canoed. And indeed, returning to the area only confirmed these feelings.

The trip changed when we entered the East Arm. The three weeks of summer, of warm weather we were finally able to enjoy on the Mackenzie and western part of Great Slave Lake turned cold. Wind from the northeast became a constant, pausing every now and then for a few hours when we would hurry to our boats and make a precious few miles. We now see sunsets and sunrises. It gets dark, which after months of twenty-plus hours of sunlight, seems to be a novelty.




As I write this blog we are staying in a small Dene community, Lutsel K’e. Again, northern hospitality proves to be unsurpassed and we can only hope that the weather will be as hospitable to us as the people are here. This is our final resupply point for the trip, and it’s an odd feeling to think that the trip is almost over and we have at least thirty-five days left on trail. We are paddling into winter, into bone-cold wind, and into the sleet and snow that everyone all but guarantees we will encounter as we paddle towards Hudson Bay. Our trip began at the end of winter, hiking through mountain passes buried in snow, and it will most likely end at the very beginning of winter. Whatever reservations and anxieties we have about the weather, our biggest consolation is that, as a crew, we are moving as one mind. Our eyes are fixed on our goal and we are moving quickly and with every opportunity negotiating our way around the weather. After one-hundred-and-one days together, it is amazing to be feeling more solidarity than ever before.

Whatever happens with the weather, we are surrounded immense beauty and wonder. The Canadian Shield, whether in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, central Manitoba, or where we currently are and will be, is my favorite place to paddle and to simply be. More and more we have been paddling into camp with an intense feeling of gratitude for the day, and indeed every day renews this sense of wonder and joy.



                                                                Day 100 Beard Montage
12 Comments
Jennifer G
8/16/2012 04:30:45 am

I'm praying for y'alls safety and smooth waters in this last stretch ahead! It has been awesome to get to read about your spectacular journey. Thanks for sharing it with us all!

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Kara link
8/16/2012 05:23:33 am

Those are impressive beards! Glad you guys are still working hard at it!

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Kennie link
8/16/2012 08:47:32 am

You guys are looking pretty good for being on the go for 100 days! I thought I looked rough after 10 days on the Yukon River! Always look forward to your updates! Live the dream guys!

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Mom Keaveny
8/16/2012 10:41:37 pm

Following their bliss..... I am so impressed by the energy and attitude of this fabulous group of guys! Hope summer stays around a bit longer for us all!

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Rick Van Ness
8/18/2012 08:22:34 am

Early in the trip you redefined hard work for me. (That was nice because it makes everything I do seem so easy in comparison.) It is great to see your smiling faces and read your glowing accounts. We savor all your news and photos and continue to think of you daily!

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Mary Ellen Van Ness
8/25/2012 01:04:23 am

You and Hudson Bay are now on the same fold of our map! Yipee! The blogs have been great. Check on you every day. Our best to all of you! Peter's Grandma

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Amanda Kays
9/2/2012 12:34:39 pm

Loving it! The beards are beautiful and even more so is the determination. Cruising! Continue to be careful, and finish strong...

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Amanda Kays
9/2/2012 12:38:21 pm

Also, for folks who are interested, we are supporting a program called First Descents. It is a nonprofit adventure based program that takes young adult cancer survivors and fighters on excursions, climbing, paddling, and surfing, free of charge. If we rally together to support First Descents, we support others discovering the lessons, thrills, and personal growth nature and adventure have to offer. Goal is to raise $2,600 for the 2600 miles the crew has endeavored on (and are quickly approaching success!). For each $1000 raised we send one person! I have struggled to ask for money, finding it...annoying for others... however I fully believe in this program, and am putting it out there. Please consider aiding in this goal (it may mean grabbing some PBR instead of Sierra, or reconnecting with box mac and cheese...but worth it, $5 from many can go far!) Thank you for your time and thought.

Here is the site: http://teamfd.firstdescents.org/2012/fd/canoe2012/

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Jan Keaveny
9/7/2012 03:02:50 pm

it looks like you are in baker laker! Congrats! We love you all! Hope to hear your "travel" plans soon. We are excited to come and meet you, greet you, hear you, cheer you, and kiss you cause we missed you!

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Jean Birk (Harren)
9/13/2012 03:27:41 am

Almost there, praying hard for your safety and a great finish. Can't wait to see you Matt.

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Cary Ruble
9/15/2012 01:20:38 am

Hi Steve and the gang. Although I miss your spirt back here in SLC, following your trip has been the highlight of my summer. Take care and enjoy. Ever Friends, Cary

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Express Lake Lanier boat rentals link
4/22/2013 10:22:44 pm

To have an unforgettable time with friends visiting Lake Lanier

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    Peter Marshall

    Proud member of the Trans-Territorial Canoe Expedition

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