Peace River Canoe Trip Journal

Friday, August 1, 2003

Trip Log 9:00 am: Started paddling 11:30 pm: Hay Camp Today’s distance: 10.5 mi. Trip Total: 362.7 mi. GPS Readings (UTM) Trip's End (Hay Camp): 12V 473877 6598677

We were on the water shortly after nine and had an easy paddle. Floated one stretch toward the end until an east wind came up and we had to paddle the rest of the way. When we got to Hay Camp, we unloaded the canoes and washed the canoes and paddles. We carried the gear to an area up from the river and repacked some of the gear to minimize the number of items. We walked around the area and tried to find a cool spot to wait for Clayton - did not find much relief from the hot and muggy weather. Clayton arrived at 1:30 and we headed back to Ft. Smith as soon as the truck was loaded. Clayton had an extra battery in the back of the truck -- another example of how people think and prepare for the unexpected here. We stopped at Fitzgerald on the way back. The area is growing with several new homes having been built since I was there in 2001. A short distance from Fitzgerald we met Paul. He had flown into Ft. Smith that morning and was coming out to meet us. When we got back to the Bed and Breakfast, we unpacked, sorted and repacked the gear. We loaded Paul’s trailer with the canoes and other gear he would be taking back to New Mexico. That evening we washed the dishes and packed them in the camp kitchen for my travels the next couple of weeks. Paul was feeling much better. He had giardia and was given an antibiotic to help get it under control. Irvin Norn had his scanner on when he heard the call that three American canoeist had called and that one needed help. When the RCMP returned to Ft. Chip, Charlie S and Irvin were at the dock. After Paul was released that night, he stayed with Irvin for a day and two nights. Cookie Simpson taught him how to do fish scale art and to play some native board games. Paul was able to get a flight from Ft. Chip to Ft. Smith via Ft. McMurray. When he arrived at Ft. Smith, Charlie W was there to pick him up and take him to the B&B. This was all done on their own; they were not contacted or asked to help.

On the Slave River	Slave River at Hey Camp
Gear cleaned and being loaded on truck for ride to Ft. Smith

Journal Summary, July 8-13, July 14, July 15, July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19, July 20, July 21, July 22, July 23, July 24, July 25, July 26, July 27-28, July 29, July 30, July 31, August 1, August 2-3