8:30 am: Started paddling 7:15 pm: Arrived at Ft.Chipewyan marina Today’s distance: 21.2 mi. Trip Total: 285.7 mi. GPS Readings (UTM) Lunch: 12V 478050 6504670 Camp (marina): 12V 491504 6508070 |
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| We knew we had a long day ahead with over 20 miles against the current. We got moving relatively early and were on the water by 8:30. We made good progress and started seeing a few boats as we neared the QF junction. One was a park ranger going to Peace Point (we saw him return later that day), a second was what looked like a grandfather teaching his granddaughter ‘how to drive’ and then a few at the junction checking their fish lines/nets, etc. One came over and asked if we wanted a ride. I told Paul that after paddling this far, there was no way we were not going to paddle into Ft. Chipewyan. When we made the turn west at the junction, I started to feel the anticipation of paddling into Ft. Chip. It was definitely special when we started to see it in the distance. As we entered Lake Athabasca we encountered swells and waves. While not big, they were more than we wanted to chance paddling across two miles of water. Instead we paddled west through bull rush and cattails to the mouth of the Rochers River. The point is near the site of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Nottingham House and was a good place to camp. The view up Lake Athabasca was beautiful, the wind was blowing in our face and the sea gulls were feeding on what looked like shrimp floating in the eddies. I had visited there before and I got the same special feeling this time as then. It must have showed because Paul made the remark that they would be back here again some day to spread some of my ashes. This, probably more than anything else, conveyed to him what this trip meant to me. We talked about camping here. Paul remarked that a good bed, shower and a beer would sure feel good. We were able to easily cross the mouth of the Rochers and follow the shoreline to the marina without encountering waves. When we got to shore, I walked up to the motel to see if rooms were available (there were) and Paul talked to the Alberta Environmental Department located next to the landing for permission to store the canoes and gear there. They were glad to help out. All the restaurants in town were closed after eight, so we ate another ‘lunch’ for dinner and showered. The shower sure felt good after 13 days on the water and a long, hard but exciting day. |
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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
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Exit Peace River Canoe Trip
Last updated: April 13, 2004