Northern Tier
July 17-25, 2011

Four adult leaders and 12 Scouts left the Snowville bus terminal on Saturday July 17th for a 24 hour bus trip to Atikokan, Ontario, Canada which was the Northern Tier canoe base. There were several other Troops on the bus for a total of about 61 people. Arriving at Atikokan on Sunday, we met with our guides, got our gear together and prepared to leave on the trek on Monday.

Every canoe held 3 people who took turns canoeing in the front and stern or resting in the middle. They also took turns on each of the portages in hauling either the two packs of gear, personal and Troop, or the canoe. A portage is the part of the trip on foot, since you needed to go over land to get to the next waterway. PFD's were ALWAYS on while on the water.

The weather was fantastic, except for one day of rain, the mosquitos and flies were nasty, the rapids were amazing, the comraderie was great. A few stayed up to view the Northern Lights, a once in a lifetime experience. One of the crews spent a day at a waterfall where their guide made them pizzas.

An awesome trip, and I look forward to writing more from other Scouts on this adventure!


Crew T071711H

Crew T071711I

CANADA!

Small town of Atikokan

The Base

Norther Tier Wilderness Grace

Fitting the pack

Helping get the large pack ready

This is the dock we need to leave from?

In the water with the canoe-wonderful water boots!

Spending time on the open water

Ready for some adventure

First dinner, fresh chicken, the rest was freeze dried, yum

Solar eclipse or UFO?

Putting iodine in water to make it potable

1500 calorie Hudson's Bay Bread

Rocks and rapids

Portaging up and over

Our interpreter, Alex

Fishing by the waterfall

Calm waters, beautiful scenery

Campfire by the waterside

Portaging an 85 pound canoe

Left, no Right!

A typical campsite

Happy portager