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 |