Each day a different member of our group would volunteer to write their perspective of the days events...

July 15, 2001 to July 18, 2001 (Fort Simpson to Flood Creek)

We should be on the river by now, but due to rain & low ceiling the floatplane cannot fly, so we spent an extra day in a hotel. Now we are hanging around base camp passing time and waiting for word on weather conditions at Rabbit Kettle Lake. Spirits are high. This may be a wet trip I think. Mosquitoes are bad and will be worse so I am buying a bug shirt and I think it will be well used by the time I get off the river.

(July 16, 2001) We are still waiting for the floatplane. It is noon and we have been waiting for 4 hours. Weather is still overcast...BUMMER. There are a dozen or more people at base camp just waiting. A fine lunch is served.

Good news...weather is clearing at Rabbit Kettle and the plane is on its way.

The plane is being loaded with ½ the gear, 3 canoes and 5 people. A big load for so small a plane, but it fits.

We are off!! For a 1-½ hour flight through the clouds, but they start to breakup as we near our destination. As we begin to lose altitude we fly between craggy mountains whose peaks are just above the tree line. Snow is still in the weathered valleys forming small rivulets of run off for the wildlife.

Touching down in a spray of water as the floats gently touch the still lake surface. We tie up to the dock where the ranger is waiting. With one prop still running everyone pitches in to unload.

Ranger Carl Lafferty greets us as he tells us there is a sow grizzly with cubs in the area and our trip to the Tufa Mounds is called off. We bring our gear to the camp and set up for the night. We eat a good meal and Carl comes over to regale us with stories, mostly about the people who lived along the river before the white man came here. We turned in for a good sleep at 12:30AM.

Next day (July 17, 2001) we portaged our gear to the river where we loaded the canoes and listened to a talk on river safety given by Krystal and Lowell. Due to the late start that day we decided to camp across the river.

On The River (July 18, 2001)
We start our journey on the river after a good nights sleep shoving off into an intimidating current. But soon everyone is paddling confidently, enjoying our first day on the river.

The background is mountains populated with pine trees and lots of other vegetation. I keep looking for wildlife but see none except for tracks along the shore.

We stop for lunch on a gravel-bar. Cold salmon and pita bread. When we leave the current is tricky and Rick and Jen come close to tipping their canoe, but only get a little water in their canoe. One more stop at Hell Roaring Creek to rest, then camp is made at Flood Creek. Mosquitoes are bad here; they swarm into the tent when the screen is opened. The ground is soft.

Rick caught a nice Dolly Varden trout and we all applauded him as well as took pictures. He caught another but it broke his line. He practices catch and release. I will now turn this journal over to some one else to continue.

Gary

July 19, 2001 (Flood Creek to Virginia Falls; from memory after journal took a swim)

Everyone awoke this morning rejuvenated and revitalized after witnessing me catch that huge Dolly Varden last night. We quickly packed our gear after another fantastic breakfast. We headed down the river. Today we were faced with slow current and large meanders. We certainly had enough time to practice our paddling strokes.

We paddled down the river.

At lunch, we stopped along one of the meanders. We ate lunch while skipping stones into the Nahanni. Tom and Paul competed for the championship.

We paddled down the river.

This afternoon was hot and plenty of water was consumed. We stopped again for a snack and a rest. Moose, wolf and bear tracks were spotted along a creek. Later on, 2 mud monsters emerged from the bog but we were relieved to find out it was Paul and Jen.

We paddled down the river.

On river left we noticed an osprey nest at the top of a tree and soaring above us were 2 osprey displaying incredible grace in the air.

We paddled down the river.

Finally Sunblood Mtn came into view, but there was still plenty of paddling to do. We gathered firewood on a little island while a few of us took pictures of a Yellow Leg (bird).

We paddled down the river.

As we approached Virginia Falls the louder the crashing water became. Finally the dock came into view. We landed, unpacked the gear and portaged it to the campsite.

NO MOSQUITOES!

Camp was set up, dinner was served and a few of us were surprised to see a "Full Moon" above Virginia Falls, surely a rare sight with so much sunlight.

I hit my sleeping bag looking forward to a little hike up Sunblood Mtn tomorrow.

This area is truly spectacular, every second I am here I am absorbing its beauty.

I am able to finish writing this at 12:15AM

Rick

July 20, 2001 (Virginia Falls layover day; from memory after journal took a swim)

We awoke to a clear, but cool morning that rapidly became hot, eventually unpleasantly hot. Lowell, Krystal and Paul prepared another great breakfast, which Lowell bravely defended from the Whiskey Jacks.

It was great to get a break from taking down tents and figuring out how to stuff all our gear into bags that we know held it the day before, but don't seem to the next time we pack it...I finally have appreciation for the meaning of stuff bags.

We then did something unusual...we separated. Krystal and Paul and Jen, Rick and Bill up Sunblood. Starting at 10am we finally reached the summit at 2:20pm. Along the way we had progressively better and differing views of Sluice Box Rapids and parts of Virginia Falls, and up and down the valley. We all felt privileged to be there.

Along the way Krystal and Paul pointed out different flowers. They were old friends to some of us, and new pleasures to others. Books were pulled out to try to identify some with some creative naming required. We wished that Gary were along to help. Paul gave us a treatise on trees and shrubs.

When we finally reached the top...hot, tired and sweaty we were rewarded with magnificent views 355° around. We could see far upriver from where we had come...to hills and mountains all around...and down river to where we would head tomorrow.

5° of view were taken up by a man made phallic symbol that Gary might have appreciated but was such an eye sore that none of us would even include it in pictures.

By reaching the top Rick and Jen could be inaugurated into the Manitoba Order of Mountain Goats. We set Jen the task of calculating how many times the vertical height of Manitoba we had climbed.

The trip down was very hot and seemed steeper than the way up. We all ran out of water in the heat. In vain we looked down karst holes for a water slide to take us down to the Nahanni. In vain we also continually searched for both Naha on the cliff and hills above, and for Dall Sheep.

When we finally reached the bottom we reveled in a cool swim/dunking in the Nahanni.

During the day, Lowell had the rest of the folks wandering down a trail close to them. Much of their day was spent avoiding the sweltering heat.

Lowell had supper ready perfectly timed for the Sunblood group. We didn't know how he managed it but we later learned he had his Naha spies who saw the Sunblood party descending.

After dinner Adele, the super enthusiastic park naturalist took several of us to the falls...along the way expounding on the flora, geology and history. Jen took a picture of her avidly describing a rock. We wonder though how Jen will relate to her Grade 1 class how Adele was describing the Bastard Toad Flax and how the flowers of Witches Broom smelled like semen...or so Adele said she had read.

Gary and Adele were frequently seen huddled around plants...talking about their names and features. Gary must have taken one or more pictures of every plant currently flowering...a formidable accomplishment.

After that I was too tired to listen to a park interpreter. I went to sleep...appreciating the sound of rushing water and with the buzzing mosquitoes in my ears. Tomorrow promises to be an exciting day.

Bill

July 21, 2001 (Virginia Falls to Marengo Creek)

It is July ?? and I don't care I'm having too much fun. The day started out early as I (Tom) got up at 6:00am to help portage gear to the bottom of the falls. All of the food in the cache was taken down to the dock except for the food for breakfast. Lowell paddled the canoe to the start of the portage while Paul, Krystal and myself walked the boardwalk.

We arrived and Lowell had half the canoe unloaded. We took as much as we could and headed off. The sun was low in the sky so it was much cooler than the daytime when we all would return. After returning we had an excellent meal, of course!

By the time we were done the camp was packed up and we took our gear down to the dock. It was then over to the portage. It took many hours to get all the gear and by this time the sun was up and it was another hot day. I know that I drank 5 litres of water, as I am sure the rest did also. It was great to see again everyone pitch in and do their best.

After all was down we realized that we were missing a spray skirt for one of the canoes. Paul went back to camp to see if he could find it. He came back empty handed. There was some speculation that maybe the wolf we had in camp that night might have dragged it off.

We all had a snack and lashed 4 of the canoes together to create 2 canyon rigs. We then packed our gear and had a talk about how we were going to go down. Lowell instructed us on how we were going to start off and from then on we were going to follow his lead. Paul and I had a small discussion before we left and we were off. I was excited as this was what I was waiting for.

The first section went pretty good. We took in a lot of water. Do not know how it got there, maybe it was the 4 or 5 huge standing waves that we went through. I would like to know why they call it a spray skirt because from where I was sitting there was a little more than a spray. Through the waves it seemed the bow was under the water more than it was above. After the first section we went ashore and bailed. One of the canyon rigs did not do so well as they ran it without the spray skirt. Some of us were amazed at how well they work.

After we all bailed we set off again and followed our fearless leader. All was going well and we were right in position behind him. We were part way through and had a couple of inches of water in our canoe but that was not a worry. All of a sudden Lowell's canyon rig hit a large hole, it stopped them dead and then they started to come back at us. By this time it was too late and I knew that this was not good. All I remember is that Lowell and his crew were able to power their way through and at this point I saw a large hole. The bow went down and then kept going.

I felt like a submarine. I was unsure what was going to happen, but I knew that it was all over, the canoeing part of it, next came the swimming part. I stuck with the canoe until it keeled right over; then held onto my paddle and jumped ship. I was allowed, as I was not the Captain. I did not see, but I believe that Paul stuck it out a bit longer, being the brave captain he is. He later talked about how he was molested by the wave. The water/swim was nice and Lowell, our fearless leader, made sure it was short. He got us out and then we pushed our oversized "bobber" ashore. Our only loss was a bailer.

We then ferried across to Marengo Creek and made camp. We removed our gear, which was 10-15 lbs. heavier. I realize that using a dry bag doesn't mean that things will stay dry.

We sat down to a great meal and discussed our adventures. Lowell swears he did not see the hole. (I think he was checking the scenery out for his next shot). We all dried our gear and were glad it was a hot day. We then called it a day. Tomorrow we are able to sleep in. It was an excellent day. ARGHHH my back...it would have been a perfect day if I wasn't so sore, but after the portage we are all in the same boat. Good night!

Tom

July 22, 2001 (Marengo Creek to The Gate)

July 23, 2001 (The Gate to Dry Canyon Creek)

Needed a little help from Bill to wake up this morning! Had put in a 7:00am wake-up call so I wouldn't miss the hike up The Gate. Camp was a little quiet, just Bill and I and our over-worked, industrious guides. After a quick bowl of oatmeal and a brief conversation about the habits of an unexpected visit from a bear overnight, Bill and I, accompanied by Paul set off on our hike.

We scrambled over fallen rocks, up a steep trail, stopping a few times to look down on the camp. We got almost to the top and stopped to enjoy the stunning view and take some pictures. (I must tell you that both Paul and Bill went up and down the slopes like Dall Sheep, while I resorted to scrambling on all fours or sliding on my backside). Unfortunately we ran out of time and didn't quite make it to the top. So with visions of Lowell's cinnamon buns dancing through our heads we headed back to camp. We arrived back at 10am just in time for a second breakfast...I had 2 cinnamon buns...2 BIG HORKING BUNS!

Canoes were once again loaded, no canyon-rigs and wet suits today, although Jen and Rick wore theirs in order to assist our guides in the event of a rescue situation (they are very thoughtful people).

We paddled through 3rd Canyon, the Funeral Range with lunch at The Big Bend. The scenery has been fantastic today, sheer cliffs, caves and a mountain Lowell refers to as "Full Moon Mountain"...doesn't take a great deal of imagination to figure out why.

After lunch it was on to 2nd Canyon, the Headless Range and Deadman Valley where we got our first look at the Tlogotsho Plateau. God the landscape is stunning!!

After a brief stop at the "sign-in" station at Prairie Creek to "sign-in" and explore the cabin filled with paddles we made camp at Dry Canyon Creek.

Although our day had been rather uneventful our dinner conversation was lively to say the least. A fascinating conversation ensued regarding the effects of olives on women. This conversation caused a large number of them to be loaded onto one of our parties plates. Due to the diverse nature of our interests this was followed by a story about labour arbitration caused by flatulence! To top off the night, Tom posed some brainteasers to the group and a stick game that at least one of our guides found frustrating.

Its been another great day on a great river with a fantastic group of people!

Barb

July 24, 2001 (Dry Canyon Creek to Kraus Hotsprings)

It was a dark and stormy night on the Nahanni River. I could not sleep. I lay in my tent looking out the screen at dark objects in the distance, listening to the wind, wondering when the tarp would fall over. When I did sleep I had strange dreams about summer camp games involving sticks and numbers.

By the time I get up and get my tent down, Lowell and Paul are already hard at work; corn bread batter is ready in the dutch oven. I need caffeine and I need it soon. It is still a little cloudy, so it feels a little somber to me, maybe a little pre-"George Riffle" mood is in the air. Eating my corn bread still half a sleep on the inside. I watch the group interacting, laughing together. Before I know it boats are being loaded, everyone is pitching in to carry gear down, wetsuits are on and we head towards "George's".

I am feeling a little more nervous now that Lowell tells me he has dumped there before. Damn. Scouting rapids before running always feels slightly surreal to me. Walking down the smooth stone beach, the vibrant colours of the canyon walls ahead seem distant due to the size of those waves. Looking at "George's", however, it is easy to see a route that will avoid most of the big waves (except for that last set coming off the wall by the ledge, are those sideways? What will happen to my boat there I wonder?).

As we paddle down from where we pulled out to scout, I test out a bit of The Gambler to see if it is calming. Not really. Following Lowell and Gary, Jen and Rick, Bill and I ferry right across the 2 channels coming down the right side of the island. With Bill's power in the bow I am able to put the boat exactly where I want to go, and slide into the calm water above the chute. Tom and Barb follow without any problems but that crazy white solo boat has a mind of its own. Paul is surfing above "George's", stuck in the eddy line, makes a few attempts to get across to us but the current keeps pushing him back. Oh Dude, don't dump here is pretty much all I can think.

Paul is on his way through "George's", solo, bobbing like a cork, riding the waves. Amazingly he manages to keep the boat upright, so the rest of us follow. I am in position to go first, and although my heart feels like it is on fire, and although part of me a few minutes ago couldn't wait to be safely on the other side, when I point my boat down stream I feel completely and totally alive and immersed in the moment. I couldn't tell you any thoughts that go through my head or explain any plan or intent I have about where I want my boat to go, I only know how my paddle feels in the water, how I am surrounded by waves, rock, and motion.

Once Bill and I are through, I look back and see 3 more boats behind me dwarfed by the waves. When everyone is through right side up, Bill and I turn to follow Paul downstream. His canoe is half way under water in the back and his progress towards shore is slow, but he is still upright. I am so impressed. After some bailing and laughing and changing out of wet suits, we start our float through 1st Canyon. Lowell makes a suggestion for a lunch spot but I ask if we can stop sooner, because I want to stay in this canyon as long as possible. Each second I am trying to absorb as much as I can, scanning each rock wall, watching the water rush past the bases of the cliffs.

We stop for lunch on a bit of a boulder field which offers minimal bathroom facilities, but I hope that the group has bonded enough that they can deal with this. Judging by the sound nap that Gary takes after lunch spread out on a pile of rock, I think everyone seems to be pretty relaxed.

Our next hour and a half is spent looking up at shear walls, cliff faces and blue sky beyond. We reach "White Spray Spring" that offers the world's best and perhaps coldest water gushing out of the side of a cliff. Rick tries his hand at some fishing and everyone fills up on water. All too soon we are at "Lafferty's" where we stop to get wood and have a brief visit with another Nahanni River Adventures group.

A few mosquitoes greet us at "Krauses", after we skirt the big waves of "Lafferty's Riffle". A huge supper of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, Waldorf salad comes together with help from Jen. It is fun to visit and joke with everyone while we are working and a slight breeze makes the mosquitoes more tolerable. After triffle for dessert, and Barb's help with dishes, we hit the hot springs, which feel great.

After seeing that none of us are really turning green or keeling over, Gary decides to join us, thankfully with swim trunks on. A dip in the river to clean off and everyone quickly disappears into tents. As I am writing, the sound of the river is all I can hear, except for Tom complaining about his pillow. There are so many more things I wish to write about. As we were paddling towards "George's" this morning, Bill said to me that he didn't think that there were words in the English language to describe the canyon around us. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to paddle through this amazing place, and it is also very satisfying to me to watch the group enjoy such an amazing place, and have fun together.

Krystal

July 25, 2001 (Kraus Hotsprings to The Splits)

"Sounds of The Nahanni"

Silence of a calm Nahanni morning
Ravens cawing
Water rippling past Krauss Hotsprings
Sleeping bags swishing
Tent zippers zipping
Good Mornings.

Firewood crackling
Water boiling
Dutch Oven banging
Coffee pouring
Breakfast conversation.

Cloth home stuffing
Paddle cabin door creaking
Canoe freight bumping
Ropes stretching
ABS scraping rock.

Paddles dipping
Rain gear slipping against itself
Converging currents
Gravel shoals
Silt.

Pasta salad stirring
Logs falling
Scrape of metal utensils on hard plastic bowls
Snoring.

Hard rain crashing
Cheers in the rain
Water dripping off the brim of my hat
Singing
Our hearts silent good-byes to Nahanni National Park.

Shoes on a gravel flat
Short zips to a bug free head
Tent poles snapping
Cameras clicking
Bison roaming.

Knives chopping
Tin cans opening
Whisking in a metal bowl
Beans bubbling
Dinner discussions.

Off pelting ones gluteus maximus
Tent zippers zipping
Small pops of blood filled dipterans
Sleeping bags swishing
Silence of a calm Nahanni evening.

Lowell

July 26, 2001 (The Splits to Blackstone Territorial Park)