July
19 - 26, 2008
Click Here
to view a printable version
Trip Price: $1495
 Remote,
beautiful, quiet. Challenging, but not overwhelming.
Wabakimi Provincial Park, near Lake Nipigon, encompasses
thundering waterfalls, intimate streams, small sand
beaches, quiet expanses of lakes and rivers, and every
possible shade of green! The park includes three
million acres, three times the size of the Boundary
Waters and Quetico combined, with one-tenth of the
people visiting the park.
Following a night at a beautiful bed and breakfast
nestled near the edge of Wabakimi Provincial Park, we
set out early Sunday morning (July 20), loading our gear
and canoes onto the Canadian National Railway. Riding
along past miles of beautiful wilderness, our stop is
simply a mile marker along the tracks. We unload our
gear, the train leaves, and we have the sheer pleasure
of the peaceful northwoods—quiet and alive. We’ll
paddle north, deep into the park, and be picked up by
seaplane a week later.
 We’ll
take our time along the way, sometimes camping by
waterfalls, other times on sandy beaches or along the
rocky, wooded shore. The pace is not strenuous; there
is time for paddling, power-lounging, exploring, and
finding our rhythm in this wild country. We’re likely
to see far more beaver and eagle and other furred and
finned local residents than the two-legged human
variety. This route is so rarely traveled that the
portages are sometimes hard to follow. Hash marks on
the trees from old Indian routes are visible on several
of the trails.
There are, of course, a few memorable portages (for
bragging rights), but we’ll take our time and pace
ourselves. The route allows for a layover day along the
way—a good day to fish, read a book, explore the byways,
or simply enjoy the water sounds in the undisturbed
beauty of the far north.
Chris Heeter, founding director of The Wild Institute,
will be your guide. With 24 years of experience guiding
trips for women in the Canadian wilderness, she shares
her love of this area with great pleasure and
enthusiasm. Chris brings her training in wilderness
medicine and her gentle and inclusive leadership style
to create an environment that is safe, playful, and
welcoming.
*Our canoe trips follow the American Canoe Association
standards for instruction and safety
The details…
What to bring:
When you register, you'll receive a detailed packing list, so you'll be sure to have what you need. You bring only your personal gear, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Tents are provided at double occupancy. Though we try to keep the weight down for the packs, you are welcome to bring a small solo tent if you prefer.
How much experience, how in shape
do I need to be: We design the route based
specifically on each year’s group. We’ve traveled with
women new to canoe travel, longing for a remote
adventure, and we’ve traveled with long time
outdoorswomen eager to see new country and not worry
about food packing or route planning. In terms of
fitness, it’s helpful to do some stretching and
strengthening exercises before the trip, but not
necessary.
Weather: July is a
spectacular time to be in Northern Ontario. Many of the
bugs have left, days are in the 80’s (and sometimes
90’s), nights can get down to the high 50’s.
Meals: Food matters!
We bring hearty and delicious primarily vegetarian fare.
Many women are surprised by the amount of fresh
vegetables and mouth-watering menus prepared outdoors.
What does my trip fee cover:
Your trip fee of $1495 includes lodging at
Wildwaters Bed and Breakfast on Saturday night (July
19); shuttle to the train and train fare; seaplane; all
group gear; Ontario camping permits; food from breakfast
on Sunday, July 20 through lunch on Saturday, July 26; a
safe place to store cars and gear while on the water;
and a guide with decades of experience. It does not
include fishing licenses.
Schedule: Arrive at
Wildwaters Bed and Breakfast in Armstrong, Ontario the
evening of Saturday, July 19 (directions to follow when
you register). We’ll transfer gear into packs, and get
a good night’s sleep in preparation for our early
morning departure—the train leaves at 6AM! Then, we’re
on wild time, paddling, portaging, relaxing, getting to
know this powerful place. On Saturday, July 26, if
weather conditions cooperate, we’ll be picked up by
seaplane in the morning and flown back to the bed and
breakfast for a shower before heading home.
Group size: Minimum 3, maximum 6; we
tread very lightly in Wabakimi, following minimum impact
practices and limiting group size in order to preserve
the rugged and delicate ecosystem.
Transportation:
Armstrong is 150 miles north of Thunder Bay, Ontario—one
long day’s drive from the Minneapolis area. The nearest
airport is Thunder Bay, others fly into Minneapolis or
Duluth if they are able to arrange carpooling with women
driving from the Twin Cities area. Wildwaters also
offers a (rather pricey) shuttle service from the
Thunder Bay airport. Before the trip, you’ll receive a
list of other women going on the trip in order to
coordinate carpooling or other logistics. If you fly,
plan on flying out on Sunday, July 27 at the earliest.
**A NOTE ABOUT REMOTE WILDERNESS TRAVEL: SEAPLANES
ARE VERY DEPENDENT ON WEATHER. MANY TIMES WE’VE BEEN
PICKED UP ON TIME, OTHER TIMES WE’VE BEEN PICKED UP
SEVERAL HOURS LATE, AND ONCE WE STAYED OUT AN EXTRA
NIGHT WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO CLEAR**
Payment information:
Your deposit is not refundable. If you must cancel,
please do so in writing. If you cancel 50 days prior to
the trip or more, the balance of your trip fee is
refundable; 30 to 49 days, the balance of your trip fee
is transferable to any other Wild Institute trip through
the end of the following year; 0-29 days, the trip fee
is not refundable or transferable. We strongly
recommend that you purchase travel insurance so that you
can recover your losses should you need to cancel or be
evacuated from a trip. Some companies that Wild Institute participants have
used are: CSA Travel Protection (800-348-9505)
www.csatravelprotection.com/comfort; and Travel Insured, 800-243-3174. The WILD Institute reserves
the right to alter trip plans due to severe weather,
water/snow conditions, or other unforeseen
circumstances.
How do I sign up: A
deposit of $400 holds your spot, and payment in full is
due by May 20, 2008. With your deposit, please send
name, address, phone, and e-mail address to:
The WILD Institute
P.O. Box 353
Loretto, MN 55357
Click Here to view and print registration form
(This document requires
Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view.)
Back to top
|
