Churchill River #1 Boreal Primer Expedition
2024 Dates | # of Days | Cost | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Aug 14th to 21st | 8 | $3995 | Beg/Inter |
Get Signed Up For This Activity
Aug 14th to 21st
Start Date
8
Duration (days)
$3995
Cost
Beg/Inter
Skill Level
Day 1 - August 14 Travel to Missinipe, SK
Flights from Saskatoon to La Ronge (12:45pm arrival time Rise Air 502), CRCO shuttle pickup at the airport to Missinipe (80 km). Alternatively drive yourself to Missinipe
Pre trip meeting, gear check, dinner, overnight at CRCO in Missinipe
Day 2 - Charter Float Plane upstream Churchill River
Breakfast
Charter flight to Needle Falls on the Churchill River
Set up camp, canoe skills review
Day 3 to Day 7 - Paddle the Churchill River
The unspoiled clear waters of the Churchill flow through a number of lakes and rapids. There are many fun runnable rapids, and a few falls that we will have to portage. Each night, we will camp at a new site, surrounded by ruggedly beautiful scenery.
Day 8 - Aug 21 End of the Adventure
Paddling ends at Devil Lake or Otter Rapids. Shuttle back to Missinipe (5 km).
Shuttle van back to La Ronge Airport 4:15 flight to Saskatoon
(optional) Group Dinner and overnight in Missinipe
Itinerary
Guides
5:1 ratio
Meals
trail meals & snacks from Day 2 lunch to Day 8 lunch
Dinner & breakfast in Missinipe on Day 1 & 2
Canoeing Equipment:
Prospector expedition canoes
Paddles, PFD, helmets (you may bring your own)
Throw lines and other safety accessories
‘Kitchen’ - tarp, fire box, cooking stoves, utensils, dishes, etc
Safety Equipment:
First aid and repair kits, communications equipment (satellite phone)
Canoe rescue gear
Local Transportation:
Charter flight to Needle Falls from Missinpe, Saskatchewan
Shuttle from La Ronge Airport at start of trip and return at end of trip
Transportation of guides, group gear, canoe etc to and from trip
Accommodations
1 night in Missinipe on Day 1
What Is Included
Saskatchewan tax: GST 5%, PST 6% of the trip fee
Personal clothing and gear - recommended clothing & equipment list will be provided
Travel between your home and the trip rendezvous - La Ronge, Saskatchewan
Accommodation in Missinipe SK after the trip
Any meals in Missinipe after the trip
Any additional expenses or costs incurred as a result of delays to the trip caused by factors beyond our control - i.e. wind, waves, unsafe paddling conditions, forest fire, pandemic, etc
Any costs associated with your emergency evacuation from the trip - please contact us at CRCO for more information
Gratuities - we recommend $20 per day per guide
Tents (Available upon request) standing custom expedition dome tents - 2 per tent
What Is Not Included
Let the aroma of a fresh-brewed coffee draw you from your tent to a buffet of fresh fruit and granola while bacon and eggs sizzle on the grill!
Shore lunches include a great selection of bread, meat, cheese, bruschetta or hummus, fresh veggies and of course, good old peanut butter and jam.
After a great day of paddling, enjoy a nutritious, hearty meal with a tasty dessert while you sit around the fire to tell tales of your adventures.
Our focus is on fresh local produce where we can combined with freeze dried and dehydrated food. Our fresh meats are sourced and prepared locally and you will taste the flavors of the boreal in our locally sourced wild berries, teas and mushrooms.
What is the Food like?
Fly to Saskatoon SK (YXE), From Saskatoon Fly to La Ronge SK via Rise Air flight 502 on the fist day of the itinerary. You will be then greeted by CRCO staff and shuttled by Van to Missinipe which is our home base and the launch point the expedition.
Alternatively you may drive to Missinipe yourself. Missinipe is located 480 km north of Saskatoon SK.
How To Get To This Trip
Sit around the campfire with Ric Driediger himself as celebrity guest on our August 14th expedition!
The Churchill River is unique in its form. It is a series of lakes joined by rapids or falls. Flowing over the Precambrian Shield, it passes through a forested landscape of rock outcroppings and muskeg. The many lakes making up the Churchill are sprinkled with tree-covered islands. The rapids are generally short and shelf-like in nature. The more difficult rapids can be easily portaged by those without the skills to run them. The total trip length of the route is 105 km, which is covered in eight days. Along the route are rapids, which we’ll either elect to run or portage after evaluation of conditions by the guides. The Voyageur Highway passes through some of the most beautiful country. Photographic opportunities abound along the entire length of the trip.You may see bald eagles and white pelicans fishing below rapids, moose wading in the shallows, black bears wandering along the shore, and enjoy evening concerts by common loons at sunset. As we trace the path of the Voyageurs east, you can imagine these adventurous times. You will also see ancient rock paintings of the first inhabitants of the Churchill area.
The Churchill River trip meets at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters in Missinipe, Saskatchewan. We will overnight there, before heading by charter flight to Needle Falls on the Churchill RIver. The guides will review paddling strokes, canoe maneuvers and safety before we head downstream. At the first rapids we’ll go over river reading and route planning. From here on it is mostly lake paddling with some really fun rapids in between. Expect some portages each day at waterfalls, or rapids that we cannot, or you would prefer not to paddle. Most portages are less than 200m, but the last day, depending on the route we choose, and the skill of the group there could be a portage of 1100m. On our last day, we’ll be picked up noon by our van for our ride back to Missinipe (6 km) and for those who need to, on to La Ronge to connect with late afternoon flights to Saskatoon. Some in the group may want to stay overnight for a celebratory meal together.