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Tundra-Treeline Springtime Paddle

THIS TRIP IS TEMPORARLY TRIP CLOSED

Please check out or current active water trips:

- Clarke-Thelon River Expedition
- Musk-ox, Moose & Inuit History
- Tundra Treeline Autumn Paddle

 

Meander with us downstream on the rarely-paddled Eileen & Snowdrift Rivers - from the edge of the Arctic tundra and into the tree-line of the taiga Precambrian boreal forests - during the spring bloom and the tundra wolves den cycle!

running some riffles on the Snowdrift / Great Canadian Ecoventures

 

The Eileen & Snowdrift River both source only a few kilometres from that of the Thelon, and ends on Stark & Great Slave Lake near the traditional Dene' settlement of Lutsel K'e.

 

 

 

 

 

we will board a float aircraft to fly 120 airmiles past the tree-line and out over the remote Arctic tundra known locally as the 'Barrenlands'. Here, we will land at our isolated wildlife basecamp located on the sand esker systems of the upper Thelon River: one of the most isolated regions in mainland North America - where we will overnight, meet the leaders, and do a trip briefing & orientation.

The beautiful sand eskers of the uopper Thelon & Eileen Rivers - photo copyright Maxwell Finkelstein

Then, the following day, we will shuttle by air to Norwegian Lake on the Eileen River, and the start of this remarkable canoe trip!

 

 

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Springtime musk-oxen herd near Snowdrift / copyright Terry Elliott

Where our route begins on Norwegian Lake on the upper section of the Eileen River sightings of tundra white wolves and musk-oxen are common. 

wolf pup near Sandy Lake on the Snowdrift / photo by Scott Sway

 

Further down river, we have a good chance of encountering moose, timber wolves & black bear. The Snowdrift valley is esker-laden, is extremely beautiful and has rarely been paddled by anyone!

wet black bear near Great Slave Lake / copyright David Welling

 

esker along snowdrift River in spring green/ Great Canadian Ecoventures

En route are excellent campsites, archaeology, beautiful waterfall & cascades, rich native history & early trappers history, nesting shorebirds & birds-of-prey, spring flower bloom and the midnight sun!  As this trip occurs during the summer solstice, participants will experience 23 hours of sunlight!

 

gyrfalcons in grey phase / photo by Michelle Wallace

 

Gus's Toll shack -old trapper abode on Sandy Lake - Snowdrift River / photo by Michelle Wallace

The unique expedition ends 15 days later at the traditional Dene' camping area of Siltaza Lake.

This canoe trip is a Class II paddle (with occasional lining) and a few short portages - thus suitable for all ages in moderate physical condition.

canoe group in interprative discusssion / photo by Lou Gardella Sr.


 
 

 

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Wolf Pup - photo by Terry Elliott
Photo by Bill Silliker, Jr.

 

 

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Great Canadian Wilderness Adventures
Phone: 1-800-667-9453 (Canada & USA)
Overseas Phone: +807-727-3758
North American toll-free Fax: 866-416-5548
Email
: tundra@thelon.com
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