Pukatawagan to Leaf Rapids

This portion of our trip has been a test of our abilities in many different ways. First, we have been under a tremendous time deadline as Tami must reach Leaf Rapids by 5:30PM on the 3^rd of August. Second, because we have reached the portion of the trip where we have very little information about the route and what to expect. Third, we have reached a region that is less traveled and the lakes are continuing to get larger and larger.

From the very beginning, we knew that Tami would be unable to complete the entire trip due to her obligations to begin the school year teaching in Terrace, British Columbia. Fortunately, Jared Wolcott was more than willing to step into her place and complete the final leg of the expedition in her place. Our problem was to reach Leaf Rapids in time.

As for the lack of information. Well, there are other sources than paddling guides and outfitters for information on rapids, portages and obstacles to our path. Through careful map reading one can identify the likely locations for rapids and waterfalls, and with a little experience one can predict you can often predict where the portage will be located, if a trail exists at all! Through these means we had identified at least 5 areas of potential concern and a few minor constrictions of the river channel.

Now that I am writing from the downstream end, I can assure you that everything went exceptionally well. Only 4 portages, each one was easy to locate, we shot the Devil Rapids and the biggest challenges of the entire trip were simply distance, wind and endurance to continue. We have averaged just under 55km/day for 6 days and are thoroughly ready for our first day off in 28 days.

In the months following the trip I will be compiling all of the information on this latter section of the trip and publishing it onto this website as a service to future travelers. This section of the river, as all sections do, has its very own character and beauty. In some ways we feel that we have reached the most beautiful section of the river to date. It certainly has the feel of remoteness and wildness, of being relatively untouched.

The feel of approaching winter is starting to be felt around us. We have noticed a couple of aspen trees that have begun to turn colours, the nights are getting decidedly cooler and we are starting to feel a sense of urgency in our paddling. Perhaps, like the animals and birds, we are starting to sense the return of frost and snows and know that are time is becoming limited.

The next messages and updates will not occur until after we reach Churchill around August 21. Until that point we will continue to enjoy the north, its beauty and the challenges that it provides. For those of you clamouring for photos, the difficulty of uploading, sifting and delivering on the limited battery that we possess has become too great an obstacle at this point in time.

David T. Delafield

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