My last post took me half way up the Mackenzie river. I covered the water and risks. There are 11 settlements on the whole length of the river. I visited all of them. I started at Tuktoyaktuk then Reindeer station, Inuvik, Arctic Red River, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Fort Norman , Fort Wrigley, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Liard and Hay River. All of them were established a long time ago as trading posts except Inuvik and Norman Wells.
After going through the San Sault rapids we arrived at Norman Wells. As we slept on the boat that night a huge storm hit us. The canvas top on the boat gave way and we were flooded. Were were able to stay in a Govt. house. We dried out but the major storm lasted three days. The river had risen and the current was strong. After sitting for three days were were ready to go. As we were loading the boat one of the locals said , "Are you leaving in this?" We said "Sure." Were we wrong. The river was high and dangerous. We quickly decided to quit and found a safe inlet and stayed there for the day. The next day we travelled and went through Fort Norman. We had a long quiet stretch and reached Fort Wrigley. Then it was on to Fort Simpson. No problems through this stretch.
Before we reached Fort Providence we noticed and airplane circling. When we went to check in with the RCMP, we found out that a boat had capsized and two people were missing.
Crossing the end of Great Slave lake was going to be a challenge as you had to cross at the end of the lake and if there was wind, and there usually was, it could be risky. We got up very early just before sun up. There were waves but not bad. We moved slowly for many hours until we got to the mouth of the Hay River and then we were almost at the end of our journey.
We had to pack up the motors and boat and put them on a barge back to Inuvik where my friend had bought the equipment.
One thing the Micro Manager wouldn't go for is doing your business in the woods. So she bought a pot and had me make a seat. So what to do with the seat when the journey was over. She decided to just pitch it in the river and let it go. The crew on a nearby tugboat had a good laugh when they saw the toilet seat go sailing by.
I had told my mother that I would phone her when the trip ended so that was done.
Most of your comments had summarized the venture accurately. It was risky but a great adventure. One challenge was that we were going up the river so against the current. It would have been much easier to go down river with the current.
An interesting comment was that this would be very scenic. It's not. Most of what you see is river bank. In the odd place you had a view like the Camsel Range.
Crossing the end of Great Slave Lake
Now that you are both in your senior years, it must be heart warming to look back on your Mackenzie River adventure. I wonder if Jean's toilet seat is still bobbing about in the Arctic Ocean?
ReplyDeleteWe could make a good story out of that little convenience.
DeleteYou two certainly have a spirit of adventure. I could never have done that!
ReplyDeleteMany people talked about it but didn't get it done. It's a tough trip and not much scenery.
DeleteI am glad you lived to tell the tale. Oh my.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother was relieved too.
DeleteI've read a couple books on people who went the opposite way down the Hay and Mackenzie to the Artic Ocean and it seemed like a tough journey that way.
ReplyDeleteThe current is strong and you would travel much faster.
DeleteWhat a great story! I guess those two people must have died since you didn't tell about a rescue.
ReplyDeleteThey knew that they wee searching for bodies.
DeleteOK, I am oriented now. You were travelling south against the current, but it’s ok because you weren’t canoeing. I had my friend’s expedition in my and wasn’t quite oriented with your trip for awhile. 😀. /AC
ReplyDeleteIf you're on the river you will be well aware of the strong current.
DeleteWhat a great story, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think we learned a few things. We learned to be much more cautious.
DeleteWow! I loved this glimpse of a young pair of adventurers in their hey day! As an aside, how did Slave Lake get its name?
ReplyDeleteThe aboriginal people living in that area were known as Slavey so the white man can change it a bit.
DeleteFun to hear your stories about life years ago and good memories!
ReplyDeleteWe quite often talk about this trip and glad that we did it but would never try anything like that again.
DeleteWhat a trip. Thanks for recounting.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting all the way.
DeleteYouth knows no fears. Except maybe for "doing your business in the woods"! 🤣
ReplyDeleteGood one. Young men think they are invincible.
DeleteGreat memories -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSome things we look at an we shake our heads about doing it.
DeleteMust have been an awesome trip, and I can just see and hear the laughter of the tugboat crew.
ReplyDeleteIt was an awesome trip that took a lot of effort.
DeleteRed, I opened up your blog post on the left side of my monitor and opened up Google Earth on the right half. I followed along as you went down the River from the Arctic Ocean to Great Slave Lake. An amazing journey through the middle (edge?) of nowhere. Thanks for sharing! John
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if you kept a journal with notes for this adventure! I am enjoying reading about this trip, how fun for you to relive it by sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories and story of your time on the river.
ReplyDeleteI get motion sickness, sounds scary to be on a boat in a storm.
Take care, have a great day!
Wow your early life seems to be full of exciting adventures dear Red :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the post thoroughly!!!
Part about you both flooded away had me scared.
What a grace of God that you both ended up safely!
I agree with first comment that such memories shine our later years of life
Definitely an adventure to remember.
ReplyDelete