Trip Summary
The New Breed This expedition follows the lower fur trade route from Banff in the Canadian Rockies to Montreal, Quebec. It will be primarily a solo canoe journey, as one ageing Metis adventurer journeys the historic waterways of Canada’s lower fur trade route, paddling and portaging in the footsteps of his ancestors, 5 generations earlier. In doing so, it will bring to life the story of the Metis past, present, and future. Expedition starts May 1st 2017 with the completion upon arrival at Montreal in mid to late September 2017.
Trip Description The expedition concept started over ten years ago. With the passing of my father, I had a realization that our family history was being lost with the passage of time. For the sake of my children and myself, I decided to research our Metis ancestral roots. I made the astonishing discovery that my family played a role as best supporting actors in the Canadian fur trade. In virtually all of the waterways I had planned to paddle has been traveled by my ancestors over two hundred years prior.
“Brothers John & Donald McKAY entered the fur trade by way of Montreal in 1782”
http://www.redriverancestry.ca/McKAY-JOHN-1758.php http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/mckay_john_5E.html As a film maker, the concept arose of making an educational documentary on the Metis people. The trip ties together the past, the present, and my children’s future as the Metis culture continues to evolve in a rapidly changing world. This will be a completely non mechanized canoe trip and rely entirely on the physical strength of the participants. There are as many as 70 portages between Banff and Montreal. Section 1 - Banff to Winnipeg (May 1st to June 10th)
The route itself begins from my hometown of Banff, Alberta. A location that had become part of our family’s oral history as far back as 1858 when my 4th great grandfather John Richard McKay guided the Hind expedition from the Red River district to the Rockies. The first leg follows the Bow River which eventually joins the Red Deer River and becomes the South Saskatchewan River. The Saskatchewan fills the Diefenbaker Dam water reserve. At the area known as the Elbow is the water source for the Qu’Appelle River. This river also was known as the lower fur trade route into the Interior of the North West Territories is a direct line to the Red River country. The primary hazard on this section will be the spring melt and potential flooding, a short lived event that can easily be waited out. This is the far western extension of the Qu’Appelle valley and grows slowly in its flow rate as the prairies shed their winter snowpack. At the confluence of the next major waterway the Qu’Appelle River becomes the Assiniboine. After three days travel from this point, the Assiniboine spills into the Red River at present day Winnipeg. Section 2 - Winnipeg to Thunder Bay (June 10th to July 15th) I will be joined by Todd Joyal a young Metis activist from this point. The next section follows the Red River north to Lake Winnipeg. The initial part of the outlet is a series of complex mud flats not normally recommended as a pleasurable canoe route. The maze eventually ends and Lake Winnipeg provides the next objective hazard. The shallow nature of the lake and high winds can raise capsizing surf. Fortunately one can beach almost anywhere along this stretch and wait out the weather if required. A few days travel northeast following the shoreline brings one to the outlet of the Winnipeg River. At one time this was a bit of a grunt for the Voyagers as they fought the upstream current. These days because of hydro-electric dams, the river is more a series of lakes with short portages and the vast majority of the threatening rapids have been removed. After a week into this stage should bring us into the Lake of the Woods district, a complex chain of lakes and as many as 29 portages. This is a remote section of water with only the occasional fish camp as a sign of civilization. Kenora, Ontario is the last major resupply station before reaching Thunder Bay. These waters are rich in fur trade history and a major struggle for control of this area took place between the riveting HBC and NWCo. After arriving at the boundary waters bordering the U.S., the trip takes a real turn towards history. Having dug up archival material, it is my intention to retrace the HBC/NWCo overland portage route used to avoid the American alternative known as Grand Portage. While more difficult, it avoided heavy taxes leaned against the fur companies. It is quite likely that this route has not been repeated since the railroad was completed a hundred and thirty years ago. No recent information is available of the route and our crossing will make a nice addition to the
http://www.myccr.com/ data base. Todd and myself will certainly be the first Metis over this section in quite some time. Crossing the height of land takes us to the upper section of the Dog River. A few class II rapids which can be avoided lead us into Dog lake, which acts as the headwaters of the Kaministiquia River. This river also has a few portages and one major waterfall that would be unsurvivable should one be foolish enough to go near it. The final section of the river is a pleasant run into Thunder Bay (former Fort William ).
Section 3 - Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie (July 15th to August 10th) From Thunder Bay the trip changes completely in nature. The north shore of NW Lake Superior has extended sections of towering cliffs and rocky coves. Shore landings are less plentiful. The primary safety feature on this section is allowing for plenty of time to sit out undesirable weather. Optimizing local wind patterns. The Sea 1 canoe will be tricked out with a Falcon Sail Kit and is the best craft of its kind to take advantage of favourable wind conditions. There are a number supply points before reaching Superiors mid-point Marathon, Ontario. After solid day of paddling Pukaskwa National Park Visitor Centre is reached and will be the last civilized outpost before crossing a 180 km wilderness section. This is the most remote section of the entire journey. It is frequented by wilderness kayakers and canoeists and is once again a place where patience and good weather forecasting are your greatest allies. From the area of Wawa, Ontario civilization becomes increasingly more frequent. The entire North shore of Lake Superior provides incredible stretches of beach and pristine wilderness. Perhaps some of the best preserved lands that Canadians south of the 60th parallel can experience. Navigating the busy waterways west of Sault Ste. Marie ends the remotest section and in some ways the most hazardous part of the entire journey.
Section 4 - Sault Ste. Marie to Lake Nipissing (August 10th to September 1st ) After following the Canadian side of the Saint Mary’s river, the next section weaves through densely populated sections until the waters of Lake Huron are met. The encroachment of civilization will become immediately obvious, as camping logistics become more difficult as land is taken up by cottage owners and other commercial interests. Massive islands protect Lake Huron’s northern shoreline. The usual caution of good weather forecasting mixed with the right amount of fear and common sense are still required. As the area of Georgian Bay is reached, it is still a few days journey to the delta created by the French River. Using the Voyagers channel of this delta we head up river toward Lake Nipissing. The 160km journey up the French River is better described as a series of lakes marked by short portages to avoid rapids which are created as one lake drains into another. From Lake Nipissing I follow the south shore to North Bay, Ontario.
Section 5 - Lake Nipissing to Montreal (September 1st to September 15th) This section starts with a cross city portage of North Bay which leads to a put-in on the trout river. After one day journey the Mattawa River is reached and leads to a 2-3 day journey down to the Ottawa River. This section has 9 portages which cover a distance of 2.2km total. The portage routes are exactly the same even after hundreds of years. My grandfathers paddled and portaged this exact section of water over two hundred and thirty years prior on his way to join the fur trade. For them, it was a one way journey, from which they were to never to return from the fur trade and the Red River district The Ottawa River to the busy Saint Lawrence Seaway is the final leg of this journey. It passes through the Ottawa Valley and our Nation’s capital. The terminus of the fur trade route was Montreal. The relatively mild waters of this section is a nice cool down from months of paddling. Perhaps one of the biggest hazards will be the busy commercial traffic in the seaway. It would be ironic if the longest portage after travelling thousands of kilometres would the very lat one as I walk into Montreal trailing my canoe.
Participants
Joe Mckay Age: 57 Born: Banff, Alberta Nationality: Canadian Metis MEC co-op #: 1232479 Contact Information: email-
[email protected] Phone - 403-431-1821 Occupations: Mountain Guide, Audio Visual Technician, Stay at home Dad, Avalanche Forecaster Raised in the Yukon and NWT. Spent entire adult life working as a mountain guide in the Canadian Rockies. lead several expeditions to the South American Andes. Advanced White Water paddle courses Class III Advanced White Water Rescue Class IV White Water cover canoe upper Kananaskis, Alberta Member of Canmore kayak.canoe club Upper Sunwapta River Class III Open Canoe 1985 Red Deer, AB to Last Mountain Lake, Sask. Class I 1984 Saskatchewan Crossing, Banff Park to Rocky Mountain House, AB Class II+ 1987 Bowron Lakes Circuit 2015 Sea kayaking Broken Island Group 2016 Upper Red Deer River, AB to Dinosaur Park 2013 Class II Columbia River Class I Advanced Wilderness First Aid 1985 - Includes 9 refresher courses to date Canadian Avalanche Association Level I Observer 1989 Canadian Avalanche Association Level II Forecaster 1994 ACMG Alpine Guide 1994 ACMG Asst. Ski Guide 1998 Nine Years Contract Guide Yamnuska Mountain School 1994 - 2005 Heli Ski Guide, TLH, Great Canadian, RK heli-skiing Owner Banff Adventure Centre Guiding Co. 2005 - 2010 Ecuador - Guided climbs of Cayambe 18,997 feet/5790 meters, Cotopaxi 19,348 feet/5897 meters, and Chimborazo 20,703 feet/6310 meters Mexico Iztaccihuatl 17,154 feet / 5239 meters and Orizaba 18,404 feet / 5612 meters Argentina, Aconcagua 2001 & 2004 - 6,961 metres (22,838 ft) Peru, highlights, Alpamayo 5,947 m (19,511 ft) Huascaran ( Shield Route) 6,768 m (22,205 ft) Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Additional climbing locations, Thailand, Spain, France, Baffin Island
Todd Joyal Age: 28 Born: Winnipeg, Manitoba Nationality: Canadian Metis MEC co-op #: 1232479 Contact Information: email-
[email protected] Phone - 403-431-1926 Occupations: Stone Mason, Ski Patrol, Mountain and paddle adventurer Todd will be joining me from Winnipeg, MB to Thunder Bay, Ont. Todd is a politically and socially active Metis rom the streets of Winnipeg. He is actively focused on a career in the outdoor industry. He has 5 years experience as a supervising/senior patroller at Sunshine Village, Banff National Park. Besides being a great help in rediscovering the lost NWCo/HBC overland alternative portage route he adds a perspective of the younger generation of Metis. Saturated in his traditional culture surrounded by the Metis homeland his viewpoint is invaluable to the films overall message. In addition a second set of hands will help in capturing primary footage and additional B-Roll.
Media Experience
List of media experience relative to film making. Included social media links and online correspondence courses.
Audio Visual Technician, Sharps Audio Visual, Banff 2007 - 2011 Primary camera operator and content creator, Responsible for a variety of audio recordings, stage lighting and interview recordings. In addition general technician work as operator for a variety of shows and conferences. Audio Visual Technician, Part Time, Banff Centre for the Performing Arts 2013 Theatre Operator, Banff Mountain Film Festival 2009 and 2010 Adventure Filmmakers Workshop, 10 Days, Banff Centre for the Performing Arts 2012 Youtube Channel operator. With 230 videos based primarily on mountain Instruction. Channel has 5.5 million video views (averaging 35,000 to 40,000 views monthly at present) 13,000 subscribers ( estimate 50% are MEC customers)
http://www.youtube.com/mikebarter387 Video of online persona Mike Barter (only the name was changed but it is a personal video biography)
https://youtu.be/YSsI9WUi2Zc Analytics available on request. Banff Media Private owner operator contract media work for various A/V companies in the Bow Valley Prime Lenses for Photography and Video Production - 2hr 46min - Rich Harrington, James Ball Writing Proposals - 2hr 17min - Judy William-Steiner Script Writing for Nonfiction Video - 1hr 46min - Amy DeLouise Video Journalism Shooting Techniques Documentary Editing Final Cut Pro X - 2hr 46 min Diana Weynand Lighting a Video Interview - 2hr 28min - Rich Harrington James Ball Final Cut Pro X 10.0.9 Essential Training - 6hr 50min = Ashley Kennedy Up and Running with DSLR Filmmaking - 1hr 10min - Chad Perkins Shooting with the GoPro HERO: Action Sports - 1hr 9 min - Rich Harrington Effective Storytelling with Final Cut Pro X v10.0.9 - 5hr 36min - Diana Weynand Commercial Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro X v10.0.9 - 1hr 9min - Ashley Kennedy
Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/mikebarter387 This you tube channel is extremely popular with MEC customers. It is one of the most viewed websites in the world when it comes to learning climbing techniques. Primarily aimed at climbers this site has 230 plus videos with information on the very basic techniques to complex rescue systems. Mike Barter the homeless mountain guide ( my online persona ) has over 12,000 subscribers, 5.5 million total video views on youtube alone averaging 40,000 video views per month. I expect a serious increase in popularity with a video blog that goes in tandem with the cross country canoe trip.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/lastmetis/ This is a simple Facebook blog that keeps our online audience informed about where we are and what we are thinking as the trip comes closer and the effort come to fruition.
Webpage:
http://www.mountainguide.com/ This is my personal home page which I have more or less dedicated to information about this trip and film ideas.
Media Equipment
This is a general list of recording equipment for this expedition. Canon 5D Mark II Primary stills camera Canon 5D Mark III Primary video camera GoPro 4 and housings action cam iPhone 6s Plus 128gb general travel cam Canon AF 50mm 1.4 Prime Lens & Polarized Filter Canon AF 24-125mm Telephoto & Polarized Filter Manfrotto Carbon Fibre tripod & video head Gorilla Pod portable tripod with swivel head and iPhone attachment Zoom H4N Digital Recorder Sennheiser shotgun mic Sennheiser Wireless Lavalier eW 100 11’’ Macbook Air Protective cases, Memory cards, Solar Charger
This is the Sea 1 Wilderness Solo Canoe by Clipper. It is a significant safety factor in this journey. The low design is stable while the length allows it to track well. It has a rudder to help on days with significant crosswinds. Comes with an enclosing spray skirt sealing the cockpit and cargo are from the elements. This allows for a greater degree go comfort while traveling on days of bad weather. Handles well in Class II water.
http://www.clippercanoes.com/sea-1/ Safety Equipment With any undertaking of this sort there is always the potential for something to go wrong. Safety equipment that I will have with me. Paddle Float and boat straps for self rescue in the event of being overturned while a distance from shore. Extra paddle Throw bag Bilge pump Sponge Spray skirt Spot SOS Beacon Spot Global Satellite Phone Complete first aid kit, burn pads and pain meds VHF Radio for weather reports Sat data link and cellular hotspot for online telemetry information Solar Charger Emergency survival kit stashed in lifejacket Falcon Sail Kit, one meter sail Bear bangers and Spray