George River

In 1984 I needed a partner for a canoe trip up north on the George River. A mutual friend suggested that her friend Wendy might want to go.

Wendy and I met on the banks of the nearby Lamoille River to see if we could paddle together. We've been paddling together ever since.

We paddled the George again in 2011. It's a classic northern river with crystal clear water, stunning scenery, numerous runnable rapids and very few portages. It’s mostly wooded along the banks, but once you climb a little you're above tree line.

We've paddled this route two more times -in 2015 and 2017 . With differing water levels, the rivers offer lots of new challenges and surprises. as well as many areas that are increasingly familiar, allowing us to plan our day's travels with more confidence.

The easiest and least expensive way to get to the George is via the De Pas River. If you take the train to Schefferville, you’ll have easy access to the headwaters of the De Pas.

The George River caribou herd used to be the largest in the world. In recent years, the population has crashed, leaving less than 10% of the original numbers.

With the recent push for mineral and hydro development in the north, it's hard to know what the future holds for the river. The most dramatic section is now part of a provincial park.

All photos by Al Stirt except as noted: DB - Dave Brown, WS- Wendy Scott, KP- Kate Prince photo.