CANOEING NORTHERN QUEBEC AND LABRADOR
Nastapoka River
We've done two trips down the Nastapoka. In 2006, Wendy and I, Dave Brown and Bob Kimber flew from Raddisson to the Upper Seal Lakes.
We traveled from there down a river to the east end of Seal Lake. (We called the river the upper Nastapoka, but it doesn't have a name on the map). We paddled to the western edge of the lake where the Nastapoka begins its journey to Hudson Bay.
From the mouth of the river on Hudson Bay, we paddled down to Umiujaq and traveled via a commercial flight back to Raddisson. We waited a few days for our canoes to arrive (via a freight flight) and then drove home.
The country is all semi-barren with varied terrain and lots of waterfalls, ledges and runnable rapids. The Nastapoka is a little gem of a river and it's one of my favorites.
For our second trip, in 2008, I paddled with Alexandra Conover and Dave and Ann were in the second canoe.
We started from Kuujjuarapik and traveled up the Hudson Bay Coast to Richmond Gulf. We crossed the Gulf and went up the Wiachouan River and then pond to pond to get to the Clearwater River.
We went up the Clearwater into Clearwater Lake and then went north to Seal Lake. For this part of the route, we were traveling on an old First Nations route, as described by A.P. low in 1898.
From Seal Lake we travelled as on our previous trip, ending again at Umiujaq.
The Nastapoka is now part of a National Park that includes Clearwater Lake and the surrounding area.
All photos by Al Stirt except as noted: DB - Dave Brown, WS- Wendy Scott, AC - Alexandra Conover.
Nastapoka River
Two routes to the Nastapoka
Open country on the flight in, 2006.
A rapid on the upper Nastapoka, 2006.
Bob and Al conferring on the route, 2006. WS photo
Bob with the wanigan, 2006.
Dave, Wendy and Bob on an esker.
The esker went for miles.
Alexandra with fish for breakfast, 2008.
Wendy napping.
Wendy and Bob near one of the many falls on the river.
Ann carrying 2 Duluth packs.
Al portaging. AC photo
Heading down a steep, sandy slope. DB photo
Scenic falls. DB photo
Brook trout collecting where a tiny stream fed into the river.
Open country on the upper river.
Ann and Alexandra with Brookies. DB photo
The stretch above the canyon falls.
Bob and Al moving some rocks. WS photo
A deeper channel through a shallow section.
A curious trout visited when we were swimming.
A ledge on the lower river where freshwater seals were playing.
Sammy the surfing seal.
An old sled found on our portage route, 2008.
Tepee poles tied with spruce root, 2008. AC photo
Alexandra and Ann at the canyon falls,
Wendy heading down into the canyon.
A bear with 2 cubs greeted us in the canyon.
Cautiously entering the canyon rapids. 2006.
Alexandra and Al entering the current, 2008. DB photo
In the rapid. DB photo
Heading to the final falls and Hudson Bay. WS photo
Wendy and Bob too close to the final falls on the river.
On Hudson Bay, heading down to Umiujaq.
In the bedrock near Le Goulet.