Uncharted ARCTIC CANYONS Expedition (E1) - 11 Day Solo Wilderness Camping & Packrafting
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- An 11 day, solo, Arctic Packrafting and Hiking Expedition in Tuktut Nogait National Park, over 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, to paddle the dormant white water Hornaday Canyons from Uyarsivik Lake to the Arctic Ocean. This is the least visited National Park in North America, one of the most remote and isolated. In 2023, a single visitor permit was issued, and I was lucky enough to be the recipient. I worked and researched for over 2 years to put this trip together. I would traverse, chart, and paddle the Hornaday River through the Canyons, publish a map with the details needed for others to follow and visit this beautiful section of river. This section of river was first attempted in 1977 by Larry Osgood and team. They were successful in paddling a good portion of the canyons, portaging out of the canyons when needed. In July of 1999, the Beaudry Team, comprised of professional kayakers, became the first and only full descent of the Hornaday Canyons. No one has attempted it since.
For the Hornaday Canyon Map, Gear List, River History and relevant info for planning your trip to Tuktut Nogait and paddling the canyons: suluk46.com/ar...
Episode 1 covers my hike across the arctic tundra to the Hornaday River, where I then paddle a few km to get to the gates of the first canyon. I camp just outside for the night before paddling the white water section through the first canyon. I make my way to the gates of the second canyon where I set up camp and enjoy a well deserved meal and do some preliminary scouting for nexy day.
I would like to personally thank the people of Paulatuk for their extremely warm hospitality towards me. I was welcomed with open arms and cannot even begin to express how lovely everyone was. The Inuvialuit are a kind and caring community and I hope to go back and visit my friends again in the future.
Credit: Edited by Bowman
Instagram: @bowmanitis
UA-cam: bowmanitis_
Facebook: @bowmanitis
FOR THOSE LOOKING TO PADDLE THE CANYONS:
Parks Canada will LIKELY not endorse your trip, since rescue capacity is very limited in Tuktut Nogait National Park due to it’s remote location, and an uncomplicated rescue could take up to 4 days. The park has no high angle rescue capacity in the North, so extraction from high walled canyons would require up to a week for a certified rescue team to arrive. Should you decide to continue with your trip plan, Parks Canada MAY advise you to obtain private rescue insurance, come fully prepared for self-rescue and emergencies, such as cold water submersion, hypothermia, and bear encounters. Be sure to carry equipment for a cold weather climate and extreme winds, first aid, and emergency beacon or satellite radio.
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Hope you all enjoyed Chapter 1 covering the first 4 days of this trip. More to come!
1) For Gear List, Canyon Map, and other relevant info on this trip: suluk46.com/arctic-canyons
2) My boat is an Alpacka Gnarwhal packraft, with full white water rigging (thigh straps, backband, skirt) and my gear stores inside the inflated tubes
3) Want to know more details about this trip? ua-cam.com/users/livezYne_egt3fQ?si=QJTUilwHig0XfgkB I was on the Canoehound Outdoor Adventure Show and did a 2 hour interview about this trip.
Will you make a video on what your camera setup looked like, how you managed power, and how you organized your shots, or do a short write-up?
I'm planning on doing videos for an expedition I'm planning, and the videography part is the truly challenging piece of the puzzle for me
Already looking like an amazing trip on Day 1! I love hearing about the thought processes around each decision.
Thanks Justin. Means a lot that you like it. It's gets WAY better from here man. Lots of wildlife and white water coming up.
can it really be park that they only let one person in??? Sounds like the opposite of a park its is a private preserve. What is the government not wanting you to see???
They will issue a permit to anyone who applies with the appropriate plan, skills, gear, and route. Unfortunately, not too many people put in the effort to visit this place and unprepared people will certainly perish in this environment. Plus, they don't want the entire population to see all the alien spaceships they hide up there...lol.
You could've totally done that last rapid
After watching this, I can immediately see that a packraft is a solution to a camping trip problem that I don't yet have. Working hard on getting myself a good problem or three, shouldn't take too much longer...
You know, once you add a packraft to the quiver, it really opens up a lot of routes that you thought were not possible before. And they are good fun.
Simply epic. Looks like an incredible part of Canada.
What boat were you using? Gnarwhal?
Thanks! And yes, that's an Alpcaka Gnarwhal in size Large, with Vectran fabric.
Who makes the gopro mount on the front of your boat?
I made it myself. It's just 3D printed PETG.
Mate, really enjoyed this one and can't wait to watch the rest of the series. Pretty cool to see such a remote, solo and lengthy packrafting adventure! Wish we had more of those types of rivers in Australia! Quick question, what's the GoPro mount you have on the bow bag? Looks really stable and haven't seen one like that before. Cheers Erik
Glad you like it. The trip was super fun. I made that GoPro mount myself. It's 3D printed out of PETG. Nothing fancy but it works super well.
Wow! What a remote area! You were so lucky to be the only permit for the year. Beautiful scenery too. Really cool trip. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it. It was a super wild trip, and just planning it was a challenge! For clarity, the park will issue more permits, but the process is just not super easy and the park itself is super hard to get to.
This is awesome man!!
Thanks dude. The trip was wild. Rowdy water makes for a good time.
What a cool trip. You’re really blessed to be able to do it. And thanks for really filming a lot. So many times I’ve seen someone do something very exceptional, then they do a whole week in like 45min.
Glad you are enjoying the series. We are similar in that we enjoy the long format videos, but not everyone does. It would be a disservice to these very remote trips if I just did a quick video.
Landschaftlich sehr schöner Abschnitt. Grüße ronactive
Well done brother! The story telling of this film is very engaging! looking forward to the next episode!
Thanks Marty. Like I said, it doesn't compare to your video skills but the trip and geography make up for it...I hope :)
Glorious Steve! I was captivated the whole time. Very well done! I wanna go!
Awesome! Thanks Max. Glad you liked it. I actually sent my editor your video from the other day as inspiration. If you want in....Torngats 2024...and then Brock Canyon (first descent) in 2025.
Hey Steve. Just finished watching this episode... Awesome, so much white water and in a pack raft... very cool, Looking forward to the next episode.
Glad you like it Dennis. It only gets better from here and the white water gets way more intense. The river isn't very canoe friendly, a hard sided kayak would be ideal except that there are very long 15+ km portages....hence the choice of packraft. Hope you're well dude.
Amazing start to the trip scenery is unreal!!🏞️ Pretty cool watching you effortlessly smash those rapids in the packraft while leisurely talking to the camera 👍👍👍
Glad you like it. The white water doesn't stop. Every day new challenges and the wildlife coming up is insane. Stay safe out there mate!
I have been eyeing the Xmid for SSWW kayaking overnight trips, but after paddling the Grand, I figured the solid mesh version might work best for my needs/keep some of the sand out. How did you like the pro?
It's a great tent. Larger than what I am used to, and can hold its own considering how light it is. The only feedback I gave Dan after my Arctic trip was I wish the pro had a solid interior wall option for exactly what you mention. Did you see what happened on Day 3 of my trip? Go to the 12:30 mark on this video. ua-cam.com/video/gg-bVtbfQDY/v-deo.html
Did you take a firearm?
I would have but you're not allowed firearms in the park. Just had bear spray.
Absolutely epic place! The scenery and river is just stunning. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to Ep.2. :) :)
It is so epic! Start planning your trip there :) I'm excited for the next episode as much as you. Thank you.
What a journey, what a talented filmmaker you are bud! 👏👏👏
I can't take any credit for the editing, that was all @bowmanitis_ All I did was go on the trip and take video. But man, what a journey it was!
Amazing episode Steve! That Whitewater looks like a ton of fun. Would love to check that place out one day.
Oh dude, this place is a playground of white water. I made a canyon map, it's up on my website if you are interested in heading up there.
Unreal man. Can’t wait for the next one. Had me thinking of the Torngats while watching this!🤩
Thanks Evan. Next one in 2 weeks, too much on the go to roll them out each week. I was just planning more of the Torngats trip today actually. 2024 baby!
@@Suluk46 good on you for documenting everything man it’s so inspiring. Keep me posted on it would love to hear what you’re thinking. Time to dust off my stratosphere!
The arctic rivers are typically a late July trip. Any earlier and you are in ice or spring flood, any later and you are in winter...it's a small window. But yes, I'll shoot you a note.
YESSSSSS.......Here we go!!!
Hope you like it. Video, editing, and audio quality doesn't compare to what you guys do but we do our best! Hope you guys are doing well.
You really romanticized your trip. Hope you enjoyrd it.
Oh, I did. Even watching and editing the episodes brings back so many memories. Hope you enjoyed it.
Awesome stuff man! Curious are you running any kind of thigh straps in the packraft?
This packraft is an Alpacka Gnarwhal, with full white water rig. So it has a skirt, foot brace, thigh straps, back band, and seat. It's not a replacement for a hard sided kayak, but it's pretty good for when you have huge traverse between paddling. I have a video up on my channel of rolling this packraft if you are interested in seeing how it performs. ua-cam.com/video/MFbDhznMrNs/v-deo.html
@@Suluk46 Nice man, I've found even if you aren't paddling whitewater thigh straps make a world of difference in boat control. Even if its just some 1in webbing.
Agreed, thigh straps are a game changer, even if your just paddling flat water, let's you put a bit more "umph" into your stroke.
Amazing so far, can't wait for the rest.
Thanks man, this trip was so much fun. Next episode in 2 weeks...a bit of a wait.
New to your channel. Love it. I a Bikepacking, climber and have been living on my sailboat. I love your adventures and you started a gear company 👍
I have researching Hornaday Park. Did you encounter or were aware of polar bear / grizzly activity on your trip.
Awesome! Just to make sure you are in the right place, this is Tuktut Nogait National Park, and the river I am paddling is the Hornaday River. The Polar bears are out on the sea ice, would be extremely unlikely to run into one unless on the coast and only if the sea ice had blown south. You can't discount it, but it is not a concern. Grizzlies are definitely there, but I only saw one. They typically follow the Caribou herd, so some of the hunters told me most of them were over at the Brock Canyon while I was at the Hornaday Canyon. I'm going back in 2025, so let me know what questions you have.
Awesome stuff! So grateful to see this Steve!
Thanks man. The place is just incredible. Melts your mind :)
So excellent… you need a paddle partner! 😀
I do! You interested?
@@Suluk46 absolutely, only if yah want an experience arctic paddler, with a second camera and a great attitude (and lots of Suluk46 swag)🤙
If you are interested, I am planning a Torngats trip for next June/July. A few on board, some young guys some old guys. Tough to go solo, need a group of people to fend off the Polar Bears.
You rock!
When is episode 2!?
November 15.
So good!
It was a fun trip. Scenery only gets better too.