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Another interesting Outfit, we hope you will agree. I
certainly have a soft spot for Ungava, though there is
certainly nothing soft about it.
I first heard from Sylvie Michaud, whose Payne River piece
begins on Page 6, last year when she wrote seeking
information about the area. She had heard of our 1990 trip
across Ungava, the first group to do that journey since
noted Quebec academic Dr. Rousseau in 1948. The Internet
is such a dream tool for research, allowing you to uncover
historical connections you might make in weeks, in mere
seconds.
We are also happy to provide some more background to that
story thanks to George Sollish, a dedicated amateur
historian who had planned an investigative trip across
Ungava following Rousseau’s route and doing research on
the Norse findings. He could never get official permission
to do it and has yet to go but kindly provided Che-Mun
with some of his extensive knowledge on the subject.
We are still working towards rolling out another
Onriver.Online trip. I mentioned Crown of a Continent
in the last Outfit which will traverse the Methye Portage
in northern Saskatchewan enroute from Ile-a-la-Crosse to
Ft. McMurray. We have |
secured some sponsorship and the trip will in all
likelihood be off and running on July 2. Check us out at
www.crownofacontinent.ca. The Web pages should be up
by late June.
Mousepad adventurers will have another historically-based
online trip as the HACC goes head to head with Bill
Layman and Lynda Holland who are heading to Baker Lake
online (see Canoesworthy) via
the Dubawnt and Kazan. They do a superb job with their
trips - which Bill told me we’re inspired by us - we’re
flattered and determined to work even harder!
The Methye’s 12 miles are not difficult – but it is still 12
miles! Many might think we are succumbing to age by
using portage carts kindly provided by Western Canoeing.
But it’s not that at all. The fur traders used sleds and
even horses to cross the distance. In fact, Eric Morse
hired a man and his grandson with a team of horses to
help his group over the Methye in 1958. More on that in
this summer’s Crown of a Continent.
Wherever your travels take you this year, please do it safely
and enjoy the experience - both the easy and the hard
parts.
Michael Peake |
