Before You Come

The enjoyment and satisfaction achieved from a river trip is contingent upon the degree to which it fulfills prior expectations. To maximize your holiday experience we have outlined some concerns that participants often voice prior to a trip.

What to expect from the type of river craft you have chosen for your adventure.

Various trips place different demands upon guest participation. Here is an explanation of the differences:

Two - Person Canoes:
The traditional 16 foot and 17 foot canoe. Previous canoe experience is an asset. Physical fitness and comfort on and in moving water are important. Refer to the specific trip itinerary for additional skills that may be required for your trip.

Voyageur Canoes:
For 2001 the voyageur canoes will be available for Stikine, Horton, Yukon and the late season Nahanni trips only.
A 32 foot replica of the fur trade canoes. Large and stable, each Voyageur canoe has a guide.

Participation in paddling is required, but taking a break to rest your arms, take a picture or stand and stretch will not cause your boat to fall behind, as it would with the smaller canoes. Be realistic. If you are dubious about paddling, please consult us as the raft might be a better option.

Raft:
The safe and stable expedition raft is ideal for those who desire their hands free to photograph or travel in a more relaxed fashion. The guide maneuvers the raft with oars and paddling is completely optional.

A tandem canoe may be arranged for the Nahhani raft trips if you have Class III Whitewater experience. There is a $125.00/person flight surcharge for the tandem canoe on the 8 & 12 day trips.

Weather conditions in northern mountainous environments range widely between extremes. The only fact you can bet on with mountain weather is that it can change instantly. This means that although we may enjoy fine weather, we must also be prepared for changes. On any given day you may experience sunny, hot, dry weather that is interrupted by periods of rain or, on rare occasions - even snow. In general, the weather is moderate with average temperatures of 16^oC (62F) in July, and 14^oC (56F) in August. When packing, please be prepared for heat waves and cold spells. For tundra river trips, please refer to the specific notes in the itinerary regarding weather.

Remember, as mere mortals, your guides have no control over the weather. This may seem obvious, but it is surprising how many well-educated people will look for someone to blame for poor weather. The best we can do as guides and outfitters is to suggest proper clothing, and we feel we have done this in the equipment list. Please call for any clarification you may require.

Mosquito populations vary according to temperature, rainfall, and wind. Generally, we are able to camp in places that have few or none of the pesky critters. However, on occasion (particularly in early season), try as we might, we may be unable to avoid them. Be prepared with mosquito repellent and a head net, or better yet - a 'bug jacket'. 'Bug jackets or shirts' are an absolute necessity for any of our tundra or early season trips. If you cannot locate one, please call us for assistance.

Our tenting arrangements are based on planning for two people per tent. Some guests wish to have a tent to themselves. If this is your preference, there is a $50 Cdn ($40 US) single occupancy charge.

If fishing is high on your list of priorities, consider the Coppermine River which is famous for Arctic Char. All of the rivers we frequent (with the exception of the Tatshenshini) boast Dolly Varden, lake trout, Arctic grayling and in places northern pike. These species are wary and although fishing can be well rewarded, it does require patience and persistence. Small spinners seem to yield best results for grayling and Dolly Varden, while medium to large lures yield better results for char and lake trout. Although some try their hand at fly fishing, be aware that a number of our rivers are big and wide and at times can be very windy. A medium to heavy weight fly rod and line is required. Fishing on the Tatshenshini is poor due to the siltiness of its waters. Licenses are available at our rendezvous locations. Your guides can provide details. Please let us know on your pre-trip questionnaire if you need to purchase a fishing license.

We have structured our expeditions to allow lots of time to hike and explore the area we are traveling through. 'Travel days' can be anywhere from 2 to 8 hours long depending on the location of the next campsite. We like to get our groups on the river fairly early each day, usually by about 10 am, to allow us plenty of time to stop during the day to watch wildlife, do a short hike or allow us to photograph and explore around camp at night.

You are welcome to participate with in-camp chores and routine, but this is your option; remember this is your holiday and we are working. Pick the role that will yield the most enjoyable experience for you. If at any time you are puzzled about expectations, please ask one of your guides. They are very approachable and would rather clarify your questions than have you wondering.

Early risers may keep themselves busy by seeking out panoramic photographs or pursuing other personal interests. Getting up, preparing and eating breakfast, making plans for the day, striking camp and loading the boats is a process that usually takes about three hours. If the camp is a 'two nighter', things are tidied up and we enjoy the highlights of that particular spot.

Evenings are usually unstructured. A campfire, fishing, enjoying the midnight sun (early season) or countless other activities may occupy the time. Except for short forays within the vicinity of camp, traveling alone out of site of camp is discouraged for safety reasons. As professional outfitters, we must be consistent with this policy.

"What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other. Travel 1,000 miles by train and you are a brute; pedal 500 miles on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle 100 miles in a canoe and you are already a child of nature."

-Pierre Elliot Trudeau

If you are like most northern travelers, you have made your holiday plans approximately six months in advance and have carefully scheduled many other activities so they do not conflict with your trip. We take the same care in making our logistical arrangements. In spite of this, an event may arise that causes a deviation in scheduled plans. When this occurs we have to remind ourselves that safe wilderness travel by plane, canoe and occasionally even by vehicle is very dependent on prevailing conditions. If these conditions are such that we cannot proceed safely, the only alternative is to sit tight and wait. Fortunately, such circumstances are very rare, but if they do present themselves, we would appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Although we are traveling on a wilderness river, the short northern summer season dictates that we may encounter other visitors. We do our best to avoid this, but often, particularly at points of significant interest, it is very likely that we will see other groups. Once away from these places, it becomes easier to maintain our solitude.

Nahanni River Adventures, Nahanni offers exceptional expeditions by raft and canoe on the great rivers from Alaska to Nunavut including: South Nahanni River, Tatshenshini River, Alsek River, Firth River, Snake River, Wind River, Stikine River, Burnside River, Coppermine River, Horton River, Mountain River, Yukon River, Taku River, Gataga River and Sea Kayaking and whale watching at Point Adolphus, Alaska, over-looking Glacier Bay National Park.

Our expeditions encompass Nahanni National Park (South Nahanni River), Kluane National Park (Alsek River), Ivvavik National Park (Firth River), Glacier Bay National Park (Alsek River), Herschel Island Territorial Park (Firth River).

Nahanni River Adventures operates in Alaska (United States of America), Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and British Columbia (Canada).

Nahanni.com is the online presence of the company, Nahanni River Adventures Ltd.

Nahanni River Adventures works with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to ensure the environmental integrity of our wild places.

Neil Hartling, founder of Nahanni River Adventures, is also the author of: Nahanni, River of Gold...River of Dreams. Alaska to Nunavut - The Great Rivers. Nahanni River Guide. These books may all be purchased through Nahanni.com.

Common misspellings of the name are Nahani, Nahannie, Nahanie, Nahoni, Nahonni.
Nahanni River Adventures.