Frequently Asked Questions (and frequently given responses)
about canoe trips with Missinaibi Headwaters

What do I need to bring?

This of course depends upon which package you are participating. For a start, look at the Gear List on this web site, as it will recommend the clothing and personal items that we suggest. After that, it is a matter of how much you can squeeze into your pack. For our guided trips, we plan on each client filling a 80 litre canoe pack, plus a smaller dry bag.

What will the weather be like?

Plan on getting everything, because you likely will! On a one week excursion, you will likely encounter a high pressure system (dry, sunny, west and south winds), a frontal disturbance with rain and a cold front, and back to stable weather again. These system can last anywhere from 1-2 days to a week, so you must prepare for it all. Early season may have nighttime lows at the freezing point, but day temperatures could be as low as a few degrees above freezing, or into the low 30 degree Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) during a heat wave. Summer will most likely be dry with the prevailing winds from the South West, which is a tailwind for the Arctic headwaters rivers.

Will mosquitoes, blackflies or other bugs be a problem?

This, of course, will depend on your tolerance for the critters. Blackflies are at their worst from the end of May through to Mid June. Mosquitoes make their appearance in early June, and gradually get better throughout the summer. By July they are only bothersome at dusk and dawn and rarely will trouble you while on the water. Horseflies, deer flies and other ankle-biting insects will fill the gap on sunny days on the water. We do not have wood ticks. In short, there will be bugs; whether they are a problem or not depends on your attitude.

What should I know about bears?

Firstly, that you are traveling through, and living in, Black Bear country. There is an excellent chance that you will see a bear on the road or at organized campgrounds. This means that you need to follow all the common sense rules about food storage, keeping a clean campsite and what to do if you did encounter a bear. If you don't know this, do some research, or ask us. While Black Bears are not usually encountered at back country campsites, you must take all the necessary precautions nonetheless. These are wild, unpredictable and potentially dangerous animals.

Can I bring a firearm?

Not easily. Since there is no open hunting season during the summer, Ontario Law makes it almost impossible to legally carry a gun in the woods. Also, the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve prohibits the possession of guns. Pepper spray can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and is believed to be an effective temporary deterrent for black bears.

What if I haven't done any whitewater canoeing before?

Then you have been missing a lot of fun! Not to worry however, as our regular guided trips all incorporate an instructional day or half day clinic. Actually, the best way to learn to paddle in rapids is with the guidance of an instructor, and 6 days of river running to follow. If you don't want to paddle whitewater, then we can help choose the best trip for you.

If you are planning a self-guided river trip, then it is your responsibility to make sure you have the proper training, information, experience and equipment to safely handle the river you select.

How far ahead do I need to book?

Once you are set with your trip dates, you should make sure we know you are coming, even if you have not yet finalized the choice of a route. If the number in your group changes, we can adjust that later as well. Most trips are booked by the spring, but there is usually room to fit in a last minute trip. The first week and last week of July and the first week of August are our busiest, but that still only means up to 50 people out at once, which works out to one person for every 100,000 acres of wilderness up here!

How do I get to the trip's starting point?

With the exception of our Manitoba, Quebec or Labrador expeditions, our trips run in Northern Ontario. Chapleau, where we are based, is the starting point for many of our trips. The closest airport is Timmins, which is accessed from Toronto and serviced by Air Canada. Our guided trips can include pick up and drop off at the airport with prior arrangement. Driving directions, links to our transportation partners and other travel information can be found on our "Directions" page.

How do I get to your basecamp?

Follow the directions on our website. We are 26 km North of Chapleau on Racine Lake, just off the road to Missinaibi Lake. Racine Lake appears on the Ontario Road map.

How is the fishing?

Great!