Upper Missinaibi River Whitewater

July 4- July 12, 2009
August 8-16, 2009

Skill: Advanced

Imagine..running 40 sets of rapids, portaging fewer than 10 times, and camping every night beside the roar of cascading falls and rapids. Few rivers can match the power, beauty and history of the Upper Missinaibi.
From its source at Missinaibi Lake, the river rushes 350 miles North to James Bay, over Precambrian granite, through string bogs and marshes, and all within a Provincial Park. Our guided trip catches the river near the headwaters, and for 100 miles of river, we drop 300'. Although the pace is relaxed enough to allow a full day of whitewater instruction, the trip is still demanding. At the end of a day of running rapids, nothing is more welcome than a hearty Missinaibi Headwaters feast prepared for you by your guide. Truly, the best way to experience one of the world's great rivers.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: PETERBELL
Our adventure begins with a rendezvous in Foleyet on Saturday evening. That night we meet the train at 9 PM. At 11 PM the train drops us at the ghost town of Peterbell, where we pitch our tents for the first night. In the morning we explore the ruins of the town, then start down river, through the Peterbell Marsh. Our first rapids are scouted and run, and we make camp at Wavy Rapids, a great place to practise our whitewater moves.
DAY 3: GREENHILL RAPIDS TO SPLIT ROCK FALLS
Monday begins by reviewing whitewater manoeuvres,then we move to the infamous Greenhill Rapids. Depending upon water and confidence levels, the decision is made to run or portage this long and challenging CIII.
After running another five sets, we camp atop the gorge of Split Rock Falls. Here, we decide if the next day will take us off the river into scenic and historic Brunswick Lake, or will become an easy day to the A+campsite at Thunder Falls.
DAY 4-5: THUNDER FALLS
Decisions, decisions... You know life's rough when you must choose between spending an afternoon resting in the shade of the cedars, tuned to the roar of Thunder Falls, or try to catch the group a meal of fresh Walleye from below the falls. If that doesn't work, we are sure to catch dinner at the next campsite
DAY 6 - 8: DEVILS SHOEPACK-MATTICE
When we rejoin the Missinaibi we experience yet more great whitewater paddling. The long rock garden of Albany Rapids offers some excitement, and our last night on the river is spent on the rugged rocks of Big Beaver Rapids. Our final day takes us past Glassy Falls to take out at Mattice. The luxury of a restaurant will surely be appreciated on our final night together. On Sunday morning we return to Chapleau via van. Or, you could continue down river with our Lower Missinaibi Trip!

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