WELCOME TO OUTWARD BOUND CANADA S Reach Beyond Expedition Nahanni River Course Code: RBN2 August 6 17, 2018 About the Trip For canoeists, paddling the Nahanni River is truly a trip of a lifetime. The Nahanni is an UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts visitors from around the world for its spectacular scenery. We will spend 10 days paddling 240km of river through this pristine wilderness. Nahanni National Park is located in the southwest corner of the North West Territories, and is approximately 500 km west of Yellowknife. Our trip begins and ends in the small town of Fort Simpson, NWT, where we will fly in and out of the Park. Outward Bound Canada will partner with Nahanni River Adventures (NRA) to run the expedition. NRA has been running trips on the Nahanni for decades and is the most experienced logistics provider on the river. 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 Elliott Trudeau The beauty of the North West Territories awaits you!
Itinerary Monday, August 6, 2018 Arrive in Fort Simpson, NWT. Meet your instructors and the group. Organize gear, final preparations. Tuesday, August 7 - Day 1 After loading our supplies and gear into the floatplane we begin one of the major highlights of the adventure - the upriver flight! Flying over the majestic Nahanni Range and Ram Plateau, a visually stunning panorama unfolds in front of our eyes. You want to be sure to have your camera on your lap! Following supper in camp at Virginia Falls, your instructors will provide further briefing on the techniques for living in camp. A short hike and last look at the stunning scenery before bed will remind you that you are in one of the most scenic places on the planet. Wednesday, August 8 Day 2 We will spend a second day exploring this incredible site. It is impossible to spend too much time at Virginia Falls! Final preparations for downriver travel. Thursday, August 9 - Day 3 We will make the final portage around the falls. The trail is downhill and well defined. You need carry only what is comfortable for you. Everyone pitches in to carry what they can and we take as long as we need to complete the task. After a final briefing, we will embark for an exhilarating run through Painted Canyon, also known as Fourth Canyon. Camp is finally made for the evening below Wrigley Creek. Friday, August 10 - Day 4 We drift past the confluence of the Flat River and then enter Third Canyon, the walls of which loom 1,200 metres above our heads. This 20-kilometre canyon is created by the river slicing through the mixed strata of shales, sandstones and limestone's of the Funeral Range. We camp halfway through this canyon near The Gate, a 100 metre wide gorge where the walls tower 460 metres above us. Saturday, August 11 - Day 5 In the morning we do a short hike to the top of The Gate and are awarded a magnificent view of Third Canyon and Pulpit Rock. After lunch it s back in the boats and on through Third Canyon to camp at Big Bend. Sunday, August 12 - Day 6 On through Second Canyon and into Deadmen Valley, where we will stop for a spectacular two hour walk up a dry creek bed for an overview of this immense region. After drifting by Headless Creek, we continue on to Sheaf Creek. Here R. M. Patterson and his partner Gordon Mathews wintered in 1928. Patterson later wrote Dangerous River, one of the most eloquent accounts of the early days on the Nahanni. Around the campfire, we will read from his book, Sheaf Creek Monday, August 13 - Day 7 We start the day with a short hike up Dry Canyon. Then we are back in the boats. Below our camp we will paddle through the big waves of George s Riffle. These rapids are at the western entrance to First Canyon. We will camp near its end at Lafferty Creek. Tuesday, August 14 - Day 8 We spend the day at the Lafferty Creek Canyon Site; fishing, exploring, hiking...appreciating where we are.
Wednesday, August 15 - Day 9 We get back in the canoes today and paddle through the waves of Lafferty s Riffle. After this rapid we take a quick dip in Kraus Hotsprings before bidding farewell to the canyons and entering the braided channels of The Splits. Here a broad valley is revealed and the surrounding mountains, ridge piled upon ridge, form a dramatic contrast to the enclosure of the canyons. Lush boreal forest bordered by steep ridges form a storybook setting. Thursday, August 16 - Day 10 Paddling past the Great Dene Wall, we enjoy our last day on the river as we make our way to the village of Nahanni Butte. Stopping in the village we will have an opportunity to see this traditional community. Here we board a charter plane for our flight down the Liard valley back to Fort Simpson. You will need to book accommodation for this final night in Fort Simpson. The group will meet for dinner at a restaurant in town for a final farewell meal and good-byes. Friday, August 17 Homeward Bound! We will fly south from Fort Simpson to begin our journeys home. EMERGENCY CALLS FOR A PARTICIPANT ON COURSE SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO: 1.888.OUTWARD, (688.9273) ext. 209 You and your family should be aware that while on course you will be in a remote area without direct telephone contact. If you need to receive an emergency message, a person may have to travel some distance to deliver the message, at your expense. Course Fees 1. DEPOSIT In order to secure your spot on the team, we ask that you confirm your participation with a $500 CAD deposit. The first payment is due upon acceptance. 2. EXPEDITION COSTS COST INCLUDES: The cost of your course includes: Floatplane from Fort Simpson to Virginia Falls, flight from Nahanni Butte to Fort Simpson. All group cooking and camping gear, all canoe and safety gear (including paddles and PFD s) National Park fees Food on trip Two Outward Bound Canada instructors One NRA guide Your course fee does NOT include: Flight to and from Fort Simpson Rental or purchase of a wet or dry suit Personal clothing and your sleeping bag and pad Travel and Medical Insurance 2 nights accommodation in Fort Simpson Meals/snacks while in transit Alcoholic beverages
3. PAYMENT SCHEDULE PAYMENT DEADLINE AMOUNT Initial Deposit Upon acceptance $500.00 CDN First Payment December 1 st, 2017 $3,500.00 CDN Final Payment April 6 th, 2018 $3,150.00 CDN 4. FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT In addition to your course fees, you are required to fundraise a minimum of $4,000.00 CAD in support of Outward Bound Canada s Charitable Programs for Youth and Adults. We will provide you with tools and resources, as well as the support of our Director of Individual Giving, to help you achieve this fundraising commitment one which has proven very achievable for Reach Beyond participants in the past. In the unlikely event that a participant s fundraising falls short of this $4,000.00 commitment, the participant will be invoiced for the outstanding balance. TOTAL COMMITMENT $7,150 expedition cost + $4,000 fundraising commitment All cheques should be made payable to Outward Bound Canada Disclaimer: As a not-for-profit charity we have tried to develop a fee structure for fundraising expeditions that is based on direct known costs at the time of announcing and promoting the expedition. The fee for our Mt. Kilimanjaro expedition is based on direct costs incurred to run the expedition, including staffing, equipment, food, travel, accommodation, local taxes, tips and park fees. Many of these costs are out of our direct control as we rely on incountry suppliers / subcontractors to deliver food, accommodation, etc. We reserve the right to add a surcharge, even after confirmation of your participation, should any travel, accommodation, food, park fees or other related costs be increased by any of the suppliers / subcontractors. 4. CANCELLATION POLICY In case of cancellation, the participant is required to pay: 120 days prior to departure or before $1,000.00 90 days prior to departure.. 50% of total cost 60 days prior to departure. expedition is non-refundable Course Details FITNESS TRAINING Once the team has been finalized, we will provide you with a suggested fitness plan to prepare you for the climb. This will be based on your completed fitness assessment, which will be part of your registration package. It is quite simple: the more physically fit you are, the more you ll enjoy your mountain river experience. The goal of the fitness program is to ensure that you are physically and mentally ready to paddle and camp for 10 days.
TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE All participants are required to have travel and medical insurance. TEAM GATHERINGS We will endeavor to have our first team gathering in the fall of 2017. The first gathering will be a meet and greet and discussion about fundraising, fitness training, and the itinerary. The second gathering will be to review the equipment list, finalize trip logistics, and check in to see how fundraising is going. We hope to also arrange a training date in the spring of 2018 when team members can get together for a paddle. Outward Bound Canada s Charitable Programs Our mission is to cultivate resilience, leadership, connections and compassion through inspiring and challenging journeys of self-discovery in the natural world. At Outward Bound Canada, we believe that a truly meaningful experience is created when you reach beyond yourself and make a difference in the world around you. Our Reach Beyond Expeditions offer participants an incredibly rewarding opportunity to give back, by committing to raise funds for Outward Bound Canada s charitable programs for vulnerable youth and adults. While almost anyone is a good fit for an Outward Bound course, our programs have the greatest impact for those who are facing significant life challenges and transitions. Our specialized charitable programs are funded by Reach Beyond Expeditions and through private donations. We strive to make life-changing Outward Bound experiences possible for the following vulnerable populations: Women of Courage Program for women survivors of violence or abuse. Women may be at various stages of their healing journey at the time of their participation. Veterans Program for military men and women struggling with the transition back to civilian life. Youth Programs for low-income and under-served youth experiencing barriers to opportunity and achievement, as well as for Indigenous and newcomer youth who are caught between cultures, dealing with challenges to their self-identity and sense of belonging. These programs provide participants with the appropriate challenges and supports to build resiliency and to discover the confidence, skills, energy and inspiration to transform their lives in the most fundamental of ways. Since 2011, Reach Beyond Expeditions have raised close to $600,000 for these life-transforming programs and, in doing so, have helped to ensure that those who stand to benefit most from an Outward Bound experience have the opportunity to do so. For tools and tips to support your Reach Beyond fundraising efforts, please check out the Fundraising Toolkit included in this package. Visit this link for more information on Outward Bound s charitable programs.
Contact Us Reach Beyond Expeditions Coordinator & Nahanni Instructor: Angus Murray rbexpeditions@outwardbound.ca 1-888-OUTWARD (688-9273) ext. 229 or (519) 217-7718 National Admissions Manager: Jill Zeppa jillian_zeppa@outwardbound.ca 1-888-OUTWARD (688-9273) ext. 209 National Office 170 Bloor St. West, Suite 702, Toronto, ON, M5S 1T9 Tel: 1.888.OUTWARD (688.9273) Fax: 1.866.328.9761 http://www.outwardbound.ca Outward Bound Canada is a registered not-for-profit charitable educational organization. Charitable number 89251 1692 RR0001