ThePADDLER 16
The planning 2021 : A two-week canoe adventure in the Inside Passage
I asked my friend and adventure photographer Yan Kaczynski to choose a route that would allow us to have a first feel of the Inside Passage and get oriented . Yan is a backcountry skier who spends his winters in Terrace , British Columbia . He knew the area and had been dreaming about canoeing the mystic Skeena river for a very long time . So he figured out a way to paddle our canoes down the Skeena , to the Pacific Ocean and finally to Kitimat . His dream was about to become a reality .
The Inside Passage was calling . For three of us ( Charles already did sea canoeing in the past ), it was our first-time sea canoeing , and it was intimidating . During that canoe trip , we were looking forward to learning how to deal with tides , currents , whirlpools , heavy rain , storms , lack of camp spots , saltwater , killer whales and grizzly bears . It didn ’ t disappoint us .
But first , we had to get there . Yan flew to Terrace , and Charles was already living the van life in British Columbia . Daniel and I drove with the canoes on top and all the gear in the pickup truck bed . From Montreal to Terrace , it ’ s a 5000 km drive . It was a magical road trip across Canada . Driving through the
Canadian Rockies was epic and spectacular . It took us four days to cross our beautiful country . We made a quick stop in the province of Alberta to paddle the famous Maligne Lake .
The sublime Maligne Lake is the crown jewel of Jasper National Park . At 05:30 am , under a sky of shooting stars , we were canoeing alone on one of Canada ’ s most popular glacial lakes . It was fantastic to have the lake for ourselves . The calm water was a mirror , and the loons were singing . The sunrise behind the glaciers was absolutely breathtaking . It was such a magical moment . We got to experience a pristine wilderness setting .
Canoeing has become a way of life , allowing the expression of my traditions , identity , values , and , above all , an opportunity to protect the natural heritage . The experience of being connected to the natural world is how I found to face my fears , heal , and feel more alive than ever . Developing a unique relationship with nature is beneficial for everyone , including me . It has the power of feeding my mind with positive energy , which changes me for the better . It allows me to find profound satisfaction in my life process .
Paddlers : Martin Trahan , Yan Kaczynski , Charles Fortin aka ‘ The wise man ’, Daniel Barriault , aka ‘ The Dan Factor ’
Photo : Charles Fortin