|
 |
|
| NAHANNIWILD.COM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CANOEING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| RAFTING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SELF GUIDED |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CONTACT |
|
NAHANNI
WILDERNESS
ADVENTURE LTD
969A Lawrence Grassi Ridge
Canmore, Alberta
Canada T1W 3C3
1-888-897-5223
PHONE
1-403-678-3374
FAX
1-403-609-2042
e-mail
|
|
 THE NEW NAHANNI
The Nahanni Watershed Rendezvous Expeditions
The 1970's brought a recreation revolution to North America. Remote wilderness destinations coupled with silent sport activities such as canoeing and hiking set the mark for adventure seeking adventure travelers. Simultaneously people started placing a greater value upon wilderness areas leading to the formation of advocacy groups who promoted conservation for both ecological and recreational reasons.
Within Canada these movements identified a looming hydro project at Virginia Falls on the South Nahanni River. The threat was thwarted by Parks Canada in 1976 with the establishment of Nahanni National Park-Reserve, (NNP-R). The young park took over 4,766 square kilometers of land and 300kms of river corridor between Rabbitkettle Lake and the Splits. UNESCO applauded this creation in 1978 by naming NNP-R as the first wilderness World Heritage Site. In 1987 the Nahanni River was named a Canadian Heritage River. These titles along with various media publications drew attention to the Nahanni River and it quickly became the most celebrated wilderness river in Canada. For the past decade the number of paddlers visiting the Nahanni has leveled off between 550-750 annually. Visitation occurs primarily within the park boundary, less than 10% of the paddlers exploring the Nahanni venture to the headwaters.
The waterways outside the current boundary are known as the Nahanni headwaters. They are comprised of the Flat River (250km), the Little Nahanni River (70km) and the upper South Nahanni River (225km). These flow from a vast wilderness area to the north and west. Together the headwaters add another 545 kms of river corridor that later joins the lower half of the South Nahanni River. It is from these headwaters that the South Nahanni River gained the reputation for offering the best whitewater canoeing in Canada. Each of the headwaters offers many kilometres of class 2/3 whitewater and rugged mountain scenery.
The area surrounding the Nahanni River headwaters essentially drains most of the South Nahanni River's watershed. In its entirety the watershed covers over 33,000 square kilometers of mountains, rivers and valleys that make up 5 specific life zones. The watershed is destined to become the new boundaries for Nahanni National Park. Following a five year study/campaign by conservation stakeholders such as Parks Canada, Deh Cho First Nations and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Prime Minister Steven Harper responded with a trip to Fort Simpson and Virginia Falls in August 2007. The PM announced the federal government's plans to significantly expand the park boundary. To support the park expansion initiative Nahanni Wilderness Adventures has developed a series of trips with a focus on the entire watershed. Together they are known as The Nahanni Watershed Rendezvous Expeditions. We would like to share with recreational paddlers and hikers the incredible wilderness experience the new Nahanni National Park has to offer. Together we will give further reason for park planners to include the Nahanni River's headwaters within the boundary of the new park.
It's now a reality, on June 17, 2009 the Enviornment Minister, Jim Prentice moved that Bill C-38 amend the Naional Parks act for the 6 fold expansion of the Nahanni National Park boundary. The bill passed through the house and the senate within 24 hours.
Nahanni Wilderness Adventures is the original Nahanni River outfitter. For the past 20 years we have led the way with initiatives to improve outfitter services on the Nahanni River. The Nahanni Watershed Rendezvous Expeditions is unique among Nahanni outfitters. Our tripping style is known as Nahanni Co-ventures with Nahanni Lite Outfitting. Exploring the technical headwaters of the Nahanni watershed requires a minimalist approach to a guided river expedition. Our specialized whitewater boats, light compact equipment and food stores will promote efficient and low impact wilderness travel. Nahanni Co-ventures are designed for active and experienced paddlers who are interested in continuing to develop their skills while participating in a cooperative river trip experience led by qualified and experienced Nahanni guides.
Adventure travelers have typically embraced an environmentally sensitive lifestyle at home and on their holidays. Accessing a remote river destination like the Nahanni River is not without its carbon footprint. The Nahanni Watershed Rendezvous Expeditions have been designed to directly reduce the carbon output necessary to run our operations. You will be pleased to know that our carbon emissions are half of what they would be if we were flying into the Nahanni River area from Fort Simpson. We accomplish this by using the direct commercial flight with Central Mountain Air to Fort Nelson B.C., by using available roads and thereby minimizing our use of floatplanes. Together these measures enable us to provide the greenest and most cost effective trips on the Nahanni River while maintaining high quality in our equipment and guide service.
It is hard to imagine a place wilder than Nahanni National Park-Reserve. The Nahanni River headwaters, wild and pristine will exceed your expectations - soaring mountains, deep forested valleys and white water rivers few have ever seen. Together the headwaters are destined to become the new Nahanni National Park. This is our invitation for you to be among the first to explore the new park area. Join the Nahanni Watershed Rendezvous Expeditions and treat yourself to the adventure of a lifetime.
The Nahanni River is known as the, "River of Gold". Join the Nahanni 'gold seekers' and take the path less traveled. Explore the Nahanni River headwaters with soaring peaks, deep forested valleys and thrilling whitewater.
Robert Service said it best in his poem, "The Spell of the Yukon"
Yet somehow life's not what I thought it,
And somehow the gold isn't all.
Yet it isn't the gold that I'm wanting
So much as just finding the gold.
It's the great, big, broad land 'way up yonder;
It's the forests where the silence has lease;
It's the beauty that thrills me with wonder;
It's the stillness that fills me with peace.
Nahanni...the River of Gold
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
