Nahanni Day 13 (Hells) Gate

Nahanni Day 13 (Hells) Gate:

Maximum speed on water 19.6 kph

Distance traveled: 48 km

Altitude lost: 70m!!!!!!!

Tallest rapid 5 feet

Today was a red banner day for sure. Overcame the technical issues with the blog…..had a great breakfast and we were on our way. The canoes are set up as follows: Perry and Wendy (the Owner of BlackFeather), Dave and Rob (Guide), Mike and Sarah (apprentice guide) and Dale and myself.

We had major sets of rapids today

Cathedral waves – Dale was happiest when I had a facial with a ginormous wave that went over my head.

Figure of eight – where there is such a large whirlpool that you can see depth to it – about 10 years ago Wendy came around the corner and found a bear circling the whirlpool – none of us went in this one – prayers answered

Wrigley’s whirlpool

And of course from now on the infamous Tricky currents – Mike takes pride of place today – gone was Chuck Norris, no more was Jack Bauer – now we had survivor man – Les Stroud…Mike and Sarah did a 1080 – yes you read correctly…..what do I mean……well they got caught in a whirlpool of confused water – we watched as they pointed downstream (woohoo!) then there were pointed up stream (oh no!) and then downstream (woohoo) and so on…..but they overcame and did not swim and escaped from tricky waters!!!!!! AMAZING

Quick lunch break and then back on river – saw a bear cub on the shore – it took a good look at us and then went running off into the woods.

The river is very high (as per Wendy) and even when not in named rapids there were still some good rollers. We pulled into to 3rd canyon and to the (hells) Gate – stunning. Camp is here tonight.

Perry gives a big shout out to the Fire and Life Safety Team and of course Coze!!

PS – we hiked up 460 vertical meters to the Gate and had an incredible view of third canyon and looking down on ‘the pulpit’ – the lower part of the gate. The climb up was mostly a scramble and Dave and Perry could watch us from camp. On return we completed the Euchre fest – and unfortunately Perry and Dale were the champions, I say unfortunately, as 2 river cold Kokanee’s were the prize (and it was hot, and I have no doubt they tasted mighty fine!).

we had a gorgeous moon and our first clear night sky!