Mackenzie River, NWT
- Thread starter Chris
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CatyMae n Steve
New member
the parts I've seen are drift boat kinda water...and I don't know the regs, but seems to me it might be all catch and release...pretty sure someone'll pipe in who knows tho :wink
Ron on Meander
New member
If you mean the Mackenzie River in the NWT Canada. I'm not sure which Mackenzie Caty Mae is thinking of.
The Mackenzie River is navigable from Great Slave Lake to the Arctic Ocean. At least it is for the short period called summer. I'm not sure when the ice leaves but I would be guessing late May. Its a major river system and has been used by Natives and fur traders/explorers since the mid 1800's. It has tugs, barges and small freighters during the summer months. Fuel and ramps would probably be fairly scarce but would be available, at least in some form or other at most of the villages, which there aren't many along the route. The only time I've actually been on the Mackenzie was on the ferry that crosses it on the Dempster Highway. (The highway is an adventure in itself) and the river at that point is big and muddy!
Ron
The Mackenzie River is navigable from Great Slave Lake to the Arctic Ocean. At least it is for the short period called summer. I'm not sure when the ice leaves but I would be guessing late May. Its a major river system and has been used by Natives and fur traders/explorers since the mid 1800's. It has tugs, barges and small freighters during the summer months. Fuel and ramps would probably be fairly scarce but would be available, at least in some form or other at most of the villages, which there aren't many along the route. The only time I've actually been on the Mackenzie was on the ferry that crosses it on the Dempster Highway. (The highway is an adventure in itself) and the river at that point is big and muddy!
Ron
Ron on Meander
New member
This is a link to some info on the Mackenzie NWT. There is a lot more if you check out google.
Mackenzie River
If you go to this site, read the trip report. Although the report is meant for paddlers it gives some good background on the Mackenzie.
Ron
Mackenzie River
If you go to this site, read the trip report. Although the report is meant for paddlers it gives some good background on the Mackenzie.
Ron
CatyMae n Steve
New member
doh! sorry...I've always wanted to fish the Mackenzie in the Eugene Springfield area...supposed to be great flyfishing! I'm sure you're right that it wasn't the Oregon version in question 
Good for you for thinking outside the box, Chris. I've read a lot of books about folks travelling in that area a hundred years ago or so, and I've often thought it would indeed make a great C-Dory adventure. Personally, I think the logistics of driving all that way and shuttling trailers, etc. would be enough to disincline me to actually do it. But I'm also sure it could be the trip of a lifetime.
I've also thought the east end of Great Slave Lake would be a worthy exploration. I think it might be a new Canadian national park or some such thing. It's supposed to have a lot of high rocky granite islands and to be quite scenic.
No matter where you venture up in that country though, be sure to bug-proof the heck out of your boat.
Al
I've also thought the east end of Great Slave Lake would be a worthy exploration. I think it might be a new Canadian national park or some such thing. It's supposed to have a lot of high rocky granite islands and to be quite scenic.
No matter where you venture up in that country though, be sure to bug-proof the heck out of your boat.
Al
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
An interesting story that includes a kayak trip down the MacKenzie is "Kablona in the Yellow Kayak" by Victoria Jason. As therapy(?) recovering from a stroke, she kayaked all the way across the top of the arctic. It has a good discussion on the trip down the Mackenzie, the people along the way. She is a little over the top on her rant regarding one of her first travelling companions, but still this is a good book for the library.
El and Bill
New member
Casey --
There has been a serious security breach on the GAI!! Since you are an expert in such security breaches, I'm sure you are currently investigating the source of the "leak" and will take all appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, let's nominate the San Diego operative as the leader of the '07 GAI -- unless of course, he has already compromised himself and will shortly be facing an indictment. (Keep an eye on him -- he could easily slip across the nearby border).
There has been a serious security breach on the GAI!! Since you are an expert in such security breaches, I'm sure you are currently investigating the source of the "leak" and will take all appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, let's nominate the San Diego operative as the leader of the '07 GAI -- unless of course, he has already compromised himself and will shortly be facing an indictment. (Keep an eye on him -- he could easily slip across the nearby border).
El and Bill
New member
Casey:
This morning at 10:42:16 (UTC) there was a 5.6 earthquake reported at 64.932°N, 129.261°W -- this is but 79 miles WSW (252°) from the GAI. Check with the duty officer in charge since this seismic event may be the result of the San Diego operative trying to setup a diversion event to throw you off the scent.
This morning at 10:42:16 (UTC) there was a 5.6 earthquake reported at 64.932°N, 129.261°W -- this is but 79 miles WSW (252°) from the GAI. Check with the duty officer in charge since this seismic event may be the result of the San Diego operative trying to setup a diversion event to throw you off the scent.
Sounds good to me.
That has a nice "ring" to it: Expedition Commander Chris - GAI '07. I'll find someone to sign-on as navigator, and I figure we need a grant writer to apply for DOD, USGS, and Nat'l Science Foundation and a few others for funding. (I figure the bug dope alone will run about nearly $1K per person.) May need a couple of recruiters as well, as this promises to be a major undertaking (or brain overload, depending on your perspective).
Hmmm...I wonder how much annual leave the Commander will have by then. (...or will he be retired(?)-even better)
Earthquakes, eh? Hmmm...
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/rec ... 230_65.php
Casey
C-Dory Naknek
That has a nice "ring" to it: Expedition Commander Chris - GAI '07. I'll find someone to sign-on as navigator, and I figure we need a grant writer to apply for DOD, USGS, and Nat'l Science Foundation and a few others for funding. (I figure the bug dope alone will run about nearly $1K per person.) May need a couple of recruiters as well, as this promises to be a major undertaking (or brain overload, depending on your perspective).
Hmmm...I wonder how much annual leave the Commander will have by then. (...or will he be retired(?)-even better)
Earthquakes, eh? Hmmm...
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/rec ... 230_65.php
Casey
C-Dory Naknek
We are considering doing the Mackenzie after I retire in 4 years. To much logistics in a one way trip, so am planning slow voyage down and fast back.
Have been on sections of the Mackenzie, Artic Red, Peel, Pelly, Teslin, and Yukon rivers on a 12.5 ft inflateable with 18 hp moter. Also from Carmacks to Whitehorse and back on our 22 ft Hunkydory. Thats 400 miles on the upper Yukon. We were advised not to do the upper Yukon by a very knowledgeable person we met while putting the Hunkydory in the Yukon River between Marsh Lake and Tagish Lake. At that time we were exploring Taghish Lake and He owned the Marina where we launched. He Had lived in Faro, Yukon and explored most of the Yukon Territory rivers by jet boat.
You might consider doing the upper Yukon 1st. It has alot of the same challenges, but with clear water and easier access.
It would be a grand adventure. Just wished we could go sooner.
Jay
Have been on sections of the Mackenzie, Artic Red, Peel, Pelly, Teslin, and Yukon rivers on a 12.5 ft inflateable with 18 hp moter. Also from Carmacks to Whitehorse and back on our 22 ft Hunkydory. Thats 400 miles on the upper Yukon. We were advised not to do the upper Yukon by a very knowledgeable person we met while putting the Hunkydory in the Yukon River between Marsh Lake and Tagish Lake. At that time we were exploring Taghish Lake and He owned the Marina where we launched. He Had lived in Faro, Yukon and explored most of the Yukon Territory rivers by jet boat.
You might consider doing the upper Yukon 1st. It has alot of the same challenges, but with clear water and easier access.
It would be a grand adventure. Just wished we could go sooner.
Jay
Hey guys,
It is nice to know the plans for 07 are coming together. I've ordered my charts and bug deterrent for the Beaufort Sea - just a short run from Great Slave Lake.
However, times and places for 06 would be more useful. When and for how long between "Anacortes and Glacier Bay"?
It is nice to know the plans for 07 are coming together. I've ordered my charts and bug deterrent for the Beaufort Sea - just a short run from Great Slave Lake.
However, times and places for 06 would be more useful. When and for how long between "Anacortes and Glacier Bay"?
El and Bill
New member
Great! That's settled. We have Expedition Commander Chris - GAI '07 at the helm and Casey the Navigator at the GPS. With E&B at the controls of Chief Security Investigator (or is that instigator?), and Sandy responsible for the commissary, the expedition is ready to tackle the remaining logistics. Any one else interested in 'talking about' a long river run in the north in '07? Fun to plan and helps dispel the winter 'blahs' -- and no commitment at this point for anyone -- just batting around ideas.
1. What river? Jay is experienced in travel on Canadian and Alaska arctic rivers. He is suggesting the Upper Yukon as a "good, clean, easier access river." Sounds appealing to us. We need to get more logistical information from Jay -- perhaps a brief summary of his trip so we can evaluate details of launch site, retrieval point, fuel stops, hazards, and other ideas. Sounds like a task for the Navigator, what do you think Casey? Maybe start another thread just on the Upper Yukon to keep the info separated? With info at hand, we can better evaluate which river would be best for the GAI.
2. Wandering Sagebrush has a good suggestion with Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak. El read that one years back when we were driving the Dempster Highway -- a great tale of adventure through the NW Passage by kayak. Victoria Jason, the author, finished her trip by paddling down the Mackenzie and closing her loop back to Gjoa Haven to the east. Good info.
3. Ron has good info on the Mackenzie and his suggested site on the canoe run down the river has excellent info on the Mackenzie -- perhaps Ron has some info on gas supply points possible on the river and any other ideas -- in fact, he might want to be the Canadian Commander and have a joint operation, at least for the planning sessions if he can't actually make an arctic run.
4. Caty Mae n Steve -- We have rafted the MacKenzie River in Oregon and it is one fine white-water trip. Only dumped two rafts, and one was with our son Brad at the sweep. Others will have to speak of the fishing, we were too busy paddling.
5. Yep, Chris, you have your security clearance back -- but you have to admit, Commander, it was a good ploy.
1. What river? Jay is experienced in travel on Canadian and Alaska arctic rivers. He is suggesting the Upper Yukon as a "good, clean, easier access river." Sounds appealing to us. We need to get more logistical information from Jay -- perhaps a brief summary of his trip so we can evaluate details of launch site, retrieval point, fuel stops, hazards, and other ideas. Sounds like a task for the Navigator, what do you think Casey? Maybe start another thread just on the Upper Yukon to keep the info separated? With info at hand, we can better evaluate which river would be best for the GAI.
2. Wandering Sagebrush has a good suggestion with Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak. El read that one years back when we were driving the Dempster Highway -- a great tale of adventure through the NW Passage by kayak. Victoria Jason, the author, finished her trip by paddling down the Mackenzie and closing her loop back to Gjoa Haven to the east. Good info.
3. Ron has good info on the Mackenzie and his suggested site on the canoe run down the river has excellent info on the Mackenzie -- perhaps Ron has some info on gas supply points possible on the river and any other ideas -- in fact, he might want to be the Canadian Commander and have a joint operation, at least for the planning sessions if he can't actually make an arctic run.
4. Caty Mae n Steve -- We have rafted the MacKenzie River in Oregon and it is one fine white-water trip. Only dumped two rafts, and one was with our son Brad at the sweep. Others will have to speak of the fishing, we were too busy paddling.
5. Yep, Chris, you have your security clearance back -- but you have to admit, Commander, it was a good ploy.
El and Bill
New member
George and Penny --
We think it is best to discuss the '06 plans on their own thread, rather than on the Mackenzie thread -- and we leave Thursday for those Ships of the Desert, so will be out of contact for awhile.
We think it is best to discuss the '06 plans on their own thread, rather than on the Mackenzie thread -- and we leave Thursday for those Ships of the Desert, so will be out of contact for awhile.
Bill
Jo-Lee and I met you @ El as we were loading the boat at Bridge Bay in Yellowstone in Aug 2003. We had a wonderful 45 min chat with you two, before we, pressed for time had to leave. This was just after our return from our 1st Alaska Yukon trip with the C Dory.
Our Alaska ect. trip that year was a 3 week whiralwind like tour from Wyoming, that included exploring several Yukon River headwater lakes, the Inland Passage from Skagway to the Taku River inlet and the upper Yukon River. We had planned on doing the yukon river 1st, but could't find a good place to leave the pick-up and trailer after boat launching at Whitehorse so at that point decided to explore the lakes and then head to Skayway. After the lakes and ocean we had just enough time to make a quick run on the yukon river.
I would try to do a quick description of the trip, but don't know if this is the time or place that it should be done. I have very little experience with writeing, computors or site ediquit. Advice would be appreciated.
Jo-Lee and I met you @ El as we were loading the boat at Bridge Bay in Yellowstone in Aug 2003. We had a wonderful 45 min chat with you two, before we, pressed for time had to leave. This was just after our return from our 1st Alaska Yukon trip with the C Dory.
Our Alaska ect. trip that year was a 3 week whiralwind like tour from Wyoming, that included exploring several Yukon River headwater lakes, the Inland Passage from Skagway to the Taku River inlet and the upper Yukon River. We had planned on doing the yukon river 1st, but could't find a good place to leave the pick-up and trailer after boat launching at Whitehorse so at that point decided to explore the lakes and then head to Skayway. After the lakes and ocean we had just enough time to make a quick run on the yukon river.
I would try to do a quick description of the trip, but don't know if this is the time or place that it should be done. I have very little experience with writeing, computors or site ediquit. Advice would be appreciated.
El and Bill
New member
Chief Navigator Casey and Commander Chris --
In light of the post from HunkyDory, we have started a thread on the Upper Yukon to keep the data on the two rivers separate -- trust that's ok, ... sir?
In light of the post from HunkyDory, we have started a thread on the Upper Yukon to keep the data on the two rivers separate -- trust that's ok, ... sir?