July 25 to White's landing

We drove 35km from Prince George to Stoner, bypassing some of the worst of the rapids. This decision was made as we are inexperienced with white water and did not have any locals to help us through this section. The Quesnel paddlers met us in Stoner with their canoe.

After unloading and getting everyone organized, and meeting our new paddling companions, we were on the river again.

We had some fast moving water and did face some rapids again today - Chinamen Rapids, but with the help of the local paddlers who had done this section of the river many times, we had no troubles.






Where we stopped for lunch we saw bear and wolf tracks in the sand.








We paddled a total of 35 km today to camp at White's landing with the permission of the owner. We set up camp and some braved the fast and cold water for a swim.

July 24 Prince George reenactment

Today we had only a short 25 km paddle to the old fort site at Prince George. We had a leisurely morning, get into our voyageur outfits and prepare the flags for the reenactment arrival in Prince George.

















We stop for a break along the river and can envision being true voyageurs on the same route 100 years ago as the wilderness surrounds us.




There are large unstable cliffs as we approach Prince George and evidence of the ice jam last winter was easily seen.
















A large crowd was at the landing spot below the old Fort in Prince George. We had to haul the boats out here and it was a very tall, steep, bank.



Spectators helped haul the big boats up the bank. The media was there taking shots of us paddling and hauling the boat. We got the boats on level ground and headed to the museum for the ceremonies. After the talks and the food we were on our own.



We had permission to set up camp in the park which we did. Then some headed to the local YMCA to have showers, others went to the museum (which was very good), while others relaxed around the camp, unfortunately no fire allowed tonight.




Peter and his canoe left us here to head back to Vanderhoof. We were down to only our two canoes which we loaded on the trailer to meet paddlers from Quesnel joining us with their canoe tomorrow at Stoner.

July 22 Wilkins Park, Prince George

This morning we awoke to heavy frost. It was cold but when we got on the water the mist rising from the water was amazing. The sun was out so we would soon warm up to enjoy another beautiful, sunny, hot day on the river.



We packed up the two truck that thankfully we had along as support vehicles, as well as two drivers. They were essential to the trip.



We started the day paddling on the calm waters in the mist but today we had several rapids to get through. We had arranged to have a few local paddlers stern our two Fort Langley canoes. They assured us with the high water we would have no difficulty with the Isle Peirre Rapids. Everyone made it through safely with no upsets but some big wide grins and shouts of laughter.








We ended our 72km on the water today at Wilkins Park in Prince George . Permission had been given to stay in the day park area with a great shelter which we put to use as a kitchen and laundry.



Several paddlers enjoyed a swim in the fast, cold river playing with the inflatable raft.


The canoes waited on shore for our adventure to continue tomorrow with the reenactment arrival at the old fort site in Prince George.

July 22 Mandolay, Chinlac, then to Finmore

Up early and down the Stuart River.













We paddled 60 km










to Mandolay ranch where we stopped to look around. Peter gave us some history about the old farm, destroyed by fire many years ago and long since deserted.







We had some excitement at the Chinlac Rapids where one voyageur canoe overturned. Everything turned out fine and it was a great learning experience for all, those in the water and those doing the rescue.




We stopped at Chinlac where we were met and shown the area. The First Nations did a drumming ceremony for us and a naturalist explained what had happened, giving us a tour. It is an important historical site.






After Chinlac we continued down the Stuart to the Nechako River. We turned west, paddling upstream to Finmore ending our 103 km paddle that day.







Some paddlers braved a swim in the very cold Netchako River before a chilly dinner around the campfire.

July 21 down Stuart River to Scott's farm

We were up early on the water. The Stuart River helped us along the way.












We swam at the cliffs where the waterbabies are formed







and rafted the canoes and did some sailing with a large rain poncho.













After 40 km on the river we arrived at Jack Scott's vacant farm, where he allowed us to camp for the evening, even offered the strawberries growing in the garden. We enjoyed another campfire before we went to bed, some in tents and some in the big empty house.

July 20 Paddle from Fort St James to Cromarty's

Packed up the trucks and had our morning meeting for our first reenactment and start of our Simon Fraser journey.









We trailered the boats to Cottonwood Park in Fort St James for the Music Festival Pancake Breakfast, then launched and loaded the three voyageurs, Fort Langley Canoes Club's two plus Peter's.

We were all dressed in our voyageur outfits and were given a blackpowder salute to send us on our way. Finally paddling!



We headed down Stuart Lake into Stuart River, stopping at the ancient, sacred grave site of a Carrier chief.














We paddled only 14 km to Dave Cromarty's farm, on the Stuart River, an easy start to our journey. Dave allowed us to setup our tents in the clearing beside his large log house. He saddled his horses for us to ride up into the meadows and showed up his "water babies" which are unusual shaped pieces clay found along the sides of the river a bit further south. We will look for them tomorrow.

After dinner and a large campfire we went to our tents.

July 19 Drive to Fort St James

We pack up and drive
the last 280km to Fort St James.










We checked out the river and campsites along the way and met Peter Rodseth from Vanderhoof who has done route many times and is joining us for the first part of our journey. He was essential with his knowledge of the river and his many friends who assisted us along the way.


We slept in the old fort buildings but not until after enjoying a wonderful dinner and film of the 1989 Simon Fraser reenactment.