S T A N D I N G W a V e s
leclair cuts his teeth on the
mighty Moisie river in 2008
Photo daniel Petit
lininG and tides and bears
TAKING A MAGICAL WHITEWATER JOURNEY DOWN NUNAVIK’S VaChON riVer
PINNED BETWEEN the 55th parallel and Hudson a river guide and park ranger from Pingualuit to the village of Kangirsuk. Ice jams pose a po-
and Ungava Bays, the territory of Nunavik in far National Park, which protects the river’s headwaters, tentially deadly hazard, and the region’s heavy
northern Quebec is home to some of the prov- and Tommy Weetaluktuk, an archaeologist from precipitation makes for unpredictable and swiftly
ince’s last undiscovered whitewater. Scoured by Nunavik’s Avataq Cultural Institute. changing water levels. With the ground locked in
icy winds and pounded by rain and snow, the Va- “The local Inuit understanding of the territory, icy permafrost—unable to support vegetation or
chon River cascades over 200 kilometres through climate and available resources is invaluable to hold water—rains feed directly into the river.
this unforgiving landscape of rock and lichen an expedition in this wild region,” says Leclair. The most treacherous section, says Leclair, is
before being swallowed by the Payne River Fiord The team knows that the river’s remoteness is the last few days on the Payne River Fiord. “We
and the world’s largest tides at Ungava Bay. not the only challenge their 18-day expedition have to deal with 35- to 40-foot tides, difficult cur-
Because of its remoteness—Nunavik is larger faces as it travels 300 kilometres from a series of rents, strong winds and even polar bears near the
than California, has no roads and is home to a small lakes at the headwaters, down the river’s coast,” he says, adding that these hurdles just
population of only 12,000 scattered in tiny Inuit narrow canyons and out the Payne River Fiord “add spice to the trip.” —VM
villages around the coast—the Vachon River has
never been run before. (Curiously, the river was
partially explored in 1985 by a group of four ca-
R E S C U E 4 1 1
noeists from Lyon, France, who travelled up it as
part of a cross-Ungava expedition). This summer,
R
o
>
w
Quebecer Eric Leclair hopes to make a first de-
scent while laying the groundwork for others to
Reach, Throw, Go
do the same. LET’S FACE IT, we don’t use our throw ropes very often. And it’s no wonder, considering my
“The Vachon is the craziest project I could think 30/30 rule.
of,” says Leclair. I recorded throw success rates in the river rescue and kayak instructor courses I taught last
With over 10,000 kilometres of canoe tripping season. I came up with the 30/30 Rule: Participants’ average throw distance of 30 feet was only
experience under his hull, Leclair is a veteran of accurate 30 per cent of the time.
wild and remote rivers. An expedition leader and So why are we carrying 60-foot throw bags? For many of us, the rivers we run are too wide
geographer since 1994, Leclair has worked with for these ropes to be of use, even if we could throw them accurately that far. Fold the rope back
SÉPAQ, Quebec’s parks organization, to produce on itself, such as in a 3:1 haul system or z-drag, and you are down to half that reach. Besides,
detailed maps and guidebooks for popular white- when you really need rope safety, the current is likely too strong, making holding a loaded
water tripping rivers like the Ashuapmushuan. line—regardless of diameter—difficult for both swimmer and would-be rescuer. So, what is the
The goal of the Vachon River expedition is to solution? Relying on boat-based rescue in most situations.
research the route and rapids for a Parks Quebec But don’t leave the bags at home. Instead, carry a compact 30-foot throw line and a rescue
recreational guide map, while also enabling rope. Your rescue rope should be the longest, strongest line you can afford—150 feet of
nearby communities to evaluate the river’s tourism quarter-inch Spectra weighs just two pounds and can hold loads up to 2,000 pounds. The small
potential. With currently only three commercially diameter doesn’t absorb water or create drag in the current and it fits neatly into a large throw
run rivers in the region, the local Inuit are eager bag. A team of four paddlers with long ropes provides 600 feet of rescue options for when you
to welcome more visitors to Nunavik. To this end, really need them. —Jeff Jackson
Leclair’s expedition team includes Peter Kiatainaq,
1 Rapid summer/fall 2009
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