Ridge Explorations and Wabakimi Outfitters present The Jumping Caribou River Northwoods Canoe Expedition

This expedition is eight days in the Ontario boreal forest…the beautiful, Five Star Canoe Country of Wabakimi Park. Canadian Shield country provides some of the best camping possible with smooth granite outcrops covered with soft caribou moss.

On this trip, Ridge Explorations' guests will travel the waters of the Voyageurs, the paid paddlers who crossed the North Woods, carrying trade goods north and furs south for the famous Northwest Company and the Hudson Bay Company. This “Company of Adventurers,” as it was called, was key in the exploration and opening of Canada. Like the horse in the American West, the canoe was critical to this exploration because of the nature of the land, for Canada, and especially Ontario, is a land of waterways. There are so many lakes and rivers that if they are not directly connected, usually a short portage, or carry, takes you to the next water system.

Canoe Trip Preview ( ".pps")
Canoe Trip Preview

Ridge Explorations presents The Toba Traverse

The Toba Traverse trip follows a ridge divide on the British Columbia coast above the spectacular fjord named Toba Inlet. The whole area is a rugged arctic-alpine wilderness of granite ridges clothed in heather and grasses. It is strewn with dozens of alpine lakes which are tucked into deep shady pockets. Most of these have granite slabs shooting straight into the water. The area has a very remote character despite being less than two hundred miles north of the city of Vancouver.

This trip is a remote backpacking excursion that requires some backcountry experience:

* Basic backpacking experience

* Camping skills.

* Physical fitness for a 5-day backpack trip.

* Technical climbing is not involved

* There is opportunity to scramble some summits

Ridge Explorations and Wabakimi Outfitters Present Special Upper Albany River “triple-trip”

Section 1 80 miles (130 km). Savant Lake to Rockcliff Lake via the Savant River. (Train-in and floatplane out).

We will stay at the Wabakimi Wilderness Lodge on August 7, and then take the 6 am train to Savant Lake on August 8, to be shuttled by van to a tiny tributary of the Savant River. Over the next week we will scout, paddle, and portage our way to Rockcliff Lake (and possibly create a few new portages). We will travel a series of lakes and small rivers, encountering wild rice, speckled trout, and other highly diverse biota. This area west of Wabakimi Park is totally pristine, but as yet has no formal protection. It is slated for roads and logging in upcoming years. We will document the land’s values in hopes of achieving protected status in the future. On August 15, a floatplane will fly out some participants for their return to the comforts of civilization: hot tub and cold beverages at our base. This trip is mostly flat-water, with a few easy rapids for learning if you like. Prerequisites: camping experience and a desire to experience some long and challenging days of paddling and portages.

Ridge Explorations and
present

Sauk River overnight river trip with LIVE music

July 2010

Sauk River Music Trip 2010

Saturday we’ll float a leisurely, class II super scenic section of the Lower Sauk River and camp out overnight on a beautiful and scenic sand bar in the middle of the river, with a fantastic view of Whitehorse Mountain (2007 trip pictures). That night you will experience dinner and a show featuring quality local Northwest musicians. Sunday morning you’ll be treated to a warm and robust breakfast before we do a short float out to your car by noon. Those folks signed up for the two-day option will then proceed up river and raft the class III whitewater of the Middle Sauk River on Sunday to top off a great weekend.

Ridge Explorations and
present

Grande Ronde River (OR) 3 days, By request for groups of 8 or more May 1 through June 30th Minam to Troy 38 miles, difficulty Class II+ Cost: $375 for groups of 8 or more.

The Grande Ronde is one of Oregon's most beautiful river canyons and a tributary of the famous Snake River in Hell's Canyon. This remote and deep canyon is moderately forested with large meadows and beaches for camping. Photographic opportunities abound in this big game country as the river meanders through the steep canyon, with bend after bend exposing lovely views second to none. The whitewater is mild but consistent and the trip is well suited for families or those who would prefer just to relax and enjoy the sun, majestic scenery and our catered camp cuisine.

Contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Beginner and Intermediate Sailing Classes, July  and August 2010.

Inland and Coastal Navigation

Accurate navigation is the key to a safe voyage.  Evening format course consists of 9 hours of instruction, made up of 3 three-hour classroom sessions, covering practical small-craft navigation skills needed for safe and efficient inland and coastal passages.  For beginners and more experienced sailors alike — we start from the basics on every topic.  GPS is introduced, but this class stresses traditional techniques because these skills are fundamental and should be learned before relying on GPS.

Course materials include textbook, chart problems, practice chart and Chart No.1 (book of nautical symbols).  Navigation tools are required including parallel rulers, parallel plotter, protractor and dividers.  You can get the tools on your own or through the instructor.

Topics include:
•    Earth and Its Coordinates
•    Nautical Charts
•    Nautical Publications
•    Tools for Navigation
•    Finding and Plotting Position (including basic GPS)
•    Dead reckoning (speed, time, & distance)
•    Tides and currents
•    Practical Voyage Planning

Course Cost:  $225
Text, chart problems, practice chart, Chart No.1:  $
Navigation Tools:  $60 (optional)

Powerboat Classes Cover the Following Topics
1.    Parts of the Boat and Terminology
2.    Boat Systems
3.    Safety
4.    Seamanship
5.    Weather
6.    Navigation (this is not a full navigation course)
7.    Introduction to Rules of the Road
8.    Maneuvering in wind and current
9.     Heavy weather considerations and skills
10.     Using docklines for docking maneuvers
11.    Tying up the boat